Apr 2 - Disney Springs

As with most days, there's the bulk of the day and then there's the interesting part of the day.  Sometimes they coincide; sometimes they don't.

The day started out with rain, putting a damper on most activities.  Cool & wet; Cassie didn't get much exercise.  I did what I usually do, that is my 24x7 RUSA job; hung around and then, when it looked like we'd get to Disney and not get wet once we were there, headed to Disney Springs.

DS is the old Downtown Disney, much revamped.  Ample parking, lots of shopping - Disney and non Disney - and a multitude of restaurants, it was not very busy but the traffic picked up during the day.  Presumably others delayed their arrival too.

Starbucks was the first thing on the menu, of course, and then we linked up with Jason et al.  We wandered around, shopped but didn't buy, eventually ending up at Marimoto for our 5pm reservation.  Japanese food, sort of, fusion mostly, and good.  I fancied the Peking Duck but Sandy didn't and that was a meal for two.  I had the "Angry Chicken" with Kung Pao Cauliflower, which was easily enough food for two or perhaps three people, but I ate it anyway. Have you ever picked up a 1/4 chicken with chopsticks ? No, I couldn't, so it was a combination of chopsticks, knife & fork to cut and fingers.  Oh yeah, that was just the first 1/4 - it was a full 1/2 chicken. 

A little more wandering with our tour guides who have been here many times before and we set off for the airport to pickup Joyce.  I dropped Sandy at Arrivals and headed to the cell phone lot, finding that there was no restroom (there used to be).  A sign said that there were restrooms at Terminal C ... so after waiting a while, I headed there.  Terminal C has yet to be opened but they allow you to park for a max of 10 minutes at the passenger drop-off area (and there were police cars hovering to ensure that you didn't overstay your welcome), go inside and use the head.  This use of TC is obviously not a long term arrangement but it suited me.  Back at the cell phone lot, which is only a few hundred yards away, it wasn't long before Sandy texted that they were awaiting luggage and then again that they were ready.

Heading home, following Waze and turning east on 442, north on Old Mission, the RR Tracks barrier was stuck.  A couple of cars went around but the rest of us waited and eventually turned around and found another way home.  That was an odd end to the night.  The Garmin sends us the same way but I usually just follow 442 to US 1.  It's still a level crossing but I'm betting that the barriers weren't stuck everywhere.

I'd forgotten to mention that Cassie had her "annual" the day before and checked out healthy and 52.something pounds.  She will be 4 in August; my how time flies.  I still miss Abby. 

Onward !