Nemo14 vs. Gravity - a "trip" report

So, let me preface this report with our original plans. DH and I flew down to Orlando on Saturday, 2/14, for our annual winter break. Incidentally, SW airlines gives free cocktails on Valentine's Day flights and free beer on St. Patrick's Day. Anyway, the original plan was that we were renting a condo in Kissimmee, spending Sunday and Monday with family down there, then basically Disneying the rest of the week. So the story begins....

Sunday - We had planned to go visit my soon-to-be 89 year old mother in Groveland, and take her to Silver Springs park. The weather was calling for thunderstorms though, so we decided to take her down to Sarasota to visit my sister and see her new home. That went OK - the area is beautiful, her house is nice, etc etc, and we came back late that night. Monday we spent a delightful day in Silver Springs in Ocala. The park is very low key - just right for mom, and the weather was perfect.It's very much the "real" Florida that existed long before Walt changed the face of central Florida.
A few pics:

On board the glass bottom boats:

Tutles in the crystal clear water:

A 5 foot "visitor" resting in the woods. He is an outsider who frequents the waters there. We saw lots of gators on the river trip.

 

[mousefan1972]

*reminds self to get the heck out of Betty's way when she's on a Segway* :lookaroun

:lol:

Glad you still had a nice time, Betty. At least you were able to not see snow for a whole week!! :sohappy:

 

[Nemo14]

*reminds self to get the heck out of Betty's way when she's on a Segway* :lookaroun

:lol:

Glad you still had a nice time, Betty. At least you were able to not see snow for a whole week!! :sohappy:

I decided that at least I have a "cool" Segway injury this time as opposed to the wrist injury I got from falling off a chair!

 

[Monty]

A perhaps slightly odd question, but...

How do the controls work on the Segway? I have manual dexterity issues [long story, but basically no fingers] and am not sure if I would be able to drive one, though I'd love to try.

Is it strictly lean forward or back for direction and speed and twist/lean the whole column to turn? Or do the handles work like the accelerator on a motorcycle?

I'd hate to pay for a tour only to find out I can't actually use the Segway. On the other hand, if it was easy for me to use, I might consider buying one or two for use in the area around home [at least in summertime :lookaroun].

Any insight appreciated!

 

[Nemo14]

A perhaps slightly odd question, but...

How do the controls work on the Segway? I have manual dexterity issues [long story, but basically no fingers] and am not sure if I would be able to drive one, though I'd love to try.

Is it strictly lean forward or back for direction and speed and twist/lean the whole column to turn? Or do the handles work like the accelerator on a motorcycle?

I'd hate to pay for a tour only to find out I can't actually use the Segway. On the other hand, if it was easy for me to use, I might consider buying one or two for use in the area around home [at least in summertime :lookaroun].

Any insight appreciated!

It's basically leaning forward and back - you should be able to do it I think. You do hold on to the handles, but you don't control anything with them. You should try it - it's really great fun.

 

[Monty]

It's basically leaning forward and back - you should be able to do it I think. You do hold on to the handles, but you don't control anything with them. You should try it - it's really great fun.

Thanks! Exactly the info I needed! Now to plan...

My son may be upset again... He's 13 and the youngest that can do the tours is 16. Either he'll be abandoned for a few hours this August or I may have to do another solo trip.

 

[Nemo14]

Thanks! Exactly the info I needed! Now to plan...

My son may be upset again... He's 13 and the youngest that can do the tours is 16. Either he'll be abandoned for a few hours this August or I may have to do another solo trip.

We found that it was tough on the ankles at first because you're basically controlling through your ankle movement. But they give you a couple of breaks during the tour so you can step off for a few minutes if you want to.
Which tour are you thinking of?

 

[Monty]

We found that it was tough on the ankles at first because you're basically controlling through your ankle movement. But they give you a couple of breaks during the tour so you can step off for a few minutes if you want to.
Which tour are you thinking of?

Thus far, just thinking of the concept... If I want Morgan to go with me, I have two years to decide on which tour. If before then, probably the World Showcase tour, but I'm not sure.

 

[Nemo14]

Thus far, just thinking of the concept... If I want Morgan to go with me, I have two years to decide on which tour. If before then, probably the World Showcase tour, but I'm not sure.

The early morning WS tour is nice because you go into WS with no one else there. I highly recommend it during the Flower and Garden show times.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

I'm so sorry you hurt your knee at the start of your trip. Poor you! And what a sport your hubby was for being so sweet and helping you to take it easy the rest of the time. I hate that you didn't go into the parks any if that was in the plans but it sounds like y'all were able to soak up plenty of magic without ever going inside a gate. That's awesome and speaks volumes, really.

Here's hoping for a speedy recovery for your knee and a happy trip in May! **hugs**

Oh! And I know you're going to totally hate me here...but the snow would be a total novelty for us! Heck, we'd travel and go on vacation spend a week IN the snow. :ROFLOL:

 

[Nemo14]

I'm so sorry you hurt your knee at the start of your trip. Poor you! And what a sport your hubby was for being so sweet and helping you to take it easy the rest of the time. I hate that you didn't go into the parks any if that was in the plans but it sounds like y'all were able to soak up plenty of magic without ever going inside a gate. That's awesome and speaks volumes, really.

Here's hoping for a speedy recovery for your knee and a happy trip in May! **hugs**

Oh! And I know you're going to totally hate me here...but the snow would be a total novelty for us! Heck, we'd travel and go on vacation spend a week IN the snow. :ROFLOL:

Thanks - You're right about my DH - he's a keeper!

And trust me, you'd hate snow as much as the rest of us after the first week or two when it turns to filthy icy slushy frozen y u c k i n e s s.

 

[mousefan1972]

Thanks - You're right about my DH - he's a keeper!

And trust me, you'd hate snow as much as the rest of us after the first week or two when it turns to filthy icy slushy frozen y u c k i n e s s.

I would have to second that sentiment.... :dazzle: (about the snow, not DH!) :kiss:

 

[Monty]

Oh! And I know you're going to totally hate me here...but the snow would be a total novelty for us! Heck, we'd travel and go on vacation spend a week IN the snow. :ROFLOL:

Come visit! :wave:

We have lots!

 

[disneygirl1]

Great Report. So sorry you hurt your leg. At least you will be going back in May And I have to agree... Winter stinks.... I am so sick of the coldness. I wish it would hurry up and be spring already!

 

[DisneyBunny]

So Saturday was pack up and leave day. We went back up to my mom's and took her out for lunch with my brother and sister-in-law, then headed back to the airport, kicking and screaming all the way....

It wasn't the vacation we had planned, but it was OK. The knee seems to be improving, and it was wonderful to not have to see snow for a whole week!

One last pic - we saw this guy on the side of the road and just got a chuckle out of him!

We saw him too!! He was on the road down from the Wal-Mart... I remember thinking "Is this legal???" Poor turtles baking in the sun like that...

Sorry about your knee. Let me know if it's indeed a meniscus (sp) tear.. that's what Mom had, and I know allll about dealing with those

 

[Disneybird]

Hi Fishy, I hope your knee feels much better by now.

My husband and I stayed at a Universal hotel a few years ago for 3 nights. I made 2 trips to WDW and never set foot in any theme parks. My daughter forbid me to since she couldn't go with me. :shrug:

We visited hotels, and shops and rode boats and monorails and really had a good time doing nothing.

I've never been to Silver Springs but understand it's really a lovely park.

And by the way, I'd love a little of that snow too.

 

[nibblesandbits]

So, you not only left after I got back from my trip, but you beat me with a TR too...I really gotta get on mine. :lol:

Anyway, I'm still so sorry your trip wasn't what you expected, but at least you still had a great time. :kiss:

 

[TakeMeThere81]

I'm sorry you hurt your knee!!! But good for you for not pushing it. That's a great tip about watching the water show and fireworks from the Polynesian...I learn something new every day!

Also love the pics showing balloons on monorail and bus windows-cool!

 

[Nemo14]

I'm sorry you hurt your knee!!! But good for you for not pushing it. That's a great tip about watching the water show and fireworks from the Polynesian...I learn something new every day!

Also love the pics showing balloons on monorail and bus windows-cool!

Thanks. It really was neat seeing them both together.

 

[Nemo14]

So, you not only left after I got back from my trip, but you beat me with a TR too...I really gotta get on mine. :lol:

Anyway, I'm still so sorry your trip wasn't what you expected, but at least you still had a great time. :kiss:

Neahneah!

 

[Nemo14]

Finally went to see a Dr. today about the knee. No sign of a fracture, still some inflamation, which apparently has caused the discomfort. I have to wear a brace for a couple of weeks and rest.