Trip Report Two broke guys & a dog (for the last time.) (Once more, with feelings. 1/13/25.)

No, I’m not mad at Disney. We’ll be back (in fact, it can’t be soon enough.) But this turned out to be our last trip together as a family.

Who: Brian (R) Tony (L) and Kylie.

When: May, 2023.

Can’t tease this, so I’ll just come out with it.

We’ve posted TRs over the years under the “Two broke guys & a dog” banner (and other titles.) Our May trip was short, and we had already booked August for my birthday (complete with a planned meet up with @Tuvalu) so I thought I’d make one double TR after August.

I ended up with Covid mid-month and we had to postpone to December for Brian’s birthday.

In the meantime, Kylie, our 14 year old German Shepherd/Chow Chow was diagnosed with heart failure. That “heads up” turned out to be a gift and a blessing that allowed us to spend so much extra quality time with her.

Kylie’s 14th bday on Halloween:

She stayed with us through the holidays, rubbing on the Christmas tree when she walked past it, per usual (like a cat lol) and was really doing well - eating, going for walks, snuggling. I expected more of a slow, gradual decline…but she passed yesterday. Now my heart is failing.

I don’t know how far I’ll get with this today. It might actually be too soon. But I thought it could be therapeutic, and a nice tribute.

For some reason, since my 30s, if I cry even a little, my eyelids swell up and it’s hard to undo. Ice helps only temporarily. I fear typing all this out will continue the waterworks (it already has) and prolong that condition. OTOH, they’re already swollen, so WTH? I’ll play it by ear, if that’s ok.

This is my love letter to my pup.

 

[Tony the Tigger]

After the boat dropped some passengers off at the grand Floridian, it brought us to the Polynesian. We don’t get here very often. I would love to stay here at some point, but the coin has not stacked up high enough thus far.

In addition to completing our bar crawl, (we are finishing what we started on this trip!) I specifically wanted to visit the new Wailulu bar & grill. I had heard about a certain drink that sounded good.

We got off the boat and started walking, not sure where it was, looking for signs. As we walked, someone walking towards us from the other direction pointed at us and said, “I know you - Tune In last night!” It was Kate from the night before! What are the freaking chances?

I mentioned what we were looking for, and we had been, in fact, heading in the wrong direction. Our destination was not far from theirs, so they offered to play tour guide. Then apparently their destination was no longer a thing, so they joined us at the Wailulu. Fun! Good thing we ran into them or we’d still be walking in the wrong direction.

A true banana old fashioned!

This was much better than the one from Citricos on Christmas which, in fairness, was not advertised as a banana old fashioned. It just had banana stuff in the ingredients.

This was delicious.

Our server was fantastic. What a personality. Unfortunately, his days off are the same as Brian’s new days off, so we may not see him again.

We also split a short rib. It was good, we’ve had better.

Knowing we may not be back soon, I took another banana old fashioned to go!

We thanked our new tour guide friends, and listened carefully to their instructions to get us where we needed to go to catch a Lyft to JulieWorld.

 

[Tony the Tigger]

Random pics on our way to the Lyft, which reminded me we stopped at the room first to add more layers!

Like I said, I knew this was a long shot.

Too late. Too cold, anyway!

 

[Tony the Tigger]

Julie’s old fashioned with toasted marshmallows was cute, but it was no banana.

It was empty when we got there, then suddenly packed, so we were credited as trendsetters. (By me. )

We had a fun visit as always, but would spend a lot more time and money at the TI if they would just allow the food again. Instead, we have to find a place to eat.

This time, it involved a bus and a late ADR.

Hi, Pluto!

 

[Tony the Tigger]

I guess we’re Polyamorous now - at least for that day - twice at the Poly in a few hours. This time, Kona Cafe.

Some apps

Mains

No sugar added dessert

And a napoleon.

I had a theory that if I woke up in the middle of the night when the alcohol wore off, I should have some alcohol on hand. (Real healthy, right? But better than not sleeping well for days?)

So I rushed across the way to overpay for a $20 bottle of Jack Daniels. And we took a Lyft back to the room.

 

[Tiggerish]

The last of the tribe bites the dust tonight

(I think I just outed myself )

Edit: for the record, the gingerbread man in drag made me laugh my butt off. It was just meant to be me! A representation of the baker.


Edit, 3 minutes later: And ZOMG, still awesomely tasty. If any other Tony followers bake and would like a superb gingerbread recipe, I’m happy to share.

 

[Tony the Tigger]

Been putting this off a bit. This was one hell of a long goodbye.

I did wake up in the middle of the night, and I did make use of the Jack Daniels lol. It did help me sleep longer, on and off. More than once.

There was not much we could do this morning, we had a train to catch. On our way to pick up our Lyft, would you believe…

There was Pluto - right at our resort - completing the trio after meeting Chip & Dale the day before.

I put my bag down. I looked at Brian. I assessed how many people were ahead of us…

And my phone buzzed because the Lyft had arrived. We had no chance for a pic with Pluto. It was a near miss. It almost felt, I dunno, inevitable that we’d miss the dog.

Now, you can’t bring any alcohol on the Brightline. We covered that on the way up, remember? That’s why I left my Crown Royal Vanilla at home. But I paid $20 for this little bottle of Jack, and it was still half full! I decided to put it in my shaving kit bag. It could just be a bottle of mouthwash, right? Worst case scenario, we both chug it at the station.

Going through security, my bag was flagged. They said they had to see how big my scissors were(?!!) I thought, that was weird. They didn’t get flagged on the way up. There was a small pair of scissors always in…my shaving kit bag! uh oh!!!

I opened my suitcase and unzipped the little bag. Right on top was the bottle! I tried to quickly shove it down under the other stuff and find the scissors. I couldn’t shove it down! The bag was really full lol. I grabbed the bottle and quickly shoved it on the other side of the suitcase. I didn’t even get a chance to cover it up with anything, but found the scissors and showed them to the agent. She said they were fine, and I put everything away. And my little bottle of Jack made it home.

 

[Tony the Tigger]

So we’re home. Safe and sound. The year is over. We survived the holidays and the 13th. Thanks to Disney for helping with that. Thanks to all of you for helping with that. You all helped. And thanks to this site for a place to basically journal getting through that year.

As much as I hate to wrap this up, and have been dragging my feet the last few days, I have to wrap it up.

We began this one-year process at All-Star Music days after she passed, and ended it at ASM on the anniversary of her passing.

We finished what we started on this trip.

I did go back and reread the trip report. I did get upset, but not as much as I thought I would.

The other morning, I found myself watching Cesar Milan videos about picking a good rescue dog. I felt good about that. I don’t know if Brian is ready, but I think I’m ready soonish.

I’d also like to enjoy a little more of this time where we can take frequent two day trips on Brian’s days off. Disney, Key Largo. Costa Rica is on the list as a potential place to live, believe it or not.

The point is, I do see the time ahead as different from the last year. Maybe I put that in my own head in drawing a line for myself, but I genuinely feel the 13th was an ending and the 14th was a beginning. So even if I did put that in my own head, it worked. I feel differently. I feel less “in it.”

I will always miss my beautiful Kylie.

But to some degree, I had to let her go. The past month felt like saying goodbye all over again. It was too much.

I’m sure I will still think about her. I’m sure Brian and I will still talk about her. I may still mention or reference her here. I’ll probably still bring her Mickey on trips.

I have to end this thread. There will be no more trip reports with Kylie in them. Our next trips will be on a new thread. In fact, I was just invited to a Record Show in Orlando soon. Have to check the dates. If I go, of course I’m going to go to Disney lol. It might be a solo trip. Maybe just an afternoon or evening. The benefits of having an AP! That could start our next batch of short trip reporting. I hope some of you see the value in short trips through our experiences!

Dragging it out.

Yes, of course my eyes are blowing up right now. This is the last goodbye.

From post number one:

This is my love letter to my pup.

This concludes my love letter to my pup. With every bit of my love.

 

[puppawuppa]

Thanks for sharing your trip and memories and pics of Kylie with us.
Kim

 

[Tiggerish]

Great tribute to a "good dog"

 

[erstwo]

 

[k8einwdw]

Who’s cutting onions in here?

 

[MickeyCB]

That was one lucky girl to have had you guys as her dog dads.

 

[Swissmiss]

There has never been a more beautiful love letter written. Thanks for letting us read it.

 

[Tiggertoo56]

Thank you for sharing such a lovely but also sad love letter for Kylie.
Looking forward to other TRs in the future and the wonderful way you always have fun.

 

[RememberWhen]

Love to you and Brian and Kylie too. Thanks for sharing your year with us.

 

[Wicked Sisters]

That was such a beautiful love letter to Kylie. Adorable photos of her at the end of the report. Looking forward to your next TR.

 

[rshell68]

Thank you for sharing Kylie with us! Such a beautiful tribute to her! Looking forward to your future TR's!

 

[MinnieM123]

Loving the photos of Kylie, and your tender tribute to her. I've been following along here for years with your various TRs, adventures with Kylie, and everything else. When the timing is right for you and Brian, another wonderful dog will join your family, and that will be one fortunate pup!!

 

[Tiki Traveler]

Glad this journey brought you some peace. Thank you for sharing it with us.

Still think you should consider a side gig at the Hoop Dee Doo Review!

 

[Tony the Tigger]

Glad this journey brought you some peace. Thank you for sharing it with us.

Still think you should consider a side gig at the Hoop Dee Doo Review!

I’ve actually never been!

P.S. I guess (?) it’s good we experienced Mama Melrose once - it’s closing for good in May.