Trip Report When can we do this again? A Fractal family Odyssey. *COMPLETED*

Definition of odyssey:

• : a long journey full of adventures
  
  
• : a series of experiences that give knowledge or understanding to someone

Not too long ago I had a lot of doubt this trip would ever happen. The financial cost of higher education, the fact my wife Val wanted to go anywhere BUT Disney, the crazy and conflicting schedules of the kids, made the odds of keeping our 2-year WDW trip tradition a large long-shot. But maybe things do happen for a reason...

A great deal came our way and before we knew it we were on our way back to the World. Not without a major sacrifice however as my eldest daughter Alexandra had to miss the trip due to her schooling ( she graduates this Friday as an Registered Nurse!). She is a bit of a kindred spirit to me with a personality closer to mine than the other two, so I knew I would miss her dearly on the trip.

Here she is at Christmas with my Mom (Yia-Yia).

Speaking of Yia-yia; she will join us again at WDW! We had a great time with her on our 2013 trip at the Poly. We would meet up with her, my Sister Marina (here with me)...

and my two nieces; Courtney...

and Mia...

at the Yacht Club on the second leg of our journey. The first part of our trip took us to my in-law's (Al & Sue) who moved to Florida (Tampa - St. Pete area) last year. They would also join us at WDW!

Here they are from a 50th anniversary party we had for them last Winter...

It was early evening Thursday July 20th when we began our Odyssey. My good friend Wally picked us up to take us to the Baltimore (BWI) airport.

Excitement was building for our trip but the real Disney excitement would come later.

Sterg and Toni occupied the back seat. They were almost late for the pickup as they decided a last second Starbucks run was in order. Sterg ended up paying for that about an hour later as his bladder protested strongly.

Val was next to me and could barely contain her enthusiasm.

Not only was she not fully in favor of another Disney trip, she was (rightfully) concerned with the potential problems, complications, and stress of merging these 3 parts of the family together in the already chaotic environment of managing reservations, room assignments, getting to the parks, fastpasses and dinner plans. I had much of the same worries, which were also amplified by the fact Yia-Yia and Al would be using electric scooters during our time at the World. But hey, it's Disney, what could go wrong?

 

[DznyRktekt]

I use SmugMug to store and share my photos. Sometime this year, the browser at work blocked Smugmug. It's as if the website was wiped off the face of the earth. Not only can I not get to my Smugmug account from work, I can't see any photos that I share on other sites. Same with Flickr (also have a more limited account there). I used to use my lunch break (I won't admit to anything more) to update a TR or post photos, but that options is now gone. What nerve! You would thing they pay me to be doing something else . Now it has to be all done at home!

The problem with doing it at home is juggling it among all the other things that need to be done as well as the constant reminders from Val. I mean, foot tall grass can wait another day or two right? She knows I'll eventually fix the water shooting out of the kitchen faucet, correct? Where's the priority?

All kidding aside, this report is going to be unfolding a bit slower than the others. I'm still only about 1/3 through editing the photos, please bear with me...

Someone might just have a sore throat from that recirculated airline ventilation and have to take a sick day.

 

[sheriffwoody]

We then went back to the house, spent some time at the pool and ended the night with a heated game of Phase 10 (which I won).

This makes me so happy! My mom's family in California always plays Phase 10 when we're there. Games usually last until well into the early morning! Wouldn't trade that family time for anything.

You take your time with the report! I personally like a slow burn on these. It's fun to have something to look forward to every couple of days.

 

[joshsprincess921]

Following along! So entertaining thus far!

 

[Figment Forever]

Following along as always. Sterg's bathroom break and forgetting his ID had me in laughing in tears! It's so good to know I don't have the only family that command drama!

 

[MeeskaMooska0714]

Following!

 

[skyphotographer]

Following along. Great pictures!!

 

[PacNWTigger]

I'm a little late, but I'm definitely following along. I'm looking forward to all of your incredible pics!

 

[fractal]

There was no "singing off to sleep..." but while we digested our meal we came to the decision to drive to the nearest beach and view the sunset over the Gulf. The small wooden bridge to the sand made for a great spot to take photos.

Although there really wasn't a bad spot with the sky becoming more beautiful as the sun dropped.

A few months ago I purchase a flash for my camera and have spent some time trying to learn more about on and off camera flash photography. I also bought a stand and umbrella for portraits. After investing many hours learning how to use the flash with my camera and all the setting, etc. the thing I have yet to master is the stupid convoluted accessory that you connect your flash and stand to! I'm sure 6 months or a year for now I'll look back and laugh at myself but right now I feel there has to be a better way!

After adjusting the setting on the camera, I gave it to Sterg to take a shot of Val & I.

another one of Toni...

Then our attention turned to the amazing show Nature was putting on for us. I would imagine one could get spoiled of the sunsets living on the Gulf coast of Florida, but it would take me a very long time.

The clouds facing the sunset also turned spectacular.

 

[fractal]

The glow of the sun though the clouds on the horizon created a beautiful warm light.

Sterg took the rest of these shots (which I edited in Lightroom) on my old camera. We both exclusively shot RAW with the cameras, which is how I usually shoot. I know I'll be playing around with these files for a long time after the trip.

and apparently as some point, he snuck up behind me to take a photo of me taking a photo of Toni.

Time to go. Sure glad my children have a good hand grip!

The 30-40 minutes spent on the early evening beach payed off in a big way. For most of the day, the sky was gray and overcast. The break in the clouds was marvelous!

Back at the house, we played Phase 10 again. This time Sue was the winner in dominating fashion.

Coming up, one more day closer to Disney!

 

[littleroo]

First of all, the photos are amazing!!!! Your family is beautiful!!

I love all of @fractal jr antics. He really is a character! I agree with the rest of the forum, your early mornings with Toni are priceless!

Following, as always!!

 

[Sabrina1705]

What an amazing photo's!
Following along.

 

[MinnieM123]

Those are beautiful photos of the family with the perfect background lighting. Lighting is critical to great pictures.

One of my brothers is a photography buff, and he's often referred to the "golden hour" which takes place just before dusk. There is this sort of golden backlighting that lasts maybe 25 minutes or so (never really an "hour"), and he's taken incredible pictures--especially in the city of the skyscrapers and bridges, etc.

 

[Gurt]

Wow @fractal your pictures are amazing, you have a beautiful family. Im in

 

[DisneyMorgan]

I'm so excited you've started your report! The airport mess sounds awful, but i'm glad it worked out for Sterg
I can't believe how grown Sterg and Toni are! Too bad Alex couldn't go, but congrats to her on her nursing degree!

Gorgeous pics!!! I've never been that far down the gulf (I think the farthest i've been is Mexico Beach), but now I want to go! Looks beautiful!

 

[kaitertot5249]

I love this picture!

It also looks like @fractal jr may have inherited some of your photography skills, his shots are great too!

 

[Shane7694]

Your pics looks so amazing..

 

[rshell68]

I would imagine one could get spoiled of the sunsets living on the Gulf coast of Florida

We are pretty spoiled. They are always quite beautiful and never the same.

 

[sheriffwoody]

I feel ya on off-camera flash. It took me a hot minute to get it right, but thankfully now I have a go-to setup for weddings and I just stick with that! Of course I just upgraded my flash, so I may be starting from scratch for the fall season

 

[MerMom1981]

Fashionably late as usual, but I'm here!

Great start to your report. BEAUTIFUL pictures, of course!
Can't wait for more!

 

[ksr99]

It didn't take long before complications materialized as quickly as spirits in the Haunted Mansion. The strain of the large coffee began taking its toll on Sterg - right at the time we were stuck in traffic with nowhere to "go". He bravely proclaimed he would sweat it out until the airport but 30 minutes later and still 30 minutes away from BWI he was ready to burst. I asked Wally if he would mind if Sterg made use of an empty water bottle in his car...

"Sure, no problem. When you have to go..."

Toni pulled her blanket over her head and a few minutes later the smile returned to Sterg's face.

The traffic came to a near stop which gave us the next worry about making our flight ; that is until Val received a text that it was delayed from 8pm to 9:30pm. Another problem solved! But it created a new one as Al & Sue were scheduled to pick us up at the Tampa airport. Val called her Mom to keep her abreast of our new schedule.

Wally dropped us off and we promptly checked our bags and started the wait in the TSA line discussing where we would grab a bite to eat. As we approached the agent that checks your ID and boarding pass I caught a glimpse of Sterg furiously fidgeting with his wallet.

"Oh crap, I forgot my driver's license." He blurted out.

"What?" I said in true disbelief.

"I was going through my wallet to make it lighter for the trip and my license must have fell out..."

"Are you kidding me?" Val added.

He was not kidding. I had no idea how this was going to work out with TSA. He had to go with a special officer, answer a bunch of questions and do additional screening while we stood watching and helpless. Turns out he got through the line faster than we did.

Another text from Southwest. Flight now delayed until 10:30.

Well, plenty of time to eat (and drink?). We ate at the Dinner in BWI which was actually very good. Things lightened up and we had several funny conversations.

Another text from Southwest. Flight back on time for 8pm. "What?!!" There were boarding in 10 minutes. We scrambled to our gate but something didn't seem right to me. I checked and discovered they moved the gate for our flight! We grabbed our bags and ran to the new gate. We were there in time but a bit frazzled.

It was at this point a started to get the wrath of the rest of the crew. I completely forgot to check-in the night before at 8pm, only to do so after I woke wide-eyed from a dead sleep at 2am. All of our boarding passes had the dreaded "C" on them.

"Chris, how many times did I remind you to check-in at 8?" Val scolded.

"Daaaad. Why are you doing this to me? I don't want to sit alone." Toni added as if I was feeding her to wolves.

"Yo Pops, not cool." Mister "forgot his ID" piled on.

Well, somehow we all survived the flight despite being split up. Al and Sue were prompt on their pick up and 30 minutes later we were at their new home!

Coming up; things start to get better.

I can't help but laugh!!! Being a Disney dad ain't an easy life!!!!