Time to Say Good-bye

Orlando has been "home" for two months and this week we finally said good-bye. Good-bye to friends. Good-bye to perfect sunny days under the palm trees. Good-bye to Mickey and his friends.

There is something bittersweet about saying good-bye to a place we've made our home for a while. It is kind of sad to leave. I guess time really does fly when you're having fun, but it kind of feels like we had just arrived! We arrived mid March as the winter season was winding down. We never really find ourselves in the places where we should be in the correct seasons. We could write the book of "not to dos" on the road. After all, we are a family spent two summers (not winters) in Florida. Yes, two. As if we didn't learn our lesson the first time, we did it a second. Anyway, regardless, we had fun and better late than never, but the campground started emptying and the temperatures were steadily warming up. So that was our cue, it was time to go.

We came down excited about spending time with old friends and making memories and we did just that, but have also been blessed with deepening friendships and making new friends to share in this nomadic life.

I can't express how needed this time down here was for us, especially me. A time to remind ourselves why we travel and reconnect with others who share very similar passions. It breathes new life into us as we come off an otherwise difficult start to the year--one of heartbreak and tragedy. Life isn't always roses and rainbows and it is a reminder why shaping our life is always our ultimate goal regardless of where we travel. Sometimes the important things need to be kept in perspective.

So to end our time here this past week we did several special things. It all started kicking off Tom's birthday. We couldn't hit Epcot without experiencing a small taste of eating and, of course, drinking around the world at Epcot's World Showcase. It started off with a scrumptious avacodo margarita (I know it doesn't sound appetizing, but it was!). This came highly recommended and now I see why. It can be found in Mexico at the famous little bar inside the pyramid "La Cava del Tequila". And, without naming every drink, we'll just say the rest of the night was a lot of fun and sharing it with some awesome nomadic friends made it that much better. 

Then on Tom's actual birthday, he opted for some nature chasing. It ended finding a hidden paradise about 45 minutes away where we tubed and swam in crystal clear spring water. Rock springs at Kelly Park is a really unique spring with a beautiful, tropical flowing tubing area from springhead to pool. It's also an easy 45 minute ride just north of Orlando. If you follow our blog, then you know we are a sucker for Florida springs--the real Florida. We explored quite a few the last couple of years as our travels had us in Florida more often than not. Each spring is unique, refreshing and unfortunately (or shall I say fortunately for us) a side of Florida very few people advertise. I think there are over 200 springs in the state, so we left plenty to explore for our next time here. And, trust me, we will.

Later that week we took our last ride on Avatar. Yes, I have to mention Disney once more, but, honestly, if you haven't visited the magical world of Pandora at the Animal Kingdom, then you should. It's pretty special. And, that ride, indescribable. Luckily, I scored Fast Passes that very day which are almost impossible to get. It kind of felt like I had won the lottery and sure beat having to wait in line for 120 minutes. Although, for this ride I would have!!

Our time here ended with a festive Cinco de Mayo celebration with new friends complete with delicious mexican food, margaritas, laughter around the campfire and an early birthday celebration for Tyler. 

We begin this new leg of our journey with hopeful travel plans this summer and we don't even know what they all are yet, but one thing we do know is we will share as they unfold. For now, good-bye to central Florida and hello to new adventures.