Traveler’s Reflections
Part 1
By John W. Vander Velden 3-25-2014
When people go on
vacation, they often travel, to encounter things that interest them. Those that know us best would not be terribly
surprised by our adventures during this year’s spring escape. But they might not know the logic that fueled
the choice of location.
Over the years we have
developed a system for “planning” a vacation.
Jackie and Nick tell me where we are going, and I make all the
arrangements…Seems fair doesn’t it?
Don’t get me wrong, if I don’t like the place they pick…well, you
get the idea. I don’t
complain…much. For though it seems that
I get the bulk of the work, that is not entirely true. Jackie has to take a great deal of thought to
pick the year’s perfect place…within reason.
My part is only “umpteen” hours on the internet putting together
flights, car rentals, hotel reservations, and, if the need be, tickets to
attractions. That’s all. No prob….
For months she was
stumped. But she came to an
epiphany. For Nick’s spring break fell
on our anniversary…our silver anniversary.
“Let’s go back to where we started… You know, where we went on our
honeymoon…” Seemed like a plan… And so
we went.
Twenty-five years. Things were different…but then, so were
we. To begin with we flew into a
different part of Florida…Jacksonville then almost Orlando now. The reason was simple enough…there is a
non-stop from South Bend to Sanford, and I much prefer not changing planes or
bouncing through out of the way hubs like Pittsburg or Detroit. Not that there’s anything wrong with
Pittsburg or Detroit either for that matter, but it’s not really on the
way. So we arrived at a different place
than the other time, but that was not the only change. Jackie and Nick wanted to go to Universal Orlando. We were there after all…so a day…a beautiful
fun day at the theme park, meant we would not go all the way to Savanna as we
had in 1989. No matter.
It was sunny and
eighty-something the day we rode the complementary van ride across the highway
from our hotel to the theme park to rub elbows with the thousands of folks from
all around the world that had come for a good time. We were not disappointed. The only “downer” was the lack of fireworks
that particular day. We took in both
parks on a very busy day, seeing nearly everything we wanted. The Harry Potter ride nearly scared the
“hib-gee-bees” out of me. We were nearly inverted when the whole thing froze
for a couple of minutes. Truthfully it
gave me time to catch my breath.
The van was waiting
when we closed the parks down, had our pizza, and walked out to the loading
area. I ‘spect we will be going to the
place again.
It was a good thing
that we had scheduled Universal for the first day. For that glorious sunny day was followed
by…rain. Yes, it rains in
Florida…sometimes it rains a lot. In any
case day 2 was a travel day. It gave me
time to become more accustomed to our rental, a gray Ford Taurus. A nice car…though I have an issue with the
turn signal lever. I’m not certain that
after 600 plus miles I completely grasp the “techno-lever” correctly. Heaven help other motorist, as they wonder
exactly what our intentions were at any given time. One time in particular I couldn’t get the
thing to click off. It would signal left
then right then left again then right again…Oh, the poor soul behind us as we
passed through that busy intersection.
That driver must have felt, that he followed a lunatic, driving the big
car with Michigan plates. Sorry to our
friend up north, if we damaged your reputation.
In any case we went up
north, finally finding ourselves on A1A the coastal highway, catching glimpses
of the Atlantic on our way to St. Augustine.
Now that’s a place we went in 89, though it has changed a great
deal. It rained when we climbed the
lighthouse. It rained while we walked
the grounds around the lighthouse. It
rained and thundered when we played miniature golf on this really cool
course. I’d hold the umbrella while my
beloved putted…Nick just got wet… I mean real wet.
The story will continue
next time…
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