Verstehen
I break for the Nautilus
- Joined
- Jul 4, 2008
Mini TR, Part 2
We then went on The Seas, where it is notoriously difficult to get a good on-ride picture (if you’re following the no flash rule).
But we had a really good time in the aquarium. April loves looking at animals of all kinds.
We had “dinner” at Yorkshire Fish and Chips, having joined the line just before it closed. We shared one order so it was more like a pre-dinner snack (we ate some leftovers from the night before for dinner once we got back to my house). I gave April some fries and bits of fish and she gobbled it all up!
On our way towards the exit, I found these nice butterfly wings and needed a picture with them.
As we were leaving, I had to get a picture of the new fountain all lit up at night. It’s so beautiful and it makes me so happy to see this tribute to vintage Epcot!
Tuesday was my dad’s last full day. I worked until noon again while he came over and entertained April.
Then we went over to Leu Gardens, a botanical garden near downtown Orlando. They’re having a special dinosaur event, which is apparently a popular returning event from the year before. I had never been during dinosaur time so I wasn’t sure what to expect.
Turns out, it was literally sculptures of dinosaurs scattered around the property.
Some of them were very cool! I don’t think we found every single one; the map got confusing at times. I don’t think this is the ideal time of year to visit Leu Gardens; a lot of plants seemed dead or just weren’t blooming, so I’m guessing the dinosaurs are what they do to “liven” the place up a bit. Still, it was lovely to walk around!
We also saw some turtles resting on an island in a lake
After Leu Gardens, it was still a little early for dinner. We drove over to Loch Haven Park, also near downtown, which has a really cool walking and biking path called the Orlando Urban Trail, which takes you through a nice neighborhood and behind some industrial buildings as well. We walked down the path a bit and found the entrance to Quantum Leap winery, which I knew about but had never had the chance to visit. They had a nice outdoor seating area with tables available, so we ordered wine flights inside and sat outside to enjoy them. Dad got a red flight, and I got a white one.
On our way back down the path after, we came across this adorable pupper. April LOVES dogs and she immediately reached out when she noticed him. His owner stopped to let April pet him. She was delighted.
We went to Eden Bar for dinner, which you may recall is an outdoor restaurant in Maitland. At this point, April hadn’t really napped at all all day long, but she was a real trooper and was in a great mood during dinner. A giant screen was playing Sister Act II and she was super into the music, bouncing along in both my lap and Dad’s. It made dinner challenging, but very pleasant! They had a special Valentine’s Day themed cocktail menu and we ordered from that, along with the awesome spinach and artichoke dip.
Then we went home and that pretty much wraps up our trip! Dad left the following afternoon when I drove him to the airport after work. It was a really nice time.
My mom and sister arrive on Tuesday, so I’ll be sure to talk about that visit after it happens!
We then went on The Seas, where it is notoriously difficult to get a good on-ride picture (if you’re following the no flash rule).
But we had a really good time in the aquarium. April loves looking at animals of all kinds.
We had “dinner” at Yorkshire Fish and Chips, having joined the line just before it closed. We shared one order so it was more like a pre-dinner snack (we ate some leftovers from the night before for dinner once we got back to my house). I gave April some fries and bits of fish and she gobbled it all up!
On our way towards the exit, I found these nice butterfly wings and needed a picture with them.
As we were leaving, I had to get a picture of the new fountain all lit up at night. It’s so beautiful and it makes me so happy to see this tribute to vintage Epcot!
Tuesday was my dad’s last full day. I worked until noon again while he came over and entertained April.
Then we went over to Leu Gardens, a botanical garden near downtown Orlando. They’re having a special dinosaur event, which is apparently a popular returning event from the year before. I had never been during dinosaur time so I wasn’t sure what to expect.
Turns out, it was literally sculptures of dinosaurs scattered around the property.
Some of them were very cool! I don’t think we found every single one; the map got confusing at times. I don’t think this is the ideal time of year to visit Leu Gardens; a lot of plants seemed dead or just weren’t blooming, so I’m guessing the dinosaurs are what they do to “liven” the place up a bit. Still, it was lovely to walk around!
We also saw some turtles resting on an island in a lake
After Leu Gardens, it was still a little early for dinner. We drove over to Loch Haven Park, also near downtown, which has a really cool walking and biking path called the Orlando Urban Trail, which takes you through a nice neighborhood and behind some industrial buildings as well. We walked down the path a bit and found the entrance to Quantum Leap winery, which I knew about but had never had the chance to visit. They had a nice outdoor seating area with tables available, so we ordered wine flights inside and sat outside to enjoy them. Dad got a red flight, and I got a white one.
On our way back down the path after, we came across this adorable pupper. April LOVES dogs and she immediately reached out when she noticed him. His owner stopped to let April pet him. She was delighted.
We went to Eden Bar for dinner, which you may recall is an outdoor restaurant in Maitland. At this point, April hadn’t really napped at all all day long, but she was a real trooper and was in a great mood during dinner. A giant screen was playing Sister Act II and she was super into the music, bouncing along in both my lap and Dad’s. It made dinner challenging, but very pleasant! They had a special Valentine’s Day themed cocktail menu and we ordered from that, along with the awesome spinach and artichoke dip.
Then we went home and that pretty much wraps up our trip! Dad left the following afternoon when I drove him to the airport after work. It was a really nice time.
My mom and sister arrive on Tuesday, so I’ll be sure to talk about that visit after it happens!