Yes, I made it happen! GIRLS TRIP! But first, a few stops along the way.
It was easy sailing to Clearwater for one night in a very nice marina hosting several large mega-yachts. Our transient slip was convenient with very helpful deck hands to assist our docking. We were on the outside pier about as far away from the office as one could be. This meant we were essentially without internet connectivity. I spent most of the afternoon in a small office with some very accommodating staff as I made travel arrangements for my daughter and granddaughter to join me in Florida.
I found a “Disney Specialist” travel agent through some research and I was immensely grateful for her service. Rene Cittadino with Show you the World Travel is a gem! When I told her of my previous failed attempts to make arrangements alone, and that I was a desperate grandmother trying to create a dream vacation, she got right on it! Twenty minutes later we were booked in a hotel, had park tickets, meal cards and shuttle services. Next, I booked their flights and my rental car. BOOM! We’re all set! Disney World, here we come!
We noticed a lot construction and waterfront renewal near this marina. We walked into town and enjoyed an early bird dinner at Tequilas Mexican Grill and Cantina. Their 2-for-1 Happy Hour House Margaritas were huge and thankfully, watered down.
Next stop, St. Petersburg and another easy day on the water. The Municipal Marina is adjacent to the St. Pete Pier. (…not to be confused with Pete’s Pier in Crystal Springs) We got our bikes down for a gorgeous sunny ride along the waterfront. There were street musicians and artists lining the well-manicured promenade. A free trolley ran the length of the pier catering to the less athletic and/or mobility-challenged. In fact, this pier was reconstructed and completed in July, 2020, with ADA regulations in mind. There was something here for everybody!
The many shops, galleries and restaurants along Beach Drive made for a fun stroll. We ventured south on bicycles to the Dali Museum and took advantage of the fresh produce at the Farmer’s Market at Pioneer Park. We toured the Museum of History and the Museum of Fine Arts. The 2022 Firestone Grand Prix Motor Car Race of St. Petersburg (the season opener of the IndyCar series) was setting up on the very streets we rode and walked, making some navigation tricky. The actual race was two weeks in the future. Colleen and I found a walk-in hair salon for a quick trim in the same shopping center as a Publix market, all very close to the marina. This city was one of my favorites on the Loop!
In Sarasota we celebrated Super Bowl Sunday and Valentine’s Day. Pete and I are not much into football, yet our buddy boat made it fun with a watch party. We grazed all afternoon on finger foods. Valentine’s Day included flowers, filets and fine wine. Pete’s card to me was so sweet. I put his in a “safe” place… it turned up a week late.
I met a friend-of-a-friend while in Sarasota. She and I have been digital acquaintances for months and distant professional colleagues for, well, maybe decades. We had an opportunity to meet face to face. Debbie and husband Max who live in KY happened to be in Sarasota and were able to meet us at our marina restaurant. In a matter of minutes, we felt like close friends, telling funny stories and belly laughing. Two pilots and two nurses could talk for hours but our visit was short. They were returning home the next day and had to prepare. I hope we meet again!
The next two weeks we would travel independently, without our Buddy Boat. We each had commitments with friends or family, so we forged on to Venice, Cayo Costa (an anchorage) and Fort Myers.
Fort Myers Yacht Basin was a popular marina close to the historic downtown. Once settled we took an Uber to Enterprise for our rental cars. Pete left early Saturday morning for the Miami Boat Show (while I detailed our boat) and I left early Sunday morning for Orlando. Amy and Azalyah flew all night and I was expecting them to be tired. Silly me, they were pumped up on adrenaline and raring to go sightsee!
Amy wanted to see Downtown Orlando and drive through the historic district. On a Sunday morning, getting around was easy. Next we stopped by the Pulse Nightclub where Amy paid homage to the victims of the tragedy (6/12/2016). On our way to the hotel we visited Disney Springs and dined at House of Blues. Our hotel, Wyndham Lake Buena Vista, was right across the boulevard from Disney Springs and it was bustling with Disney families. It was Spring Break after all. I knew this going into it so I packed a lot of patience. At check-in, I was provided an envelope with all the information we needed to start our action-packed week.
Itinerary: Day 1, Epcot. Day 2, Animal Kingdom. Day 3, Hollywood Studios. Day 4, Magic Kingdom. I learned that even though the Shuttle Bus was complimentary, it required reservations. I also learned how to navigate the “My Disney Experience” app on my cell phone. (Note: I had two weeks to play around with this app – highly recommended – before going live, and “My Genie” was very helpful, as were mobile food orders.) We minimized waiting in lines and maximized our fun! We hiked the parks and rode the rides for ten to twelve hours each day and Azalyah never slowed down. Both my daughter and granddaughter had a week they will never forget, and I will die happy knowing that I made it happen.
Our last day together felt like a deep satisfying sigh. We slept in, ate a late brunch, and I drove my girls to the airport.
I returned my rental car and made it back to the boat about dinner time. Pete and I walked to Oxbow Bar and Grill for a light meal and to plan the next few days of our journey. Soon we will be in The Keys!