Just 6.2 Miles In The Parks

I have to admit - I haven't always been a fan of Disneyland. I mean, when your only exposure to Disney is the World, then Disneyland seems like small potatoes (case in point - Sleeping Beauty vs Cinderella castles). However, because of the races that we've been doing for the past several years, my views have totally changed.

For one thing, there are no buses that need to be boarded to go places (unless you choose to stay at a non-Disney hotel far away - you can still stay at a non-Disney hotel and walk to the parks). Granted, there are only two parks - but plenty to do in both to get your Disney fill.

The main Disney characters and princesses walk about and take photos/give autographs freely. I guess there are handlers about, but the characters are easily accessible. I'm not sure how long they walk about since I've never stopped long enough to judge a line, but I'm still amazed at how they just wander about, stopping to meet and greet.

There are plenty of places to eat whose main menu does not consist of hamburgers and hot dogs. We keep a list of places we want to sample.

It is the original - and you can't beat that!

In terms of races, there are no 3am buses to board (well, if you're staying close enough to walk). This morning the race started at 5:30am, and we left our hotel at 5am, walked out the back door, and were in our corral by 5:15am.

The shorter races (5K and 10K) are mainly in the parks. Okay, so the parks are next to each other. But still, even though you wind around and about, it's fun to run mainly in the parks and behind the scenes.

The longer races (half-marathons) have slightly different courses. This is an important thing if you do the same races every year. Currently there are four half-marathons at Disneyland and each course is a little different.

Crowd support and course entertainment is amazing. Maybe it's because of the large pool of talent locally, but there are high school bands, many groups of cheerleaders, miles of antique and cool cars and their owners, many different cultural dance groups, and groups of cosplayers.

So the only problem I have with Disneyland? The dang 4-5 hour plane ride to get there!! Meanwhile, today in photos ...

So we asked if anybody back home wanted the new Run Disney New Balance shoes.
And they (all of them) said yes.
Now to get them packed.  Too bad we brought clothes out here ...

Finished the 10K!

Post-race brunch.
Burrito had a kick to it, but it was yummy!!

We went back to the expo - trip #418 - luckily we were staying close.
Molly wanted compression socks.
We didn't know Kimmy Gibbler was selling them!
She still looks 16 years old (she's 39).

Post-race nap.
A 10K, hearty brunch, and a Gibbler photo op makes for one tired Molly!!

***********************************************************************************

Thankful today for: finishing the 10K; amputee soldiers who finished the 10K; other woggers I met on the course; cool medal; brunch at Steakhouse 55; expo fun; packing suitcases

Fried Food Friday

So maybe it wasn't planned this way, but that's how it turned out. Today was early opening at California Adventure, so we started there. We rode Soarin' and Toy Story Mania (Molly whupped me on that one) and stopped by Starbucks on the way to Disneyland. Molly went to meet up with her Sparkle Skirts peeps (mainly because they were having donuts) and then met me for lunch. Or pre-lunch.

My castle - Sleeping Beauty Castle.
It's the diamond anniversary of the park.
That means there's a lot of stuff for purchase!!

Obligatory corn dog stop.
Because they're supposed to be the best.
And we've never sampled them.
Fried food #1 - we shared a dog.

We snagged a lunch reservation at Cafe Orleans.
And started with Pomme Frites.
Garlic french fries with dippin' sauce.
Another fried yummers!!

Fried entree. Actually two. Monte Cristo sammiches.
One was a regular Monte Cristo. The other was cheese on cheese.
One would have been enough for two.
But we didn't know this.
So we ordered one of each.

After having our yearly allotment of grease, we decided to return to our hotel. During the afternoon we returned to the expo to purchase more New Balance shoes for some of our female family and friends - how shall we transport eight pairs of shoes back to Nashville? I also had to return to the expo to get my photo made with my bib. And somewhere in between all those, I took a stroll to find a CVS to get a few supplies. We were going to finish the night by watching the "World of Color," but my legs were tired and I decided to skip it in order to give them a rest. Molly picked up dinner at Earl of Sandwich, and we took it easy. 10K tomorrow at 5:30am!!

***************************************************************************************

Thankful today for: early opening and fun at California Adventure; cute cast member dude talking about Star Wars merch; texting with my BMs while sitting on a bench in front of the castle; fried foods with Molly; shoe shopping; searching for the CVS and nice check out lady; quiet night in the room

Californy, Here We Come!

I managed to get up, get in the car with my stuff, pick up Molly, and get to the airport on time. As much as we like early flights that get us to places early, this early flight is waaaay to early for me. It was a two-flight day, since we wanted to fly into Orange County (closer to DLand). The first flight only had around 50 passengers, so I had a row to myself. We landed in Houston, had time to take a potty break and find our gate, and then board the plane. This time the plane was full - which meant I got my window seat and was joined by two dudes. I watched TV during the long flight (3 hours which when added to the first flight of 2 hours seemed verrrry long). Eventually we made it, got off the plane, got on the Super Shuttle, and made it to our hotel.

One thing about flying west is the variety of land you see on the way. And even though I'm not a contented flyer, I do like looking out the window. And seeing the mountains.

Finally made it to the expo. Where I went to pick up my purse I bought. And I waited in the line for pre-sales for about 30 minutes. Next to the line for non-pre-sales which had no line. But they didn't have my name listed. So I had to get in another line and wait. And they still couldn't find my name but they found some list with my name so I got my purse. And I got my bib and then joined Molly to get the latest Run Disney New Balance shoes. Because that's what we do ...

Molly played the magic wheel and won a box of rice!!! How lucky can you get?? I won an emery board.

The rest of the day we spent shopping and eating. And then going to bed. 4am makes it an early day!!

*************************************************************************************

Thankful today for: getting to airport on time; safe, smooth flights; watching TV on the plane; quick freezing shuttle ride with interesting people; expo with purse issues and getting shoes and lots of people; lunch at Earl's and dinner at the hotel; going to bed early!!

And Here I Go Again!

Yup, it's packing day - time for another trip!  Yes, I even surprise myself sometimes. Am I ready to go? Well, I actually packed some clothes and am trying to remember the other stuff (I've got the underwear counting down pretty good).

Anyhoo, this time it's off to Disneyland for the Disneyland Half Marathon weekend. We won't even discuss which races I'm doing. And if you're wondering like Maribeth, who asked what my goal time is, the answer is - TO FINISH. Upright, if possible. And let's just preserve the peace by not getting into a discussion of training.

So today has been a flurry of packing, getting some projects completed, cleaning up, emptying the litter box, and other assorted things like that. Tomorrow will come early enough, since our flight leaves at 5:45am (which means we'll leave for the airport at 4am).

Now how many underwears do I need?

***********************************************************************************

Thankful today for: finishing projects; getting packed; going to the Sounds stadium so Steve could have a burger (we didn't stay for the game because it was rain delayed even though it wasn't raining); purring kitties

And We Made It!!

I know - you wondered if it would ever happen. You wondered how I would ever catch up. And yet here we are. Pretty much right on target. Well, maybe right on the third target - the first being before the cruise, the second being my birthday, and the third being the first of September.Yes, it's September already. And so I wanted to tell you about something I learned from Lynnette.

One of the things I started on this blog several years ago was listing the good things that happened on that day. It helped me because I figured if I could find just one good thing that happened, then that day wasn't a bad day. Because there was something good in it. And it has helped me to see my days in a positive way.

Well, Lynnette posted on Facebook about an App she uses on her iPhone. I don't know if it works on other kinds of phones, because I just don't. But the App is called Gratitude365 App. Every day you can upload a photo for that day and list things for which you are grateful. At the end of the month you get a collage like this: (totally used without Lynnette's permission)

I downloaded it to my phone and have already put a photo up for today. That's about all I know about the app for now - I don't know if you can print out the finished month or do anything else with it. But I think it's a stellar idea.

Because I think if we truly look for the good in our day, we will find it. Some days it will be harder than others. But if we can find that one bright spot in an otherwise dreary day, then we will always remember that every day can be a good day.

************************************************************************************

Thankful today for: taking Everley to school; lunch with Lynnette and Maribeth; Lindley and Everley time at Everley's house; Fat Mo's burger for dinner; getting the blog up to date!!