Hey there, fellow adventurers! If you're diving into this tale, buckle up because I'm about to whisk you away on our recent Sunshine State escape. Imagine this: an impromptu road trip, surprises around every corner, and a whirlwind of excitement—all sparked by an irresistible offer from Marriott that we just couldn't pass up.
It all began with Marriott's irresistible deal: four nights and five days in Florida's blissful embrace for a mere $250. Who could resist such a steal? Certainly not us! We seized the opportunity without hesitation, even though our travel plans hadn't been etched in stone until just a couple of weeks prior.
With excitement bubbling over and wanderlust igniting our spirits, we packed our bags, loaded Chad's reliable chariot (I mean, 38 miles to the gallon? Talk about efficiency!), and hit the road. But not before Thomas showcased his wrestling prowess at a match. Then we hit the road.
Now, let me tell you, our journey was far from smooth sailing right off the bat. After hours of driving, we stumbled upon a hotel that seemed like a decent pit stop for the night. Little did we know that the night ahead would be anything but restful, thanks to the relentless heat in the hotel room.
But hold onto your hats, folks, because the drama didn't end there. Bright and early the next morning, yours truly managed to lock the keys inside the car—a classic move, if I do say so myself. Cue the frantic phone calls and the inevitable expense of having someone rescue our keys from their newfound prison. Note to self: always triple-check those pockets before hitting the lock button!
With the mishaps of our journey behind us, we finally reached our destination: Orlando, Florida. As we checked into our accommodation, we were greeted with an unexpected proposition: a $225 gift card in exchange for a 90-minute presentation on a vacation club. Now, being the savvy travelers we are, we knew we wouldn't be swayed by sales pitches, so we agreed, knowing we'd walk away with the gift card and our sanity intact.
With no set itinerary in mind, our only goal was to bask in the warmth of Florida and soak up all the fun it had to offer. And that's when we stumbled upon WonderWorks—a place that turned out to be the highlight of our trip.
Nestled in the heart of Orlando, WonderWorks beckoned to us with promises of "edu-tainment" and mind-bending experiences. Housed within its walls were over 100 hands-on exhibits designed to challenge the mind and ignite the imagination. But here's the kicker: this quirky attraction wasn't your run-of-the-mill amusement park—it was housed in an upside-down building, the result of a mysterious experiment gone awry in the Bermuda Triangle.
From the moment we stepped inside, we were transported to a world where learning and play intertwined seamlessly. We found ourselves captivated by the interactive exhibits, ranging from virtual reality experiences to mind-boggling optical illusions. It was like stepping into a mad scientist's laboratory, albeit one where fun was the ultimate experiment.
But that's not all—WonderWorks had plenty more tricks up its sleeve. We found ourselves mesmerized by a spellbinding magic show, indulged in some mouthwatering pizza, and even tried our hand at laser tag and a high ropes course. It was a whirlwind of excitement and discovery, with each new attraction surpassing the last.
The following day, we embarked on a journey to Legoland, an hour's drive from Orlando. Now, with Thomas and Chad being avid Lego enthusiasts, visiting Legoland was a no-brainer. However, I couldn't help but feel a twinge of disappointment as we explored the park.
Don't get me wrong—there were certainly highlights to be found. With no lines for any of the rides, we were able to hop from one attraction to the next with ease. Thomas was in his element, his eyes sparkling with excitement at every turn. And I must admit, the intricate Lego builds scattered throughout the park were truly impressive.
But as the day went on, my initial enthusiasm began to wane. For the hefty price tag of $74 per person, I couldn't help but feel underwhelmed by what Legoland had to offer. Sure, there were some amazing displays and the Cypress Gardens section provided a welcome respite, but overall, I couldn't shake the feeling that we weren't getting our money's worth.
Perhaps my disappointment stemmed from my own expectations, or maybe Legoland simply didn't live up to the hype. Whatever the case may be, one thing was clear: this park was geared towards younger children, with Thomas, at 8 years old, nearing the upper limit of its target demographic.
In hindsight, if there's one destination I'd be willing to omit from our Florida itinerary, it would be Legoland. While it provided some moments of enjoyment, it ultimately fell short of the memorable experiences we had hoped for.
The following day, we embarked on another adventure, this time to the Kennedy Space Center at Cape Canaveral, also about an hour's drive away. I had fond memories of visiting the center when I was 12, but little did I know that this visit would surpass all my expectations.
From the moment we stepped foot inside the Kennedy Space Center, we were enveloped in a world of wonder and discovery. The exhibits, the presentations, the sheer magnitude of what lay before us—it was nothing short of breathtaking. And while we didn't have the chance to explore every nook and cranny of the center, what we did see left a lasting impression on all of us.
One of the highlights of our visit was the immersive storytelling from NASA, which not only captivated our imaginations but also imparted a wealth of knowledge about space exploration. The way the information was presented, coupled with the hands-on exhibits, made learning feel more like an adventure than a chore.
I was particularly thrilled to see Thomas's eyes light up with excitement as he soaked in the wealth of information around him. It was a day of learning unlike any other, and I couldn't help but feel grateful that he had the opportunity to experience it firsthand.
As we left the Kennedy Space Center, our minds buzzing with newfound knowledge, we made a pit stop at the beach to unwind and soak in the serenity of the ocean. Despite the chilly waters, Chad and Thomas wasted no time diving in, while I contented myself with lounging on the sand, the rhythmic sound of the waves lulling me into a state of blissful relaxation.
Wrapping up our Florida adventure, our final day was spent at Blue Springs State Park, a tranquil haven known for its resident manatees. Despite the brief visit, it left an indelible mark on our hearts.
Arriving early proved to be a stroke of luck, as we avoided the long queue of cars eager to enter the park. As we made our way to the springs, anticipation mounted, and the sight that greeted us took our breath away.
The crystal-clear waters teemed with graceful manatees, their gentle movements mesmerizing to behold. It was a sight straight out of a nature documentary, and I couldn't tear my eyes away from these majestic creatures.
The allure of Blue Springs didn't end there. The park's offerings, from kayak tours to scenic boat rides, promised even more adventures. I found myself daydreaming about returning one day, perhaps to glide alongside the manatees in a clear-bottom kayak, or to explore the tranquil waters at a leisurely pace.
Reflecting on our time at Blue Springs, I couldn't help but marvel at the simple joys it offered. As I've grown older, I've come to appreciate the serenity of nature more than ever before. There's something about the peace and tranquility of state parks that speaks to my soul, reminding me that happiness doesn't always reside in flashy or crowded spaces.
As we bid farewell to Florida and began our journey back home, I couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude for the memories we had made. From thrilling adventures to quiet moments of reflection, our trip had been a whirlwind of experiences that would stay with us for years to come.
As I wrap up this recount of our Florida escapade, I feel compelled to share a bit more about our lifestyle and the reasons behind our travel adventures. You see, one of the primary motivations behind our decision to homeschool was the flexibility it affords us to seize opportunities like this. We're incredibly fortunate to be able to embark on trips like these, but it's important to acknowledge that it comes with its own set of sacrifices.
For instance, both our cars have well over 200,000 miles on them, and our home might not be the picture of perfection—it's got two different sidings and some unfinished rooms. But you know what? Those are just material things, and they pale in comparison to the experiences and memories we've gained from our travels.
We're not big on extravagant meals or fancy clothes, and jewelry holds little appeal to us. Instead, we prioritize experiences over possessions, and that's where we choose to invest our time and resources. Traveling is one area where we allow ourselves to splurge, but in many other aspects of our lives, we're quite conservative.
I want to make it clear that I don't share these details to boast or flaunt our lifestyle. Far from it. Instead, I see these blog posts as a way to document our journey and preserve our memories. I've always had a fear of losing my memory, much like my grandfather did, so I tend to overcompensate by documenting everything—through photos, videos, and these blogs.
Moreover, I hope that by sharing our story, we can offer a different perspective—one that challenges the notion of success defined solely by material wealth and possessions. Perhaps our journey can inspire others to reassess their own priorities, to seek fulfillment in experiences rather than things, and to cherish every moment they have with their loved ones.
In a world that often glorifies the superficial, I believe there's immense value in authenticity and honesty. And so, I'll continue to share our adventures, our triumphs, and even our struggles, in the hopes that our story might resonate with someone out there, and perhaps inspire them to live life on their own terms.