We left the house at about 9:30 or 10, heading for Downtown Disney, a free area of the Disney World experience. There are shops, restaurants, entertainment, and a nice waterfront. I didn't plan on spending a lot of time there, but we ended up spending over two hours there, after arriving at about 10:30. We walked the whole area, stopping in shops as we saw fit. We bought a few items (I got a very cool tea infuser, inspired by Kevin Eccles tea mug), and had a snack, as we were planning on having lunch later, at a seafood joint in Cocoa Beach. There was a High School band playing at 12:15 on the stage, and on our way back out of the Downtown area, we stopped and listened for a few minutes. Slated to go on later in there day were two groups from Jamestown, NY! As much as it would have been nice to wait around and listen, it was hours after, so we moved on and made our way to Cocoa Beach.
On the way to Cocoa Beach we had to take a toll road (it was either that or add about 50 minutes to the trip - and we were hungry....). It cost about 5 dollars to go 40 miles. If you are reading this and live in NY, be thankful - that same 5 dollars can get me from Syracuse to Fredonia. It felt like (literally) highway robbery! (And of course, we had the same tolls, but some how they were actually higher, going back west....?)
Once we got to Cocoa Beach, we went to a seafood place I had found online, choosing it mainly by its good reviews, and the fact that they definitely offered kid-friendly items, according their website menu. It was called Jazzy's Mainely Lobster and Seafood. I admit, I also picked it because of the name! Lisa and I had pretty much the same meal - sautéed shrimp (she got shrimp and scallops), fried green tomatoes (wicked awesome), New England Clam Chowder (again, wicked awesome - there were pieces of clam the size of half dollars; not like any canned soup, or even restaurant soup I'd ever had), and coleslaw. Adam had Kraft Mac and Cheese, and French fries. But he did try a fried green tomato (he liked it!), and he also got an ice cream sandwich with his meal. Lisa and I agreed that it was quite possibly the best seafood we've had in a while, and the best meal we've had down here yet! We ate outside ( again, in February!) at a picnic table, and enjoyed the atmosphere and family time together.
After lunch we headed to the beach, after scoring the last free parking spot at Ron Jon Surf Shop (yesssss!). At the beach, Adam made sand castles, collected shells and sand to show his friends and teachers, and waded in the water a bit. The Atlantic was pretty chilly, but the beach was soooo nice - soft sand, and not too crowded for being a popular area. I helped Adam with his sand castle, took lots of pictures, and enjoyed watching people taking surfing lessons. Funny to watch some of them, but very cool to see them when they were able to get up and ride the waves!
After the beach, we headed back west about 25 minutes to Cocoa (not the beach), where we were to meet up with an old high school (girl)friend, who over the years we had become good friends, leaving behind all the high school drama. I got to meet her husband and family, and catch up on everything that has happened over the last 15 years. They cooked a wonderful meal (grilled chicken in moyo marinade, some kind of zucchini cheesy Parmesan bake, and quinoa salad), and homemade strawberry shortcake for dessert. (I had seconds on the strawberry shortcake.). Adam enjoyed playing with their 6 year old daughter, and we had wonderful ADULT conversation. It was so nice to catch up, and spend time with old friends made new again.
After saying goodbye and giving hugs, we made our way back to Davenport (ugh, tolls...), and shared our day with the Kriegers, who had spent the day at Disney Hollywood Studios. Then we hit the hay, and had a great night's sleep. It was another great day, the weather was beautiful, and I will definitely miss this place when we head back home! I know I have probably said it each day, but God has blessed this trip with so much abundance - of friends, of good weather, of great times and memory-building with my family. No amount of money could buy the joy I have felt the past 5 days.
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