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Post by cubanitafresca on Jun 24, 2021 11:31:21 GMT -4
Oh yeah, the afternoon rain storm. You could practically set your watch by it. The first time we moved away from Florida, I was about 11 years old. I was shocked. SHOCKED that Texas didn't get a rainstorm daily. I did not understand that. I still really miss those storms. |
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Post by carrier76 on Jun 24, 2021 14:48:44 GMT -4
Oh yeah, the afternoon rain storm. You could practically set your watch by it. We flew into Tampa about 11 years ago, and I was completely confounded at the afternoon rainstorm.  |
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Post by biondetta on Jun 25, 2021 8:27:49 GMT -4
I miss that smell of ozone. I'd get home from school just in time to swim for a bit before the storm came. Then it would be over by the time my mom got home and we'd both go for a swim. I love the sound and the smell. It never rained quite as hard in the Netherlands as it did in Orlando. It was a softer, more constant rain. Italy is just constant freakin' sunshine. I long for an overcast day. We did have a little bit of rain the other week, but it was just one or two days and then back to scorching bright sunlight, so you soon forget. So I sit in the dark to keep the house cooler and try to ease my hatred of heat and glaring sun.
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Post by carrier76 on Aug 10, 2021 9:44:36 GMT -4
Okay. I came in here a couple months ago asking about the chances of planning an August FL vacation. And we went ahead and planned it, and it’s next week. Sun - Wed in St. Pete Beach, Wed - Sat at godforsaken Orlando and Disney. (No offense to any Orlando residents; I just really wanted to skip that leg of the trip and did NOT want to go to Disney, Covid or no.)
Now the trip I was semi-looking forward to is something I am dreading. First the obvious Covid nonsense. Secondly, there is red tide in the Gulf Coast. And now there is a tropical storm forming that is likely headed towards Florida. I was very concerned about it being hurricane season in August, and my husband let me know that his dad, who he calls an “earth scientist” (aka a retired science teacher and confirmed know-it-all) said August isn’t hurricane season. I was easily able to cite many August hurricanes, BUT WHAT TO I KNOW I AM NOT AN “EARTH SCIENTIST.” Ahem, anyway. I just feel really down and doomed and don’t even want to go anymore. The train’s rolling, and we already spent a small fortune on Disney, as I’m sure you can imagine. I just didn’t know if anyone can say anything uplifting. I just feel like we can never, ever have nice things, no matter what. I feel like a constant bummer, but things just keep getting thwarted.
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Post by lordofthefries on Aug 10, 2021 10:03:12 GMT -4
Okay. I came in here a couple months ago asking about the chances of planning an August FL vacation. And we went ahead and planned it, and it’s next week. Sun - Wed in St. Pete Beach, Wed - Sat at godforsaken Orlando and Disney. (No offense to any Orlando residents; I just really wanted to skip that leg of the trip and did NOT want to go to Disney, Covid or no.) Now the trip I was semi-looking forward to is something I am dreading. First the obvious Covid nonsense. Secondly, there is red tide in the Gulf Coast. And now there is a tropical storm forming that is likely headed towards Florida. I was very concerned about it being hurricane season in August, and my husband let me know that his dad, who he calls an “earth scientist” (aka a retired science teacher and confirmed know-it-all) said August isn’t hurricane season. I was easily able to cite many August hurricanes, BUT WHAT TO I KNOW I AM NOT AN “EARTH SCIENTIST.” Ahem, anyway. I just feel really down and doomed and don’t even want to go anymore. The train’s rolling, and we already spent a small fortune on Disney, as I’m sure you can imagine. I just didn’t know if anyone can say anything uplifting. I just feel like we can never, ever have nice things, no matter what. I feel like a constant bummer, but things just keep getting thwarted. I don't know if this is a comfort, but the stormed out and objective disaster vacations I've had over the years have turned into some of my fondest vacation memories and some of the best family bonding experiences. My hope is that the weather cooperates and you all still get to enjoy your plans, but if not, at least it could turn out to be a memorable shared adventure. |
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Post by carrier76 on Aug 10, 2021 10:26:04 GMT -4
Okay. I came in here a couple months ago asking about the chances of planning an August FL vacation. And we went ahead and planned it, and it’s next week. Sun - Wed in St. Pete Beach, Wed - Sat at godforsaken Orlando and Disney. (No offense to any Orlando residents; I just really wanted to skip that leg of the trip and did NOT want to go to Disney, Covid or no.) Now the trip I was semi-looking forward to is something I am dreading. First the obvious Covid nonsense. Secondly, there is red tide in the Gulf Coast. And now there is a tropical storm forming that is likely headed towards Florida. I was very concerned about it being hurricane season in August, and my husband let me know that his dad, who he calls an “earth scientist” (aka a retired science teacher and confirmed know-it-all) said August isn’t hurricane season. I was easily able to cite many August hurricanes, BUT WHAT TO I KNOW I AM NOT AN “EARTH SCIENTIST.” Ahem, anyway. I just feel really down and doomed and don’t even want to go anymore. The train’s rolling, and we already spent a small fortune on Disney, as I’m sure you can imagine. I just didn’t know if anyone can say anything uplifting. I just feel like we can never, ever have nice things, no matter what. I feel like a constant bummer, but things just keep getting thwarted. I don't know if this is a comfort, but the stormed out and objective disaster vacations I've had over the years have turned into some of my fondest vacation memories and some of the best family bonding experiences. My hope is that the weather cooperates and you all still get to enjoy your plans, but if not, at least it could turn out to be a memorable shared adventure. Thank you.  |
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Post by biondetta on Aug 10, 2021 11:20:29 GMT -4
Is there anyway to back out without losing a fortune, since the covid numbers in Florida are so high? I know some places had more lenient cancellation policies for a while, but with Florida and DeSantis, I don't know if he's essentially negated them.
I'm a native of Orlando and I wouldn't want to be anywhere in Florida in August, pandemic or not. I essentially have a heat phobia as the result of growing up there.
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Post by carrier76 on Aug 10, 2021 11:24:25 GMT -4
I’m going forward with the mentality that cancellation is not an option. My husband is not a bundle of anxiety the way I am. We are both vaccinated and our 8 year old masks without complaint. I am not heat averse…..but I have also never been in Orlando in August. Also, I’m from Missouri….our numbers here are no picnic. |
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Post by Ripley on Aug 10, 2021 18:35:35 GMT -4
TTMR & I are going to Canada on Thursday! He hasn't seen his family since January 2020 so he's very excited. We had a bit of drama trying to get the right COVID-19 test today since Canada requires one within 72 hours of travel. But we were able to get nasal-swabbed and the results should come tomorrow.
We've been surprised at how light the border crossings have been (he follows a Twitter account that details the bridge we plan to cross) but we both figure that the number of travelers will increase as we get closer to the weekend.
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luckylexie
Blueblood
Sophie Stink Eye Stan
Posts: 1,077
Mar 25, 2005 11:12:51 GMT -4
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Post by luckylexie on Aug 13, 2021 12:35:19 GMT -4
I was hoping to get to Jasper this August (by air, I can't drive that far and I have limited time) to hike the Skyline Trail, but I don't know what the COVID situation will be like by then. Quoting myself here because...I'm going to Alberta! I scored a ridiculously cheap open jaw flight into Edmonton and out from Calgary. Even if I have to cancel due to COVID, I'm only losing $223, and I can live with that. My mental and physical health are crumbling (I've been off work since February and go back in May) and planning for this trip is helping to keep me alive and somewhat sane. Anyway, I'll be camping every night except the one night I finish backpacking the 44-km Skyline Trail. I'm treating myself to a hotel stay so I can have a hot shower, a soft bed and room service instead of a dehydrated meal! I'm renting a car and will drive the Icefields Parkway from Jasper to Lake Louise for two nights before driving to Calgary and my flight home. I have 4.5 months to steel my nerves about the bears in Jasper Park and learn how to use bear spray and bear bangers. Aieee! I'm leaving for one week in Alberta on Monday, aieee! I'm so excited, but also scared shitless that I'm going to meet a black/grizzly bear on the trail in Jasper National Park. I'm only backpacking for two nights on the trail because I couldn't score campsite reservations further along the 44km route. Rats. I get to hike about 12km to the second (of six) campsites. The third campsite is about 4km away, so if I decide to continue along the way, I always need to keep in mind that I have to hike back to camp 2 for the night. I'm trying not to feel bummed that the best views of the hike happen between camps 3-5. The rest of the time I'll be car camping in Jasper and Banff and doing day hikes. Will check out Mount Edith Cavell and the Athabasca Glacier. Send "no bears" vibes, lol! |
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