I drove down on Friday and met up with Jennifer at University of South Florida, where she works now. After getting the tour of campus, we headed to her home to meet up with Stephen for dinner and fireworks in their town. The fireworks over the lake on the dark night sky were fantastic!
Saturday was open to the possibilities. We talked about Disney, we talked about Universal Studios, the ocean and the gulf were also options. The possibilities seemed endless. After discussion, we headed for Universal Studios-Islands of Adventure.
Why?
Or maybe seven.
Maybe it's the butterbeer?
Which is neither butter nor beer. :)
The reason?
It's magical.
...
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter!
What a fun experience, truly. After having read and watched all the movies the wizarding world was quite like I imagined (and kind of like the movies). It was fun to experience it with Jennifer too as she hadn't read or seen the movies, thus I was able to explain some of the intricacies. However, before heading straight to the Harry Potter world...we did visit a couple other parts of the park. I mean, you can't spend the whole day just at the WWofHP.
The Hogwarts train & platform 9 & 3/4
Hogsmead
The three broomsticks
Butterbeer-delicious! I've already looked up recipes.
Olivander's wand shop-no I didn't purchase a wand, but watched a wizard & wand matching. :)
This picture cracks me up. Jennifer took it while we were standing in line for the Harry Potter ride. A wonderful experience through the world of Harry Pottery (some virtual & some through the castle). It was obviously hot outside (FL in the summer) but they had misters and fans...a little piece of heaven.
After HP we walked around the rest of the park and rode some great rides. The one above was a bit of a shock! I thought we'd ride up nicely to the top and then drop. This was not that ride. This one shot straight up at lightening speeds and then slowly lowered back down. Really fun, but was completely unprepared for the experience. :)
After riding Jurassic Park, Jennifer suggested we ride it again. In the front. The front row. Yes friends, we rode the water ride with the giant TRex in the front row. Contrary to popular belief we didn't...oh wait, we did get soaked but it was fun.
The spiderman 3D ride. Really cool.
The park was really neat at night...the lights, the sounds, the cool breeze.
Of course I couldn't pass up seeing HP at night. :)
Sunday, Jennifer and I went to the ocean via South Beach (not Miami South Beach...another one). :) It was a beautiful day spent lounging (literally) by the water. The breeze was delightful and the sound of the waves was memorizing.
And I didn't even burn :)
The Gulf Coast
Monday, Stephen, Jennifer, and I went to Clearwater Beach on the gulf side. Although there were more people, it was still manageable. I was so surprised that for the holiday weekend we never really waited in lines or traffic. The gulf water is a little warmer than the Atlantic (and yes the Atlantic is warmer than the Pacific) and the sand is much whiter. As the three of us were in the water, Stephen made some comment about the water being so clear...to which a little girl nearby replied, well it is called Clearwater. Schooled by an 11 year old. :) I could have stayed in the water all day, only I was beginning to burn, and I planned to return home that evening...thus I had a long drive in front of me.
Lunch at Frenchy's on the water. Yumm.
The drive home was filled with more Harry Potter on tape (yes, I listened to it on the way down and no, it wasn't actually on tap, iPod actually, but it doesn't sound the same) AND a magnificent sunset. The time with friends was dear and although I was happy after many hours to no longer be in the car, I was glad I made the trip!
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