A day Mountainearing

I has a chance on Monday Feb. 25th to head to the Magic Kingdom for the day. I had been in Florida visiting my parents at the the Villages. The Villages is a retirement community about an hour and twenty minutes away from WDW. think lots of blue hairs, golf carts, and 4:30 dinners.  But I had a lot fun of with my parents, and my Dad and I played golf in shorts.

Back to MK. I left very early, before 7 to head to MK. Thanks to our new GPS system, I was in the parking lot of the MK at 8am. The park was opening at 9 but I had a breakfast reservation at Crystal Palace at 8:25am. I used the points from our Disney Visa for park admission and souvenirs for everyone.

I was in the park at 8:20, heading down Main Street USA. I has massive goose bumps as I stepped back into my favorite place in the World. I counted that this was 27th actual visit to MK. Wow.

This was a picture of the castle; still a great view. Off to breakfast with Pooh. The puffed French toast was great and so were the eggs. I really ate a big breakfast with lots of water.  And three bananas. It was going to be hot and I needed the energy.

After a great breakfast, it was to Mountainearing. Mountainearing is a T-short of the three mountains in MK: Space, Splash and Big Thunder. As I walked through Frontierland towards Splash, it was empty. I counted 7 people. I was thinking it could be  light day. I was so wrong as I would find out.

I rode Splash first, and I was soaked. It was running full bore and the water cannon got me good. I got a fast pass for Splash and road again. it was walk on. Then I went over to Big thunder which was maybe a five minute wait. I then got a fast pass for Big Thunder. Three mountain rides and two fast passes in hand by 10:10 am. Good start.

[Sidebar: several years ago I was out in LA for a conference for work and went to Disney Land, early one Sunday morning. I was on east coast time, so I was there very early. I was able to do most of the park by noon with little crowds. It was an amazing day]

I jumped the Train, hitting Toon Town. I really wanted a picture with Mickey, but the line was way too long. Off to Space Mountain. It was a 15 minute wait and then I took off. That ride was way faster than I remember it. it was flying. I got my next fastpass. mountain ranges complete and fast passes for the next range expedition. YEAH. It was 11 by now, and I needed a break. It was crowded. Buzz had a twenty five minute wait, so I hopped the TTA. I did some email for work while I road TTA and got something to drink. Nice ride and then off to Buzz. It was still a 10 minute wait. I scored 101,500. Yoohoo.

And then I got my picture with Stitch

Now, I had some time. I went towards Fantasyland and hit the mass of people. 40 minutes for Pooh, 40 minutes for Pan. Heck, it was a looking like a long day. I waded through the mass towards Haunted Mansion. It was a twenty minute wait. Huh!!.  But I really wanted to go as they had just finished a rehab. It was a good wait and I really liked it. After this, I went back to Pan and picked up a Fastpass. No way was I waiting 40 minutes for a two minute Pan ride. Then hall of presidents. I realized I had a choice, Country Bear Jamboree or Hall. I went to hall and I really was glad. it brought goose bumps and is an amazing attraction.

It was time for lunch and shopping. I made my way over to Kona Cafe in the Polynesian hotel. I like this restaurant. It was quick and quiet. And the shops at the Poly are really nice and have a great selection.

I got back to the parks with 90 minutes and four fast passes. I managed to hit Space Mt. , Peter Pan and Splash Mt. But the crowds were so big plus I needed to make sure I got the rental car back in time and to the airport. MCO is not my favorite and can be a pain. It was this time as security is just a mess. But I got on the plane in plenty of time.

This is the last time I think I want to hit WDW without my family. The thrill of soloing is gone for now. I was able to do the parks without a map, which is really scary.  Thanks for reading

Tenn's Funeral

Today was a day I knew would come. When I found out that my uncle had cancer, I knew it would in some manner kill him. It was the inevitable.  Tenn was not afraid to die, for he knew he was heaven bound. But he was afraid of the dying process, of losing his dignity and quality of life. So how he died was such a blessing.

We drove up and back today to Altavista for the family funeral. As I was leaving, Dona handed me a hat of Tenn's, a rather interesting golf hat. The important thing is not what it was, but whose it was.

I have several items of my maternal Grandfather's in house, including a picture of him with Richard Nixon and a couple of shirts, that 21 years later I still cherish.

My most important possession is a clock, that hung in his house. It is not a very expensive clock, in fact the story goes is that he actually traded for it. which sounds right to me.

I have looked online and my best guess is the clock would fetch somewhere south of $100. But because of whose it was and where it was, this clock is invaluable to my family. The mere sound of the clock brings back a flood of memories. In fact, when my grandmother died, this simple, wound clock in less than mint condition was the one possession that all of us wanted. So it is priceless.  And with Tenn's illness and death, I have been reminded how valuable the clock truly is;and I have become more committed to keep that clock wound and running.

Dona, thank you for the hat, it was a small memento of your father. I encourage you and your family to look around for those mementos that are priceless to only you. As an example, in your mother's guest bathroom sits a picture of a little boy and girl (you know the one). To  most, this is a cute photo but to me this has always been part of your parent's house (strange huh), a small thing that was part of these house. Like Grandmother and Granddaddy's penny picture of the year they were married, that hung in their house and then in their room at the Methodist home. These are the items that we can carry with us, that brings a smile to our faces and warms our hearts with found memories of loved ones. 

 

Time to wind that clock

Remembering Tennyson Mann

Tennyson Mann went home to the Lord on Feb. 10th. He was a great man, part of a whole generation of great men.

I do not know my paternal grandfather; I have seen that man across a crowded room but he does not know me nor he know me. But in some sense,  I have had a grandfather figure in my life all along. Tennyson has been a mentor to my father for years, and his lessons have passed along to me and subsequently to my children.  Our value of education is part of the message, part of mantra that my kids know that going to college is an expectation in life, with all of pointing at the finest institutions around us.

We vacationed together for years, going to Myrtle beach for a week. I stopped going but my parents and Margaret and Tenn continued spending time together for years. More recently we have the chance to spend Christmas with the Manns, which was a joy.

I realized last night that I will never hear this again .."Hello, Christopher". Tenn always called me by my proper name, and when he we say hello my ears would snap to attention. This salutation would be quickly followed by a strong handshake every time. He was a man of integrity and character, and was always there in a time of need. I will miss those words, said with that voice. BTW, he was the only person besides my mother who my proper name.

For the Manns, Tennyson was great grandfather, always so proud of his grand kids, a father to his last day, and a devoted husband. We grieve his passing, and the immense hole in all of our lives he has left. But we most remember his amazing life, his incredible impact and legacy that is literally in us and around us.