On the way home from Asheville, we drove partway along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Unfortunately it was foggy and rainy, but even so, it was spectacular and we still managed to get some pretty decent photos.
On the way through Cincinnati, we made an obligatory stop at a legendary local restaurant: Skyline Chili. We both had Chili 5 Way, which is spaghetti, chili, red beans, onions and cheddar cheese. Sounds disgusting, but it’s surprisingly good!
And that is the end of our big trip to Florida!
On the 9th day of our trip we stopped in Savannah, GA. Because the weather was not great and we were still exhausted from three days at Disney, we only stayed long enough to have lunch and visit a few shops on River Street before heading on to Asheville.
River Street, Savannah, Georgia
An obligatory stop in Savannah is River Street Sweets, purveyor of the finest pralines available anywhere (not to mention fudge, salt water taffy, and dozens of other treats to put you off your diet).
Salt water taffy being made at River Street Sweets
On the way up to Asheville, we stopped at this little shop:
Katra returning with peach cider
That night in Asheville we stayed at an incredibly nice suite at The Residences at Biltmore. We let the boys play in the whirlpool tub, then ordered Indian food and had a good night’s sleep.
After leaving Animal Kingdom we headed over to Epcot. The majority of our time at Epcot was spent visiting the areas representing various countries around the world.
Spaceship Earth
Mexico Pavillion
Norway Pavillion, complete with a grass roof
Akershus Royal Banquet Hall in the Norway Pavillion
The entrance to the China Pavillion
In the China Pavillion. Notice the water dragon.
The Germany Pavillion
The Italy Pavillion
U.S.A. Pavillion
The Japan Pavillion
At the Japan Pavillion
Morocco Pavillion
Morocco Pavillion
In the Morocco Pavillion
In the Morocco Pavillion
In the Morocco Pavillion
In the Morocco Pavillion
Katra receives a Henna tattoo in the Morocco Pavillion
Katra receives a Henna tattoo in the Morocco Pavillion
Katra receives a Henna tattoo in the Morocco Pavillion
France Pavillion
France Pavillion
United Kingdom Pavillion
United Kingdom Pavillion
Some street performers in the United Kingdom Pavillion
Canada Pavillion
Le Cellier Steakhouse in the Canada Pavillion, where we had lunch.
We started our third and final day at Disney in Animal Kingdom.
The Tree of Life, a 14 story, 50-foot wide tree that dominates the whole park
Closeup of The Tree of Life
Breakfast was a buffet at Tusker House, which was excellent. Because we had early breakfast reservations, we were able to enter the park before it opened, and this meant that all the Disney characters who would normally be working their way around the park were able to visit us right at our breakfast table.
Mickey visits during breakfast
Donald signs Kyle's autograph book
Daisy pays a visit
Goofy drops by
Our waitress was kind enough to bring by a birthday surprise for Ian
A (late) birthday surprise for Ian!
Animal Kingdom is broken up into 7 different areas. Tusker House is in the Africa area, and it really does have the look of a building in an African town.
Tusker House, where we had breakfast.
A sign painted on the outside of the restaurant. Good thing we were there in the morning!
I feel like we're in Africa!
After breakfast we went on the Kilimanjaro Safaris ride. This is basically a big, bouncy bus that drives through a huge animal exhibit. It was tough to get pictures because the bus was bouncing around so much, but this was much better than any zoo. There were many animals from the African savanna that none of us had ever seen before.
A rhino after his morning bath
Nile Crocodile
A baobab tree
Ankole Cattle
Wildebeest
Eland
African Elephant
Greater Flamingo
White Rhinos
White Rhino
The elusive Cheetah. This is apparently a rare sighting on this ride. Right after I took this photo the cheetah hopped off the rock and loped off into the woods.
Scimitar-horned Oryx
Lion
Warthogs
Ostrich
After the safari ride we proceeded around the central lake to the Asia section.
The Tree of Life from the other side of the lake
Anyone want a Coke?
Mount Everest (which is really a big roller coaster) visible across the lake
Next up was Dinoland, U.S.A.
Kyle meets Goofy and Pluto. Pluto was kind enough to offer his nose as an armrest.
