Where We Have Been, Part I

We finally managed to get ourselves out of town for a vacation, which is why I haven't posted in some time. While we did not get to go camping this year :( more on that later...) we did get to visit the happiest place on earth. That's right folks, I went on my second (well, technically third, but I don't think going in utero really counts) visit to Disneyland, and my husband got to go for the first time ever.

Neither of us having been to Disneyland as a child, we simply skipped over all of the kiddie rides and only experienced the more vigorous and exciting rides (shocking lack of nostalgia, eh?). We also avoided all the character viewings, mostly because I had gotten my fill of the Disney princesses (and other...interesting characters) last time:

Tweedling with Julie

...and, well, my husband wasn't too keen on any of them.

We had two extremely fun-filled days to spend there (boy, those tickets are pricey!) Day 1 consisted of approximately 14 hours at the park (and it took its toll on us, I promise). The hands-down best part of Day 1 was the two consecutive rides on Space Mountain right at opening time (which, btw, was the very best time to get there!) This was a wonderful idea, since it turned out to be our favorite ride and the lines get much longer throughout the day. (Last time I visited, Space Mountain was closed, which made me sad. This time It's a Small World was closed. My former roommates can tell you how I felt about that closure :) Here we are enjoying our favorite:

(yeah, so you can't read the sign, but trust me, it says Space Mountain)

We then headed to the Matterhorn Bobsleds, which also had a very short line.

I think this must be the "before" picture, since you will note he is smiling about the drop at the end of Splash Mountain...

I just had to post this view of our first time down, since I am truly screaming, but my husband beat me (and all the kids in the back, who I cut out for his sake) in his terrified look!! In his defense, we rode this ride four more times during our stay, and he enjoyed it much more than the first (oh, and just to brag, we sat in the front EVERY SINGLE TIME without even trying!)

Getting in touch with his piratical side (Pirates of the Caribbean has a lot more Jack Sparrow-ish elements now, fancy that)

I like the decor inside the Indiana Jones ride, particularly this skull. We only got to ride this one twice, mostly because the lines were outrageous and the fastpasses went, well, fast. It also was closed several times when we wandered by.

Enjoying more of the Indiana Jones theme

I had to get my picture taken in front of the Sleeping Beauty castle (ok, so I guess there was a bit of nostalgia...)

We rode on the Sailing Ship Columbia, despite the sweltering temperatures

A lovely forced smile, since I really was roasting to death

Here we are on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, which I think we rode more than any other ride, mostly because the line never got that long and it was never closed.

And that's all for now, since I am sure you have had your fill for the day. Coming attractions: Day 2, our driving adventures, and how we dealt with a lost camping trip.

*We fortunately also managed to just miss this little mishap that occured right after we left.*