Universal Studios (Take 2)

Yes, we returned to Universal Studios in June. We were just there in May, but luckily, our tickets are good through the end of the year. Laura was visiting us in Florida before her trip to the Big Apple, so we got a chance to take her to Universal.

It was intellectually very stimulating. We went to some of our favorite attractions again (Terminator, Mummy Ride and The Simpsons) and then saw a few others (Beetle Juice and the new Transformers movie).

Laura and her Dad thought maybe they could catch a cab to the next attraction, but, alas, we had to walk everywhere!

We stayed with Greg, who was in Orlando working that week. He had a nice large suite in a brand new place that provided both breakfast and dinner to residents and their guests. What a deal! And the food was awesome. Bacon and eggs for breakfast -- lasagna for dinner. We treated Greg to dinner at the Hard Rock Cafe one night, and then attended the premier of Transformers Revenge of the Fallen.

OK, everything wasn't perfect all the time. We did have rain one day, so we were forced to go to the mall. They have some really nice outlets malls in Orlando! Most of the time, the weather was great (hot, but great). Our last day there was a beautiful day, the sun was shining, the skies were blue with just a few little white fluffy clouds, so we spent a few hours at the pool.

Ahhhhh! It's a rough life, but someone has to do it!

Laura was reading The Time Traveler's Wife while working on a tan. I am #16 in line to get this at my public library--it must be good!

Universal Studios in Orlando

We took a weekend trip to Orlando, just two hours south of Gainesville, to visit Universal Studios.

This fountain created a vapor mist that attracted kids of all ages. It was so hot there--95 degrees or more both days!

I got a "cheeseburger in paradise" at Jimmy Buffett's restaurant, the "Margueritaville."

We had our picture made with the Simpson Family. The Simpson's Ride was a lot of fun. It was a simulated roller coaster ride that felt just like the real thing, except that the Simpsons were in the car in front of us!

The Blues Brothers drove up in their very cool car.

Their show was so entertaining we watched it twice.

There were classic cars parked all over the park. Here's a 1957 Chevrolet, just like the one we had when I was 15 years old.



Two more vintage vehicles were parked outside Mel's Drive-In.




This animal actor was taking a bow after his performance.