Our post trip report Oct 6th thur 12th

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Sat, 10/13/2012 - 14:22

TroyW

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Our post trip report Oct 6th thur 12th

Our post trip report, this is going to be a bit long so I hope that I'm able to keep your attention for a bit. I will break it down by days and post the pics from that day at the end.
As some of you may remember this was supposed to be my daughter's senior but she got a new job and being the typical kid expecting them to just let her off, well they didn't so my wife Amy and I had our 1st trip to Disney alone. Amy hadn't been to Disney for 17years and it's been 3 for me.
Our trip was from Oct 6th through the 12th. Our plans were to drive to Nashville after work Friday night, stay close to the airport so we weren't on the road too long that morning. But our Friday didn't start out too well. Our little 11year old Pom had to be put to sleep and we felt that waiting til we got back would cause more suffering than our little "Buddy" needed to endure. I have a beautiful spot overlooking our lake that I was able to put him and visit him anytime we want. It made our trip a little less Magical but we still enjoyed ourselves and would love to have stayed longer.

So Saturday am rolled around (4:30am),we arrived at the airport at 5am for our flight at 7. Flight went well and we landed a bit earlier than our 9:45 expected time. Got on our Magical Express and headed on to All Star Movie Resort.
Checking in was forever but once checked in we made our way to MK.
We add lunch reservations at 12:45 at Liberty Tree Traven which we made with about 15mins to spare. For our apps I had the clam chowder (it wasn't too bad) and Amy had a salad. For our entree I had the Pot Roast, it was great and Amy had the turkey and dressing which she liked as well. Our desserts tasted great. I have pics of everything but I have so many pics I have to figure which to show and not. . I will say that since we had been up since 4:30 and eating at 12:45 we were really hungry so we might not be the best judges about what was good and not.
After a few hours of walking around and enjoying the sites, we decided to head over to the Poly for a Lapu Lapu. Amy says it had a bit too much rum but I didn't mind after a few drinks. We waited there for our Spirit of Aloha show at 8pm ( this was a bit too late for us on our 1st day...it was way too long) the food was good but nothing we care about going to again. ... Oh I also had the drink in the Coconut shaped like a Monkey's head. That was pretty good but a bit too expensive for what you get.

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Sat, 10/13/2012 - 14:57

TroyW

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Sunday Oct 7th full day at MK
We had lunch at the Crystal Palace and again the food was good and we were happy with it. We got our pics with everyone but Pooh and enjoyed being without all the little darlings most everyone else there had.
We spent the rest of the day riding rides we had missed the day before and seeing the sites. Here is where I made my 1st mistake. It's been 27 years since I've road Space Mtn and it will be the last. I suffer from MS and this ride made the day very hard to bear but I suffered though it and slowed to a snail's pace enjoying all the little things.
We watched the glass blowers show and how he makes some of the vases..It was amazing to see a true craftsman at his work. Sorry for the blur but after the day I had it's a wonder I was able to hold the camera.
Then headed over to the Contemporary for our 5:15 dinner at The Wave. That was one of my favorite meals. For apps, Amy got the Crab Cakes and I had the soup with the jalapeno cornbread. Amy had the beef tenderloin and I had the Lamb Shank. I have to say I am not a lamb fan but this was wonderful and I am happy I made the choice. Also had the beer flight but I have to say it was all a bit more hoppy than I like.
That ended our night and this was the last day we spent at MK...We didn't stay for the parade or the fireworks...just not something we were interested in doing again.

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	beer flight.jpg	113.85 KB

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Sat, 10/13/2012 - 15:00

TroyW

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Monday Oct8th

This was a bad morning as well, we got to AK for extra hours(am) around 7:30 and jumped right on Mt Everest. Like Space Mt this was horrible for me. We then walked over and did the Safari and enjoyed that more than we thought. We watched the monkies out on the island swinging all around, think I could have watched them all day.
Off to Tusker House for 10:00 breakfast, we enjoyed the food. By this time though I was getting worse, with the humidity and walking so we cancelled our Yak and Yeti Lunch and went back to the resort where I slept til almost 6:30pm.
We got up and headed over to the Studios where we had dinner at the Sci Fi Movies. It wasn't anything great but it was pretty neat, I wish instead of showing clips that they actually showed some sort of movie.
We walked around the Studios and went in the shops and just looked around, then the most magical thing happened we ran in RobynPrincess and her husband Simon. Just a chance encounter, we had nothing planned. We chatted for a while and in all the talking we said our goodbyes and never got pics(don't worry we fixed that Wednesday)

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Sat, 10/13/2012 - 15:05

TroyW

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Tuesday 9th
Well tues was just a downtown Disney day but we snuck over to Epcot where I got to sample the Grapefruit beer and a few other snacks. We rode a few of the rides, then headed to downtown Disney where we had dinner at the House of Blues. That was some great food and for apps I tried the Shrimp (sorry I don't remember the name). It was awesome and could have been a meal. Then the NY Strip. This was ok but nothing special. Amy had the cheese cake and I had the bread pudding which I thought was way better than the cheesecake. We then did a little shopping for the kids and grandson and make our way back home.

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	Bread pudding at the House of Blues.jpg	89.04 KB

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Sat, 10/13/2012 - 15:13

TroyW

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Wednesday 10th

I woke up feeling 10times better than I had all week. Balance was back, head was clear and I was ready to eat and drink at Epcot.
We had lunch at the Rose and Crown. For Apps Amy had the scallops and I had the Scotch Egg which we both liked. As for the scallops a bit too fishy I thought but Amy enjoyed it and the spinach. She had fish and chips, which she said was a bit too greasy and I had the Cottage Pie. We had the Queens Cake, I didn't care for it at all. Oh I had a Guinness which made everything better.
Then off the get those Grey Goose Slushes, you have to try them if you get the chance. The orange was our favorite. Had the cheese soup then tried cheese fondue. (I love cheese if you didn't know) We then met up with Robyn and Simon for about an hour as we all just sat and talked. I'm sure Robyn was tired of all my questions but I love to listen and learn about people. I can't say enough about them. They are wonderful people and it felt like chatting with old friends.
It was time to head over to Coral Reef for dinner. We had the apps for 2 which was wonderful . Amy had the Mahi Mahi, she loved and I had the lobster pasta...it was ok but I think I could have gotten about the same thing at an Olive Garden, but the service was good and we were right next to the aquarium so we had a great view. For dessert, we don't even remember and I didn't take any pics that I can find..lol

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	L to R: Simon, Robyn, Amy and me.jpg	195.59 KB
	Apps for 2 at Coral Reef.jpg	118.99 KB
	Mahi Mahi.jpg	45 KB

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Sat, 10/13/2012 - 15:14

JoAnn C

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Sorry to hear about your dog.

All the food pics are making me hungry. How was the grapefruit beer?

That's great you ran into Robyn and Simon.

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Sat, 10/13/2012 - 15:16

JoAnn C

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Glad you were feeling better on Wednesday. looking forward to reading more.

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Sat, 10/13/2012 - 15:19

TroyW

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Thurs 11th....our last day and I think was our best meal day.

We started out with the Fiesta Margarita YUM. Amy had the torched cherry drink she loved too. More little nibbles here and there. Had the Iron Horse fairy Cuvee...YUCK!!! That is not my thing but I didn't waste a drop but I think I shuttered for 5 mins afterward....did I say YUCK??? I have pics of that too but there is no need posting hahahaha. Then off to Germany for another Grapefruit Beer and the Octoberfest Beer.
It was time for lunch so we headed over to Le Cellier....WOW the best meal we had. If we go back I will probably try and have lunch there 3 or 4 times. For apps Amy had the popcorn shrimp and I had...can you guess? Yep, the cheese soup. I could eat that every day. We both had filet and it was so good. I could have eaten 2 but didn't want to look like a hog...lol. Amy had the cheesecake and I had the Chocolate "Moose", it was ok nothing special but I'm not a huge dessert person. The service was amazing and we didn't feel rushed at all. Side note: if any of you are wanting to try an amazing beer Le Cellier has La Fin da Monde, that is my all time favorite, but I am able to purchase it here so I didn't have any.
Robyn has asked me if I had tried the strongbow and the Rose and Crown and I thought I had but I hadn't so I had to make up for missing out and had a few glasses, then off to try the some more beers and slushes.
It was getting close to time for our dinner at Cape May Cafe, so we stopped by for another strongbow which I had to finish before they would let us go on to the Beach Club (that's silly, people were coming from the BC and Boardwalk area with drinks) anyway off we went and I have to say that was amazing as well. All you can eat crab legs, you can't go wrong. I could have eaten all night but knew we had to fly home they next morning so we called it a night and headed back to get packed and sleep.

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Sat, 10/13/2012 - 15:21

TroyW

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Looking back over our trip, I think for us the deluxe dining was too much. We had extras that we used as QS at our resorts and brought back cookies. Now if I had felt better earlier in the week it may have been a bit different. With the F&W Festival going on I think I could have lived off the snacks.
Things we would do different.....Not got to AK..I know I didn't feel well but neither of us enjoyed it. The safari made it seem as the animals had all the place to roam but when we took the train we seen the back side of a few of the places, where they are caged at night and how little of an area they actually had. That was Kind of a letdown.
Next, I wish we'd spent the whole day at the Studios. We got there so late everything was done for the evening, and I'd liked to have gone back to MK once more and spent another whole day at Epcot just sampling things. We left early and escaped the crowds but it put us there during the heat of the day.
Last and most importantly.....Stay somewhere close to Epcot or at least MK. The buses are ok, but I want to be closer next time that way I can walk over and grab a beer or catch the monorail from the poly and head over to MK.

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Sat, 10/13/2012 - 15:28

TroyW

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And this is the best pic of all. Our not quite 3 month old grandson BOB(Big ole Baby) asking Mickey why he took his Mimi and Granddaddy away for a week.

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Sat, 10/13/2012 - 15:31

TroyW

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JoAnn...tyvm. Buddy was a big part we loved him very much.

As for the Grapefruit beer....it was light and fruity, I think I ended up having 5..lol So I think it was very good. I read somewhere that said this was the only place in the U.S. you could get it.

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Sat, 10/13/2012 - 15:41

Kris1971

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I'm so sorry to hear about your dog. That must have been so hard and to start a vacation like that....well, I'm just sorry!

It seems like you had a nice trip and really made the most of the F&W festival (which I also plan to do next week).

Glad you are home safe and sound. Time to start planning the next trip!

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Sat, 10/13/2012 - 15:54

JoAnn C

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Your grandson is adorable. When are you taking him to WDW?

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Sat, 10/13/2012 - 16:21

Kristen K.

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Great trip report!!

I'm so sorry you had a rough patch with the MS during it. A hotel closer to the parks next time would also make it easier to get back for a mid-day break.

How wonderful that you were able to meet up with Robyn! I trust that they're having a fantastic trip It's so cool when people have meet ups.

You ate at a couple of places that we'll be eating at and made me feel better about those choices. I agree with Amy about the Lapu Lapu, it can really knock your teeth out. I have to share one and I'm still wasted from it. LOL! The Fiesta Margarita looks so yummy, I wish I could drink tequila.

Are you a regular champagne drinker? The Fairytale Cuvee is a little more to the Brut side than I really care for, but I can deal with it. I'm looking forward to a glass of the Moet & Chandon Rose Imperial on this trip. My traveling companion wants to try the Moet & Chandon Ice Imperial because bubbly served on ice is just weird and has to be tried. I'm a regular champagne/sparkling wine/brachetto drinker and I always indulge in Disney. Fairytale is not my favorite though.

Logan looking at Mickey adorable! He does not trust that mouse...LOL!

Overall it sounds like you had a lovely trip!

Sat, 10/13/2012 - 17:02

TroyW

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Kris ty so much.
JoAnn, we plan on taking him when he is 5.
Kristen, for sure a resort a lot closer so you arent waiting for a bus or having to stand once you get on. Meetting Robyn was great. She is such a nice person, Simon too of course. Just great people. As for that Lapu Lapu I wanted another but tried something else which was awesome. The Fiesta was strong Amy thought too but I thought it was prefect. And No I amd not a champagne drinker. I can see why...yuck..lol That was the only thing I drank that I didnt like. Looking for the room charges I will have to make sure if we go again during F&W Festival that we have plenty of drinking money..I will not tell you guys how much we spent on drinks but a very large portion of refund we got from Becca not going went to my consumption of alcohol..hahahahahaha

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Sat, 10/13/2012 - 18:44

PirateGirl

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What a great trip report Troy. Even though your MS had to kick up at the most inopportune time. I am sorry you had such heartwrenching start to your vacation - losing your much loved Pom. But you came home to your sweet grandson and what cutie he is. I am quite partial to all of my grandnephews and grandniece.

Sat, 10/13/2012 - 21:42

Spook

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What a great trip report! It's too bad you hit a couple bumps but i'm glad you had a good time overall
I'm so sorry to hear about your Pom Not the best start for a trip but hopefully it helped take your mind off it for a little while.

Sat, 10/13/2012 - 23:19

Magic Mirror

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My heart goes out to you and your family on losing your Pom... we have no children and our animals are our babies....Thank you for posting your Trip Report...I love to read them and see the foods and experiences everyone has.... Welcome Home~

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Sun, 10/14/2012 - 13:31

Jess

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So sorry to hear about you losing your dog... But loved reading your trip report and your grandson is so cute... So now that you've experienced both which do you like better.... With kids or just with your wife?

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Sun, 10/14/2012 - 16:24

Kristen K.

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TroyW wrote:

if we go again during F&W Festival that we have plenty of drinking money..I will not tell you guys how much we spent on drinks but a very large portion of refund we got from Becca not going went to my consumption of alcohol..hahahahahaha

LOL! I so feel that! I always have to pace myself more for the money than for not getting sloshed. I try to limit my budget to 2 alcoholic drinks per adult per day and budget $10 per cocktail. Oh! LoL... I drink Mimosas for breakfast too, I forgot to include that. If we have left over "cocktail money" the last couple of days we make sure to use it. It sure adds up fast though!

Sun, 10/14/2012 - 16:40

MrHub

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Troy & Amy! Sorry about the loss of your 4 legged family member. Our little buddy "Mister" is a big part of our lives too and will be rough when that time eventually comes. Great trip report.

Sun, 10/14/2012 - 16:52

TroyW

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Jess, I like the adult trip. It was so nice to not have to deal with the little darlings crying and throwing fits..lol
I would love to take our grandson and we plan on when he is 5, but now our delima. I'm sure he will want ride everything, so how much fun will it be if I cant?

Kristen K. wrote:

If we have left over "cocktail money" the last couple of days we make sure to use it.

LOL.. There wouldnt be anything left over....

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Sun, 10/14/2012 - 16:56

TroyW

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TY MrHub, its never easy but we have some great memories and it seems that in almost every pic we have taken in our house he is in most..lol..you never noticed it til you looked at the pics later..hahahaha.

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Sun, 10/14/2012 - 17:18

Kristen K.

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TroyW wrote:

I would love to take our grandson and we plan on when he is 5, but now our delima. I'm sure he will want ride everything, so how much fun will it be if I cant?

My Mom's rule was that she wouldn't take my kids until they were potty trained. She had my kids on a three year rotational schedule and only ever took one kid per trip.

I understand and empathize with the "what if I can't" do this or that. You can't let that stop you from going all together though. BOB will still be young and there is a height requirement for the thrill rides. You'll just think more about the best way to conserve your energy resources, maybe schedule in more breaks, some pool time. I'm sure that you'll figure out the best way to tackle it and you'll have an amazing time seeing the joy on his face. It's not all about the thrill rides. There will still be LOTS of magical memories to make.

Sun, 10/14/2012 - 21:21

Nancy D

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What a fantastic trip report! I'm so impressed that you took the time to take all those pics of your meals, upload them, and share them with us! That was AWESOME! I have a lot of new dishes to try when I get back to Disney!

I'm sorry the trip had to start out so badly...I know that must have been a very difficult way to start a vacation, but I'm hoping that all of the good times you and Amy had while you were there helped.

What in the WORLD is surrounding that EGG?? The Scotch Egg? Is that a traditional English "thing"?

And how cool to see RobynPrincess and her mate!

Sorry that you were suffering flare-ups while you were there. MS doesn't play, and usually doesn't care if you're on a vacation or not!

Glad you and Amy are home safely. Thanks again for sharing such a great report!

Sun, 10/14/2012 - 21:36

Kristen K.

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Nancy D wrote:

What in the WORLD is surrounding that EGG?? The Scotch Egg? Is that a traditional English "thing"?

The egg is wrapped in sausage and then breaded and deep fried!

Sun, 10/14/2012 - 23:46

nsaunier

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Troy I wish we could have met up and gotten our castle pic. I'm glad you had tons of fun on your trip!! I'm not sure about you but I'm already depressed lol I've only been back since yesterday and I'm already wanting to go back.

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Mon, 10/15/2012 - 00:07

angels444

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House of Blues is the only place on your list that we we haven't eaten at in the past. Each picture or comment brought back memories from our past trips. Mouth watering memories. Thanks

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Mon, 10/15/2012 - 14:54

Mase

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Great trip report, and like everyone else... so sorry about your loss.

Seems like you had a lot of fun meeting up with peeps from the board? Would you do it again?

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Mon, 10/15/2012 - 15:03

TroyW

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Kristen K. wrote:

My Mom's rule was that she wouldn't take my kids until they were potty trained. She had my kids on a three year rotational schedule and only ever took one kid per trip.

I understand and empathize with the "what if I can't" do this or that. You can't let that stop you from going all together though. BOB will still be young and there is a height requirement for the thrill rides. You'll just think more about the best way to conserve your energy resources, maybe schedule in more breaks, some pool time. I'm sure that you'll figure out the best way to tackle it and you'll have an amazing time seeing the joy on his face. It's not all about the thrill rides. There will still be LOTS of magical memories to make.

Kristen, I like your mom's rule. As for BOB having a height requirments...lol..he will be 3months on the 18th and his 2 month checkup he was 25"(we had to buy a bigger car seat) and 18 lbs...he didnt get the name BOB(Big Ole Baby for nothing..hahahaha) Thank you, your words are always very encourging... we will for sure figure out what to do because we have to take him. I want to see his expression when he 1st sees the Castle.

Nancy D wrote:

What a fantastic trip report! I'm so impressed that you took the time to take all those pics of your meals, upload them, and share them with us! That was AWESOME! I have a lot of new dishes to try when I get back to Disney!

I'm sorry the trip had to start out so badly...I know that must have been a very difficult way to start a vacation, but I'm hoping that all of the good times you and Amy had while you were there helped.

What in the WORLD is surrounding that EGG?? The Scotch Egg? Is that a traditional English "thing"?

And how cool to see RobynPrincess and her mate!

Sorry that you were suffering flare-ups while you were there. MS doesn't play, and usually doesn't care if you're on a vacation or not!

Glad you and Amy are home safely. Thanks again for sharing such a great report!

Nancy, you are most welcome. I am glad you enjoyed my report ( all the grammar errors and other mistakes lol)

The Scotch Egg is an Engish "thing"...When I mentioned it to Robyn she said her mom makes them from scratch.
Sounds like you know about MS as well? I was lucky it could have been worse, very happy the monster didnt cause too much problems.

nsaunier wrote:

Troy I wish we could have met up and gotten our castle pic. I'm glad you had tons of fun on your trip!! I'm not sure about you but I'm already depressed lol I've only been back since yesterday and I'm already wanting to go back.

Nicole, we will figure it out next time for sure

angels444 wrote:

House of Blues is the only place on your list that we we haven't eaten at in the past. Each picture or comment brought back memories from our past trips. Mouth watering memories. Thanks

Angels, if you get the chance try the House of Blues.

I woke up this morning wondering where we would eat today..then I really woke up and had toast and bacon..lol
I'm ready to go back.

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Tue, 10/23/2012 - 13:54

Allie

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I'm so sorry to hear about your dog! What a downer right before your trip I'm also sorry to hear you had to miss your Yak & Yeti reservation, that might have been my favorite meal on our trip! It sounds like you still had a great time though, The Wave looks and sounds super yummy! Have to add that to my next trip!

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