A conversation I had this morning with my step-daughter, Bethany, regarding Spring Break activities (or lack thereof) made me think back to what our family used to do on breaks from school.
Mostly we would go camping, beginning in May lasting all summer. We had a camper and a motor boat and we would take one of three spots with my parents 2 sets of best friends. One parent would take turns staying out with us kids during the day while the other parents worked and we would swim and ride bikes and explore the campground. It was bliss.
However, on occasion we would go on a "real" vacation - you know one that required crossing state lines! Maybe go to a theme park, or see the ocean. The first one that I can remember going on was to Orlando, Florida - Disney World. I think I was somewhere around 6 years old, but I'm not sure. My Mom can probably clear that up.
I'm pretty dadgum sure my little brother was there because I have a couple of vague memories of him that, in my brain anyway, are from this trip. One, I seem to remember him getting lost at some point and I remember being seriously concerned about a "sicko" taking him into the bathroom and cutting his "pee-pee" off. Apparently at some point in my life I had heard this was the fate of little boys that left their parents sight... I also seem to remember him peeing somewhere that caused a scene, like maybe in one of the rides (It's a Small World or Pirates of the Caribbean, something like that).
Anyway, I do know for sure that we took our camper and camped at a KOA and my parents friends Lonnie and Patsy went with us. They had a little girl, but she was closer to Jason's age.
So, now you know that we drove to Orlando, pulling a trailer. My parents were obviously very patient, being that there were two young kids in the car. I don't remember much at all about the drive, other than they kept in touch with the other couple through CB radio and you had to be really quiet when going through big cities.
As for the attractions and what we did while in Florida, here's what I remember the most (at least I think these things happened):
1) Cape Canaveral - I remember this because in the mid-70's the Space Program and NASA was big stuff. Also, I Dream of Jeannie was the coolest thing on TV.
2) The boat ride that had fake elephants and other animals.
3) The Pirates of the Caribbean ride. I loved that ride, I remember wishing that I could live in the ride, or at least sneek in and explore when no one else was around. I think I thought the coins were real, too.
4) The same feeling went for the Peter Pan ride. I so wanted to fly off to Neverland with Peter and Wendy!
However, the single biggest impression on me, the coolest thing we did (in my young mind) was ride an elephant! This wasn't even at Disney, it might not even been in Orlando. I just know that when we walked up there was this gigantic black elephant with a huge red and white striped awning draped over it. It also had a red and white canopy fixed over the seat to keep the sun off the riders. As we walked up, all that red and white on the huge black mastadon combined in my head as "Peppermint Elephant"!
This should be a lesson for parents. I have no idea what it cost my mom and dad to put me and my brother on that Peppermint Elephant, but as we lumbered around that ring I was as happy as I was at any time on that vacation. I still remember the feel of the trunk when Peppermint reached back and touched my leg once, and my hand another time - the bristles and the tough, thick hide. I definitely remember the smell of the hay and the animal smell as well.
When we climbed back down and went down the wooden scaffolding to our parents, I was really excited about the experience and filled with loved for my parents who had just given me such a unique, fun time.
As we walked away, I was holding my Daddy's hand and I looked back at the Peppermint Elephant and there were two more kids loaded up and ready to go. That image is what stuck with me for years and what comes to mind, still.
So, while most people think of Mouse ears when they think of Orlando, I think of Peppermint Elephants!
In His Blessings,
Tracy
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