Senior Citizens take on Disneyland -

If you recall this post, you know how much I adore this group of women. I look forward to our birthday get-togethers five times a year with more anticipation than is probably considered normal. So when the suggestion was made that we hop in the car and take a road trip together to Disneyland, I knew that some hysterical moments were in the making.

We left Sunday evening with a skip in our step and bags full of junk food! No, I'm not pregnant, just wearing a shirt suited to envelop plenty of junk food ingestion.

Soon, we were on our way to the happiest place on Earth, with quite possibly the five happiest women on Earth. At first, I felt funny leaving without my kids. This feeling was quickly replaced with the knowledge that I needed a little reprieve from all that I was leaving behind. I was on vacation!

The next morning, we woke up and headed to the park for two days of fast food, fast passes and fast walking. We covered both parks as far as our ten little feet would take us. It was then that I stopped feeling like the youngest in the group. I was completely outdone! I was accompanied by two of the biggest Disney freaks on the planet. Cynthia knew the narration to every ride by heart and every short cut to each event. Mary Ellen had a course printed up for us to make sure that we fit it all in. These two are both lovers of Mickey and have sweet earrings to prove it. We were in good hands.

Shortly after this picture, Mary Ellen pointed out that going to Disneyland is much like going to the temple ... you learn something new every time!


This was Val's first trip back to Disneyland in 20 years! One of the highlights of the trip, was getting her on the big ole' ferris wheel in California Adventure. I am deathly afraid of this ride, but I knew the comic relief on board would be priceless ... so I talked her into it. As I clung to the door, she gripped the cage for dear life. Cynthia got some live footage of the hysteria that took place in the dangling purple car, while a very calm Mary Ellen and Karen were amused at the display of panic. This is definitely not my favorite ride, but it might have been my favorite episode.


Our two days were topped off with a wonderful dinner at the Blue Bayou inside the Pirates of the Caribbean ride. Good food, good friends.



So it was time to head back home. On the road again, about half way home, the adventure was not over. All of the sudden, five women were looking around trying to define the noise that was being heard. The definition would be called ... a blowout.


Since we all have sons and husbands that handle this sort of thing for us, we quickly gathered around to take pictures knowing full well that this was the only thing we were going to accomplish. We took out the owner's manual and started researching for good measure, but before too long, a nice gentleman named Joseph rode up on his white horse (or was it a sedan) and saved five damsels in distress. Soon, the Highway Patrol Officer would join Joseph as they co-hosted the rescue ... but it took all seven of us to find the spare tire!


We were directed to the nicest tire store in Quartzite, AZ, where Mary Ellen gladly handed over the rest of her vacation money for a tire with no holes in it.



So you might be thinking "oh that's awful that they had a flat tire". Nope, just part of the adventure! Actually, we were very blessed. We came to a smooth rest under a nice overpass of shade, the Calvary showed up almost immediately, we made it to the tire store right before they closed and the next town with services was 26 miles away. We were protected and surrounded by laughter and peace during the entire expedition.

At the beginning of our trip, we were talking about our older sons growing tired of the wonderment of Disneyland. Craig Shiflet told his family that he "really didn't need a story with his ride anymore." Well I guess as we mature, that desire must return. Not only do I like a story with my ride, but I truly enjoy when my ride creates the story. Thanks for the memories!