Karaoke and Line Dancing

Friday night at Thousand Trails Orlando there is a dance (identified as line dance) and Karaoke - we feel that we know a grand total of 3 line dances, so we went over to see if we knew any that they did...

It seems that there are at least as many line dances as there are songs - and even more, because some songs have more than one dance that is done to them...

We sat and watched but, amazingly, they did each of the three dances that we know during the hour or so that we were there! We enjoyed it, and didn't have to be out late either!

More from our visit to Disney Springs

More from our Friday visit to Disney Springs:

We got to a place where they were giving interesting car rides...

Wait a minute - do they know that they are heading for the water?

Watch out! There's a lake in front of you!

In case the embedded video does not work: https://youtu.be/o6fLiR_RwLk

Hmmmm, it must be okay!

A couple of other vehicles on the launch ramp - we think the red vehicle might be a rescue craft.

Here's another one coming back - they look like they ride awfully deep in the water!

The passengers appear to have had a good time!

Amphicar return:

In case embedded video does not work: https://youtu.be/AL8IbaCj6wQ

Amphicar returning

Carl thinks that it is not yet too late for Jimmy to change the design of his Chevy to make it an Amphicar!

A little further along, there were folks gathering for a concert at the Waterside Stage

Concert at Disney Springs -- in case upload did not work - here it is posted on YouTube: https://youtu.be/AMmiALHeqRQ

Seemingly right behind the orchestra (but actually across the lake) a volcano was going off (at Rainforest Cafe, I think).

Lots of things to see at Disney Springs!

A visit to Disney Springs

On Friday, we drove over to Disney Springs -- we had never heard of it before this trip, but we heard from a couple of people that it was an interesting place to visit, so we decided to try it out.

We found parking in the Lime Garage -- level 3 showed on the electronic display that it had spots available when we entered... I took a picture as we were leaving the Jeep so we'd remember where we parked it!

It turned out that Disney Springs was a large outdoor shopping mall...

... with interesting and/or unique stores and lots of places to eat.

Water feature in the area -- probably even prettier at night with multi-colored lights floating on it.

Star Wars Galactic Outpost (i.e. store)

Marvel Superhero Headquarters (also known as store)

When I put "Disney Springs" into the Garmin, it came up with "M&M Store at Disney Springs", so we decided that we should visit that...

... all kinds of M&M merchandise -- tee-shirts...

... dispensers...

... some free samples of a new type -- white chocolate with rice crispy center -- disappointing when your mouth is wanting chocolate in your M&Ms -- Carl said, "I wouldn't buy them, but if someone had a bowl of them at a party, I would eat them!"

M&Ms of every type and color available for bulk purchase or mix 'n' match!

You could purchase them by the pound -- but at $17.98/pound, it was pretty pricey (we thought - since we usually buy M&Ms at Costco or Sam's!).

"Ms M" was available for pictures

Carl went into the Starbucks to sniff the coffee - he came out smiling, so I think it must have been good!

This was in Edison's Restaurant - described as modeled after a 1920s eatery and speakeasy...

... the various mechanical devices were neat to see!

A T-Rex restaurant

A Lego-looking Loch Ness Monster in the lagoon...

... and Star Wars figures in front of the Lego store

It was a nice day to be out walking around (though we sought out the shade as often as we could!).

Meeting up with friends

On Thursday, we met up with friends Dave and Jeaninne - we arranged to meet them at a restaurant in The Villages near Brownwood Square as that appeared to be about halfway between our two locations.

At the restaurant

At Brownwood Square after eating, enjoying the entertainment and dancing.

I love it when Jeaninne laughs!

Carl, Dave, and Jeaninne

As we headed back to the Jeep to go back to the rig, we saw two similar golf cart parked next to each other - one proclaimed "Penn State Grandfather"...

... the one next to it "Penn State Grandmom"!

Always so nice to get together with Dave and Jeaninne!

Things that make you go "Huh?"

We recently went out to eat and were surprised looking at the receipt...

... we've become accustomed to suggested tip amounts being shown on the receipt, but usually 15%, 18%, 20% -- this one was 20%, 25%, and 30%!

We were discussing how it used to be that the tip was 10%, and it was for the service rendered, and wasn't "expected" but designated that you appreciated outstanding service. Even though the price of restaurant food has increased (and so 10% of the total would have been more money to the server), the tip is now "expected" and at 15% or above -- we're not sure why the percentage expected rose. We typically tip at the 20% level or so, but we generally tip on the total of what we purchased, not tipping on the tax (so, in this case, we would have tipped on $34, not $36.38 -- a nice feature of this receipt is that it explicitly indicates that the suggested tip amounts are on the total check price -- even though we wouldn't use their suggestion, it is nice that they state how they calculated it).

I think the argument is that since service workers are paid less than the minimum wage for other workers, they need tips to make up the difference. Why are service workers paid less? 

Are folks who work in beauty salons also paid at the lower rate?

What about massage therapists in a doctor's office? I tip the massage therapist, I would never tip the doctor...

I should probably do research to understand this more!

Visiting the "Farmers" Market

We decided to visit the Clermont Farmers' Market to get some local fresh produce...

It looked to be a pretty large market!

Unfortunately, farm produce was somewhat lacking!

Nut butters -- okay, maybe that could be made from locally grown nuts? Maybe?

"Authentic Italian Balsamic Vinegar" - maybe farm produce, but probably not local...

Avon... hmmm... farmers market?

Artwork - maybe a "producer"?

Clothing - again, maybe a "producer"?

Hot Dog Therapy

Polish Delicacies

Pet Accessories

Cheesecake (note: it indicated they were blue ribbon winners at Connecticut and Virginia State Fairs!)

Raw goat milk and cheese - ok, farm produce, just not the green stuff we were looking for!

Golf clubs

There were two booths that had local farm produce - one was small and almost sold out, the other was super busy - but we were able to get a few fresh veggies for our meals this week!

Stealing a Farm Truck

When I posted the pictures of the camp truck a few days ago (https://journeyinamazinggrace.blogspot.com/2023/03/last-day-of-florida-sower-reunion.html), it made me think of a post I had seen on Facebook a while ago...

I would not say that my brother's farm pickup meets all of these criteria, but... I have definitely experienced farm trucks with a few items of similarity!