I've lived in Orlando for pretty much my entire life (other than the 3+ years I was in Palm Coast from 2006-2010) and I have never been on the swan paddle boats. I have been to Lake Eola a million times over my life but never on a swan. It's been on my life list since high school. When Dustin and I agreed to keep our celebration simple (& cheap) he was actually the one to suggest it. I immediately screamed "YES!" and boom - just like that our anniversary was planned.
We took I-4 and as we were just driving along we noticed a bus that was transporting a camel. A CAMEL. His head was sticking out the back. It was such an odd moment. I told Dustin to take a photo but the camel pulled off the exit too quickly. So strange! But after googling "camel in bus on I-4" I came across this amongst other articles and photos. So maybe not so strange.
We got to Lake Eola right around 10AM. Parking proved to be a little difficult due to the various walks and activities going on but we found a spot after doing a few laps around the neighborhood. We were the first swan goers of the day. I paid the lady and she sent us down the ramp to the "swan wrangler". That's not what she called him. I just came up with it because I forgot his name. Dustin got in first. Then me. The boat rocked back and forth as we tried to get situated. The "swan wrangler" told us to stay away from the edge of the lake because we will get stuck and not to go within 50' of the fountain. He also pointed out the phone number on the boat and told us to call if we got into any trouble. This made me wonder how many people he's had to rescue from a swan in the middle of downtown Orlando. Then he unhooked our boat and pushed us off. We both immediately started moving our legs. Dustin was in charge of steering because I would have steered us right into a situation where we would have needed to use that emergency rescue number. It was so sunny but beautiful out. Thankfully it wasn't too warm. We would paddle and then we would stop and just take it in. We'd paddle some more. Then rest. We were certainly getting our cardio in for the day. I really think that swan paddle boats are the next new fitness trend. Just remember I said it here first!
We tried to turn around to head back to the dock but just ended up doing a donut. Is it still considered a donut when you're on water? Whatever, we went in a circle and I just couldn't stop laughing because I'm sure all the people jogging around with their dogs were thinking we were some wacky tourists who can't even operate a paddle boat. We finally got the boat going in the right direction. We thought we were so smooth coming in right where we had gotten on the boat. But then the damn boat started to turn even though Dustin was steering properly. We hit the emergency rescue boat and then the "swan wrangler" was able to push us in the right spot. Again more laughing. He was so nice and didn't even look at us like we were crazy, so I asked him to take a photo of Dustin in the boat. As one does.
It was such a fun little experience and I recommend it to everyone, especially the Floridians who have always wanted to do it. Why wait? Dustin and I are already talking about going back with friends because the boats seat four people!
Dustin and I don't frequent downtown too often so we decided to make an afternoon of it and stopped by a lot of my favorite downtown-ish spots. I looked for a camera strap at Colonial Photo & Hobby, found some really cool cards at SamFlax, and almost went to the Drunken Monkey so I could pick up some Sparkling Apple Juice but decided against it (only because I didn't want it to sit in my car for the rest of the day).
We went to Five Guys in Baldwin Park for lunch. We sure do love our cheeseburgers! Then we ended up stopping by my old Best Buy. I call it "mine" because it's right by my mom's house and I used to go there so often that a few people knew me by name. These days though, I only go to Best Buy if we're going to buy a new TV. I noticed that it felt like they were missing something. There was so much room and then Dustin pointed out that "they took out all of the CDs". It took me a second to process what he had just said. I stood there looking around bewildered. He was right. No more CDs. I was immediately pissed. I get that with iTunes, Pandora, Spotify, etc. that CDs just aren't popular these days but STILL. It kind of upset me. I mean, I spent many hours rummaging through CDs there as a teen trying to decide which one to buy. Dustin even said he remembered coming to visit me in Orlando and buying Thrice's Vheissu at this specific Best Buy. He listened to it in their parking lot until I got off work. I love technology but sometimes it's really hard to move forward.
We stopped by Blue Jacket Park because I'm sentimental through and through. It's "our" park. We spent so much time there in the beginning of our relationship. And also, it's the place where Dustin proposed to me on March 17, 2009. We both couldn't remember the last time we had been but we were fairly certain this was the first time we've been back since that special day. How have we not been here in 5 years?! I mean we go on that side of town often enough but we never stop by our park any more. I hope to change that going forward.
Before heading home, we stopped by Park Ave. CDs because they have "CD" in their fucking name! Yeah, I just needed to be in a room full of CDs after our Best Buy experience. I wonder if CDs will be the new trendy thing to collect 20 years from now like vinyl is these days? Weird world.
It was a lovely day. The weather couldn't have been more perfect and same goes for the company. There's nothing that makes me happier then celebrating our love.
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