The Fifty States: Florida

This is third in a series of states, where I highlight my time spent in a state.  These are my own recommendations of restaurants and things to do, and I hope to share my perspective. I hope to visit all 50 states in my lifetime to see the sights and learn about each area.

Florida - The Disney World State

Be wary of hurricane season if travelling down south to Florida, especially close to the coast.  The weather is cool in the morning, hot during the day, and cool again at night.  Also, there are frequent, but short sunshowers.

Walt Disney World - Going here when you are three, thirteen, or forty-five are totally different experiences.  You will only remember the emotional times when you are three years old, but it will be a magical place.  Your parents are in control, but wonderful sights are reveal to you.  The 'It's a Small World' song will be ingrained in your mind for the rest of your life. Those dinosaurs from the Epcot ride will forever move and look so lifelike in your mind.  Things that scare you then will be remembered in similar situations of your adult life.  The characters and tiki birds seem so real, even in memory.

By the time you are a teenager, you finally can appreciate that you are here and really enjoy it.  It's time to go on the thrilling rides and understand the story behind each theme ride.  Disney characters you loved growing up are still here, along with new ones.  You now know that the characters are only fictional and ride props are just that - props.  As you age and return to this magical place, you become nostalgic about the Carousel of Progress in Tomorrowland.  It reminds you of your childhood or ancesters time.  It's a time to catch up on all of the rides and allow yourself to go on.  Classic rides are still there and spark excitement.

For adults, here is what I suggest:  All four parks are a must: Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom, but lines can get long, so you'll need at least a day at each.  Don't do too much in one day and take the slow moving ride in the Epcot ball!

Magic Kingdom's Mountain Rides (Space, Splash and Big Thunder) are popular.  Also, try not to miss: Carousel of Progress, It's a Small World, Pirates of the Caribbean, the Tiki Room, the Dumbo ride (if you've never been when younger), Buzz Lightyear ride (if a Toy Story fan), the Hall of Presidents and get a picture with Cinderella's Castle.

In Hollywood Studios park, see the Beauty and the Beast show, ride the Tower of Terror and the Great Movie Ride.  Hit one of the waterparks, like Blizzard Beach on a warm day.  There are restaurants and shops at Pleasure Island.  Sadly, they have closed the clubs and comedy shows that used to be there.  Take the monorail to travel from park to park, or even to your hotel.  The disney resort hotels are relatively inexpensive and themed in a fun way.  If you don't have a rental car and stay at an outside hotel, make sure you have a shuttle bus service that can take you to and from your destination.

Universal Studios - If you are in the Disney World vicinity, Universal Studios is a nearby attraction.  They have the Harry Potter World among other motion picture themed rides and attractions.

The Florida Keys - I've heard my friends had a great time in the Keys.  It seems like a lot of sun, beaches, and good food.

The Yogurt Experience

There's nothing like a new set of fro-yo shops around my area.  My new obsession is frozen yogurt now that I’ve been to a few new ones.  I am looking out for more in the area, and will be trying them soon! Yapple Yogurt is the best known brand, but all are basically the same concept and carry similar flavors and toppings.  Top It! and The Yogurt Cup are family owned and very friendly.  There is also RedBerry where they have seating only outside and is smaller inside.  Previously, I have gone to Pinkberry for yogurt in California, but it doesn't compare to this experience and delight!

A good alternative to ice cream, yogurt is advertised as better for you, being high in probiotics and low in fat, sugar and cholesterol.

Steps to a yogurt shop:

1. Find the cups.  These are usually on the far side of the store entrance.  When you walk in, you have to pass the workers on your way through.  They say hello if not busy and sometimes offer a sample tasting of a yogurt flavor.  Take a look at the yogurt flavors as you are going by to see what you want.  Usually the cups are one-sized, but there could be large and small.

2. Pull the lever of any yogurt flavor into your cup.  There are usually around ten flavors with an option of a twist of two flavors.  You can mix and match, try as many flavors and take as much as you want.  Some that are popular: eurotart, chocolate, peanut butter, coffee, red velvet, cookies and cream, coconut, and fruit flavors.  Some come out of the machine fast, so be careful to leave room for other flavors and toppings.

3. The topping bar is next.  Depending where you are, 30-70 goodies will await to top your yogurt.  The more traditional toppings are jimmies, brownies, gummies, peanut butter cups, and other candy bars and bits.  Cereals, such as fruit loops and cinnamon toast crunch, are among the strange toppings.  I have seen Pop Tarts, chocolate chip cookie dough and popping boba (similar to what's in bubble tea, but bursts with fruit liquid inside).  Chocolate, peanut butter, caramel and fruit sauces are usually towards the end of the topping rows and are the last to put on.

4. Place your creation on the scale to be weighed.  It comes to be about 49 cents per ounce, but could vary place-to-place. For all of the times I've done it, my cup came to be around 9 ounces at about $4.50 gross price.

5. Choose a bright neon-colored spoon from the container and a lid if taking it home.  The lid looks like it has a hole in the middle, but it doesn't.  I tried to rest my spoon in there and felt like a fool.

6. If you choose to sit down to eat your yogurt, you will be surrounded by clean modern chairs and decor.  It won't feel like you are in a sticky ice cream parlor.

The Fifty States: New Jersey

This is second in a series of states, where I highlight my time spent in a state.  These are my own recommendations of restaurants and things to do, and I hope to share my perspective. I hope to visit all 50 states in my lifetime to see the sights and learn about each area.

New Jersey - My Neighbor Beach State

Be on the lookout for traffic circles and turning left onto a road is not always an option  :)

Trenton and area - It is fortunate for you to see all of the letters of the Trenton Makes Bridge illuminated at night.  Waterfront Park is home to the Trenton Thunder, and there is a nightclub nearby, recently renamed Rho.  The NJ State Museum is interesting to see with many changing exhibits.  There is a planetarium there that runs free shows on certain Saturdays.  The William Trent house gives a tour, and you learn how people lived in colonial times. Grounds for Sculpture, near the Hamilton train station, is a great place to spend the day.  You can take a leisurely walk around the art. Make reservations at Rat's Restaurant because they are always packed.

Princeton - The University, where Einstein taught, takes up a large part of this town.  There are quaint shops, restaurants, and a very cool bookstore is across the street.  Away from the center of this town, you'll find upscale restaurants, such as Ruth's Chris Steakhouse and the Salt Creek Grille, as well as supermarkets like Wegman's, Wholefoods and Trader Joe's.

Lyndhurst - This industrial area has New York traffic from many Jersey habitants.  Take in a different experience at Medieval Times, a bizarre dinner theatre, where you eat with your hands in the dark and cheer on your color knight in battles.

Edison/Menlo Park an interesting area with many eclectic restaurants and Thomas Edison pride.  A rare-to-find AMC Dine-in Theater gives adult movie goers an option of alcoholic drinks, and not sharing the theater with anyone younger than 21.  Recline while eating dinner and watching a flick!

Cherry Hill - The Cherry Hill Mall is a King of Prussia wanna-be because it provides the same chain restaurants, and it is a larger than average mall. You will experience traffic from in and out of Philly throughout this area.

Jackson - This town is home to the Jackson Outlets and 6 Flags Great Adventure (See post on Roller Coasters!)  It is easy to get to from exits 16A and B off Route 195.

Atlantic City - If you are particular about what casino you like, there is an endless variety here. Great boardwalk with other things to do besides gambling.  There is the Absecon Lighthouse to climb, plenty of restaurants and stores at Pier One at Caesar's and in other casinos.

Wildwood - ’Watch the tram car please, Wa-wa-watch the tram car please.'  There are three parts; North Wildwood, Wildwood and Wildwood Crest.  If you would like to go on the beach here, be warned that it is a long walk on the sand to reach the ocean.  The boardwalk is two miles long, so bring comfortable sandals or take the tram car.  Bikes are allowed on the boardwalk until around 11:00am, and then the national anthem comes on.  The Crest is quieter than the other areas because the attractions stop on the boardwalk when Wildwood ends.  The DooWop style is fading, and mainstream condos are popping up everywhere.  There are still some original motels, like the Lollipop and, on the higher end, the Starlux, so get to them while you can. 

Cape May - Victorian houses line the streets and across the beach front.  There are a few beach and specialty shops.  There is a ghost tour where you walk around town and hear crazy tales of spirits inside these houses and stores.  Elaine's dinner theater is worth going to because of the change in atmosphere from the beach scene. They have good food and great shows.  You can take your car and ferry over to Delaware to visit Rehoboth Beach.

Other Beaches: Seaside Heights has the Jersey Shore cast, but also a nice mile long boardwalk and attractions. Other beaches with nice boardwalks are Ocean City, Belmar, Long Branch, and Point Pleasant.

Long Branch, NJ in 2010

World 101/Chapter 6 - How Deep Is It?

World 101
A Short Story By: Jennie Bean

-continued-
Chapter 6 - How Deep Is It?

As this question slips out of my mouth, I vaguely remember something from my childhood that involved wondering how deep a pool of water was.

"Only one way to find out, Ruby," Tuck says with a smile. We continue to dig down until the blue arrow levels off so it is straight ahead. We plow through at lightning speed and break through the last wall revealing a scene similar to the 'hell' level.  It is eerily quiet.

I walk towards the edge of the lava pool in front of us and notice markings on the side of the rock. It reads: '2 ft.'  There is another island a stone’s throw away.  I take some material from my heavy bag and throw it into the hot lava. Luckily, it does not melt the rock, and I am able to make a bridge across.

"Smart.  I'm glad I'm not doing this alone!" Tuck remarks.  He undoes the tie on his knee and reinforces the knot. I am beginning to think that Tuck has changed since I first got him out of the andesite. I think I finally found my courage, but I couldn't have done this without him either.

"I wouldn't have gotten this far if it wasn't for you, Tuck."

We walk across the bridge, and I look around, hoping to not find any spiders here. There is a huge hill in front of us. "Let's see the view!" I say.

As we walk up to the peak, a house made out of gold comes into view to our left. It is a magnificent sight and glows so brightly I can barely look at it after coming from all the darkness in the caves.

To our right, a set of strings attach themselves to rocks all the way up to the ceiling of the cave. This huge web has a few broken weapons attached to it. With my jaw open in shock, I tap incessantly on Tuck’s arm. A gigantic spider sneaks out from behind some red oval shapes. Oh crap.

“It’s the mother trying to shield her eggs,” Tuck realizes. There is a huge pile of red spider eggs, and our blue brochure sits nicely on top. We stare at it in disbelief.

Now would be a good time for the purple glow stone. “Come on!” I say as I throw my stone down and grab Tuck’s hand. We transport off to the surface to my home base. It is so good to see daylight again.

I run to the computer to figure out a way to blast them away. “TNT!”

“Yes, shatter them to pieces!” Tuck exclaims, “Try C-4 instead. We may get a better result.”

I sell the heavy material from my bag and buy a C-4 explosive.  I wonder how I can light it, and remember a torch where Tuck was first found.  I scrunch my face and look at Tuck.

“I’ve got matches,” he says knowingly and pats his shirt pocket.

I hold onto the C-4, semi-afraid it will detonate in my hands somehow.  I’ve never held a firework before. We hop on the purple glow stone, and it takes us right back to the hill. The spider is now closer and half on top of her eggs. We need to place the C-4 right near the eggs, but blow up the mother spider as well.

"Let's come up from below. If we just run over there, we'll be eaten right away," I suggest.

"Okay," Tucks agrees. We hack away at the hill and make headway on a passage below the surface of this hell, part two. 'Clink!' Tuck's axe hits something hard.

Music fills our passageway: 'In the town of Bedrock...' We've hit rock bottom! We both burst out into laughter.

We turn in the direction of the mother spider and her eggs. We estimate where they would be and start digging upwards.  I still have a few ladders left over, and we use them to climb up. The last of the marble-like rock breaks free and leaves a small opening.  I poke my head out and see the back of the mother spider and the eggs within a small distance. Perfect!

"I'm going to slide the C-4 out. Throw your match and then run!" I whisper looking down at Tuck. I slowly slide the C-4 out towards the eggs. I worry I will startle the mother spider, but she doesn't stir. I creep down the ladders and watch Tuck go up. He looks at me and gives a nod. I dash down the passageway towards the hill.  I am making my way up the hilltop as I feel the rumble. There is a huge explosion and debris falls down the hatch. I cover myself with my bag until it quiets.

"Tuck?" I call.

"Yes," he answers calmly looking up at me.

"You made it out okay! I wasn't sure with your leg and all," I said shyly.

We both make our way to the top of the hill and peek our heads out. Broken egg shells are everywhere. The mother spider is wounded and motionless near the lava pool. The blue brochure sits on the ground, looking untouched, where the tower of red eggs used to stand. Tuck and I look at each other for a second, and then race down the hill to the blue brochure. We both open it on the ground. There is nothing written in it, but a gold key is taped to the inside.

“The gold house key!” we exclaim. We walk over to the house, and smiling, Tuck hands me the key. I open it right up.  From inside the gold house, there is a yellow slip on the floor. It reads:

'Wisdom: You are the survivor!'

“Ruby, I knew you could do it. You really are a leader!” he says. I smile so big, and I cannot contain my excitement.  I hug Tuck and kiss him on the cheek.

“Jem! Jem!” a voice comes from afar, and I find myself being shaken.

“Jem, you did it! You beat the game!” my boyfriend, bright-eyed and grinning, sits next to me on the couch.

Reality returns to me in an instant.  I look up and see a tiny spider on the living room wall. Heh.

The End.

-------------------------------------------------------
Thank you to Total Miner for being the inspiration to my story.  Thank you to the bf and friends, who motivate me to actually do things.

Let me know your thoughts on my story!  Good or bad reviews appreciated.