Universal Studios and Cedar Key

From Wauchula we headed north to Orlando where we stayed at Bill Frederick Turkey Lake Park. It is the closest campground to Universal Studios.We spent three days at Universal. Before the Universal fun started,  we drove to the Naval Air Station ITT office in Orlando so Larry and Connie could get their Universal tickets.

For years Bob and I have had gift cards to Buca di Beppo. We got them with the intention of taking Larry and Connie the last time they were in Florida (2010). Unfortunately, the restaurant closest to us closed the day before they arrived! We held onto the cards just waiting for the right time to use them.....and it finally happened! After much trial and error, we finally found Buca di Beppo at Florida Mall! The address on the website indicated that the restaurant should have been across the street, but we persevered and found it. Of course we enjoyed the meal and the company so it was worth the wait.

We watched the Super Bowl with Connie and Larry on their outdoor entertainment center as Bob and Larry cooked our dinner.

Our first day at  Universal, we went to Islands of Adventure. We had to visit the Harry Potter area! It was a cloudy day so the sky was an excellent backdrop.

The next day we visited Universal Studios.

We rode some rides and walked the entire park. Connie had fun with Cleopatra's beaded hair after we rode The Mummy!

At the special effects show, Connie was chosen to be the gardener.

Our last day at Universal, we returned to Islands of Adventure just to eat at the restaurant in Harry Potter's world. We got the feast for four which was a great deal. Of course we washed it down with butter beer, not the plain water you see in front of Larry and Bob!

Before leaving the park for the last time, we all had our pictures taken near the Universal globe.

We returned to Universal to meet more Boomer friends for dinner at Bubba Gump's Seafood in City Walk. We had a great meal with great company.

The next day we left Turkey Lake and made our way to Cedar Key. We stayed at a campground on the mainland--Shell Mound. It was a county park and a nice find in the area. 

Alas, it was time to say goodbye to Connie and Larry. They had to make their way west for their summer jobs and we returned home. On a brighter note, we are looking forward to the summer of 2015 when we will travel to Alaska together!

Now that this post is done, I am ready to begin our next trip! It is now May and all this fun occurred in January and February!  See you again soon!