Post by janebanks on Aug 4, 2023 17:52:33 GMT -5
Sunday June 25
It's a lazy day Sunday.
Pool time, a little beach time. Surf was a bit rough, so we just took the grandkids down to play at the surfs edge, but no boogie boarding this trip. They love running away as the water laps at their feet.
More pool time, and I apparently forgot to apply sunscreen, so paid for that later. The three granddaughters participated in the Slide Races, with the youngest coming in second place for her age group. She was quite pleased with herself.
We grabbed the last four seats for the Rum Cocktails event. These events at the Green Cabin room are quite enjoyable.
Afternoon rains rolled in, so naps all around.
After naptime, dinner again at the Wind and Waves.
Then we finished out the evening playing some card games back in the game room near the spa. I had brought two new games for the grandkids, and we were cracking each other up. The resort is so quiet at night, it's nice to have a space to gather and play and chit chat.
Monday
Son and his family had to return home. Always a sad day for me, I never feel we get enough time with the grands.
We occupied ourselves with pool time, until it was time for another cocktail event at the Green Cabin.
Today is Bourbon. They served Turkey and pimiento cheese sliders on pretzel rolls alongside the drinks. Started with an Old Fashioned. Next up, they served a New York Sour. Admittedly I am not a big drinker, and with that one drink I was sloshed. Finished out the event by making our own Vero Beach Lemonade. Since there were a few no shows, and they had pre made drinks, everyone got a second round of New York Sours. No complaints.
Thankfully our room was so near. No time for a nap though, as we joined in the Sea Turtle Talk downstairs in the Sea Grape room.
I had done a quick glance online for restaurants in Vero, and we opted for Riverside Cafe based on reviews and recommendations from other DVC owners. What a disappointment. Nobody enjoyed their meal. One and done for us.
After dinner, we decided on an early bedtime, with plans to wake early for the turtle walk.
Tuesday
Only my friend and I managed to get up in time for the turtle walk. I caught the sunrise just as it popped over the horizon. Always beautiful from this resort.
We found the CMs out on the beach, sadly they told us no nests had been found. Just a lot of false crawls the night before, so we looked at a few of those tracks.
Since we were up, we decided to go ahead and take an early morning walk down the beach.
So peaceful and quiet. There were only a couple of other early birds out.
We managed about an hours walk, stopping here and there to pick up a pretty shell.
I made the mistake of not using bug spray, big mistake.
The noseeums are no joke. I didn't notice them at the time, but later that night while trying to sleep I felt like my legs were being eaten alive. I awoke on Wednesday covered in bites from ankle to knee, and went to the front desk so they could confirm.
They offered me some anti itch wipes, and then sent up the head of housekeeping to inspect our room and make sure noseeums weren't getting in from the balcony. Nope, it is all because I walked the beach early morning with no protection.
Whatever mosquitoes are attracted to, I decided noseeums are as well because they loved me as much as the mosquitoes at home do.
We had the Tequila Cocktails event later that afternoon. Empanadas were at the table for each of us, along with a classic margarita. This was followed by a spicy poblano pineapple margarita, and to finish we made our own chocolate margarita. I first had the chocolate margarita a few years back at the same event, and it has become one of my favorites.
Of course, I was snockered midway through since I am such a lightweight.
The rest of our group joined us afterwards and we stayed to enjoy the Trivia Battle. Ordered up some pretzels with beer cheese and more empanadas. Had lots of fun, came in second place.
Dinner, nobody wanted to leave the resort so we hit up Wind and Waves again. They have a bacon and egg appetizer that is similar to the one served at Steakhouse 71. Not as good, but pretty close.
After dinner, pool time. It was gloriously empty when we got there and slowly started to fill up.
Wednesday
Most of our group was departing, with only husband and I staying through the end of the week. Since he works remote, we save our travel days for the weekends.
Daughter and her boyfriend departed shortly after noon.
My noseeum bites felt like they were on fire. I itched so bad in my sleep, I gave myself bruises trying to scratch them. Husband bought hydrocortisone cream in the gift shop, which took a bit of the sting out.
The CMs at the front desk told me they were worse than usual due to more pop up rain showers than normal.
Between the rough surf and the noseeums, we really didn't spend much time on the beach, which is unusual for us.
We drove our friends to MCO around 4pm for their evening flight. Their line for security was almost an hour wait, and she kept texting me updates thinking they might miss their flight. As soon as they got through the line, she got a message that their flight was delayed. Then once on their plane, they had to sit because a storm rolled in and they couldn't take off. She said the lightning was insane.
Meanwhile, husband and I had gone over to Disney Springs and the sky was clear.
We had a great dinner at Polite Pig, with enough leftovers to cover lunch for two more days.
We got the Butcher Board, with sweet potato tots, BBQ cauliflower, and added an additional side of Grilled Street Corn.
After that, we wandered around a little, picked up some cupcakes to take back from Sprinkles, and decided to head back to Vero.
By the time we were near the boundary line of Disney Springs, that storm looked to be heading our way. The sky was half gorgeous sunset, and then turn your head slightly and it was murky gray with lightning.
It stayed with us most of the return to Vero.
We stopped at the Publix nearest the resort just in the nick of time. As we were running in to grab more anti itch products, they announced store closing. We dashed, and grabbed six different products and a small case of water for the rest of the week.
A google search of noseeum bites turned up a tip. Shower in cold water to relieve the itch.
So I tried that, followed by slathering on the various anti itch creams, and was able to sleep without clawing at my legs.
Thursday
Very quiet now everyone has returned home. I read a bit until husbands work day was done, and then we spent some time at the pool.
Walked the resort, gazed at the ocean from the boardwalk.
Friday
Much the same. I had booked myself a massage and facial at the resort spa. Both were very nice, comparable to service at Senses at Grand Floridian or (formerly) Saratoga Springs. Enjoyed a few drinks at the Green Cabin room once husband had packed his work computer away.
Packed up, gave away our leftover groceries and pool noodles to some fellow guests.
We had a quiet meal at Wind and Waves, and then enjoyed our last evening in the pool.
Saturday
Our flight was for early evening, so after packing up our things, and straightening the room to make it easier on housekeeping, we decided to spend time at the McKee Botanical Gardens. I always have this on my list of things to see in the area, and we had never actually done it.
It was quite lovely, even with the heat, and I would visit again in future. If you visit, they do allow water to be brought in.
With that, we headed back toward Orlando and to the airport. Once we arrived, it took us over 45 minutes to go from the gas station to the rental return. Traffic was at a stand still, we gathered once closer because signage was up that airport parking was at capacity. This made us nervous that we might run in to the same issue as our friends.
No security lines at all, for either TSA or general security though.
Flight was delayed, but only by half an hour, which put us arriving home just before midnight.
Overall a lovely week. Our friends loved their stay at Vero almost as much as the time at WDW and look forward to future trips.
I now know not to skip the bug spray. It is over a month later and I still have a few spots yet to clear up on my legs.
It's a lazy day Sunday.
Pool time, a little beach time. Surf was a bit rough, so we just took the grandkids down to play at the surfs edge, but no boogie boarding this trip. They love running away as the water laps at their feet.
More pool time, and I apparently forgot to apply sunscreen, so paid for that later. The three granddaughters participated in the Slide Races, with the youngest coming in second place for her age group. She was quite pleased with herself.
We grabbed the last four seats for the Rum Cocktails event. These events at the Green Cabin room are quite enjoyable.
Afternoon rains rolled in, so naps all around.
After naptime, dinner again at the Wind and Waves.
Then we finished out the evening playing some card games back in the game room near the spa. I had brought two new games for the grandkids, and we were cracking each other up. The resort is so quiet at night, it's nice to have a space to gather and play and chit chat.
Monday
Son and his family had to return home. Always a sad day for me, I never feel we get enough time with the grands.
We occupied ourselves with pool time, until it was time for another cocktail event at the Green Cabin.
Today is Bourbon. They served Turkey and pimiento cheese sliders on pretzel rolls alongside the drinks. Started with an Old Fashioned. Next up, they served a New York Sour. Admittedly I am not a big drinker, and with that one drink I was sloshed. Finished out the event by making our own Vero Beach Lemonade. Since there were a few no shows, and they had pre made drinks, everyone got a second round of New York Sours. No complaints.
Thankfully our room was so near. No time for a nap though, as we joined in the Sea Turtle Talk downstairs in the Sea Grape room.
I had done a quick glance online for restaurants in Vero, and we opted for Riverside Cafe based on reviews and recommendations from other DVC owners. What a disappointment. Nobody enjoyed their meal. One and done for us.
After dinner, we decided on an early bedtime, with plans to wake early for the turtle walk.
Tuesday
Only my friend and I managed to get up in time for the turtle walk. I caught the sunrise just as it popped over the horizon. Always beautiful from this resort.
We found the CMs out on the beach, sadly they told us no nests had been found. Just a lot of false crawls the night before, so we looked at a few of those tracks.
Since we were up, we decided to go ahead and take an early morning walk down the beach.
So peaceful and quiet. There were only a couple of other early birds out.
We managed about an hours walk, stopping here and there to pick up a pretty shell.
I made the mistake of not using bug spray, big mistake.
The noseeums are no joke. I didn't notice them at the time, but later that night while trying to sleep I felt like my legs were being eaten alive. I awoke on Wednesday covered in bites from ankle to knee, and went to the front desk so they could confirm.
They offered me some anti itch wipes, and then sent up the head of housekeeping to inspect our room and make sure noseeums weren't getting in from the balcony. Nope, it is all because I walked the beach early morning with no protection.
Whatever mosquitoes are attracted to, I decided noseeums are as well because they loved me as much as the mosquitoes at home do.
We had the Tequila Cocktails event later that afternoon. Empanadas were at the table for each of us, along with a classic margarita. This was followed by a spicy poblano pineapple margarita, and to finish we made our own chocolate margarita. I first had the chocolate margarita a few years back at the same event, and it has become one of my favorites.
Of course, I was snockered midway through since I am such a lightweight.
The rest of our group joined us afterwards and we stayed to enjoy the Trivia Battle. Ordered up some pretzels with beer cheese and more empanadas. Had lots of fun, came in second place.
Dinner, nobody wanted to leave the resort so we hit up Wind and Waves again. They have a bacon and egg appetizer that is similar to the one served at Steakhouse 71. Not as good, but pretty close.
After dinner, pool time. It was gloriously empty when we got there and slowly started to fill up.
Wednesday
Most of our group was departing, with only husband and I staying through the end of the week. Since he works remote, we save our travel days for the weekends.
Daughter and her boyfriend departed shortly after noon.
My noseeum bites felt like they were on fire. I itched so bad in my sleep, I gave myself bruises trying to scratch them. Husband bought hydrocortisone cream in the gift shop, which took a bit of the sting out.
The CMs at the front desk told me they were worse than usual due to more pop up rain showers than normal.
Between the rough surf and the noseeums, we really didn't spend much time on the beach, which is unusual for us.
We drove our friends to MCO around 4pm for their evening flight. Their line for security was almost an hour wait, and she kept texting me updates thinking they might miss their flight. As soon as they got through the line, she got a message that their flight was delayed. Then once on their plane, they had to sit because a storm rolled in and they couldn't take off. She said the lightning was insane.
Meanwhile, husband and I had gone over to Disney Springs and the sky was clear.
We had a great dinner at Polite Pig, with enough leftovers to cover lunch for two more days.
We got the Butcher Board, with sweet potato tots, BBQ cauliflower, and added an additional side of Grilled Street Corn.
After that, we wandered around a little, picked up some cupcakes to take back from Sprinkles, and decided to head back to Vero.
By the time we were near the boundary line of Disney Springs, that storm looked to be heading our way. The sky was half gorgeous sunset, and then turn your head slightly and it was murky gray with lightning.
It stayed with us most of the return to Vero.
We stopped at the Publix nearest the resort just in the nick of time. As we were running in to grab more anti itch products, they announced store closing. We dashed, and grabbed six different products and a small case of water for the rest of the week.
A google search of noseeum bites turned up a tip. Shower in cold water to relieve the itch.
So I tried that, followed by slathering on the various anti itch creams, and was able to sleep without clawing at my legs.
Thursday
Very quiet now everyone has returned home. I read a bit until husbands work day was done, and then we spent some time at the pool.
Walked the resort, gazed at the ocean from the boardwalk.
Friday
Much the same. I had booked myself a massage and facial at the resort spa. Both were very nice, comparable to service at Senses at Grand Floridian or (formerly) Saratoga Springs. Enjoyed a few drinks at the Green Cabin room once husband had packed his work computer away.
Packed up, gave away our leftover groceries and pool noodles to some fellow guests.
We had a quiet meal at Wind and Waves, and then enjoyed our last evening in the pool.
Saturday
Our flight was for early evening, so after packing up our things, and straightening the room to make it easier on housekeeping, we decided to spend time at the McKee Botanical Gardens. I always have this on my list of things to see in the area, and we had never actually done it.
It was quite lovely, even with the heat, and I would visit again in future. If you visit, they do allow water to be brought in.
With that, we headed back toward Orlando and to the airport. Once we arrived, it took us over 45 minutes to go from the gas station to the rental return. Traffic was at a stand still, we gathered once closer because signage was up that airport parking was at capacity. This made us nervous that we might run in to the same issue as our friends.
No security lines at all, for either TSA or general security though.
Flight was delayed, but only by half an hour, which put us arriving home just before midnight.
Overall a lovely week. Our friends loved their stay at Vero almost as much as the time at WDW and look forward to future trips.
I now know not to skip the bug spray. It is over a month later and I still have a few spots yet to clear up on my legs.
