You try to plan a nice family outing and what happens? The frickin’ flu bug strikes. My son and youngest daughter spent the day near the toilet ride at Universal Studios, while the rest of us worried about catching it. For three days, we had fought through peak crowds, rain storms, massive traffic jams, power outages, mechanical breakdowns, and temper tantrums, hoping to enjoy our final day of precious family time. We were even able to get to the park early before the first set-back of the day occurred. My oldest grand daughter was too short to get on the Hulk roller coaster. This must of been a huge relief to my son after his first trip to visit the porcelain god. He soon left the park to go back to our Marriott Vacation Club condo for the day. In the meantime, several rides were shut-down and the kids were getting frustrated. We also had a stroller that prevented access to many areas, and my wife’s purse added even more complications since it required storage on the Wizarding World of Harry Potter rides. Finally, we were able to have the privilege of waiting an hour-and-a-half for our first ride. Now, are you sure you don’t have to go to the bathroom?

According to Facebook, several other of our friends were in the park, but we were never able to hook-up. However, my wife started a conversation with a young man wearing a Purdue Boilermakers sweatshirt during our long wait at Forbidden Journey. As it turned out, he was the grandson of one of her hometown classmates, and they were able to contact him for a “Small World” reunion at the end of the ride. They talked while I rushed the “about to explode” kiddies to the Diagon Alley bathroom. We then took the busy Hogwarts Express to the next massive line at The Escape from Gringotts. Lunch was at Circus McGurkus in Islands of Adventure, with the loss of lunch shortly after by baby Nora. She and her mother then reluctantly left the park to join her sickly father back in the room. 

The remaining four of our original seven stayed in the park for another three hours, while packing and puking took place at the condo. We did the Woody Roller Coaster, Cat in the Hat, E.T., Despicable Me, and bought some souvenirs. My “hangry” wife insisted on food but the lines were far too long to suit my limited patience, so she finally agreed to exit Universal in favor of her fast food favorite, Freddy’s Frozen Custard. Afterwards, my flu-stricken son, his wife, and my three sleepy grand kids made the two-hour drive home late at night so that they could meet work and school schedules. My wife and I have two more days at Disney World.

After 28,000 steps yesterday and an aching back, I once again cut-back to the minimum mile on this morning’s run. I was also feeling a little queasy and sure hope it doesn’t develop into dreaded influenza. We have two model homes to tour before we return our rental car and head for the park on a shuttle. At least the spending frenzy of our family Florida trip is now over, and we can eventually settle into a more frugal lifestyle. However, I certainly didn’t help yesterday by booking another March baseball trip, this time with the boys to Dallas. Now, flu – stay away, don’t even come another day!