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Tuesday began with everyone meeting in the lobby at 6:30am. I’m not sure of the reason for the semi-circular gathering, but it offered a great opportunity for an impromptu group photo. Left to right we have, Krystina, Inga, Dave, Helen, Jonathan, Libby, Tim, and Sharon. 
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Uh-oh. Krystina spied the camera! 
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And just as she began thinking, “It’s 6:30- not Steve’s camera again!”, her thought telepathically drifted about the room. First to Courtney… 
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Then to Kyan |
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The only one who never gets tired of appearing on film is the always-photogenic Mikey. Here we have a rare photo of Eli’s mom, her 5-year-old brother Mikey, and Eli herself! Mikey- “Big sis- what’s product placement?” Eli- “It’s where companies like Avis try to insert themselves into people’s vacation albums.” 
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Most everyone was now in the lobby. Or were they? Lizzy- “Hey dad, have you seen James?” Neil- “Not since we left Ralph’s. Do you think this has anything to do with Double Coupon Day?”  |
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James- “I’ll show you coupons! Hey- am I late?” 
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Soon our California Adventure took us to Disneyland!  |
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Where scenic vistas from parking structures are always great photo ops. 
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And at last we were in the park! Before you ask, the castle was undergoing renovation at the time of our visit. Thunder Mountain and Space Mountain were also down for maintenance, but all of the other attractions were open- and we had a great time. |
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Let’s begin our day at Disneyland with a face that we haven’t yet seen. That’s Carl pointing the way in the baseball cap, and following right-to-left- Ali, Courtney, Neil, and Krystina.
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Another pan of the Disney gang- Tim, Steph hiding behind Helen, Libby, Inga hiding behind Jonathan, Ali, and Courtney. |
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And a final ABS roundup, from left to right- Eli, Ali facing backwards, Kyan, a Disney sweeper, Lizzy, James, Sharon, half of Steph’s face, and Dave’s elbow. I know what you're thinking- Pulitzer Prize material... 
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All aboard- let’s find the rides!  |
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How about a sailboat so fancy it doesn’t need sails?
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We started the day at Star Tours, took on Autopia, then boarded the Matterhorn. Somehow amidst riding the motion simulator, heckling the drivers in front of us, and trying not to lose any limbs on the Matterhorn- I forgot to take pictures of the rides! But there’s one ride in the park that can always cause you to pull out your camera. To use it as a makeshift earplug and drown out the puppets! Yep- we’re talking about the former World’s Fair attraction known as It’s a Small World.  And indeed it is. This picture of the queue says it all. When people who have never met each other can have so much in common as to unite from around the world at one time and one place to pick up just as any other family- It’s a Small World. |
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Tomorrow we’ll have more pictures of ABSers taking more pictures of ABSers taking pictures, and more pictures of ABSers walking to more places from which to take more pictures of each other taking pictures. 
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But for now, just one more picture of a place that was once just a vision between a man and a mouse.  |
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By now it should be clear that ABS gang can consume more megapixels than most groups twice its size. And at the happiest place on Earth, we were more camera crazy than ever! The twins at Disneyland caught by Kyan. 
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Lizzy and Ali, with cameras on guard!  |
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It’s Carl coming from the right…
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And passing to Krystina who shoots over the shoulder! |
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A 3-pointer! In fact make it a 33!  Tipped off by a documentary on the Travel Channel, we searched New Orleans Square for the secret entrance to Disney’s exclusive Club 33- a private club located in the heart of Disneyland to which few but those most well connected within the Disney corporation are permitted access. Or at least that’s what the Travel Channel reported. We went up to some Disney workers and asked about Club 33. At first they looked at us as if we were talking about Area 51- but the moment we mentioned three little letters their attitude changed completely- A B S. Suddenly they looked at us as if we were VIP cartoon characters and invited us to join!!! And also mentioned that the waiting list for membership is now only 15 years. |
So we decided to spend the time sitting along the dock of a bay…  |
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Waiting for our ship to come in. 
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After fifteen of something- they might have been seconds- we continued on our way exploring the park. |
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As the best of friends. 
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There’s always something to photograph at Disneyland. Whether kicking back on a Jungle Cruise,  |
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Checking out a landmark amidst restoration, 
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Or watching a statue of a mouse watch a real life horse.  |
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Yet our hours of fun in the California sun began to take their toll. The first sign of trouble took place when James started melting. 
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Before long Krystina and Ali glaced one last time toward their cameras, |
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And were soon seen sporting bottles of water instead.
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The twins considered the issue as well, and set aside their film to rehydrate.  |
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While Sharon took the initiative of sampling carbonation. 
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With the gang just hangin’  |
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Somebody had to get us on our feet again. And that somebody was the always energetic Mikey! Faster than film, he jumped at the chance to rejuvinate the crew- 
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Zappin’ around till we were all on our feet.  |
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It was the least Superman was willing to do. 
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And we were on our way again.  |
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It’s hard not to smile at Disneyland…
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Or to want to stay just a minute more when everyone else is ready to go. |
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But Courtney’s a great leader, and when she coordinates with the group that it’s time to go- then it’s time for Tim to pat his favorite statue of Goofy one last time.
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And for the gang to give one last spin to the stone sphere of Tomorrowland. |
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Before we watch with Walt as the sun does its thing.
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And we dream together of the girl who inspired our Little Mermaid.
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Looking back on our day at Disneyland  |
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We entered the park 
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Rode the rides  |
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Played the games
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Walked past ice cream stands |
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Melted in the sun
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Tried to remember where those ice cream stands were Counted the people in a canoe (21)  |
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Saw a parade
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Gathered for fireworks, then headed back to the Lodge.  |
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And somewhere along the way may have taken a few pictures too.
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But most of all enjoyed just being together
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