Blue Bicycle Books

Date of Visit: June 18, 2021

One of the things we considered as a stop on our way down to Hilton Head was used bookstores. After deciding to stop at Charles Pinckney NHS, I didn't expect to also end up at a used bookstore, but Mik thought we should waste more time and not risk getting to Hilton Head before 4pm check-in and not have our room ready. We had already picked out Blue Bicycle Books as a store that looked worth visiting in Charleston sometime.

Mik enjoyed rolling around the store as one of the few independent/used bookstores he could actually navigate through. There was just a little bit in the way back that he couldn't really go to, but it was not any of the sections he was interested in anyways. The one room at the front was also hard to get in to with a bicycle leaning in the way, although that could be moved.

Overall it was a good stop, especially since we ended up finding a parking spot a few blocks away on the street and enjoyed walking around the area as well. I didn't find any WPA or Rivers of America books, but they do have a good selection of local books including old and new.

Destination Info:

Blue Bicycle Books

420 King St

Charleston, SC 29403

Charles Pinckney National Historic Site

Date of Visit: June 18, 2021

Our visit to Charles Pinckney NHS was the first stop as part of our weekend trip to Hilton Head to celebrate Mom’s 60th birthday. Mik probably would’ve rather chosen to visit Fort Sumter if he could’ve picked, but currently they are doing dock work and it’s more inaccessible than normal. Charles Pinckney NHS site just said that the historic house was closed, so we figured it probably wasn’t accessible anyways and it wouldn’t really affect our experience. Plus, it’s not far from where we live now that we could always go back if we wanted to see more. Turned out it is just in phased reopening with the only thing still closed being the store (would’ve been nice if I could have gotten the National Park Passport stickers as I never got the 2020 set and now also need the 2021 set).

The parking lot is a little rough with it not being paved and the grass has gotten a little wild taking up part of some spots.

By the parking lot there is a covered seating area and bathrooms. Mik was impressed that the bathrooms had buttons to open the doors and that was before we discovered they also had a family bathroom in the visitor center.

The path from here to the visitor center (i.e. the historic house) and around the house are paved.

The visitor center has a lift so that wheelchairs can access it. The lift goes up to the porch and then you can enter through the side door that has you enter through the back of the shop. While the shop is “closed,” the wheelchair can still go through it as really it was only still closed because they have not got the staffing and registers set back up.

The visitor center contains three rooms with exhibits about Charles Pinckney, the history of the farm, and a little on the region. There is also a family accessible bathroom by the room that they show a film in.

Mik wasn’t sure about doing the trail as it was hot and humid. Mom and him almost just stayed in the visitor center where the ranger had offered to put in the other films they had. Ultimately, Mik decided to go because it was a pretty short trail even though we couldn’t do it as a loop and had to do it as two short there and back trails as the nature trail between the slave community and boardwalk is through the woods with tree roots and poison ivy to watch for, etc. (Ranger was very good at being able to describe the whole trail and accessibility.)

We did the part of the trail that went past the model rice trunk and to the boardwalk first. This path looks like wood chips, which maybe it is, but it is packed down and was pretty much the same as rolling on the sidewalk/paved paths.

At the end of the boardwalk area, Mik was excited to get a snuggly photo with Mom and I didn’t have to be the one to do it for once.

We then took the part of the trail that goes along the Historic Road Trace, which would have been the way towards Charleston in Pinckney’s time (including when George Washington visited in 1791).

The path from here to the slave community goes through grass. It is wide and we could have easily taken Mik on it, but he choose to just stay back in the shade than go on a bumpy ride.

Overall we enjoyed Charles Pinckney NHS as Mik really did get to experience it all (or at least as much as he wanted and not because it wasn’t accessible).

Destination Info:

Charles Pinckney National Historic Site

1254 Long Point Rd

Mt Pleasant, SC 29464

International Spy Museum

Date of Visit: March 9, 2020

Visiting the International Spy Museum has been on our list to do since it moved to its new location  in our quadrant. All these years living here, we never visited the old location because I always thought we had done it sort of recently one of the years we visited DC when Mom went for a work trip. Turns out that Mik doesn't remember going, but Dad and I do so I guess we went a lot longer ago than I thought (probably 2006 when I was at American University and they visited for Rodeo Weekend).

The day we went ended up being one of the first good weather days of spring and one of the last chances for us to go do something in DC for awhile since everything shutdown by the next week and my trip to look at options for us to move to a new state seems to have turned into I've moved.

Getting to the museum can be difficult/confusing, especially in a wheelchair, the way it is located in L'Enfant Plaza. Their website appears to have good detailed directions for the metro exit, although not sure how well they work out since we walked from home and even if we used metro these directions require escalators. They do have a good suggestion that if you need to use the elevator to exit the station that you can then take the free Southwest Shuttle, which stops near that exit of L'Enfant Plaza and the museum.

The way that was the shortest for us to walk there was to end up coming from the south near The Wharf, which meant going up a big hill. I had been this way before on my own and knew there was a reason I needed to remember if I ever took Mik this way. I thought it was just about it being steep, but it was actually that you have to remember to cross over to the middle when you get to the top as the sidewalk on the side is not really meant for walking and thus we had to back up to get back to the crosswalk when we realized it was too narrow to go that way.

The museum visit starts with everyone taking elevators up to the 5th floor. They direct wheelchairs straight ahead instead of entering the queue for the elevator. I guess it makes sense compared to having to wind through the queue, but really it feels unnecessary to end up then skipping to the front of the line when the elevators are part of the normal museum experience.

You exit the elevators into the Briefing Center. Here you get your cover, which you can then use at various kiosks throughout the museum to have a spy experience. In theory, this sounded interesting, but we ended up skipping almost all of them because Mik didn't have the patience to wait 15 minutes for a screen to open up to use at most of the spots.

After a Briefing Film, you enter the exhibits. The first area had some interesting displays that showed videos featuring stories about some spies in history. This ended up being one of our favorite parts of the museum.

Mik, in particular, enjoyed the area in the back that had a film called "Agents & Handlers," which had a nice bench style seating with an area for him to roll up next to nicely.

The one interactive thing we were able to do without waiting too long for a turn was the Decision Room. This was an interesting reenactment of analyzing intel to find a terrorist leader.

There was some interesting things in the Covert Action area. Mik tried out the Spy Catcher, which was a button that you pushed to "catch" the people trying to discreetly crawl in the ducts above.

We both also ended up with the same thing when we spun the Covert Action Wheel of Fortune.

After the Covert Action area, the exhibits continue by going down to the 4th floor. The elevator is well-labelled for whether you're headed to the rest of the exhibits or using it for when you're done to get back to the first level.

We found the George Washington and American Revolution exhibit area interesting except Mik was disappointed that the area around George was unlevel and he couldn't really get to the interactive "Find the Formula" part.

Our favorite part of the whole museum was the Cold War Berlin area. It really reminded me of the Warsaw Rising Museum and the sewer part, which after I went to last year with grandpa mostly using a wheelchair is finally on Mik's list of things he wants to do.

Overall we enjoyed the International Spy Museum. However, it was annoying that we couldn't experience the interactive Undercover Mission part without waiting at least 10 minutes in each area and it was definitely a light crowd day, so I can't imagine how it works out as worthwhile for anyone when they actually have groups and such in there. Glad we finally got there, but certainly if we're going to pay for a museum we'd rather go to the National Building Museum (we actually pay to be members even though we end up going once a year at most...) or even the Museum of the Bible (not necessarily worth going again, but certainly worth visiting once).

Destination Info:
International Spy Museum
700 L'Enfant Plaza SW
Washington, DC 20024

Disney on Ice: Celebrate Memories at Capital One Arena

Date of Visit: February 15, 2020

Mik and I decided to check out Disney on Ice when a few weeks ago we noticed tickets were only about $25 each. We weren't entirely sure how much we'd enjoy it, but figured it was at least something different to do when this time of year we tend to not feel like going places and even if the weather was bad at least the metro station was right there, which since it was in the 30s we did end up appreciating.

Mik has been to several basketball games and a concert at Capital One Arena and we've still always find it confusing to figure out the elevator situation. This time, though, we used the F Street entrance and the ticket taker actually suggested we go up the elevators right there instead of entering on the main concourse level. That ended up working out well except they call buttons don't seem to light up and operate as expected, which was extremely frustrating at the end of the event that as it took forever with the call button not staying lit and it seems you have to hold it until an elevator comes.

We ended up with tickets in the exact same section (416) we sat in a few years ago for the Carrie Underwood concert. Just like the concert, they block the seating in front of the wheelchair section and the ushers were proactive at keeping people from blocking the view. They also have fixed the issue of people coming through the wheelchair section to exit as there is now a barrier so that those coming down the steps can't enter the wheelchair row.

Overall we liked the side view of the ice from this section. However, it did make it difficult to impossible to see the screen above the ice to the right as the parts of the sets from above blocked it from our angle. For the most part we were too bust watching the performers on the ice anyways, but Mik did feel like he was missing part of the experience at times.

Mik's favorite was the aerial acrobatics done by Ariel.

I thought the Tangled aerials were more interesting.

Of course, my favorite part was the Sorcerer's Apprentice.

Mik enjoyed the Frozen part while I felt that this part was too long and boring as we've seen Frozen performed in other ways so many times such as on Disney Cruises and the sing along at Hollywood Studios.

The Moana pyrotechnics was another highlight for us.

Overall we really enjoyed Disney on Ice: Celebrate Memories  and would very likely go if we noticed Disney on Ice in another variation in our area again. We would maybe try to sit lower, but not sure we'd want to pay more to see it when we still really enjoyed it from the cheap seats.

Destination Info:
Disney on Ice : Celebrate Memories
Capital One Arena
601 F St
Washington, DC 20004

2020 Epcot International Festival of the Arts

Date of Visit: January 17, 2020

The Epcot International Festival of the Arts has become probably our favorite festival, although  the only reason we like it slightly more than the Flower and Garden is that we have managed to attend most years by lucking out that it ends up at least partially during our annual family trip. This year we only managed to catch the first day of the festival as our last park day of our trip.

We started our trip through the festival with a stop at Joffrey's near Canada as it was open before the rest of World Showcase and I wanted to end up trying all the Latte and Donut pairings. In the end, this one (Impression Pairing - Blackberry Iced Latte with Blueberry donut) was my favorite mainly because of the donut.

In order to get as much in as possible, we were in line for the France booth when it opened at 11am. The Creme de Brie en Petit Pain ended up being our favorite. Mik also enjoyed the Tomato stuffed with ribs and we shared the molten chocolate cake. The macarons were a good snack for later that we picked up for others in our group, especially considering in the evening when we came back to Epcot for dinner we discovered many booths ran out of things by 6pm.

Next Mik had the Sushi Donut in Japan. He enjoyed it, but didn't feel like it was anything special other than the presentation, which actually made it harder for him to eat than normal sushi.

Mik enjoyed the Musical Float from the Fife & Drum Tavern in The American Adventure Pavilion.

He also enjoyed the red velvet donut that was part of my second latte and donut pairing (Baroque Pairing - white mocha latte and red velvet donut). At this point we were full and also had fastpasses to get to in Magic Kingdom.

After our fastpasses in Magic Kingdom, we returned to Epcot and started with my third latte & donut pairing (mocha latte and glazed donut).

For dinner, Mik didn't end up with any more festival food because what Mik wanted to try was sold out. I did, however, get my final latte and donut pairing (Modern Pairing - coconut iced latte and chocolate donut) and picked up our annual pass magnets.

Destination Info:
Epcot International Festival of the Arts
Lake Buena Vista, FL

Walt Disney World: Epcot - Walt Disney Imagineering presents the Epcot Experience

Date of Visit: January 16, 2020

Mik and I used to enjoy the Blue Sky Cellar preview exhibits at Disney's California Adventure. Thus, it was a must do for us to check out "Walt Disney Imagineering presents the Epcot Experience" this trip.

The experiencee ended up exceeding out expectations with the projection show on the Epcot model, which made it so Mik didn't feel like he was actually missing anything on the Circle Vision screens because he missed it more due to focusing on the model than because he can't turn around easy.

The Moana water trail is one of the new experiences we are looking forward to.

Mik is looking forward to maybe trying the Guardians of the Galaxy ride.

We are curious to find out what the reimagined Spaceship Earth experience will be like, but not entirely interested as it's likely to remain a transfer required ride.

The Ratatouille ride is probably what we are both most excited about as I remember enjoying the one at Disneyland Paris. We also expect it to be an accessible ride as it appears it will be similar to the Paris attraction, which is accessible. However, we aren't counting on it as we've been disappointed in pretty much every new ride in the past five years requiring a transfer and, in particular, had really expected the Avatar boat ride to not require a transfer and still don't understand why they got lazy on follow through for that one.

Of course, I'm excited about Cherry Tree Lane coming to the UK Pavilion. Mik not so much. Apparently, he's had enough Mary Poppins for a lifetime ever since Mom took away my Mary Poppins VHS because I watched it constantly when he was a baby.

Destination Info:
Walt Disney Imagineering presents the Epcot Experience
Epcot
Lake Buena Vista, FL

Walt Disney World: Epcot - Coral Reef Restaurant

Date of Visit: January 16, 2020

We decided to try the Coral Reef Restaurant this trip as we'd thought the aquarium aspect would be fun, especially since the five-year-old loves aquariums. It also appealed to us that it wasn't a fixed priced like the character dining and we could eat only some courses if we preferred instead of feeling like we have to get the most for our money and making sure we're hungry enough for all the courses at the fixed priced dining.

We were immediately disappointed in the restaurant as they tried to sit us at two separate tables. Not only did we want to eat all together, but the way the tables are was difficult and crowded for the wheelchair.

Luckily, when we asked if we could sit more all together at the booths they were fine with that. That at least allowed Mik to roll up to the table more comfortable. However, it was two rather large tables that we still basically ended up feeling like we were dining as two entirely separate groups rather than as one.

The main disappointing thing, though, was the restaurant has a stepped tier design and the only accessible seating is in the back area farthest from the aquarium. Thus, we really couldn't enjoy the whole point of the restaurant, especially Mik as he ended up with his back to the aquarium, although that was our choice and probably the reason they didn't try to seat our group with a wheelchair where we decided to sit. Honestly, though, the view did seem better from the booths than the initial tables they tried to seat us at as we were farther from the wave wall and could somewhat see over it. Really though if that wave wall was just more level with the tables or a clear barrier if they want it higher for safety reasons, then it would have been better.

Overall we did enjoy the food, but there is so much different cuisines to enjoy at Epcot that it seemed a waste in the end since we didn't end up with an aquarium view experience as part of the dining as we had expected. The fact that the restaurant was very empty did make it a nice relaxing break in our day, though.

Destination Info:
Coral Reef Restaurant
Epcot
Lake Buena Vista, FL