Househusband,
Stay-at-home-dad

Monday, May 15, 2006

Life Lessons in Advance of a Florida Trip


A friend whom we will see when we go on our Disney World trip tomorrow sent me the link to this article, perhaps to get me "psyched" for the trip: Alligators

Now, I think it is part human nature and part American denial-of-death and hope-of-banishing-all-risk-of-danger to hear about tragedy and start thinking, "Now why couldn't this be me?" Or, "How could I avoid this fate?"

In that spirit, I take away the following life lessons from the aforementioned article.
  • Don't snorkel alone in an alligator-infested swamp.

  • Don't hang out with alligators while on drugs. They may impair your ability to run for your life.

  • Don't jog alone in ethnically-alligator neighborhoods.
OK that was callous. I do feel the horror and sympathy. Many of us deal with it using humor.

And I take the caution to heart as well, especially after the following exchange with a travel agent and Disney specialist.

My question:
Are there any sand beaches along any of the lakes on the Disney property that are open us as Disney guests? I'm wondering about a place we might be able to take a break and just sit on the beach, perhaps wade into the water?
Response:
... there are nice beaches at the resorts around the Magic Kingdom resorts (Contemporary, Polynesian, Grand Floridian and at Fort Wilderness) as well as Caribbean Beach. Anyone can go on those beaches, but you don't want to get in the water. First of all, it's not allowed, and secondly, it could be contaminated water (and most water in Florida contains some size of alligators). You're welcome to hang out on the beach and play in the sand.
Got it. We'll stay out of the water.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

I must warn you. Not only do Disney "lakes" have alligators but also ameobas which are love the shallow water. They swim up the noses of unsuspecting tourists and infect the brain. I have personally seen two deaths as a direct result of ameoba infestation. Mr. Gremmer would have been appalled. Please note the signs around the disney lagoons which advise you not to put your head under the water or to wear a nose plug. Happy travels!

Anonymous said...

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I’m co-writing a book with a mom, Jesse Rutherford. The tentative title is “What Dads Want Moms To Know.”

Jesse and I have already received some great input from many fathers and are looking for other fathers who would like to contribute their experiences and/or opinions on fatherhood. And more importantly share comments on what they would like moms to know. My email address is hilling1@cox.net - Subject: Proud Dads.

Here is your chance to voice your opinions and thoughts. Anonymously if you like.

Feel free to forward this message to other fathers in your social circle.

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I posted a brief bio at the end of this post.

Sincerely,

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Hogan Hilling, is a 1995 California Courage to Care Award recipient; author of The Man Who Would Be Dad, Capital Books, 2002 and Motivational Speaker.

For 15 years Hilling has served as an instructor for expectant father classes at various hospitals in southern California; as a facilitator of open discussion groups with fathers; and conducted workshops for mothers on fathering issues throughout the United States.

Hilling has appeared on the Oprah Winfrey Show, NBC’s The Other Half and Unsung Heroes, and in an ABC “Fathers and Sons” Documentary. His writing has been featured in newspapers such as the Orange County Register, Los Angeles Times, New York Times, Washington Post, Portland Oregonian, and Christian Science Monitor. Hilling has also worked as a guest columnist on fathering issues for the Orange County Register.

Hilling has also been a featured speaker at the Lamaze International Conference,
Northwest Area Childbirth Educators Forum, Conferences for Parents of Children With Special Needs and other Parenting Events.