So I’m still going to the gym on a daily basis, except for today since I’m making a jello with strawberries in it for my Toastmasters meeting tomorrow.  Yet, I did want to send out the ‘signal’ that I am still alive and well … as well as reading all the blogs I’m subbed too … though I rarely have time to REALLY get into the act of commenting as of late.  Added to that I’m doing some heavy training as I was talked into participating in the Stairclimb to the Top.

What is the Stairclimb to the Top?  Well I’m glad you asked.  It is trekking the 75 stories up the US Bank Tower here in Downtown Los Angeles.  September 24th at around 7ish I’ll be climbing my way up the tallest building West of the Mississipi, and then get the BEST view of Downtown Los Angeles that VERY few get to see.  So if you happen to be in the area and see a girl dressed up in a Captain America jacket feel free to say hi … and there WILL be pictures!

For now I’ll post some pictures of my weekend at Disneyland participating in the 5k, and cheering my sister on for the 1/2 Marathon.

We were waved through the Start by Goofy, Donald, some guy and Pluto.  The starting area was where the trams stop in the Mickey and Friends parking lot.  It wasn’t too bad as I rarely take the trams into the park and usually walk towards the security tents anyway.

 

Finally, after a few bottlenecks on the course due to the crowds we are IN!

 

Me in front of the castle with no crowds!

 

Going backstage around Frontierland.

 

Then we came out on the other side by Main Street … and started heading into California Adventure.

 

The backside of … TOWER!  (you will only really get this joke if you’ve been on the Jungle Cruise MANY times)

 

I was nicely surprised by the fact that they had the World of Color fountains going while we jogged around Paradise Pier.

 

Minnie, Pluto and Mickey were waiting for us at the finish line.

 

After the race my sister and I headed off to eat a hearty breakfast, then checked in to the Disneyland Hotel for an overnight stay – mainly because my sis had to be up at 3am to get to the staging area for the 1/2 marathon the next day.  We freshened up and then just relaxed in the room until 2pm as we had reservations to Club 33 for lunch. I also got to surprise my sister with a ‘Good Luck’ desert there!

I can’t wait to eat!

 

This is the hallway that leads to the main dining room … and the buffet.  They’ve got some fresh fruits, heirloom tomatoes, a variety of cheeses, grilled veggies, crab, lobster and shrimp.  Desert is just as delicious with the variety of little cakes … but the coconut macaroons dipped in chocolate are my favorite!  For the buffet we get to select an entree, I picked the Chateaubriand … rare.

 

A nice picture of the hallway.

 

The crowds were surprisingly light for a Labor Day weekend.  This picture was taken around 3pm … and look at how empty New Orleans Square looks!

 

 

As you can see the entrance to Club 33 is right by the Blue Bayou, and for those unfamiliar with it … it is a members only club so you need to know someone to get in.  I’m sure you can spot one of the servers looking out the window above the red shop, that is the main second floor entryway where the french elevator lets you out.  From there you keep going towards the right and that leads you to the hallway … and in turn the main dining room.

 

Once dinner was finished we parted ways with the rest of the dinner party and I went off with my sister to just hang around the park.  Eventually around 5 she decided it was time to hit the sack so that she would be rested up enough for the 1/2 marathon the next day.  Since I didn’t have to be up that early I decided to just roam around the park by myself and mess around taking pictures with all the varied settings on my camera.

I rode the railroad 1 and 1/2 times … as I spotted Mickey and Minnie in Tomorrowland and wanted a picture with them.

 

Hardly anyone was in line to take a picture of this classic pair, mostly because they were in an odd location and out of the public sight … I guess with the heat they wanted to keep them in the shade.

 

Tomasina is a pretty popular Tomorrowland Terrace act.  Here she is singing ‘Barracuda’ … and that just drew me towards the area for a few minutes to enjoy the music.

 

I ended up stopping around Carnation Plaza to catch the Big Band and the swing dancers, but I didn’t take pictures since I was enjoying myself so much.  Instead I got pictures of Rancho Del Zocalo which is right next to it.  I love the lamps in this area at night.

Headed off to ride Big Thunder Mountain … the wait was only 5 minutes!

 

I then capped off the night with a ride on It’s a Small World. 

 

After that I decided to stay and watch the 9:30 fireworks, and I had been up since 4am that day!  When I finally made my way back to the hotel it was well past 10pm, but that made my sleep even better as I was exhausted by then.

Next morning I ended up not taking any pictures as I was holding the sign for all my friends in the 1/2 marathon … next year I’ll hopefully be a part of it, along with another friend.  So that will make a total of seven of us in the 1/2 marathon if all goes well …