Royal Pacific at Universal Orlando

 

Today we checked out of All Star Music and spent a little time at Downtown Disney. We ate at the new T-Rex restaurant. It is like a Rainforest Cafe, only with Dinosaurs instead of jungle animals. It also seemed a bit more expensive, unless Rainforest has increased their menu prices recently. 

We then headed to Universal Orlando where we checked into the Royal Pacific Hotel. The theme and quality of the Royal Pacific is okay, but I didn't like that it came with a mini-bar rather than a mini-fridge. We had to request one, and the wi-fi was spotty, plus they charge a large extra fee for parking.

 

Still, it was nice to be right next to the theme parks, and we really enjoyed using the complimentary Express pass to skip most of the lines. Universal has two theme parks in Orlando, the Studios and Islands of Adventure. In between the parks is CityWalk, which has shops and restaurants. There are also three hotels, linked by water.

We took the boat to Islands of Adventure, where we rode a handful of rides and ate dinner at the Three Broomsticks in the Harry Potter area.

NYE at MK

On New Year's Eve, we drove down to Disney World and checked into the All-Star Music Resort. It is a value resort, so we weren't expecting too much, but the resort was fairly nice and well laid out, although the beds are only doubles and not real comfortable.

We were pleasantly surprised to find they had added wi-fi throughout the All-Star Resorts, and the room came with a mini-fridge. There are three All-Star resorts - Movies, Sports, and Music, and they are located in the southeast of WDW, near Animal Kingdom.

We headed into the Magic Kingdom to pick up our passes. It was too crowded for Susan and I, so we left after dinner and a picture with Mickey.

The kids walked around the Fantasyland expansion then camped out in front of the castle for hours to watch all the fireworks. They were pretty spectacular.

World of Coca-Cola

On Friday, we flew to Atlanta, Georgia. Yesterday, we met members of several Georgia assemblies, including that of the Grand Rep to Oregon and the Grand Associate, in Marietta for bowling.

Today we drove into Atlanta and went to the World of Coca-Cola. It was kind of cool, but fairly expensive for what was essentially a two-hour long commercial to Coke products, although I enjoyed learning some of the history of the company.

We went with Georgia's Grand Associate and her mom. The kids enjoyed sampling coke products from around the world.

In the afternoon we attended a Rainbow installation in an old Lodge in Hiram, which is about 30 miles west of Atlanta. 

The Grand Worthy Advisor was the installing officer and Georgia's State Master Councilor came by to see Bryan.

Tigard Lodge & DeMolay

On the last day of November, Bryan was initiated an Entered Apprentice Mason of Tigard Lodge. Three past Grand Masters took part in the degree, and another came to watch. The next day, we attended the Lodge's installation.

After the kids finished school, we had dinner at Benihana, and spent the weekend in Seaside. Monday night Bryan and I visited the Eugene DeMolay chapter.

Last night, Tigard Chapter held an initiation, bringing in one new member for them plus one for Milwaukie.

Nor Cal

Thanksgiving weekend, we attended the annual convention of Northern California DeMolay. We drove down to Sacramento on Thursday and joined other out-of-state guests and the Nor Cal Jurisdictional Staff and Officers for a Thanksgiving dinner, after which Bryan and Jennifer went bowling with other Jurisdictional officers.

An informal opening was held on Friday. Bryan and Jennifer were introduced with the other JO's. Friday night was a banquet honoring the heads of all the Masonic groups in California.

Saturday's luncheon featured Sweethearts and Princesses. Jennifer sat in the East and was introduced.

Saturday night was the banquet honoring Master Councilors. Along with other visiting Jurisdictional MC's, Bryan gave a speech.

On Sunday we attended the installation of the officers for the next term. Bryan and Jennifer posed for pictures with the new officers and the other visiting JO's, then we headed back to Oregon.

DeMolay Conference and Rainbow OV

This weekend, Bryan flew to Las Vegas Nevada to attend a DeMolay International Leadership Conference. The rest of us went to the Official Visit and Grand Officer Reception for Jennifer's Rainbow District - Metro East. As Worthy Advisor of one of the Assemblies in the District, Jennifer presided over part of the event.   

The Assemblies performed the Ceremony of Color for the Grand Worthy Advisor and the Supreme Inspector, and Jennifer presented them gifts from her Assembly. 

After the OV, there was a reception for the Grand Officers in the District. Jennifer gave a speech about Fidelity.

Grand Master's Class/Honor's Night

Yesterday, Oregon DeMolay held an initiation honoring the Grand Master. DeMolay from seven different chapters came to take part, and Bryan led the both teams. 

The degrees were held at the Salem Scottish Rite. We initiated seven boys, plus one for Vancouver Washington.

Later that night the Grand Master received the Legion of Honor degree, while Bryan received his Chevalier.

After the ceremonies, the State Officers posed for a picture.