The mission today was to go to Camping World and pick up the Rand-McNally RVND 7720 GPS. I also had a few tour items on the agenda as well.
I tried out the demo unit to see if it may be suitable. It seemed worth a try. Unfortunately, this Camping World only had the GPS; but, it did not have all the accessories I wanted. They suggest the Kissimmee store as it was much larger and had a huge inventory.
My current GPS that I have had for several years is great and better than the Garmin I returned a few days ago to Best Buy. The problem is that it is no longer supported by Lowrance. They went back to concentrating on their fish finders and marine devices. The POI's (Points of Interest) on the device are now several years out of date. The last map update I could get is about 4 years from being current. This I can live with except now the touch screen has started to randomly malfunction.
As I tried to program in the Kissimmee Camping World it was now malfunctioning. This is why I need a new unit. I left it on to monitor my speed; however I had to ignore the continuous recalculations as it tried to bring me to what I had set as my next destination. I tried several times and eventually the touch screne began to function again and I was able to clear the trip. Luckily, I knew how to get there and headed for SR-535. I then took I-4 to US-192 om which the store is located.
They had all the accessories I wanted. The parts counter clerk told me they can't keep them in stock. He had 8 at the beginning of the week. With my purchase there was only 1 left. Purchase made and we were on our way to my next location. I had planned two options for entertainment. Back to SR-535 then I-4 to the International Drive exit (74).
Word to the wise - SR-535 runs parallel to US-192 south of I-4 in Kissimmee. If you know where you are going on US-192 (south of I-4) take SR-535 then turn right at a connecting crossroad to US-192. It saves a lot of time, traffic and stoplights. This route is great in both directions.
Soon we were at the "Titanic Experience. Redesigned in January 2012 by RMS Titanic, Inc. for the 100th anniversary of the Titanic's maiden (and only) voyage "Titanic, The Experience" (7324 International Dr, Orlando, FL) allows you to become a passenger and travel back in time to 100 years ago using authentic artifacts and interactive storytellers in period costume. RMS Titanic, Inc. is the only company in the world that is authorized to display authentic artifacts adding to the re-creation of the experience. This 17 gallery tour includes full scale room re-creations where you visit Titanic's Grand Staircase, First Class Parlor Suite, Boilers, Captain's Bridge and Promenade Deck.
In addition, now available for viewing are more than 400 unique pieces of memorabilia and 100 artifacts recovered from the wreck site of Titanic - 21 of which have recently completed conservation and are on display for the first time. These celebrated pieces include a 3-ton portion of the Ship's hull, the Captain's wheel and personal belongings from passengers and crew. A display of jewelry is currently on display for a limited engagement.
We have attended a similar Titanic exhibit in Branson, MO. Our interest today was the "Dinner Event". The website said this was being offered on Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday nights. We thought; being Wednesday, we would easily get a spot. Unfortunately, they were not offering it tonight. (This is the "subject to change" small print which allows them to cancel if there is low demand).
Option #2 - virtually next door - was The CSI Experience: Orlando. This is identical to the one in Las Vegas. It features 3 crime scenes that you, as a "newbie", investigate. They offer a combo ticket which includes "The Body Experience" which displays real human bodies with dissected "under the skin" views. We had done this a few times previously (Boston and Las Vegas) and passed on the combo. We also decided to "investigate" only 1 of the crime scenes. We could add the others; if desired, for an additional $5 charge.
- Briefing Room
- Crime Scene 1 – A House collided
- Crime Scene 2 – Who got served?
- Crime Scene 3 – No bones about it
- Lab 1
- Lab 2 & Authopsy
- Report to Grissom
We decided on investigating Crime Scene #2 (Who Got Served?). After donning our CSI (simulated) bulletproof vests we headed for the "Briefing Room" where we watched an introductory video explaining the process.
Warning: – If you plan on doing this attraction - skip below as it while give away the results of investigating Crime Scene #2. OK if you plan to do either Crime Scene #1 or #3.
After the briefing we proceeded, clipboard in hand, to the crime scene where we found the dead body of "Penny" in an alley behind the "Sun Dancer Motel". Our 2-sided form for notes had 3 sections. Section "A" had the main elements of the crime scene outlined on a graph. Here we wrote what we observed at the scene.
Section "B" on the form had several areas where we could write the analysis of the items we noted in "A". We then proceeded to "Lab" areas to do our analysis of the items retrieved from the crime scene. Each of these areas had info describing the process involved and equipment and/or information to use in our case. Some of the displayed videos featured cast members of CSI: Las Vegas. Others featured real CSI experts. Some labs required computer use and/or input.
Digital Evidence: – Info retrieved from the cell phone included the last incoming and outgoing text messages from "Penny". They were to her boyfriend (John) and BFF (Diana).
Latent Prints: – Latent prints were lifted from an 8 x 10 promo photo of "Penny Golden" found at the scene. It had been torn in half. After matching several samples we found the fingerprints matched "Diana Reiley"
Impressive Evidence: – At the crime scene it was evident that the body had been run over by a car as tire marks were on the pavement and crossed the body. We found the tire tracks matched an impounded "stolen car" that was in the CSI garage.
Toxicology/Drug Chemistry: – "Tox" results identified the substance found in a small "Drug Bag" found next to the body contained Fentanyl which is extremely toxic.
Forensic Entomology: – The body was found on May 8th. Blow Fly evidence on the body determined the amount of time that had elapsed since death.
Forensic Biology DNA: – The DNA evidence from the body had a "hit" using CODIS (Combined DNA Index System). We were able to compare several samples (mother's and father's DNA) and found that "Penny Golden" was really Lucy Cannelli who had run away from home at age 14. Cigarette butts at the scene were of 2 types (filter/non-filter) and DNA would also place Diana at the scene with Penny.
Section "C" was the autopsy evidence. Lack of internal bleeding around the areas of injury caused by being run over by the car indicated "Penny" was dead when this occurred.
Report to Grissom: – The last section involved reporting to Gilbert "Gil" Grissom, the former night shift supervisor at the Las Vegas Crime Lab. Here we gained access by fingerprint ID to the lab computer on which we made our report. Charlotte and I entered our analysis independently. Both of us were correct in our conclusion: The stolen car tire tracks were after the fact. Penny (Lucy) was murdered by her friend (...some friend) Diana who was jealous of here (Penny) getting a "part" she had also auditioned for. She offered to share drugs (e-mail) to celebrate Penny's good-luck and they agreed to meet. The drugs Diana provided were designed to be fatal.
This was a fun experience. It takes about an hour; however, you can take all the time you need. The staff was extremely friendly and very helpful. Perhaps we will do this again if we go to Las Vegas.
Although there are many various restaurants near this attraction, we were not hungry and decided to jump on I-4 just around the corner. Getting there required a turn at the traffic light. Volume meant this took 15 minutes. We took I-4 back to US-192 heading for US-27 which would bring us back to the RV.
On US-192 we spotted a Texas Roadhouse - my favourite place for steak. Naturally, we turned in. I had my usual - an 8 oz Dallas Filet w/loaded baked potato and caesar salad. Charlotte had the Filet Salad. The only real difference between the two was that I had my salad first, then had to cut my filet (perfectly done, Medium -rare).
Charlotte had her filet, already cut into slices, on the salad. She really enjoyed her selection, as well.
After our meal we continued on US-192 and connected to US-27 in about a mile. This would bring us right back to the RV. We were at Clermont in less that 15 minutes. We decided to pick up milk when we spotted a Publix (grocery store) at a stop light.
Another 10 minutes and we were back at the RV. We think this RV Park is an ideal choice. It is close to the major attractions in the Orlando area with the added bonus of accessibility on major roads - most of which are 2 or 3 lanes wide. In fact, the roads to Clermont have a lot less congestion than those to the east/north east of Kissimmee and Orlando.
It was a busy, fun day.
Warning: – If you plan on doing this attraction - skip below as it while give away the results of investigating Crime Scene #2. OK if you plan to do either Crime Scene #1 or #3.
After the briefing we proceeded, clipboard in hand, to the crime scene where we found the dead body of "Penny" in an alley behind the "Sun Dancer Motel". Our 2-sided form for notes had 3 sections. Section "A" had the main elements of the crime scene outlined on a graph. Here we wrote what we observed at the scene.
Section "B" on the form had several areas where we could write the analysis of the items we noted in "A". We then proceeded to "Lab" areas to do our analysis of the items retrieved from the crime scene. Each of these areas had info describing the process involved and equipment and/or information to use in our case. Some of the displayed videos featured cast members of CSI: Las Vegas. Others featured real CSI experts. Some labs required computer use and/or input.
Section "C" was the autopsy evidence. Lack of internal bleeding around the areas of injury caused by being run over by the car indicated "Penny" was dead when this occurred.
This was a fun experience. It takes about an hour; however, you can take all the time you need. The staff was extremely friendly and very helpful. Perhaps we will do this again if we go to Las Vegas.
Although there are many various restaurants near this attraction, we were not hungry and decided to jump on I-4 just around the corner. Getting there required a turn at the traffic light. Volume meant this took 15 minutes. We took I-4 back to US-192 heading for US-27 which would bring us back to the RV.
On US-192 we spotted a Texas Roadhouse - my favourite place for steak. Naturally, we turned in. I had my usual - an 8 oz Dallas Filet w/loaded baked potato and caesar salad. Charlotte had the Filet Salad. The only real difference between the two was that I had my salad first, then had to cut my filet (perfectly done, Medium -rare).
Another 10 minutes and we were back at the RV. We think this RV Park is an ideal choice. It is close to the major attractions in the Orlando area with the added bonus of accessibility on major roads - most of which are 2 or 3 lanes wide. In fact, the roads to Clermont have a lot less congestion than those to the east/north east of Kissimmee and Orlando.
It was a busy, fun day.
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