Hopefully we all know that lint can build up in the dryer vent and that it should be checked periodically to avoid the risk of a house fire.  I do check it from time to time, more often in the summer because I’m outside doing yard work.  Now that winter is here, however, I’m less likely to pass by the vent unless I make a special effort to do so.  That led to a knock on my door Tuesday night just as I started using the treadmill (trying to restart the exercise routine).  Our neighbors are having some work done in their house and the contractor was moving materials in the space between our houses. He noticed our vent outlet appeared to be blocked and wanted to make sure we aware of it.

I thanked him, grabbed a flashlight, and went to investigate. Sure enough the outlet was jammed with a big wad of lint. I cleared the blockage, but the airflow was noticeably reduced from what it should be.  So back inside I went, turned off the dryer (post-vacation laundry marathon was going on), and pulled the washer and dryer out for a look. What I found was a lot of lint, a small hole in the flexible connector between the dryer and the wall, and a sinking feeling that I was going to be crawling behind thd dryer, disconnecting ductwork, and getting covered in lint soon.

One trip to the hardware store and a couple hours later, we were back in business. The actual ducts from the dryer to the outside were in good shape, but this was a good reminder that I need to make an effort to check on this regularly. It isn’t enough to rely on simply walking past the vent now and then to notice when it requires attention.

In 1998, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission estimated that clothes dryers were associated with 15,600 fires which resulted in 20 deaths and 370 injuries. (CPSC Document 5022)

So… when was the last time you checked your dryer vent?

Disney Dream tied up at the dock at Castaway Cay. One of the unique aspects of Castaway Cay is it is the only cruise line private island where tendering is not required.  Quick on and off the ship means more time enjoying the island. Plus you get a great opportunity to really understand the scale of modern cruise ships.

Riding the Aquaduck at night is an entirely different experience than riding during the day.  If you’re wondering what an Aquaduck is, you’re looking at its starting point, taken at night after we left Nassau. The Aquaduck is a water coaster that takes you around the ship on a raft in an enclosed clear tube.  Very unique (until Disney Fantasy makes her debut soon) and a lot of fun.

OK, technically we’re in the bottle looking out at the ship rather than the other way around.  The Disney Cruise Line terminal at Port Canaveral has this huge bank of windows with a great view of the ship docked outside waiting to whisk us away. I snapped this photo while we were waiting in the VIP area (nice) to reboard Disney Dream for the second half of our back-to-back cruise.

A reminder that this isn’t just any cruise ship… this is the Disney Dream. I admit I’m biased, but the combination of two of my favorite things – Disney and cruising – is one of those things that is greater than the sum of its parts.

Bright blue sky meets bright orange umbrella.  The combination made me smile on Castaway Cay, Disney Cruise Line’s private island in the Bahamas.  A little slice of paradise like this makes the rest of the craziness of real life bearable.

A look at Nassau on the first of two visits there during our week onboard Disney Dream.

Not quite sunset, yet Disney Dream has a glow about her that hints at the amazing week we were about to have on this cruise.  It is difficult to take a photo onboard Dream that really showcases how truly beautiful the ship is. This is one of the photos that I think comes closest.

At the other end of this Southwest Airlines flights lies Orlando… Walt Disney World… and a weeklong cruise on Disney Dream. Let the vacation begin.

One of my previous Project 365 photos was a look at my countdown clocks for various trips.  I’m revisiting that today but with a focus on one particular countdown.  In 10 hours I’ll be boarding a plane for Orlando.  Then its one day at Disney World (Hollywood Studios and Epcot) and a week on the Disney Dream. Can’t wait!