5 Fandom Friday - Favorite Fictional Fathers

This one was a hard one to write for me, because.... well.... this time of year is a bit too rough to handle. I lost my father on June 19, 2009. I lost my grandfather on June 20, 2009. Father's Day that year was June 21, 2009. Both of these men are very special to me.

As I'm sure is an obvious statement, none of these men even remotely live up to my own two fathers who changed so much of my life.

Favorite Fictional Fathers

1. Keith Mars - Veronica Mars
This guy defines strong parental relationships. He works to find balance in the crazy life him and his daughter lead, but they're there for each other. He supports raising a strong woman who is confident in her convictions, but is also not scared to bring down the hammer when something is wrong.

2. Phil Dunphy - Modern Family
While really quirky and over-the-top, it is hard to not know that Phil Dunphy is the most loving, caring, compassionate father out there. He always wants the best for his family and is never scared to go that extra mile to show it. Sure his awkwardness is almost cringe-worthy at times, but I, honestly, think he's an amazing father. My husband and I joke that he's an exaggerated dad version of me. I can see it. haha!

3. Scott Lang - AntMan
We all have to start somewhere, but this dad has his daughter's heart and despite all the bad things that have happened in his life and his relationship, he still wants to make it better. Plus, I mean, he fights Yellowjacket in order to save her and he almost dies! Ultimate love and dedication, even if he's kind of a deadbeat. Lang would literally do anything for her... you know that guy who dresses up like a ballerina and has tea and lets his daughter choose the outfit? Yeah... that's him.

4. Rocket Raccoon - Guardians of the Galaxy
WHAT! Yes... I mean, it's pretty obvious he's Groot's dad. Rocket raises him! Tough love is what their relationship is, but clearly Rocket has his moments and even within the reprimands, you can see how much he cares about Groot. Besides... the patience to raise and parent Groot is amazing! He's a super dad!

5. Bob Belcher - Bob's Burgers
Ok... ok... yes, the kids are so absolutely dysfunctional and, honestly, quite scary, but poor Bob tries to pull through. He's surrounded by eccentrics and just wants to make the most quirky and best-tasting burgers ever. Again... a really kind heart who tries his best in the crazy world that is his life.

Honorable Mentions
Mrs. Doubtfire - Mrs. Doubtfire
I don't even think I need to see this one, but another Scott Lang situation where you have a dad who is clearly out for relationship reasons and dysfunction, but understands how absolutely important his family is to him (sadly only having hit rock bottom).

Glenn Rhee - The Walking Dead
Hey now! He is a dad. Once that Bisquick was poured and that pancake hit the griddle, he's the daddy of that pancake! Glenn would have been an amazing dad, because his outlook on the world was seeing the good is everything. That is an outlook that is quickly losing its footing on The Walking Dead with all the optimists dying every week, but even in those last days of his fatherhood, he only wanted the best for Maggie and the baby.

Orlando or Bust: Day 1 & 2 - The Road and The Walking Dead

My mum is always wanting to go on family trips to Florida. In the previous years we've been to Sea World and Universal, but this year she was determined to finally take my daughter to Disney. Now, I'm being honest, my anxiety hits 11 at the thought of Disney World, especially in June, but I wanted my mom to have this YOLO moment with my daughter, who is 6yo.

Racing to leave right after school lets out is something I wish on no one. I had to have my classroom ready to close, all grades in, and check out in the office before I left. Then I had to get home and finish packing up the car. We left for Milwaukee at around 6PM.

Our first stop from Oshkosh to Orlando was Milwaukee. We stopped at my mum's house to pick up her bag (she was flying) and grab a few winks before we headed out for real. Then we were off through Illinois and down, down, down.

When we drive down to Florida, I usually make a point of doing some location spotting south of Atlanta. The other bonus is that a certain AMC show is occasionally shooting when we drive through. Now, I should probably point out that my husband doesn't get into this kind of thing. It's a meh activity and he gives in to my nerdy, fangirl whims. What shocked me was that on this trip he was excited to location sight-see for The Walking Dead.

Using this map (organized by season, too) over the course of 24 hours, here are the locations we visited. All of them were legal, except maybe one, but it's sketchy at best as to whether it was or not. I should note here that I had already visited The CDC (not CDC), Terminus, and Woodbury on a previous road trip, but I'll post them below, too.

Terminus Tracks

The hospital entrance where Beth is brought out by Daryl.

The daycare where Maggie and Daryl pick up supplies for Baby Judith.

The graveyard Daryl and Beth walk through after The Prison.

Title Credits!

Where Morgan was holed up.

Used for a few scenes.

Beyond is the factory where Andrea hides from The Governor.

The house where Daryl and Beth hide after The Prison.

The restaurant where Carl finds the pic of his mom and Michonne takes a cat.

Maggie left a message for Glenn along the tracks.

More Terminus tracks.

Hershel returns to drinking. Found by Rick and Glenn.

Hershel returns to drinking. Found by Rick and Glenn.

Where Maggie first propositions Glenn, while Glenn looks for a pregnancy test.

Burned down Moonshine house. Permission to look.

After the farms goes. Ricktatorship scene.

After the farms goes. Ricktatorship scene.

After the farms goes. Ricktatorship scene.

After the farms goes. Ricktatorship scene.

Merle's last stand!

Merle's last stand!

Meeting with the Governor (across from Merle's last stand).

18 miles out intersection.

Alexandria

Alexandria

Alexandria

Alexandria

Alexandria

Rick and Carl take shelter after The Prison.

Rick and Carl take shelter after The Prison.

Carl's pudding house!

Merle cranks up the radio and lures walkers.

The side road used for like EVERYTHING!

The studio lot.

Sorgum barn!

The barn with names and messages on it that the Governor passes.

Supposedly where Daryl is ambushed and Denise is shot.

The gas station where Daryl and Rick meet Jesus.

The CDC (not CDC) in Atlanta.

The site of Terminus.

Woodbury