Kennedy Space Center

Saturday, Feb. 18th-After resting for a day from our Disney experience, we spent the afternoon and evening at the Kennedy Space Center.  It was a special day as John Glenn and Scott Carpenter were honored in an evening program celebrating 50 Years of Americans in Orbit entitled "On the Shoulders of Giants."  More on this later.

Celebrating 50 years in space

We started off our visit with  the Hubble Imax movie which was very interesting.  We then immediately went on an upclose tour and went to the vehicle assembly building.  The drive was interesting because we saw so much wildlife.  KSC owns 140,000 acres (1/5 the size of Rhode Island),  6000 acres are used for the space program.  The rest is like a wildlife reserve.  Apparently, next to Alaska, this property has the most bald eagles in the country.  We got to see one and a nest too.  The tour guide was very diffiult to understand but we all understood, Alligator!!! Stefan counted 21 and thought this was pretty cool. 

When we got to the assembly building, we were amazed at the sheer size.  It's the highest single story building in the world, if I understood this correctly.  We saw the Atlantis space shuttle and learned an interesting tidbit:  The rocket crane operators go through a rigid audition, only 60 people have passed.  They have to lower 500 tons on a single egg without cracking it.  When they move the rockets out of the building, they drive about 1 mile an hour.  Thought it was interesting that the tower that holds up the rocket is called, The launch umbilical tower. 

We then stopped at the Apollo/Saturn V center and were wowed the the sheer size of the rocket on display hanging from the ceiling.  It was interesting to see the sheer size of the fuel tank and learn how the different parts of the rocket fall off.  This huge  rocket launched in 1968 and had several firsts:
l.  Carried first humans to journey to and orbit the moon
2.First pictures taken of earth from deep space
3. first astronauts to fly at 25,000 mph  

We also enjoyed the movie about the lunar landing on the moon.  It had special effects with a lunar actually landing in real form.   Janae and Stefan enjoyed the hands on activities especially the floating gravity ball and landing the lunar computer game.  We learned about the Curiosity lunar that is due to launch in August to Mars.  Learned that investing in America's space program yields new products, technologies and processes here on Earth called "spin-offs."  Computers, freeze-dried foods, satellite communications, weather-study and numberous mediacal technology are all examples of these spin-offs.

A highlight was staying for the evening program and hearing John Glenn speak and the words said about him.  Since he is from my hometown and I went to John Glenn H.S., it was moving to be here and celebrate all that has happened in my lifetime. It was a beautiful, crisp evening and a women in the VIP section moved over and let Janae and I sit in the third row.  So much was shared but what stands out:
l.  Steve Robinson, the astronaut who was in charge of the mission that JG went on when he was 77 spoke.  Steve shared when he was in elementary school in San Francisco, he won an art contest of JG's  rocket .  Little did he know that 38 years later he would be flying with JG strapped next to him.  He shared that the crew was a little worried about JG's speed on the exit drills until they had the first one.  They asked where JG was, he was already out. 
2.  He also shared that JG wasn't too thrilled about developing computer skills but soon adapted quite well.  One day, Steve saw JG writing an email.  He said, "Are you writing to Annie?", he said no that he was writing the President. The President?  Yep.  And the next day, there was a response from the President who had interviewed a 90 year old woman and asked what she thought of a 77 year old going into space.  To which she responded, more power to the young guy.
3.  Scott Carpenter shared how the parade in NYC honoring JG was the biggest in history for a single individual.
4.  We learned that saminella and the merca viruses are closer to a cure with answers that have been found with the space program.
5.  It was moving to hear John Glenn and the other astronauts during the day express how beautiful the earth is and how it touched all of their souls.
6.  How on one hand, JG is disappointed with the lack of funding for the space program now but on the other hand is encouraged by 18 countries who have come together to manage the space station.

7.  Scott Carpenter ended his speech with "We haven't seen anything yet."

Disney World here we come

After several phone calls, we decided to surprise Janae and Stefan for Valentine's Day and take them to Disney.  The Shades of Green, the military resort hotel had a wonderful sweet heart special that included a buffet breakfast and dinner.  Mark had always wanted to stay here so it was fun that we got to go. So after securing Miss Jim B at Patrick Air Force Base, we set off Monday morning Feb. 13th for 4 days and three nights at Disney.  We had a wonderful time.  There was a bit of a learning curve on how to best utilize the fast passes and best see the parks.  I became the disney general and made sure we got to do as much as possible in our time.  When Stefan said his heart was hurting because we were walking too fast, I knew I better slow down.  Disney seems to be a place that one has to organize and plan.  A highlight was seeing the incredible fireworks at Magic Kingdom.  Afterwards, Janae kept saying extroadinary, that was just extroadinary!! On our last day we were dragging back to the hotel at around 8:30 and as we were climbing the steps by the waterfall,Stefan said, "This has been the best part of the trip, even better than Niagara Falls."

The hotel was just great and we loved the food and what a treat for me to not cook.  Stefan loved the remote control boats and they ranked right up at the top of his list for  his favorite Disney activities.  We went to a park each day:  Epcot, Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Hollywood studios.  Epcot and Animal Kingdom were our favorites and Everest was our unanimous favorite ride.  If there is a  next time, would do Animal Kingdom first as it's a little less intimidating.  I was so overwhelmed figuring things out the first day that I missed that the Epcot fountain was timed to music.  Stefan noticed and enjoyed the fountain.

The Shades of Green-All the buses are cleaverly hidden out of sight behind the waterfall

It really is a small world and it was a joy to meet up with a dear friend, Hillary from graduate school.  It was a joy to meet her great husband and beautiful daughters and we had a quick, fun lunch in MK.  I hadn't seen Hillary since our wedding and I hope it won't be so long until the next time.

Summary of our personal favorites:
Stefan: Everest, hotel boats, Rockin Rollercoaster, test track, Indiana Jones, Stunt Show and Mission Space.
Janae:  Everest, test track, safari, Rocking rollercoaster, soarin, Indiana Jones/Fireworks (tied)
Sondra:  Everest, Soarin, Fireworks, Fantasmic ,  Lion King, turtle talk
Mark:  American Pavillion, test track, stunt show, Indiana Jones, safari and Lion King

Enjoying the great breakfasts before heading out for our day

Mt. Everest-Our all time fav roller coaster

Wow-Extroadinary as Janae kept saying

Stefan was perfectly content with the RC boats at the hotel

St. Augustine, Fl

Saturday, Feb. 11th-A gentle rain made a restful night as we slumbered at the Cracker Barrel “Campground” in St. Augustine.  Before nodding off, we enjoyed some family lingering time while watching The Secrets of Jonathan Sperry.

We woke up this morning to a sunny but cold day.  We again were transported back to another time as we studied the land Ponce de Leon (love how this name sounds) discovered and explored in 1513.  St. Augustine became the oldest, continuously occupied European settlement in the United States est. in 1565, 42 yr. before Jamestown and 55 years before Plymouth.  We first toured the Castillos de San Marcos and were in awe of it’s sheer size and how European it felt with the moat and draw bridge..  The oldest masonory fort in N. America, it has 14 inch walls and is 30 feet high.  Built by the Spanish out of Conquina (tiny shells that were bonded together by passage of time, these shells formed a type of limestone. It was quarried in chunks from Anastasia Island across the bay and ferried to the construction site.   Mortor used between the blocks were made out of burned oyster shells and sand.  It was extremely durable and acted like styrofoam when the canons made contact. When British forces laid siege in 1702, more than 1200 civilians and 300 soldiers crowded in the fort and remained safe for almost two months.

The fort was never taken by force though it did change hands through military agreements and political treaties.  The Spanish, British, Confederate States of America and the United States have all flown their flags here.

A couple highlights to our visit were the canon demonstration and receiving another Jr. Ranger Badge.  Since it is Black History Month, there was a reenactment of a woman from 1963 who lived in St. Augustine.  Her story was very powerful and moving as she shared how Martin Luther had been to St. Augustine and encouraged people to love America even when they didn’t love them back.  She shared how the KKK and police turned on demonstrators (white and blacks) with violence when they held a peaceful demonstration holding up signs for peace, love and equality.  She and her friends (14 and 15 yrs. at the time) were arrested, put in jail and then taken away to Ocala for 5 months with no visitation from parents.  The crime….trying to order off a menu in a café.  The governor had them released finally out of embarrassment due to the national publicity received.  Hard to believe this happened during Mark’s and my early years.

We enjoyed strolling down the streets of historic St. Augustine and noticing the different architecture.  It was hard to walk by the enticing cool shops but due to wanting to conserve time and money, Janae and I sacrificed our shopping desires.  The Colonial Spanish Quarter was open and we enjoyed a stroll through here.  There seemed to be more vendors set up than actual demonstrations but Stefan especially liked the double bellows in the blacksmith shop.  These were developed by the Moors from Mororco (who ruled Spain for 1000 years) and the Spanish hip guitar music.   

After a quick walk over to see Flagler College, we were off to pick up Miss Jim B to drive to Patrick Air Force Base.

Savannah, Ga

Feb. 9 and 10-Savannah, Ga-Tonight is our first night staying in a Cracker Barrel parking lot.  It really is nice, quiet, and free!  We got here around 2:30 and got to downtown around 3 and took a trolley tour ride.  On Thursday morning we went back and went to the Savannah History Museum and ate lunch at the infamous Mrs. Wilkes.  17 courses and the best fried chicken we have ever had. We loved walking around and experiencing the beautiful architecture, trees, moss and squares (22 of 24 still exist.  The city is organized by these park like squares).  I surprised to see so much ornate ironwork.   Some of the downspouts were decorated with iron fish.    Interesting that some of the windows were used as doors to save on taxes.  Less doors=less taxes.  This was a waste product of the sailing days.  Janae and Stefan loved the doggie water fountains.  We learned a lot.  Savannah (means low lying grass) was started as an experimental colony by Oglethorp from England in 1733.  It was a buffer colony to keep the Spanish away from St. Augustine and a debtor colony.  Many things weren’ allowed:

                 l. Lawyers-if you got into trouble, you had to get out of trouble

                 2. Rum

                 3.  Slaves-Felt that the slave owners would get lazy

                 4.  Catholics-Because of Spanish influence

Tomachichi was Indian chief that helped them get the location of the colony.  They had a very good relationship with the Indians..

Savannah was spared in the civil war when General William Sherman saved her for a Christmas present for Lincoln.  The union soldiers got bored though and adjusted the years on the tombstones.

Many famous people from Savannah:

      *Judith Gordon Low-founder of the girl scouts. Very inspirational woman.  Great book is Lady from Savannah.

     *Dave Thomas (Wendy’s)-grew up in Orphanage until 16

     *Johnny Mercer-Famous songwriter, some of his songs: Days of Wine and Roses, Moon River.  When I first met Mark he was singing Days of Wine and Roses.

     *Composer of Jingle Bells but apparently didn’t like snow.

Other interesting facts:

      *The first Black American Church was established by Bryant and Martin Luther King gave his famous I have a dream speech at the 2nd African Baptist Church.

Regrouping at Short Stay

Feb. 6-8-Regrouping at Short Stay-We enjoyed catching our breath and regrouping for round two of our adventure.  Since we had left Miss Jim B here over the holidays in a storage spot, we weren't right on the water but we had a very relaxing time.  We had short stay to ourselves and we morphed into a routine of I would get up early and go practice outside while Mark did devotions and breakfast.  At 10:00 we would do math/piano alternatively. 11:00 recess and then creative writing at 11:20.  Two questions this week were:  l. Talk about what it was like to be an animal or person on Noah's Arc and 2.I you could choose to go any place at anytime where would you go. 12:15 was lunch and recess. 1:00 was spelling and then my favorite part was free reading time.  It was very relaxful and peaceful with everyone reading their favorite book and the warm glow of the sun filtering through Miss Jim B.  We had awesome sunsets again.

Val and Jim and the Biltmore

Feb.2-5We had the absolute delight  staying with Jim and Val for a long weekend.  I met Val many years ago in Colorado at a party of a mutual friend and we've been friends since.  The military and life made it such that we haven't seen each other for six  years.  Val has always been the wind beneath my wings and the kind of friend that has always encouraged and built me up.  What a joy to get to know Jim more and to have Mark, Janae and Stefan get to know them.  They absolutely spoiled us with wonderful meals, great movies, inspiring conversations and a trip to the Biltmore. We even had lunch in a renovated horse stall.  Janae and Stefan had their own loft bedroom complete with Val serving them breakfast and a movie every morning.  They did not want to leave.  Spoiling me rotten, Val had peach roses waiting for me by my bed.  The aroma of roses and good friends does wonders for the soul and our souls all felt lifted and revitalized after our visit.  A special treat was worshiping together Sunday morning and learning about Jim's passion for the Jewish people.

Our hostess with the mostess!!

Totally spoiled,Janae and Stefan didn't want to leave