We were meant to go to Cape Canaveral on Tuesday morning, however, the launch was postponed, leaving us with a day to come up with an alternate plan. We settled on Sanford for two reasons. It would be a new place to explore for them, along with seeing something in person that Bruce worked on before the pandemic.
It was Tom that thought of it.
Early in his retirement, his friend John asked if he wanted to join some other men as they restored a WW II aircraft for the Sanford airport. Lots of the work was completed before Bruce became involved, but he did contribute to the completion. You may recall all of that, but then again, it has been awhile ago. I remember the day when he went to watch as the crane operator lowered the plane into the building but, too, that was a good long while ago and he was watching from afar, so he had never seen it installed.
Being British, Tom is very schooled on all aspects of the war, in part because his father, Ray, has written several books about the role that Tom's hometown played in the air portion of the war. Thus, he thought of it and we were glad he did. Our Sanford visit began by going to the airport and we were darn impressed having just picked them up at OIA a few days earlier! With all the construction and changing lanes, driving to our airport makes for an anxious trip. We discovered that this place was like going to the mall and I mean that in a very good way. Parking the car, we moseyed in after asking a worker person about the plane.
Seriously, it is hard to miss.
There are excellent display cases detailing how important Sanford was to the war effort. As I said, it would be hard to miss. Photos taken and duly sent on to Ray. It's my guess that he was thrilled.
From there we drove into downtown and while Bruce was taking a phone call the three of us exited the vehicle, me heading to a restroom in a well-kept park across from the lake. Adjacent to there I saw my first Osprey nest.
Meanwhile Matt and Tom were moseying along the lakeshore.
Joining them we watched yet another nest.
What can I say except that it is an excellent time to be a birdwatcher with nesting season upon us!
Once Bruce finished his call, we made our way to Henry's Depot, a food court if you will, that we had heard about from Joseph Martens. Who, pray tell is he? For many years he was the entertainment at the market, setting up a stone's throw from my booth. Even then he hosted the radio show on Sunday morning called, you guessed it, Sunday Morning Coming Down. A tremendous entertainer, he is equally as good on the radio which we listen to on our way to church. For months we've been hearing him pitch the place and when I finally got around to looking it up, I discovered that their were vegan options that I was hoping Matt and Tom would enjoy. (I went looking for a post with Joseph in it, and by golly, I found the one when it was his last day there--crazy!)
The only negative thing we experienced was the fact that Bruce and I were nearly done with our food by the time theirs was ready. Aside from that hiccup, it was all good.
Parking the car a few streets away from the main drag you could see signs of gentrification everywhere. Sometimes all it takes is fresh paint and some red chairs!
Apparently on Tuesday quite a few of the shops are not open which was a shame, but we did find one super cute store to explore. Following our visit to the folk art gallery, we rounded the bend and discovered this fun mural.
Cute little bulldog heads were hidden amongst the riot of colors and one is encouraged to find them all. There is something more to it, but my memory bank is empty on that issue.
Yours truly was photographed by her eldest son. Please note a photo of me in shorts because it will undoubtedly be a long time before this happens again. Seriously, I have no idea what I was thinking.
The blouse, one I made while in Vancouver, does fit right into the color scheme, I will say that much!
I'm thinking it was that same afternoon that Bruce helped me with my kayak, a first in way more than a year. My wrist held up just fine with the paddling motion, something that was not a guarantee. Whether it is the arthritis, or the remnants of the breaks, but my wrist does not behave in the manner for which it was designed. That said, I am making do, learning new ways of using it as is. Anyway, it was the last time that I saw the swan on our little backyard oasis.
Note the brown on the wings which indicates that it is still not a full-fledged adult. We are presuming it has gone looking for a mate. Seriously, it was very fun while it lasted! Another reason I wanted to take the boat out is because a neighbor who fishes the lake alerted me to the fact that there is a Great Blue Heron's nest in our favorite tree. Difficult to see in this shot, I assure you it is there.
Up bright and early Wednesday morning Bruce drove us over to Pam and Glenn's new condo in Cape Canaveral. Absolutely wonderful in every way, beginning with the building entryway.
Covid kept us from visiting before which is super crazy as we used to see one another several times a week. This blog space is filled with Pam stories along with Glen and others, one of whom now lives across the parking lot in the next building! Actually, Bill and Roxanne had a place there for years and know loads of folks who now know Pam and Glenn. We have missed them all! Although Roxanne was out of town, Bill came right over and the guys played catch up on the roof while we waited for the lift-off.
Going up in the elevator, we met Alan Shepard's daughter who, following in her Father's footsteps, went into space, albeit not very far, on the
Blue Origin. In a case of the truism, "it is not what you know, but who you know" that this could have ever happened!
And it was off!
Surprisingly, the water was not nearly as cold as you would think.
My heart was happy seeing them enjoying Pam's company.
More indoor visiting including a trip across the parking lot to check out Bill and Roxanne's place, and it was time for lunch. We followed them over to the port area, enjoying a tasty waterside lunch together.
While we were seated, this boat came along that, if I remember clearly (always a coin flip), that picks up remnants from launches.
Thus the "X" on the boat for Space X. As Tesla drivers, they are on the Elon Musk train, speaking of which we discovered that the folks in Cape Canaveral are up in arms because the new Brightline train will not be stopping there, instead the first stop will be in West Palm Beach. No doubt people going on cruises from the port could have benefitted from a train straight from our airport.
After a stop at Ron Jon's we began our drive home, in, at times, very stormy weather. Well, you know what they say, following the rain, if you get lucky, there is a rainbow. Indeed, a double one at that. Holy cow,
here's a whole page of quotes on the subject!It must be noted that for a few, mostly evenings and nights, we had some serious rain to the tune of FIVE inches one night, and four another night. As is always the case, I note this sort of information for future reference. I am as guilty as anyone of claiming the weather should or should not be a certain way, but going back in this space usually clears up the matter.
your friend,
Gail
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