March 31, 2015

Today was well spent going to see the Kennedy Space Center.  Although the Shuttle program has stopped, there are still launches that occur occasionally.  The space center is less that 10 miles from our location but by road it was off the island, to another island and then back to the Space Center, adding a significant number of miles along the way.

A model of the Apollo capsules used in the moon missions.

 The External tank and solid rocket booster system used for many Shuttle launches that ended when the Shuttle missions ended.

 The Space Shuttle Atlantis that is now retired is permanently located in the Visitors Center.

 A mockup of the Shuttle controls showing simplicity is the use of one control stick but also complex in its control panel.

 A satellite that was launched from a shuttle.  The satellite is only about a foot by half by half in size.

 A piece of moon rock on display to see and to touch.  By now it is quite smooth.

 The lunar command module that also was set up for transporting lunar rovers to the moon.

 The actual gangplank (service arm)used by Armstrong, Collins and Aldrin in the Apollo 11 mission.

 The Saturn V Rocket launch system.

 A tight space to spend several days in while on a mission.

 The 3rd stage of the Saturn V rocket system.  On top of this is where the Service and Command modules would sit.

 A model showing the entire system.  The entire length would be 363 feet tall.

 Apollo 14 Command module looking a little bit worn.  On this mission, Alan Shepard hit 2 golf balls on the moon.

Although we didn't expect to see many people here on a weekday, there were a lot more than expected as a Norwegian Cruise liner was in Port Canaveral and the place was quite crowded in several areas.
Still, a wonderful and educational day.

March 30, 2015

Good morning everyone.
Yesterday was a rest day.  A little bit of the pool, a little bit of the beach and a walk here or there.

Tom got this pic unbeknownst to the subjects.  

For a Monday afternoon the beach sure doesn't look that busy. 
Off in the background is the Kennedy Space Center on Cape Canaveral.

The T-shirt of the day goes to...

Enjoy your day eveyone

March 29, 2015

Good morning everyone.
With the sun blazing through the window we got off to a relatively early start and headed to Clearwater.

 

With loaded van, we set off to see Winter and Hope, 2 dolphins that have been rescued from the unintentional ravages of a throwaway or thoughtless society.
They were both rescued from the ocean mere miles from where we currently are and taken to Clearwater Marine Aquarium, on the opposite coast to be rehabilitated.  Clearwater
Winter, who lost her tail, was eventually fitted with a prosthetic tail.  She does not wear it constantly but does have it on several times a day for exercise.  When worn, she exercises her muscles that cause the normal up and down motion of the tail. When not worn, her tail section movement is from side to side which is not as powerful.

 The prosthetic tail seen in the photo before being put on went through a series of redesign to make it fit properly.

Although the 2 dolphins have made the museum and aquarium popular attractions, the Aquarium is home to other animals that have been rescued. Other animals

 The grandchildren trying to feel the wings of a Manta Ray in the touch tank.

The museum which is about a mile from the aquarium focuses on many of the things that were in the movie, Dolphin Tales, but also has displays about the development of the tail for Winter.

A pleasant day visiting the Clearwater Aquarium and Museum.  In future plans don't visit the city during the time that a spring training game is concluding.  You could get out of the city faster by walking.

Thanks for visiting Where's Grammie.

March 28, 2015

Hi everyone.  A wonderful day at the Brevard Zoo.  With plenty of animals abound and some good subjects also, we got some wonderful pictures.
 Before we went into the Zoo, Grampie said that he wanted a family picture before feeding time.  You could have heard a pin drop ... or you could hear the laughter. You pick.

 Feeding time in the bird cage.  Three generations taking care of the chore.

 She may have looked hungry but they are usually well fed.

 A King Vulture that is very adept it tearing up its prey.

 Meredith sizing herself up to the King Vulture wing spand.

 Emmett wanted to do it too.

A spider monkey mom with her young baby.

 A leopard that just couldn't be bothered with the crowd.

 Grammie feeding some birds.

 Addie wanted a piece of the action.

 The giraffes were being well fed by lots of young kids.

 

 A python doing whatever it wanted.  Someone asked how much it weighed.  A volunteer said we don't know, nobody wants to go in the cage.  There was also a second one in the cage.

 We made it through a wonderful day at the Zoo. 

 Now if we can only make it through the gift shop.

You can see how well that worked for us.

There was only one way to finish a great day in Florida.  Key Lime Pie. 

Thanks for keeping track of Grammie.

March 27, 2015

Good evening everyone.
Caroline and family arrived Wednesday evening with no delays in the flights.  They arrived in Orlando and the weather cooperated for them.  While at the airport waiting for them to arrive, Grammie couldn't resist the temptation to make another friend.

 There were plenty of gifts to buy in one of the shops.  Caught one father spending lots of money for presents for kids. We on the other hand were catching a few laughs.

We arrived back at Cocoa Beach and the kids were quite excited.  Meres was really wound up.
 On Thursday night, Jungle Jim came to the resort to do a pitch for jungle adventures.  He brought 4 animals with him.  This 4 footer was really gentle as long as he had tape around his jaw.

The grandchildren were there soon enough for a front row seat.  Their eyes were all intent when Jim brought out a Boa Constrictor. 

 In the furry animal department, the kids were surprised to find out that the damage of a Tarantula was pretty similar to the sting of a wasp.  No one really wanted to hold it though.

  The kids didn't have any problem holding the alligator.

 

 Today the kids enjoyed the beach and didn't mind the warm saltwater.

In the afternoon they enjoyed the warm temperature of the pool even though it was a little windy.
Saturday the plans are to head for the Brevard Zoo less than 1/2 hour down the road. 

We have been hearing good news about temperatures high enough for melting going on back home.  That doesn't mean however that we are convinced to start heading back home.  Tom has a scout back home telling him that the golf courses are not clear yet.  Please keep us apprised as Grammie can't wait to start tending the flowers...right after seeing the other grandchildren of course.

March 24, 2015

Hi everyone.

Today was a quiet day as we are expecting company on Wednesday and making preparations.  What do grandparents do...yeah a trip to the grocery store to pick up 4 pack of Klondike bars and a loaf of bread.  Surely you don't believe that we would spoil the grandchildren...not by a long shot, they are for their father.  Whenever he comes over to our house he is sure to give us a hug and then heads to the fridge for a sandwich and a snack.  We don't want to disappoint him here as he is a great dad. 

Tom went golfing at Patrick AFB and was in for a pleasant surprise.  He played with a gentleman named Ross Fortier who is from Minnesota and was a successful football coach at Minnesota State University Moorhead achieving a 152-80-4 record over 23 years.  for more go to Ross Fortier

Tomorrow we hope to get to see a rocket launch at Cape Canaveral and then off to Orlando to welcome our visitors.  An exciting day for some young kids.

March 23, 2015

Good evening everyone.

Today was mostly a cloudy day with sunshine making a token appearance.
Early this morning when the beaches were scattered with early morning walkers, there was one person trying to add to the penny jar.  Tom saw him scoop up sand in a couple of different areas on the beach but in the end, just dumped the contents on the ground.

Later on, Tom out for an afternoon walk, Tom noticed an older car like the one he used to own.  This one was in pretty good condition. If it were a Maine car it would have hit the recyclying heap like ours did back in 2000.  Life in Maine definitely cost more than other states.

The sunset was OK this evening and the post sunset colors were wonderful however about a half hour after this pic was taken, we had a downpour.

Just up the road from where we are staying is the city line of Port Canaveral.  It encompasses the Port where weekly cruise ships leave to head for the Caribbean and other ports.  It is also where the Kennedy Space Center is located. Even though the space center is not as busy as it once was it still supports launches for not only the US but also other countries that realize the importance of scientific study.

There will be a launch this Wednesday at 2:36 p.m.if everything goes on schedule.  To see the schedule, click on the following link.  Kennedy launches  Enjoy.

March 22, 2015

Good evening everybody.  Day 2 at Cocoa Beach.

Today has been a good day.  The sun was partially blocked by some clouds so instead of being a burning hot kind of day, it was just hot.  Quite often some birds will go flying by just outside the balcony mostly just riding the wind currents.

In the building, on the way to the beach, there is a place where children can stop to load up on essentials.

On certain sections of the beach there are places where fishermen spend the day casting out lines in the shallow water.  Occasionally they need a break, not from catching fish, but from boredom at having no luck.

A little further down the beach there a person who probably has one of the best summer jobs going.

and then there are those who are just enjoying their favorite activity.

This afternoon, 3 cruise ships headed for the Carribean...one from Carnival, one Disney and one Princess.
A little later out on a walk, Tom spotted an old Ford Pickup.  Looked in good shape, but did they have 5 speed stick shifts on the floor back then?

Grammie started working on another puzzle.  This one is round.  She said that it was kind of fun...but time will tell.