March 30, 2017 - Treetops

Hi everyone.  Today we went back to the Brevard Zoo area with an extra days entrance from our last visit.  Although we revisited the zoo, our focus was to do a little treetop view visit.

This time is was a turn for the kids to get into action.  Tyler and Eli were strapped into their harnesses and followed their guide up onto the lines.

On the lower portion for the kids, Grammie's feet didn't have to leave the ground when taking pictures.

They had fun going from one tree stand to another.

Having never had experience with the system, it was very safe as one was always connected to the cable.

Tom and Monica enjoyed the higher altitude above the animal cages.

Everyone was treated to an after dinner rocket launch.  Although launches have been a common occurrence since the 60's, this was the first launch using a previously used rocket.

It's neat how the people still cheer up and down the beach when the rocket takes off.  

For more news about the first time reuse of a rocket thruster, visit the following link.
Historic spacex launch

Tomorrow morning we will begin our return trip back home, but not before visiting Augusta National and the Boston Marathon.  Still plenty to do before the snow is gone.
Thanks for keeping track of Grammie's whereabouts.

March 29, 2017- Kennedy Space Center

A busy day today.  We headed over to the Kennedy Space Center Visitors Complex.  It was another great day and the grand kids had a great time.

But first, another glorious sunrise.

There was plenty to do and plenty to see.  One of the stops featured the Apollo series of flights.  The rockets back then were the Saturn V series with a tremendous amount of thrust.  When it took off it was said to be louder that an Atomic Bomb.   The main fuel tank was about 33 feet by 138 feet and it's weight loaded approached 5 million pounds.  It burned just shy of 18,000 pounds of fuel per second.

There is to be a launch on the 30th that will feature the first time a rocket will be reused on another flight.  This pic is of Launch pad 39A where the launch window opens up at 6:27 p.m.  A fortunate opportunity for our visitors provided there are no delays.

The Apollo 14 mission module is on permanent display here at the Space Center.

Tyler with the Space Shuttle Atlantis in the background.

After another great day the kids were happy to be back in the pool.

March 26, 2016 Brevard Zoo

Today we headed to the Brevard Zoo.  Even though there was plenty of sunshine, the Zoo is well shaded and comfortable.
 An alligator, although well fed was still keeping an eye out for us.

 There are several Bald Eagles in the Zoo that are permanent residents.  They are uncaged however and don't fly as they have injuries that prevent flying.

The cockatoos enjoyed a treat.

Roseate Spoonbill

This Ostrich was close enough to almost touch.

An Ostrich with ruffled feathers.

A python that just wanted to be left alone.  It was well fed and was not looking for it's next meal.

Eli and Tyler each took a turn feeding the Giraffe.

After a visit to the gift shop, "Florida and Floppy" came back with us.  A great day in Florida.

March 25th 2017, Cocoa Beach

After about a week at Cocoa Beach, working on 2 puzzles and reading books, we had visitors.  We picked up Monica, Trevor and kids at the airport.  They were a little bit tired, not because of a long travel day, but an early travel day.  The tired feeling however went away real quick.

The next day, Grammie had a puzzle that was finished in short 

order as it was only 300 pieces and geared towards the kids.

 Down on the beach, someone was really clever and worked hard to build a pyramid.  The wind and the waves demolished it by the next high tide.

 A panoramic view from the tip of Cape Canaveral to the Cocoa Beach pier.

We all went to visit the local Ron Jon's shop and found the 

usual assortment of beach wear and fun things to buy.

Grammie and Grampy with 2 grandchildren, Eli and Tyler

A great day of sunshine and pool time.

March 17, 2017 St Patricks Day

Good morning all.
Today our day started early.  We got up before dark to drive 2 hours to Orlando to go to the Bay Hill Invitational Golf Tournament.  It was a wonderful weather day and the crowd wasn't too big, however, we parked at the Universal Boulevard General Parking area where there were far more people and cars to deal with who were attending Universay Studios for the day.

Grammie was in good company 

The Bronze statue is between the 1st and 10th tee

 

March 15, 2017 Ringling Museum

Hi everyone.
On Wednesday of this week we went to visit the Ringling Museum in Sarasota.  The Museum sits on 66 acres of land that features not only the Circus Museum, it also has an Arts Museum, the Ca' D'Zan, the estate of John and Mable Ringling, the Historic Asolo Theater, and a Rose Garden.

Ernie Burch was a professional clown for 56 years. He was the character Blinko in "The Greatest Show on Earth".

 1952 Movie

 Yes, it shot live people into a net, after testing it with a bag of sand of the same weight.

 There were 5 brothers actively involved in the circus production.

 A billboard on the marque.  The 3 legged man.

 The bearded lady

A view of the Blacksmith Tent. Besides keeping the many horses in shoes, the crew also inspected the metal wagon parts every day.

 Wagon #9 was the blacksmith supply wagon.

 Everything in the circus, that was included on the trains, was kept and stored in an orderly fashion in the wagons, which were numbered and located on the train according to setup.

 The Hotel flag signified that meals were ready.

 If you have a carving skill and need a volunteer job, sign up.  Only good until May 1.

 The next 3 show the work tables of the people painting minature figures.

 The Band Wagon

 Looking up at the man on stilts.

 Emmett Kelly, the mute, never smiling clown.

 In another part of the building was a miniature model of the setup of the Circus.  The detail in the pieces was unbelievable.  The next series of pictures are all miniature pieces.

 Feeding over 1300 people.  Each person had a designated seat.

 Washing dishes 3 times a day.

 The circus lineup begins.

 The Big Top.  It took 4 hours to set it up.

 Keep in mind that you are looking at thousands of hand painted miniatures.

A 3 inch bike

 Relaxation area for the actors.

 At the circus, there was always more that one act going on.

 Those that didn't have a fare.

To give you a better grasp of the circus operation, think about 1300 people, many beginning before sun up, unloading about 150 wagons from the flatbed train cars, pulling them to different locations to begin the process of setting up the circus.  Meanwhile the kitchen begins preparation for that many days meals.  The tents besides The Bigtop are unloaded and setup.  Circus members prepare for the day, sometimes for several performances, and by the end of the day, everything is taken down, cleaned if needed, packed away, loaded on to wagon, pulled onto the flatbed train cars in order, and transported to the next city.

For further reading go to the link.  Ringling Brothers Route Book, 1892

CBS Morning had a program about the Circus on April 30th.  The link of that part of the program is in this link.  Ringling-bros-circus

Thanks for keeping an eye out for Grammie.