Not too much can eclipse Canada's victory over the USA for the Olympic gold medal in men's hockey this afternoon. Even before that memorable game, we had an exciting day.
We decided to go to the wildlife sanctuary at Merritt Island this morning but didn't think to check the route, as we have been there many times in the past. We went north on 95 and turned off at Titusville, only to find the bridge under construction. We could see that the bridge farther up the shore had a big chunk out of it as well -- our federal stimulus dollars at work in Florida, I suppose. We stopped at the bait shop for directions, wondering if our little junket would have to be scuttled. Fortunately, that was not the case. We got to our destination by a different route.
On past visits, the wetlands have been dry and brown, with very little water in evidence. The wildlife drive was surrounded by water today, spectacular in shades of blue, green, beige, brown. The birds were abundant: many coot, mergansers, blue herons, green herons, egrets, pelicans, roseate spoonbills, eagles, vultures, osprey ... We saw only one alligator soon after we arrived, but then toward the end of the drive we saw five or six more basking in the cool sunshine.
By the time we got back to the hotel, the hockey game was about to start. Half-way through the second period, with Canada leading 2-0, we headed to the pool where I swam for about 45 minutes, delighted to be back in the water, feeling comfortable and healthy. When the US tied the game, we went back to our room to watch the OT period.
Bob and I don't usually have competing loyalties, but this game was an understandable exception. Sidney Crosby's winning goal was a thrill that will not soon be forgotten. It was a perfect end to a wonderful day that we capped with a quick and delicious fish dinner at the Cocoa Beach Pier.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Cold, Rainy Day Highlights Effects of Recession
The weather seemed quite nice this morning when we got up at about 6:30. Certainly not the cold and rain promised by a cheerful weather forecaster last night. We had breakfast downstairs at the Atlantis, walked over to the beach and then headed out for a drive to familiar places on the coast.
Everywhere: signs of fear for the future of the Space Coast after recent proposals that would scrap the use of the Ares rocket and Orion capsule to replace the space shuttle. This afternoon, a "space exploration" rally is planned in Titusville (across from Cape Canaveral. The issue is jobs. Hotels seem empty; the famous Cocoa Beach Pier and the usually well patronized bars at Port Canaveral were forlorn looking in the rain. Houses seemed in disrepair north of Cocoa Beach.
The people in this area are very proud of the space program and the prominent role played by local workers in its success. It's scary to think that the future will not live up to the expectations of the present.
There was no sign of recession when we went to 4 PM mass at Our Saviour's Church. We arrived late at 3:50 or so, and the church was packed with worshippers who seemed to have plenty of $$$.. We had to stand on the sidelines, so to speak, until Bob made me sit in a confessional at the back of the church. I made a spectacle of myself when I sat down and grabbed the non-existent arms of the chair. The two other occupants of the confessional glared at me, so I was not surprised when they washed their hands with sanitizer after the exchange of peace. It was not that bad -- feeling conspicuous has made it so in my mind.
The weather had already brightened by the time we left church. We stopped for a Subway sandwich that we had in our room, watching the walkers on the beach and enjoying the sunset on the Banana River.
Everywhere: signs of fear for the future of the Space Coast after recent proposals that would scrap the use of the Ares rocket and Orion capsule to replace the space shuttle. This afternoon, a "space exploration" rally is planned in Titusville (across from Cape Canaveral. The issue is jobs. Hotels seem empty; the famous Cocoa Beach Pier and the usually well patronized bars at Port Canaveral were forlorn looking in the rain. Houses seemed in disrepair north of Cocoa Beach.
The people in this area are very proud of the space program and the prominent role played by local workers in its success. It's scary to think that the future will not live up to the expectations of the present.
There was no sign of recession when we went to 4 PM mass at Our Saviour's Church. We arrived late at 3:50 or so, and the church was packed with worshippers who seemed to have plenty of $$$.. We had to stand on the sidelines, so to speak, until Bob made me sit in a confessional at the back of the church. I made a spectacle of myself when I sat down and grabbed the non-existent arms of the chair. The two other occupants of the confessional glared at me, so I was not surprised when they washed their hands with sanitizer after the exchange of peace. It was not that bad -- feeling conspicuous has made it so in my mind.
The weather had already brightened by the time we left church. We stopped for a Subway sandwich that we had in our room, watching the walkers on the beach and enjoying the sunset on the Banana River.
Friday, February 26, 2010
Sunny Afternoon in Cocoa Beach
The day did not have a great beginning (http://hennesseytkr.blogspot.com/2010/02/airport-2010.html), and the announcement on Delta 2248 to Orlando was jarring: 34 degrees in Orlando! We half expected an unpleasant arrival but we were wrong: the sun was shining and the chilly weather was fine for us. We had a fairly long walk to pick up our car and I remember sweating profusely under similar circumstances in the past. Instead, we were very comfortable walking to the parking garage to pick up our midnight blue Chevy Impala.
It is always breathtaking to cross the Indian River, and then the Banana River. People were fishing and everything just seemed to be unfolding as it should on this brilliant Florida late morning. Cocoa Beach didn't seem as shockingly shabby as we found it several years ago, after the hurricanes did a lot of damage on the Space Coast. We were both feeling a little spaced out, so we stopped for lunch at McDonalds for a tasty lenten fish sandwich.
The Hilton parking lot was fairly empty, not the way I remember it from previous visits. Luckily, we got a great parking spot using my Minnesota disability tag. Our room was ready -- a good thing because we were both very, very tired. Both my knees were killing me, and I was afraid that I would be moaning and groaning all afternoon but such was not the case.
A lot of the hotel seems dated, including our room. However, the bathroom is newer and our view is absolutely stunning: miles of beach, light surf, and the lovely green of Fischer Park just south of the hotel. The seabirds were fishing and warmly dressed beachwalkers were simply enjoying a beautiful, if somewhat cold, spring afternoon.
We found a warmish corner on the hotel deck, where we spent most of the afternoon. I was thrilled to see people gathering for a beach wedding. Most of the guests were in black, and many of the women had not jacket or sweater of very light summer dresses. The idea of wearing very high heels on the beach seemed ridiculous to me, but not surprisingly, Bob very much enjoyed being a spectator.
We have nothing left in us tonight, and I can't even muster the energy to go for a swim. We' ll have dinner in the hotel restaurant and then watch some Olympic highlights. Tomorrow promises to be cold and rainy, at least for part of the day, so our activities may be indoors rather than on the beach. I'm not cracking open the sunscreen yet!
It is always breathtaking to cross the Indian River, and then the Banana River. People were fishing and everything just seemed to be unfolding as it should on this brilliant Florida late morning. Cocoa Beach didn't seem as shockingly shabby as we found it several years ago, after the hurricanes did a lot of damage on the Space Coast. We were both feeling a little spaced out, so we stopped for lunch at McDonalds for a tasty lenten fish sandwich.
The Hilton parking lot was fairly empty, not the way I remember it from previous visits. Luckily, we got a great parking spot using my Minnesota disability tag. Our room was ready -- a good thing because we were both very, very tired. Both my knees were killing me, and I was afraid that I would be moaning and groaning all afternoon but such was not the case.
A lot of the hotel seems dated, including our room. However, the bathroom is newer and our view is absolutely stunning: miles of beach, light surf, and the lovely green of Fischer Park just south of the hotel. The seabirds were fishing and warmly dressed beachwalkers were simply enjoying a beautiful, if somewhat cold, spring afternoon.
We found a warmish corner on the hotel deck, where we spent most of the afternoon. I was thrilled to see people gathering for a beach wedding. Most of the guests were in black, and many of the women had not jacket or sweater of very light summer dresses. The idea of wearing very high heels on the beach seemed ridiculous to me, but not surprisingly, Bob very much enjoyed being a spectator.
We have nothing left in us tonight, and I can't even muster the energy to go for a swim. We' ll have dinner in the hotel restaurant and then watch some Olympic highlights. Tomorrow promises to be cold and rainy, at least for part of the day, so our activities may be indoors rather than on the beach. I'm not cracking open the sunscreen yet!
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Packing our Bags for Cocoa Beach
The weather is cold this year -- we're looking at 63 degrees when we arrive in Cocoa Beach on Friday. This is almost a last minute junket for us: my surgeon approved my return to work for March 11, two weeks later than the date I had requested.
We decided to spend 10 days in Florida. It will be great to go outside without having to worry about slipping on the ice, and I'm looking forward to exercising in the pool. My goal is to walk without a cane by the time we return. And no limp! The limp is very tiring and it's throwing off my posture.
Because we didn't book our flights until two weeks ago, the condo rental market had dried up and we had to make a hotel reservation. Not feeling very adventurous, we decided to stay at the Hilton, a hotel we know from the Friday night seafood buffet we've enjoyed on previous visits.
We decided to spend 10 days in Florida. It will be great to go outside without having to worry about slipping on the ice, and I'm looking forward to exercising in the pool. My goal is to walk without a cane by the time we return. And no limp! The limp is very tiring and it's throwing off my posture.
Because we didn't book our flights until two weeks ago, the condo rental market had dried up and we had to make a hotel reservation. Not feeling very adventurous, we decided to stay at the Hilton, a hotel we know from the Friday night seafood buffet we've enjoyed on previous visits.
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