NASA Kennedy Space Center

NASA Kennedy Space Center 

Wednesday April 17, 2024

 Jim had the alarm set for 6:30 a.m.. we woke up happily and got ready to leave to head to KSC.

 We decided to take the Ford yesterday. As the AC works great and it was going to be super hot and humid today. We left about 7:30 a.m. and arrived there closer to 9:00. We had our tickets we bought when Thomas was here that were only $5 extra. 

As soon as we arrived we put the For Sale signs back up. We carried the lunch I packed and a lot of water.

 Immediately went over and got on the bus. They play videos on the way explaining what we were looking at on the drive.

We saw gators in canal on the drive over and back. They looked to be at least three or four feet each.

 The  huge building is the Vehicle Assembly Building with a flag that is 24 stories high. 

The red stripe is the width of a road 8 ft. The VAB has the largest doors in the world. The blue part of the flag is the size of an NBA basketball court. The stars are 6 foot across. They have to repaint it every few year. The Florida Sun is hard on it.

We went into a room that simulated the first manned Apolo launch.   So loud had to hold my ears. The whole room vibrated. 

The picture on the left there was a hologram with a astronaut in a tube looking thing, I forget his name. You could press a button with different questions and he would answer them in there. Kind of creepy it looked like he was in that tube.

Went into gift shop. Jim got a hat and T-shirt. 

The size of them was incredible, some were suspended from the ceiling.

We took return trip back. I saw this circle in the sky while on the bus.

When we arrived we saw and heard the fighter jets over head, making the shapes in the sky. 

Really cool.

 Then we found a lovely outdoor table in the shade and had our lunch I packed. So enjoyable I wish I would have packed for all of us when we came the first time with Thomas. Definitely healthier and cheaper.

 Got a phone call from one of my line dancing friends, Pam she had a knee injury, hope I get to see her soon. 

Below is a one of the viewing areas for launching the Rockets. 

Jim getting a lesson on how to land a shuttle on Mars. 

 Jim and I packed up and continue walking around, went into the huge gift shop here. 

Then we went into the building that had different ride simulations. We only got to do one of them with Thomas. 

Above picture. You relive the launch of the first crewed NASA mission to orbit the Moon in 1968 aboard the massive Saturn V Rocket at the firing Room Theater. Experience the countdown for Apollo 8 facing the actual controls used during the Apollo launches as you see and feel the powerful Saturn V Moon rocket lift off from the Launch Pad and blast into space.

Today we finished the other three rides.

They were simulating going to Mars, and the Moon. 

We went and also did a talk with an astronaut his name was Mark Lee.

Really enjoyable. He took questions from the audience, which was full of young people on field trips. The kids asked really great questions. He told us at the end that there was a SpaceX launch tonight,  5:30 window opened. They were staying open an extra hour. Couldn't believe our luck we'd be able to see another launch today hopefully.

We continue to walk around and felt as though we covered pretty much everything we thought we'd want to see. 

Started walking over to the viewing area for the launch. Thought we were getting there so early, but the seats were pretty much filled up. So we found a spot in the grass to sit.

 There's a guy sitting on a big blanket and he started talking to us immediately, when he saw my switch it up hat, and Jim RV there yet shirt. He said, I watch them sometimes.

 We had a lovely conversation all things RV, and travel. They were on vacation here for 2 weeks, in their fifth wheel from Wisconsin. He was waiting for his wife and two young daughters. 

They had a big screen up and 

there was a guy giving commentary on what was happening or about to happen. We watched the launch go off right in front of us. 

Was so loud I had to hold my ears.

What another fantastic end to the day. We said goodbye to Misty and her husband Mitch with two daughters Lily and Maddie.. 

then we walked out to the truck. 

We enjoyed the cottage cheese pudding treat I had packed away. 

But now it was after 6:00 p.m. and we're getting ready for dinner so that held us over. Wasn't too bad getting out of the parking lot. 

We drove towards home and stopped at a Chick-fil-a, for the first time. We really enjoyed the sauce, I told Jim I think they sell that in the stores, will have to try to find some.

Sun was setting on our drive.. 

It was still daylight when we got home, barely. 

What a great day although we missed Thomas and family.

Long Weekend

Long Weekend 

Saturday April 13, 2024

It's the weekend so we slept in a bit got up and had coffee and breakfast. Chilled until lunch time and then we left , I was driving the Ford and Jim had the smart car. 

We left the Ford at Publix next door just to have some new eyes on it.

 Then we wanted to go for Chinese today, in Clermont. After a wonderful Buffet, 

we went next door, to a store I was never in. Called at Home.

 It was ginormous, I never seen a store with such a large selection of the exact same items. Jim found a chair eventually and sat, per my suggestion while shopped. I started talking to a lady in there, she said she's already been there an hour and a half. I told her Jim's not really into it. I showed him a margarita glass they had. She said go to Goodwill for that. I told her we're probably going there next, she said I'll probably see you there. I said don't let my husband here you say that, he'll suggest we go together, and he could go home. Lol

She laughed and said that would probably be a lot of fun, I agreed. 

We did find a couple things I wanted. I found my insulated tumblers, it was a four pack, was on sale because only had two in it, which is really all I needed. They've been super hard to find. Found my Satin pillowcase I've been wanting, I hear they're good for your hair and skin.  He was happy to finally leave, lol and then we went to huge Goodwill in Clermont.

 He waited in the car while I went in found a whole bunch of things I wanted to try on. Didn't realize they don't have a dressing room. Jim came in and decided on what he wanted to pick out from the clothes I suggested. You have 3 days to bring them back if they don't fit. 

Then we left there and Jim drop me off at Publix. I went in the store and walked around for a bit. Found a few things. Sat in truck with AC on, so nice.

I put the truck back in the parking lot, which wasn't easy it was filling up, meat Bingo is starting soon. I left a bag of non-perishable groceries in the truck and walked back to the RV. We had a light dinner and then took the golf cart up for meat Bingo 

had a little pizza and soda first. Sat with a couple, it was their first meat Bingo night. 

Jim won a kabasi and I later made a soup with it. On the way home we grabbed the other bag of groceries out of the Ford didn't get home till after 9:30.

Sunday April 14, 2024

We slept in today again after 8:00 am, only saw half of my morning show. Made Jim's favorite waffle Sunday. 

He played the drums later while I listened to some NOBS calls.

Our neighbor behind us has beautiful orchids on his picnic table. 

They had left and went to the Keys. The Orchid Linda gave me just lost its last flower.  I was trying to figure out what care they needed to rebloom. His were huge and so beautiful. Hope they come back in time so I can talk to him about it. Later we took a golf cart ride beautiful sunset 

over the campground here in TTO.

 Monday April 15, 2024 

Today was a typical favorite day here for me in TTO 3 Mile Walk Fit 2 hours of line dance.

 The usual, come home we have lunch together, early evening golf cart rides, talking with friends, or strangers, making new friends, you can never have to many, just another fantastic day in Florida, at TTO.

Tuesday April 16, 2024

Today was a repeat of yesterday, walk fit and line dance. We had lunch together when I got home.

Tonight Jim wanted to watch his last hockey game to see if they make the playoffs. Tonight was going to be karaoke and line dancing. So I took the golf cart up for that. 

Was a very small crowd. Judy, Donna and I were there. There was a lady that was a really good singer, you better be if you take on Whitney Houston. A grandpa with his nine-year-old granddaughter. She sang a Taylor Swift song which I wasn't too familiar with. Also sang watermelon moonshine which is a pretty adult song for a 9-year-old. Hopefully she doesn't know what she's singing about. They were really good, they were so cute to see together, her mom called it grandpa love. Very sweet, we got a lot of dancing in even though there was only a few of us. 

L to R myself, Shar, Judy and Donna.

Some other people joined us. We left about 9:30 that night went home and Jim's game was still on. Sadly they lost, no Flyers in the playoffs.

Happy Monday

Happy Monday 

Monday April 8, 2024

This morning I was back up for walk fit and then line dancing. Those 3 hours go so fast I didn't want it to be over.

 MaryJo joined us the last hour. Her and I sat and chatted together after everyone left. Dan showed up he was working on a project. He needed a torque wrench. 

He said he saw a RV Tech here and asked him what it would cost for him to come loosen a bolt. The guy told him $100. Dan about lost his mind, he's like "are you crazy"  we don't do that to each other here.

Dan was just going to go buy one.

 We couldn't believe it, I told Dan maybe Jim had one, he said I seriously doubt it. It doesn't hurt to ask I said, so I texted Jim. They offered to drive me home. When we arrived Jim was pulling the torque wrench out.

I should have known he had one, I forgot.

 Happy to share with them. We had a little chat and MaryJo wanted to check out the Smart car. She sat in the driver seat and couldn't believe how much room there was. After we said our goodbyes.

Then we took a golf cart ride.

The ad I put in the Orlando paper, for the F-450 isn't working out that well. On our golf cart ride we got our third or fourth contact. They just text you asking for your full name and address so they can send you a check and send a courier to come pick the vehicle. We know that's not legit. 

We had no serious interest yet in the Ford. 

It would be such a great truck for someone starting out not wanting to spend a lot of money. 

Still hoping to find the right legit buyer ASAP.

 Jim and I had talking all day about going out to eat somewhere today. Decided to drive to Clermont for Ruby Tuesday's. Love the salad bar.

It's a bit of a drive, but not for "Junior".

They had a special, buy one entree get the second free. So Jim ordered his ribs and I ordered a pork chop.

The waitress came over and said they were out of pork chops. So she had to bring me the menu again. Since I don't eat beef it limited my choices. I originally was just going to get just a salad, but since it was the special today, figured we'd take it home. Yeah and there's the free part. 

So I ordered a half a rack and shrimp.

 I was at the salad bar when the manager came over and asked Jim if it was OK to serve us his full rack. Mine wasn't ready yet, since they were out of pork chops. Jim said he profusely apologized, and offered us dessert if we wanted it. Well Yeah.

The waitress bought Jim's full rack. I went to get another little plate. And the manager came out again and told us the whole pork chop story and how they ran out. Guess they didn't realize they served the last one.

 Anyway it was delicious and we even ordered a free dessert.  We almost never get dessert. Eas two funnel cakes with ice cream and chocolate.  We ended up taking half of it home. Definitely have enough for three more meals when we left.

 And we saved about $30 off of our total bill.

They we drove home almost dark out by now. Stopped at Publix for beer and milk, lol.

Arrived home trying to watch some TV. Our YouTube channel has expired. They only give you 3 months travel time. Then they want you to go "home".

Such a pain. Can't find a phone number to contact for customer service. Still trying to figure that out. Other wise we like it.

Anyone have any good Solutions.

Tuesday April 9, 2024

Jim was up first this morning. I got ready and went up to do walk fit and line dance. When it was over I texted Jim and he picked me up in the golf cart. I saw Dan come in and he had ordered lunch in the restaurant. Jim arrived and the three of us talked a bit. He was talking about how yesterday they went to Publix and Romaine lettuce was $5 a head. I told him I so like going to Aldi's yesterday. He said that's where they went and it was 2.99 there. After we said goodbye to Dan we went and got produce here. 

Then we took a drive down to the lake there was going to be the last Delta IV heavy rocket launch today. Really couldn't see it because it was so cloudy. We ended up talking with a lovely couple. I saw them yesterday and told Jim I wonder what kind of dog they have.  I realized it was that same couple. She told me the breed,  never heard of it. We had a lovely chat and then we went home and ate our leftover ribs from Ruby Tuesdays yesterday. Later we took a golf cart ride.

Wednesday April 10, 2024

This morning after breakfast I did walk fit and came back for lunch, we both were busy doing things outside. 

I wanted to scrub the shower curtain on the picnic table. Jim assisted me with that job. 

At 11:30 I remembered there was a No BS call on. I was able to listen to the second half of it, then later we had lunch together and went for golf cart ride.

We went by our neighbor up the road, 2 sites between us, and saw Pat and Carol sitting with Johnny. 

She's been wanting us to meet him, he's a recent widower. 

We pulled over and had a nice chat all of us, for quite a long time too.

 Once we left, it was dinner time by now, so we went back home and I started cooking.

 I made pork chops and had fresh applesauce I just made. 

Thursday April 11 2024. 

This morning I did the usual after coffee and breakfast, 3 mile walk fit and line dance. 

They were being silly with the flamingos. Linden, me, Barb, and Lourdes.

Then went home made quesadillas, and rice pudding in the instant pot. 

We had lunch together took a golf cart ride, talked to people same routine on... 

Friday April 12 2024. 

Today is a line dance Marathon. 

First we did walk fit and couple hours of line dance.

 Went home and made lunch. Starting to make our bigger meal then instead of at night. Seems to make more sense in this lifestyle. 

Jim heard a truck coming looked out, said HDT was about to go past us out front. 

Later in the afternoon we drove by in the golf cart said hi. He just got it too. Only towed 3 times. He got it stretched and is putting the jeep on it. He was trying to order a F-450, when they we're so hard to get. He looked into the HDT and found this one. Then the Ford dealership called him said his new one was in. NOW,  he has BOTH. Omg.

A long time ago not sure if they still do it, KFC had a bowl before they came all the rage.

 Mashed potatoes corn, cheese, chicken gravy. Doesn't look as pretty, but man it was delicious, with Jim's grilled smoked chicken that I had pulled out of the freezer. 

Then we went up to the line dance private party. 

I did three more hours of line dance.  Jim stayed with me for a while but then went back home. He came back after 9:30 till we finished and he picked me up in the golf cart.

As soon as we walked out the door we saw a launch I just taken off and saw the bright orange red Trail. It's so funny how it follows the curvature of the Earth and arcs.

Abba Euphoria

Abba Euphoria

Saturday April 6, 2024

What a relaxing Saturday.

This evening after dinner we went to Abba Euphoria. Was kind of a tribute to them. 

They were a lovely full-time family. Dad Phil, and Linda and 17 and 19 year old kids.

Was a good show. 

Jim and I sat with Jack and Vicky,

 you couldn't really chat though 

Sunday April 7, 2024

This morning we relaxed with coffee. I'm usually up first. I did my 2 NOBS Zoom calls. He was outside playing the drums. 

Later we had lunch and went for a golf cart ride. We almost ran out of battery power. But we made it back.

I make dinner we grill chicken and macaroni and cheese and broccoli salad. We relaxed, life is GOOD.

Third Travel day with the Volvo

Third Travel day with the Volvo 

Thursday April 4, 2024

This morning we got up and ready to move, our third travel day towing with the Volvo. 

Rick texted Jim saying he would be here about 9:30. So we made sure we were ready and outside. 

Planned on leaving at 10ish. But we spent time talking with Rick, John, and Richard, we didn't leave till 11:30. We really will miss them.

 I had made more chocolate chip cookies yesterday, and gave John and Rick some. I gave Richard his yesterday.

 Rick and I took a lot of pictures pulling out,

hope to use the best one for new cards. 

Saying goodbye is hard. Last minute meeting of the minds.

We had a wonderful travel day, it was only 2 hours. But felt like 20 minutes.

Such a comfortable ride.

Jim had the new Garmin RV all set up to head to Orlando Thousand Trails, AKA TTO. In the first turn, it wanted us to make a right turn out of here, that was not even a road. Not a good start for the new one. 

He ended up pulling out and backing in so we could make the left turn. 

We arrived in TTO around 1:30 in the afternoon. We were number 29,  and no line. A lot of snowbirds left already, too early for us. Lol

 We found a great site really close to the getaway cabins. Wish we had friends or family in one now.

 Jim did a great job backing in one Fell Swoop. Our neighbor came out in front of us and said " wow are you a truck driver." I said " he is Now"  Of course he said he was watching the whole time. 

We got situated and had lunch. Jim got the Smart car AKA, Junior

offloaded and then took out the golf cart.

 He pulled up to turn the truck back around.

 Today the ad comes out for the Ford in the Orlando Sentinel. Found it online and the first time I looked at it it said five views. No one has called yet. 

Took a ride in the golf cart later after dinner. Always people here to stop and chat with. Spend time talking with Switch Crew, Pat and Carol McDonald.

We're invited to a birthday party tomorrow night.. A little gathering of switch crew, Shawn was 50 last week.

Friday April 5, 2024

So glad to be back at TTO. I was back at 9 am for walk fit and line dancing with everyone. The group is definitely smaller. Alot of people left already.

Got home about 12:30, we had lunch.

Texting with a few people about the Ford. No one serious.

Watched a little TV and new Switch It Up video with Todd and Sheila.

The new Mack HDT and SpaceCraft are just amazing.

Went for a golf cart ride again. We missed doing that, in Port Richey. It's alot of fun to get out and chat with everyone.

After dinner we took the golf cart over to the birthday party.

 We really enjoyed everyone's company Jim had birthday cake. 

I enjoyed talking with the ladies.

We left about 9:30 pm.