NASA Launch with Thomas and family

NASA Launch with Thomas and Family 

Valentines Day

Wednesday February 14, 2024

This is the first time all of us going to the Kennedy Space center, so special that we could all go together. We wanted to leave at 9:00 a.m., of course we didn't pull out about 10:15 a.m.. it was a good hour drive.

So nice just spending that time talking together in the car.

When Jim and I bought our tickets, you can buy another day for only $5 each. We look forward to coming back together again, but we will miss Thomas and family.

 We spend a wonderful day together exploring this huge complex. We spent a lot of time waiting for the ladies to get their Starbucks fix this morning. 

So many things to explore. We had a guided tour

 in the Rocket Garden

 just inside the entrance. 

Then we did some ride simulations, one to the Moon, another one was to simulate what a launch feels like in a space shuttle. They were really cool.

There's also a bus that takes you around to the Saturn launch pad, and museum. You have to get on way before 2:30 in the afternoon. And there's so much going on here we didn't make it.

This picture explains how huge the International Space Station really is. Jim and I are fascinated with it, we've seen more sightings that we can count. Thomas is very fascinated with space, but he said he never saw one. Which is shocking since he is always up so early in the morning for work.

Way after 1:00 we were starving, so it took a lot of time waiting for food. They do have a lot of options. I hated the fact that I couldn't pack food and bring it in. I will have to figure that out for next time. 

After we ate we explored some more. We did get to meet an astronaut. He did a hour-long talk on what his career has been so far and different launches he's been on. He showed the light pollution as seen from space, Florida 

and then Italy.

 Was very interesting.

This is the actual space shuttle Atlantis that was in space.

Thomas knew a lot of details of space travel, that we never realized he was into it. I find it fascinating too, but he actually knew details.

Pictures just don't do it justice 

Hidden Power, above is a Rocket engine.

Seeing our universe with new eyes the Hubble fundamentally altered our view of the Universe and our place within it.

From high above the atmosphere, Hubble opened our eyes to the mystery and beauty of parts of our Universe we have never seen before.

This picture is worth in larging.

We spent a lot of time in the gift shop. So many things to look at. I really wanted the t-shirt that says I need my space, with a big NASA logo on it. Then they had a way you could simulate yourself as an astronaut where they put your face in it. 

Here's what Jim and I looked like.

Then we got to look at the Mars Rover.

And a simulation of what Moon looks like. 

This this is Mars 

That was truly fascinating. This picture was really cool, later it looked like Thomas was playing one of his video games.

They close at 5:00, which seemed early to us. But there was a launch today at 5:30. 

So they suggested you walk out slowly they weren't going to kick you out of the parking lot. We got to see a launch which was fascinating. 

When you heard the sonic boom

 and saw the rocket boosters laying back down again. 

A bird on the left, photo bombing my picture.

On the way home there was a beautiful sunset. 

Once we got back to the RV. It was quite late with the drive and heavy traffic. I made us all quesadillas. And then we all went home and crashed for the night.

Fat Tuesday/ Thomas at Universal

Fat Tuesday/ Thomas at Universal 

Tuesday February 13, 2024

This morning Thomas and his family went to Universal theme park for the day.

  I was up and out the door at 9:00 a.m. to do walk fit and line dance till noon. 

Came home and had lunch together with Jim. I rested for a while, later we had dinner together here in the RV.  Then Jim called an Uber and they picked us up just outside of the gate. He dropped us Sunset Walk in Kissimmee, 

they were having a Fat Tuesday party. 

Different music playing all along the walk. They had little bar areas set up curbside at alot of the bars with drink specials.

Jeanne and Lynn were already there.

Later after they got off of work, Switch Crew, Robert and Dina joined us all. We had a lot of fun walking around, got a drink together. 

More drinks and snacks at The Wharf, a bar that had Dueling Pianos. 

They were so good those 2 guys, they played for 5 hours nonstop.

At one point the one piano player commented that they often get celebrities here in the Orlando area. Then he introduced Jim, as David Grohl. We've lost count how many times that has happened. Everyone looked, it was an older crowd there, most people probably don't know who he is, I know I didn't, LOL. He only signed a few autographs.

L to R Lynn Jim AKA David and Robert.

L to R Dina and Jeanna.

We pretty much closer the place down. Then we all walked out together.  Jeanna and Lynn drove us back to the campground in their jeep. It's pretty nice when you both live at the same place. 

What a fantastic way to spend a day, that had to be apart from Thomas. We so enjoyed both of the couples company tonight.

Walk Fit with Thomas & Universal City Walk, Chocolate Emporium

Walk Fit with Thomas & Universal City Walk, Chocolate Emporium 

Monday February 12, 2924

Today's a very happy Monday, Thomas came over at 9:00 am, and we went to walk fit  together. It had him sweating.

Joan was laughing, because I was smiling and ear. 

It was so fun working out with him.

Then we went over to the gym, had a great conversation. He did a little bit of a workout. 

 I went back to line dance till 11:00. Then Thomas went to hang out with Jim, till I returned.

Then we all got ready and left for Universal City Walk. 

We walked all around, a lot to look in the Hard Rock.

Voodoo Doughnuts

Same shirts, they think alike

 They were treating us to dinner at the Chocolate Emporium. 

They're known for their sweets, 

milkshakes and desserts. The meal was great.

Took a lot of leftover food home. My salad. 

Everybody has some kind of alfredo. Kerri had beef bourguignon.

It was starting to get dark and the sky was beautiful, everything all lit up.

 Till we drove home it was dark.

After Thomas took them back to the cabin. He came back over and watched hockey with us.

What a wonderful day with family.

Ladies Day Out / Super Bowl Sunday

Ladies Day Out / Super Bowl Sunday 

Sunday February 11, 2024

This morning Thomas and his family were going to visit Kerri's  childhood/college friend in the Bradenton area. 

 Jeanna, Dina and I decided to have a lady shopping day together. 

After breakfast and an early lunch with Jim. 

Jeanna picked us both up in her Jeep and off we went. 

First we went to Disney Springs.

Walked all around. We got to see a lot more than we did when we with Billy and Cindy. Went in all kinds of shops, had a bite to eat at the Earl of sandwich. 

Really hot, sunny beautiful day today.

Saw a whole bunch of things made out of Legos. 

All kinds of treats and a T-Rex. There was a car/boat that you could take a ride in for $125 for up to four people.

The Rainforest Cafe was really cool looking with the flames shooting out of it occasionally. 

We went into Lululemon store. 

It was very enjoyable, but not the kind of places that I usually shop.. 

Above is more displays from inside some stores. The old TVs were cool. There was a strolling piano that was moving along while the guy played. There is a whole bunch of cheerleaders on stage entertaining the crowd.

We decided to go back to the lime parking garage. 

We went to Ulta Beauty, then TJ Maxx, and next door to that was Ross. Those three were probably my favorites. 

I wanted some of the new gel nail polish I started on. Then I found a nice green backpack to use as my new purse to be hands-free. 

They helped me make a big decision on jean dresses I was looking at. I also sent these pictures to Jim for help. He picked a different one then I did.

I Picked the bottom Right one.

Originally wanted a skirt, can't find anywhere. I picked out one, all three of us were trying on clothes together, we had a fun time. Can't remember the last time I had a ladies day out. Switch crew are awesome.

After those three stores, Dina ordered a pizza from New York Pizza to pick up. Then we ran into Aldi's quick. It was my fastest trip through there ever,  I only spent $53. The only thing Jim wanted was his German beer.  I was the last one to check out. As I was putting things on the counter, Jeanne said did you get the beer. Of course I didn't, Dina ran back and I told her where it was, and she grabbed two four packs for Jim. 

Then we got out to the Jeep, and Dina ran in and picked up the pizza and we headed back to Thousand Trails Orlando AKA, TTO.

Then we went straight to Jeanne and Lynn's motorhome. 

They had the Super Bowl on. Dina ran home with her groceries, brought a few things back. And a spontaneous potluck broke out amongst the six of us. 

Robert, Lynn and Jim were hanging out for a quite while before we arrived. He had a great potluck together enjoyed each other's company and oh yeah the Super Bowl was on. 

We didn't leave till after 10:30 and just as we were driving the golf cart home and walking into the RV. Thomas, Kerri and Sarah. Just arrived back to the cabin too. We waved goodnight to them.

 Tomorrow we will have fun with them. Sounds like everyone had a great day.