Notes from the road: February 2011

Saturday, February 26, 2011

Friday, February 25, 2011

Fort Matanzas!

We didn't ride the free ferry out to the fort...we climbed the live oaks instead! We could see the fort from the visitors museum. Another stamp in Soso's national park passport!

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Space Shuttle Discovery

Up Thursday morning about 5am...

Packed...

Got on the road around 8am...

Drove like the wind to Titusville to see the space shuttle launch.

We met Van and Karen with 10 minutes to spare.

There was also a 4 minute delay.

PLENTY OF TIME!

The crowds were record in number.

Since we were late to the party,

we weren't standing in the park where we watched it before.

Sophia had a better view from Steve's shoulders.

Poppy held SJ while I took pictures

There were cars with the mission control playing on their radio.

It was a cool murmur all around us.

The cloud of smoke started to billow

out of the sides of the tower.

We have lift-off!

The crowd cheered!

Sophia looking at me because I was cheering.

Logan, standing on the rail, and Grandma watched.

It seemed like forever and five seconds

all in the same moment.

The by far coolest thing about watching a launch...
the sound wave finally hitting you!
It's amazing. The thunderous sound and ground vibrates...

because of the distance there is a several second delay.

Logan videos with his phone.
People cheering and clapping.

Everyone watches until it's just a tiny speck in the sky.

Too cool.

Our family.

The group minus me!

Sophia looking through the binoculars.
I really think she could see!

There was a huge traffic jam following the lift off.
The crowd estimate that I read was 40,000

to watch the final mission of Discovery.

Seven hours of driving,

with a two year old and almost six month old...

so worth it!

Then again, our kids were born to roll somewhere!

We drove up the coast and spent the night

on the beach in Daytona.

The beach always makes for a beautiful sunrise...

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Saturday, February 19, 2011

Friday, February 18, 2011

Nemo!

At Audubon Aquarium of the Americas New Orleans. Wish our professional guide was with us! Hope he's catching Nemo's cousin...

Still foggy...ride on bus back

Last night, everyone crashed. I closed the curtains because the city lights were too much for a nightlight. Crawled into bed listened to the snoring of my little family. Anxious for day one to begin.
When SK got up out of bed at 4:15am, I played possum. I didn't want to get in the way or chatter him to death. I heard him dress. Fumble around. There was quiet, followed by an unexpected sound. Laugh...more of a chuckle of no kidding.
I guess he knew I was awake. He said, "you have to see this! We are under fog advisory. I was looking out to use bridge a judge.". He then pulled back the curtains. No bridge. No buildings. No nothing. It was as if the white shower curtain was hanging outside our window.
We both laughed.
Well, I guess the weather man gets paid today.
No kidding. It's a dense fog!
I'm just wondering now...how long the fog DELAY will be for take off!
It's now 5:25am...still no bridge. No buildings. Maybe the 3rd floor pool? No anything.

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Photo by Soso

I heard her saying "cheese" and holding the phone up to her face during dinner...I just didn't realize she knew what she was doing!
Steve's hand at dinner...his coke and crawfish pasta!

Streetcars!

Sophia, SJ, Karen, & I are taking the streetcar self guided tour today!

Riverfront

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

No photos please!

Soso was camera shy this morning...just like her daddy!

Official Practice

Tonight's Dinner Walk

We tried to chase down the sounds of a band marching; Soso wanted to dance and listen to the music. It seemed to always be just ahead of us. We walked completely around Jackson Square!
Dinner was at a restaurant on the southern corner of the square...can't remember name something oyster bar? It has the smallest restrooms I have ever been in...porta potties have more room!!