Patriot Dreams: April 1, 2015 - Excited for Mexico!

The days are a blur, since we've been here. It seems that time passes so quickly that I can't remember what day, what date, or what we did yesterday! Is it old age, dementia, or just plain enjoying every day and worrying about nothing?

Last week we rented a car and spent part of a day (not nearly long enough) at the Kennedy Space Center. It happened to be the day of the Delta 4 Air Force navigation satellite system launch. It was our first visit there, so to experience a launch was topping on the cake. While we both grew up knowing about NASA and the very beginning of space exploration (geez, I guess we ARE old!), it was exhilarating to be reminded of its evolution. Space exploration as we knew it is not at all what it is now. It was great to learn about what has happened since Apollo, and what is planned for the future.

While we were in West End, Bahamas, awaiting our trip back to the U.S. on March 12, there was another launch from Kennedy Space Center - MMS, Magnetospheric Multiscale Study, Atlas V421. Its purpose is to study the magnetic fields around the earth. This launch was really spectacular for us, as it was at night and we actually saw the booster drop off, and saw Atlas' fiery exhaust streaming through the sky until it quickly went out of sight. This location truly was one of the best for viewing launches from Kennedy.

While Merritt Island is best known for Cape Canaveral and the Kennedy Space Center, the barrier island is a National Seashore/National Wildlife Refuge maintained by U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and the National Park Service, in cooperation with NASA. This really is a sight to see, and I highly recommend it to everyone!

This marina has proven to be a perfect place for us to stay for this time on our journey. It is well protected, but just off the intracoastal, people are friendly, and there are no worries about leaving the boat for our various excursions and trips during the time we are here.

Highlights since our last post:
- Lunch and a short visit from Debbie & Greg Apel, Barb & Paul Apel (from Punta Gorda). They were in Orlando and made the drive to Titusville to catch up with us.
- Friends Bill & Lori on Perfect Day stayed in the marina for one night, so we had a little time to catch up with them.
- Reconnected last night with Loopers (Gus & Roe on Summerland) who had been our neighbors in the marina at Green Turtle Bay. They live in Orlando, completed the loop and keep their boat at this marina in Titusville. It's always so much fun to reconnect with friends who have become part of our lives!!
- THE BIGGEST HIGHLIGHT...going home to Michigan for 4 days for our grandson's first birthday party. We soaked up every second of time with our kids and grandkids and had a hard time saying goodbye to Kade, as it will now be two months before we will see him again. At his age, they change so fast that it's hard to keep up. Fortunately, Dave & Jen are very good at regular FaceTime visits with us.
- While it was hard to say goodbye to the other grandkids, we are over-the-top excited about our upcoming trip with them to Mexico. We leave this Friday (the 3rd) and return on the 10th. Can't WAIT!!!

When we return from Mexico we will be on the water again, making our way north. We have reservations at the St. Augustine Municipal Marina, where we will stay for a couple of days, then on to Jacksonville. Our friends Ron & Amy from Pentwater will be joining us in St. Augustine and Ron will make the day journey from St. Augustine to Jacksonville with Jim, while Amy and I have some girl time.

Life is good today and every day!