The Last Shuttle Launch

 We arrived on the beach in Daytona in plenty of time to wait for the launching of the last shuttle from Cape Kennedy.  The beach was not as packed as the launch we watched in February-the weather kept many away.

 We got to see two split second views of the shuttle as it roared off the launch pad-it was a bit anti-climatic but we did get to see something!  (Click this pic to enlarge it and you will see the glow in the center just above the horizon over the scaffolding?)

 After the beach, we headed to our favorite pizza shop for some NY style pizza!  Nice to sit outside and watch all the people!

 I knit as we rode along and worked on another garterlac dishcloth with the yarn I purchased at the yarn shop from the visit to the McKees.  It is the softest cotton yarn I have ever used-just wonderful!

On the way home Bill spotted this road kill which we turned around so I could take a picture so we can learn to ID these guys.  It is a cottonmouth snake in the pit viper family (in which are most of FL's venomous snakes)  We had a great 'off to town' day!

Blast Off and Blooms

 The shuttle is hard to see in this picture but it was nice to be able to see the last one blast off while standing in our backyard!

 There are so many blooms on our magnolia tree-they are hard to see in this shot but the close up reallys shows them off-

 if only I could share the fragrance!  There are so many flowers that are not fragrant but this one does it right!

 The blooms are large-8-10" across and the breeze carries the sweet aroma throughout the yard!

 Our mailbox has a new resident-a wren has built a nest inside the unused newspaper box under our mailbox-she flies out when I get the mail-I hope she doesn't scare the mail delivery person!

 The hibiscus has new blooms almost every day-they will continue to fill the yard with color until the frost interrupts their show next Dec/Jan.

 The desert rose is outdoing itself-the hummingbirds like it, too.

 In the back yard, the mexican petunias are filling in nicely after their winter freeze setback.  They are starting to spread now which was the plan when we planted them!

 They share garden space with these plumbagos-the blue is a pretty view from the pool area.

 In the hedge next to the house there is an area covered with the trumpet vines.........

I am on the foot now and the pattern is nearing the toes, finally!  I never have second sock syndrome but I might have my first attack-I am sorely tempted to knit a plain sock and rip this one out!  I will try and be strong and resist but.......

By Sea and By Air........

We arrived at Daytona Shores Beach this afternoon, lots of sunshine and a bit of a chill to the water (68F)

 Abigail grabbed Aunt Con's hand and took off for the water.  The waves thrilled her as always. 

 Dad and Mom set out their chairs and watched the kids and soaked up the sun and sea air!

 The kids didn't let the water temps stop them-right in for wave surfing and sand castle building!

for several hours, we had a lot of room but about 1/2 hour before the shuttle was due to launch,  

 the beach became a parking lot!  Everyone came to sit and stand to watch the last trip of the shuttle, Discovery!

 I missed the shot of the glowing rocket stage but was busy watching Abigail and my Dad, as it was the first time they saw the shuttle launch and a dream of my Dad's that was postponed last year and from a few weeks ago!  This was amazing to share up close on the beach; about 20 seconds after you couldn't see the shuttle any more, the ROAR finally reached us and caused us all to 'ahhhh!' all over again!  Just incredible!

 Soon after the launch, we packed up and drove down the beach to Crabby Joe's on the pier of the first picture.  The sea fog rolled in pretty quickly and changed the sunshine to this.  So glad it waited until after the flight!

 The whole gang enjoyed a great meal together .

The drive home was filled with the laughter of tired but happy kids....