Jim and Michele's Travels: November 2008

3-2-1 Blastoff

One thing Jim and I wanted to do during one of our Florida trips was to see a shuttle launch. November 14 seemed to be the day. We drove for 3 hours to Titusville, just across the river from Kennedy Space Center. We took our positions in Kennedy Power Point Park for an unobstructed view of the night launch. This is a daytime view of the assembly building. We believe we were located about 5 or 6 miles from the launch site.

This picture shows the ignition of the engines just before liftoff. Double-click on the image to expand it to full-screen. You will be able to see the flames on either side of the clearly visible shuttle.

Just as the shuttle begins to rise, the flames diminish. We were fortunate to have another observer with a radio tuned to a broadcast of the countdown so we were prepared with cameras in hand and video rolling. The small dot in the upper picture just left of center is the moon.

Here he have liftoff. The sky was brightly lit by the engine plumes. Once the shuttle was a few hundred feet in the air we heard the roar of the engines. We followed the shuttle up into the night sky as it soared away and watched as the fuel tanks dropped off. What an experience!! Unless you are there you don't have an appreciation for the power of what is happening.

In just a few minutes it was all over. As we packed up our cameras and our chairs, the moon continued to rise and located itself just behind the water vapor trail left by Endeavour. Where the launch demonstrates power and force, this portrays calmness and serenity. There were many other observers like us. With only one major roadway connecting Orlando with the east coast, traffic was a nightmare. We arrived back in Punta Gorda 6 1/2 hours later at 3:30am. Still, the trip was worth it.

Country Music?

Yes, country music! Believe it or not Jim and I, along with our friend Kent, drove to Fr. Meyers to an outdoor country music concert. The headliners: Kelly Pickler and Sugarland. Our friend Kent is a former Pittsburgher who relocated to this area about 5 years ago.

A Short Stay at Disney

We camped for two nights at Disney's Ft Wilderness Campground Resort. A very large campground, it is very neat and clean and surprisingly not littered with any Disney characters.

We spent a morning horseback riding. We were out on the trail for about an hour. I was great fun, with just a few sore spots!

After our trail ride, we ventured into the camp store where Jim found some of his childhood treasures. Here you see him in a Davey Crocket coon-skin cap and an old time rifle.

After a brief trip into yesteryear, we took a boat ride across the lake to our next destination, The Grand Floridian, for lunch. Then it was back to the campground, pick up the trailer and head to our final Florida destination, Punta Gorda, where we will spend the next 30 days soaking up the sun and avoiding the snows of the north country.

Time To Go South

As we move deeper into fall, its time for us to go south to Florida for a while. On the way, driving through the great state of West Virginia, we decided to stop at the New River Gorge. This the place where annually the bridge is closed and the adrenalin junkies jump off the bridge into the gorge below. The leaves seemed to be just a little beyond peak colors, yet still beautiful.

Jim is standing on the overlook where a view of the New River Gorge Bridge is visible. This overlook is at the top of the hill, however, if you are adventuresome, you could use the 100+ stairs that descent to the gorge floor to be closer to the river. Remember, 100+ steps down followed by a 100+ climb back to the top.

Pa. State Capital Building-Harrisburg

The Pennsylvania State Capitol Building in Harrisburg is said to be one of the most ornate legislative centers in the US.

The House of Representatives Chamber.

The Senate Chamber.

A highly ornate column decorated in gold leaf.

The round windows are one-of-a-kind art glass.

The Pittsburgh Renaissance Fair

The entrance to the fair. The King and Queen are above the entrance. Not only do the vendors dress in medieval attire, but so do the attendees.

Here is Michele with Butch (he prefers Al) dressed as a wizard. Butch attends the fairs annually and just about each day they are open.

Along with other entertainment provided at the fair, one of the most popular is Cast in Bronze. A trailer with about 40 bronze bells made in Belgium, this array of bells is most impressive and expertly played.

What would a Renaissance Fair be without the joust? Knights aboard their horses used a variety of medieval weapons to joust, and catch rings tossed by pages onto their lances .

The National Cryptological Museum

Our visit to the National Cryptological Museum, located at Ft. Meade in Maryland, was an eye-opening view into the science of coding and decoding. Secret codes date back thousands of years. This is the famous Enigma Machine captured during WWII by the British and used for several years decoding secret German messages.

Several other iterations of the Enigma Machine.

This is one of the more sophisticated decoding machines.

Jim and Michele Go To A Steelers Game

At the Corvette club's annual charity car cruise, we won two tickets to a Steeler game at the Chinese Auction. The game was a pre-season game in August. See, we are really here!!

A long view of the playing field.

The players in action.

Visiting Tom in Fairfax, VA

A bronze "Stonewall" Jackson looks over the battlefield at Bull Run. The first battle of the Civil War, each side expected this battle to the one and only decisive encounter.

The placement of the Union cannon on a hilltop at the Battle of Bull Run. The battle took place on a hot summer's day with both armies wearing woolen uniforms. Each unit had its own uniform design, accounting for almost 200 different uniform styles.

The purpose of our trip was to visit Tom and Emily at their new apartment in Fairfax, Va. Tom, a member of the Alexandria Harmonizers, had a performance one evening. You can see Tom at the center of the picture.

You have to know that we stayed at a campground very near the Bull Run Battlefield and only a few miles from Tom's new apartment. Here you see Mom's new lighted palm trees - a small reminder of our time last fall in Florida.

A Trip to Atlantic City

The view of the hotels and casinos along the boardwalk

This is Lucy. A building in the shape of an elephant, you enter through the left rear leg, and exit through the left right leg!

Emily takes a break while sitting on one of Lucy's toe nails.

On the observation deck atop the structure, Emily, Tim, Grandpap and Grandma take in the view.

Indianapolis 500

We camped across the street from the speedway along with the rest of the Camping World race goers. Tom and Emily joined us to Indianapolis for the weekend.

This is the Pagoda, the tower that overlooks the race track. Racing day headquarters is housed here.

A close-up view of an Indy race car.

A close-up view of a race car driver - Danica Patrick.

Our seats were between turns one and two. The race is an exciting event. The weather on race day was great. Our seats were pretty good. There is no seat that allows you to see the entire track, but there are jumbotrons throughout the track so that you can see the entire race.

Fallingwater

Approaching the house, you can see the arrangement of the overhangs and the decks.

On the hill above Fallingwater, is the guest house and the garages. Not quite as dramatic as the main house, the guest house is comfortable and spacious.