Daytona Beach, Days 8-9

We started our time in Daytona by driving up and down the beach. That is an interesting experience. You feel like you are either in a parade, or somehow doing something wrong because you are driving up and down a very crowded beach. However, they do have the lanes marked and only a few places to get on or off of the beach in your car.

Next, we visited the Daytona International Speedway - pretty exciting and LOUD! Never been to a NASCAR race track before. This was fun and I have a new appreciation for the sport. got the All Access tour and went down to the track...watched some cars race around the track, stood near where the pit crew works, went to the pre-race meeting room where all the drivers listen to the officials before the race, to the garage area where the cars are kept and worked on, the camping area where fans and race crews stay, as well as the stands.

Ponce Inlet at end of the Daytona Beach island has the most amazingly beautiful lighthouse and surrounding grounds. The old buildings and structures are still there for a little lighthouse community from the turn of the 19th to 20th centuries. For real history lovers like me, this is a very wonderful place to visit. We climbed 203 stairs to the top of the 175 foot lighthouse and saw the amazing lens at the top which still gives light to guide ships.  http://ponceinlet.org 

Our last day in Florida before the two day trip back to Texas was started with a trip to Melbourne Beach where we walked along the waves and picked up more shells. (We have a lot to bring home!) It was a perfect morning and so beautiful. It made me very sad to realize we were leaving behind this fantastic vacation. Oh well, all good things...well you know how it goes.

Space Coast, Days 6-7

 We started our time on the Atlantic coast of Florida in the Melbourne Beach / Cape Canaveral area. The waves were so much bigger coming from the Atlantic. I tried getting out to a sand bar several yards out from the beach area, but kept getting towed down the beach or washed back up to the beach. I finally made it after three attempts and lots of hard work. I was never able to stand up - just too violent. But, so so exciting! There were beautiful shells all around us.

Chase enjoyed playing in the sand and building sand castles. He wasn't too happy about the waves - too scary. We finally got him to sit with one or the other of us down on the sand near the waves. I showed him how the waves would "erase" whatever we drew or wrote in the sand. I remember the magic of learning this as a child.

We got up on day 7 and went to NASA. I wasn't sure what to expect since the shuttle program has come to an end, but was pleasantly surprised to see that the Kennedy Space Center is still going strong, and is even updating and remodeling! There are private aeronautical companies like Boeing and Lockheed using the facility for their launch programs and we are continuing to send satellites and supplies / personnel to the International Space Station. It brought back memories of my childhood to see all the Apollo and Kennedy space race stuff.

The size and power of the rockets and shuttles are unfathomable and impressive. Standing next to any of it will make you realize the great things we accomplished as a nation for science, research and the betterment of life here on Earth through this program. The next time someone has something negative to say about NASA or our involvement in space, I'll just suggest a trip here.

Tampa Bay, Days 3-5

Our visit started with a trip to Homosassa for Holli and Chase to visit her dad, his Grandpa Jack. Chase was most impressed with Grandpa's cat and his motorcycle. I was amazed at his artistic talent. He paints and creates beautiful and clever birdhouses. We visited Homasassa Springs Wildlife Park and saw plants and animals native to Florida. My favorite were the bear, the alligator, the panther, and most of all, the manatee. What beautiful, peaceful creatures. We were able to observe them from a viewing station built under the natural springs. As you can see, they are not shy!

Next, we visited Tarpon Springs, to eat at my favorite Greek restaurant, Mr. Souvlaki. A Greek beer, Tsatziki sauce, pita, gyro, Greek potato salad and french fries all eaten, it was time to explore the sponge docks and the tourist shops.


Finally, a trip to Honeymoon Island Beach, to find shells and watch the sun set.

A great day came to an end with yummy ice cream from Baskin Robbins!

Pensacola, Days 1-2

Chase enjoys the sand!

On the first full day of our vacation, we visited Pensacola Beach in hopes of watching an air show featuring the Blue Angels. However, heavy rainstorms changed those plans. We found a quiet spot along the main beach and enjoyed the strong waves and the soft, white sand. Rain ended up chasing us to our car and back to the hotel. 

Chase and I check out a helicopter cockpit

The next part of our day was spent driving to the Naval Air Station and getting a short view of the planes and history on display. We immediately knew we would have to return and spend more time exploring.

We ended the day with some of the best wood fired pizza I have ever eaten at a restaurant that does not advertise - except by word of mouth - and was full enough to prove that's enough! The Tuscan Oven is someplace I hope to return to someday.

The Blue Angels F-18 Fighter jets

We returned the next day and finished exploring the museum. Our visit was interrupted by a fire alarm! When we returned back to the building, we enjoyed the rest of the exhibits and lunch in a cafe which is fashioned after the Officers' Club that was located in the Phillipines at Cubi Point. All of the decor, including the doors from that club were relocated to Pensacola NAS and used.

After we finished at the NAS, we headed out to visit the highest point in Florida. Okay, it's not very high...342 ft. above sea level! We found it and enjoyed a scenic drive through farm land - seeing peanuts, corn, cattle, horses, etc. After this little detour, we headed toward our next stop - the Tampa Bay area.