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| The marina gym is very handy |
Monday, 2/5 - After breakfast, I headed over to the
hotel to use the gym. Both Hugh (SIMPLICITY) and Paula (TABLE FOR TWO) have
used it a number of times. When I asked, I
was informed that it is only for the hotel guests. Marina guests use the one on
the far side of the marina. Thankfully,
the marina’s gym has a variety of machines and the treadmill was
available. I was able to do an hour at 3
mph and at a slight incline.
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120' De-masted sloop
docked by Coconut Alley
here at the marina |
After lunch, I was
able to visit with both Carolyn and Betty by phone. Carolyn is getting stronger
after her surgery while Betty is preparing for her’s later this week.
We have decided
to try to see the launch tomorrow at Cape Canaveral. After dinner I made up chicken salad and
prepped everything we will need for Bailey as well as us for a very long day of
driving. Once things were ready, we
called it a night. The alarm is once
again set for 4:30 AM.
Tuesday, 2/6 - As planned, the alarm went off at 4:30 and
we immediately checked if the launch was still “a go.” It was, so we were up
and out by 5:15. We soon realized that we
thought of everything, BUT our car travel bag.
Since we are renting a car periodically on this trip to shuttle our car
up and down the coast. We keep a bag with the radar detector, the GPS, the
Florida SunPass, our spare phone chargers, a splitter on a banana plug,
Skittles, Bailey’s water/food dish, bags and her ball. Since we shuttled the
Acura down to Key West before leaving West Palm, the bag was removed from the
rental and placed onboard. So, we
avoided the FL Turnpike, which lead to heavy traffic trying to get through
Miami and the traffic on 95 just north of Miami; an additional hour of driving
north! While waiting for the launch our battery power on both phones was very
low (mine from listening to all the TED podcasts and Pete’s from using WAIZE
instead of the GPS for traffic and directions.) Cords needed to be purchased
for both phones before returning home. I
had grabbed a bowl along with food for Bailey, so we were OK there.
We made the 382-mile trek north to
Titusville to see the maiden launch of Elon Musk’s SpaceX, Falcon Heavy Rocket.
It is meant to replace the powerful Saturn 5 Rocket, who’s mission will be to
get payloads into space. It could be
supplies for the International Space Station, satellites placed in orbit, astronauts
and eventually, a mission to Mars. The big differences between the two rockets
is Falcon Heavy is 1/1000 the price to build, cost effective to launch, reusable, and privately
funded.
The Chris, Greg, Heather and we had fun texting comment
and info back and forth while we waited.
In fact, Chris was the one to inform us that the launch scheduled for
1:30 (in ten minutes) has been delayed due to high winds aloft, until
3:45 pm. I had been checking NASA’s site,
and the countdown went from T-15 minutes to “0 - TBD” and I was trying to figure
out what that meant. With the extra time on our hands, we sat in the car, which
was in a previously, empty lot, next to the Indian River across from the NASA’s
Assembly Building and the launch site. There were about 100 others who though this was a great place to park and view the launch. Chris also informed us that the payload, which is usually cement blocks,
was in reality a Tesla Roadster with a mannequin in a space suit, named
“Starman.” There are also numerous
cameras that will be sending photos of the car’s journey to the asteroid belt,
but the car is meant to continue heading towards Mars.
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| The crowds gather |
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| Lift off |
 |
The two bright spots between the man in the middle
and his wife are the booster rockets returning to base for reuse |
The rocket, as it started ignition created
the smoke and steam. As it ascended, it was easy to track, due to moderate
speed. The vapor trail was minimal, but the flames from the fuel tanks was as
long as the rocket and shone brightly as it arced and continued climbing over
the Atlantic. About 10 minutes after the
flames were no longer visible, 2 bright lights appeared and descended. They were the booster rockets that were
returning to land on another launch pad to be used in the future. Shortly before they landed, we heard 4 sonic
booms. Unfortunately, the main rocket was lost when it landed in the Atlantic.
Oh yea, the Falcon Heavy was not as loud
as the Shuttle launch. The boys and Pete
watched a Space Shuttle launch about 10 years ago. They said the shock wave flew across the
water, then the sound began to build.
When you though it shouldn’t get any louder, it did! The ground and every bone in the body
vibrated. Falcon Heavy was not as loud as the Navy and commercial jets that are
flying overhead here at the marina. It
may not have been as loud, but it was exciting.
The radio reported, that the crowd observing the launch was much larger
than any other since the Shuttle launches.
Not surprising as it was a historic launch!
 |
Elon Musk (SpaceX) released this photo of
Starman and the Tesla Roadster
heading towards the asteroid Belt with Moon |
By 5 pm, we had stopped at a Walgreens for
bathroom break and new cords for the phones, cleared the traffic in Titusville
and began out drive on south 95. Our
only snafu was on the bridge south of Long Key.
There was construction and the guy with the Stop/Slow sign finally used
his arm as well as the SLOW to signal us to enter the single lane. Unfortunately, there were 4 vehicles heading
our way, so we had to immediately stop.
When it was finally ok to go, we were fine until we neared the north
bound stop. There were no cones to guide
us back to the southbound lanes and we almost continued in the northbound
lanes. We were back in the marina at midnight. We spent 14 hours driving the
almost 800 miles, but boy, was it worth it!
 |
"Pirate," a Portuguese Water Dog
with unique coloring |
Wednesday, 2/7 - Dorine,
Cindy and I were scheduled to head into Old Town Key West this morning by
shuttle. Instead, Dorine and John went
to the orthopedic surgeon for a follow-up on her shoulder. So, Cindy and I caught the 10 am shuttle,
which apparently is popular. Thankfully,
we were early enough to snag a seat.
After dinner, I downloaded my photos of
yesterday’s launch. I took photos with my big camera, but with so much sunlight
it was difficult to check out the photos.
I figured I had taken what I could, but there was no options retakes. After such a fun day, I didn’t want to be
disappointed. As you can see from
yesterday, I got some decent ones.
Thursday, 2/8 - As I was
leaving for the gym, Deb and Hugh, SV SIMPLICITY, we leaving for the Marquesas
Islands and The Dry Tortugas and probably returning on Sunday. We have thought about the Dry Tortugas, but travel is dependent on weather conditions (we could
be stuck there for a few days in a blow) and no real protection in a storm, no services or water. We
thought perhaps the ferry would be a good alternative, but it is a $165/ adult
plus the $10 admission ticket.
Once at the gym, which was popular today,
I had to wait a while for the treadmill to be available. I only had a half hour
in when the power died. After waiting
about 10 minutes, I headed back. I
should have waited a minute longer, for that’s when the power returned.
I was back by 10:15. Since I needed a few
items from the grocery store, I asked Paula if she needed groceries. She and Steve were just leaving, taking their
bikes. I offered to have them come with
us. If not, I would bring their groceries back for them. I also texted Cindy to
see if they needed anything or wanted to go with me. Cindy was busy with the electronics
specialist, so Dorine and I headed to Publix. We met up with Steve and Paula
and returned with a car full of groceries.
It worked out for all three of us.
Pete spent the morning working and the
afternoon enjoying a new book. I worked
on photos, writing more of the blog and trying to post to the web. It is still taking about 5 minutes to load
each photo. I finally realized I haven’t
been downsizing the photos for the web.
I have to adjust my workflow for blog photos in the future.
I was able to catch up with Ann regarding
their Carribian Cruise as well as family and friends. The cruise was enjoyable until they came down
with colds and coughs.
After dinner we watched the first of the
Olympic competitions. The Men’s Short
Program and the Pair’s Short Program for the Figure Skating Team Event and the
first round of Men’s & Woman’s Freestyle Skiing Mogul’s Competition. Tomorrow is the Opening Ceremonies.
Friday, 2/9 - Pete
worked most of the day, while I was able to get in my full hour on the
treadmill, post 3 entries to the blog and write up the past week. I refused to stay below, so I have been
working in the cockpit, enjoying the breezes, pleasant temps and and a little
bit of people watching. Bailey is my
biggest problem while typing. She tries to snuggle into me or stretches out and
places her paws on the screen or keyboard.
The writing is caught up and about half of the photos are processed. Perhaps tomorrow… Tonight is the 2018 Winter Olympic Opening
Ceremonies in PyeongChang, South Korea.
Saturday, 2/10 - Our plan was simple: Stop at the post office, at GNC for Baileys Natural Vitamin E,
Office Max for a new mouse for my computer, Home Depot for a temperature sensor
for our refrigerator, and Verizon for a new battery for Pete’s IPhone 5, which
can barely last 10 hours. Well, GNC here
in Key West doesn’t stock the all-natural one. (Dogs can not process the
synthetic E) I checked CVS’s vitamin supplies. None of the 4 Vitamin E’s were
natural, even Nature Made’s. They had a
limited selection of organic supplements, but no E. Pete said to order it from
Amazon. Home Depot didn’t carry the
temperature sensor. Pete said we could order it from Amazon. Office Max had a variety of computer mice,
but the one that fit my hand the best was out of stock. I took a photo and figured we could order it
on Amazon. At Verizon, Pete and the
staff discussed the battery situation for IPhones. The batteries are expensive, need to be
switched at an Apple Store, and the phone insurance does not cover its
replacement. In an hour, Pete was able
to get a new IPhone 8, his settings, contacts, photos, etc. transferred, with
accessories for less than $140! The “but”
here was that we had to sit in the Verizon parking lot for 3 ½ hours while all
the apps updated on the phone. We were
so hungry, Pete went into Publix and picked up sandwiches. Add to that frustration, the mouse is not available on Amazon Prime and the Vitamin E offered is not natural! After lunch, I walked back to Office Max and
ordered the mouse, which will be delivered in 3-5 days. It didn't save money or time ordering it from Amazon. I check around for the Vitamin E.
We left the boat at 11 this morning and returned around 4, frustrated. We decided we
needed to treat ourselves, especially since I hadn’t defrosted anything for
dinner. We had a delicious pizza at
Roostica Wood Stove Pizzeria, not far
from the marina. The service was slow, but the Roostica Pizza with sweet sausage,
tomato, fresh mozzarella, caramelized onions, roasted red pepper, and mushroom
was delicious. The Jone’s Root Beer and
the Focaccia bread were also outstanding.
Once back “home”, we watched the
Olympics. Tonight was the live finals of the Team figure Skating event, and the
Men’s snow board Half Pipe. U.S. took
Bronze in Skating and a U.S. took the Gold in both Men’s and Women’s Snowboard
Slopestyle!
Sunday, 2/11- We
headed out around 10 heading to Big Pine Key.
It is the closest ‘green zone” for the drone. Pete had already conditioned the batteries
before we left. Lunch was packed, refreshments
grabbed, and Bailey was more than ready.
As Pete returned
from walking the dog, SIMPLICITY returned.
They had a wonderful sail to the Marquesas and The Dry Tortuga. The ride back was rocky, but they did it in
one day. They would like to head to Boca
Grande Key, which is close to the Marquesas and asked if we would like to come
along. Pete checked it out and Bailey
can be taken to shore.
After dinner, we
watched the Women’s Snowboard Half Pipe.
U.S. once again a 17-year old took the Gold! In the single Luge, the U.S. metaled, taking
silver, for the first time in 28 years!
~ ~ ~ /) ~ ~
K & P
By 5 pm, we had stopped at a Walgreens for
bathroom break and new cords for the phones, cleared the traffic in Titusville
and began out drive on south 95. Our
only snafu was on the bridge south of Long Key.
There was construction and the guy with the Stop/Slow sign finally used
his arm as well as the SLOW to signal us to enter the single lane. Unfortunately, there were 4 vehicles heading
our way, so we had to immediately stop.
When it was finally ok to go, we were fine until we neared the north
bound stop. There were no cones to guide
us back to the southbound lanes and we almost continued in the northbound
lanes. We were back in the marina at midnight. We spent 14 hours driving the
almost 800 miles, but boy, was it worth it! 
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