Tuesday, March 25, 2014

ORLANDO, FLORIDA

The group had a 6 day stop in Orlando which was great for everyone to get caught up on chores and visit the area's attractions.  A few people visited Epcot, Animal Kingdom and Sea World and had a good time in spite of the Spring break crowds.  There were several scheduled activities and Pat and Alice also planned a shrimp boil dinner that was enjoyed by all.  During the dinner, Monte and Linda were presented with all the "animals" - Goofy, the happy monkey and the lovey chicken.  Since Goofy has an orange shirt the group got into the act by giving Monte Ken's orange shirt, Dick's Mario Batali orange Crocs and Pat's orange hair hat.  
We went to Capone's dinner theater for a fun night of Italian food and lots of laughs.  Some of us dressed for the occasion in gangster/flapper fashion.  There was also a bus trip to the Kennedy Space Center which was very interesting.  The newest exhibit at the space center is the Atlantis space shuttle.  It was amazing to see it up close and personal.  We added a picture to this post that some of you may have seen but may be new to some.  When we were at the Washington D.C. mega rally in 2012, the shuttle Discovery was being delivered to the Smithsonian and we were fortunate to see it in flight. This picture was taken by a friend of one of the staff who works in D. C.



ARE THE SHRIMP DONE YET

WAITING FOR DINNER

AND GOOFY GOES TO MONTE


MONTE WHY DO I GOTTA GIVE YOU THE SHIRT OFF MY BACK

CAUSE I GOTTA MATCH GOOFY PERFECTLY




ALL WE NEED NOW IS CHICKEN

GOTEM ALL NOW

DINNER AT CAPONE'S

MONTE DRESSED THE PART






A NEW RED BOA


MY NEW PURSE -IS IT A COACH?









SHUTTLE LAUNCHING PAD

THE ASSEMBLY BUILDING

SATURN LAUNCH CONTROL


NASA FILE PHOTOS OF SATURN LAUNCH



THE APOLLO/SATURN CENTER

APOLLO CAPSULE


SPACE SHUTTLE ATLANTIS

UP CLOSE VIEW OF THE ATLANTIS SHUTTLE


THE CARGO BAY OF THE SHUTTLE

AN ENGINE


 NASA FILE PHOTOS OF A SHUTTLE LAUNCH




LAST FLIGHT OF DISCOVERY TO SMITHSONIAN





Sunday, March 23, 2014

FORT LAURDERDALE AND MIAMI FLORIDA



Our visit to the  Fort Lauderdale/Miami area was a very busy one with a bus tour and a dinner cruise on the Jungle Queen. The bus trip took us to Miami Beach for a narrated tour of the area's architecture from the old art deco buildings as well as the modern high rises.  We stopped for a walk on the beach and toured the areas of Coconut Grove, Little Havana and South Beach.  After lunch the group did a walking tour of the Vizcaya mansion and gardens.  The Vizcaya was built as a private residence by James Deering in the early 1900's.  He made his milllions by starting International Harvester.The property has been turned over to the city and is now a museum.  
Our boat ride on the Jungle Queen took us through the waterways of Fort Lauderdale for a view of the homes of the rich and famous like the owners of Kohl's and Waste Management to name two of many.  We then stopped on an island for dinner and entertainment before heading back to port.  If you didn't notice, the cruise was on St. Patrick's day so we all had to wear green including hair and mustaches.  Our group doesn't like to have too much fun!!!!  It was also Dick and Brenda's wedding anniversary so we had a cake to celebrate.





"OH COME ON HARRIET"




LISTEN UP











LOU THIS SHOULD BE YOUR NEXT BOAT












LOU OR MAYBE THIS ONE

MIKE, RAY AND JAN

DICK AND BRENDA

IMPERSONATOR



NO CLUE WHO THESE PEOPLE ARE

DON'T GET THERE EARLY

VINCAYA MANSION


ME AND A TREE



COURTYARD




SEA WALL IN SHAPE OF A SPANISH GALLION








VIRGINA