Visit is over

We had a blast having Sharen and Jack visit. Well, they probably had a better time.... but we sure enjoyed them. Jack was only able to stay a few days as he had to return to Oregon for training sessions - but Sharen got to stay for the whole 2 weeks.

They did some exploring, and some scuba diving, and some touristing, and had lunch with some friends of Jacks that are out here in this area, and spent some time on the beaches.... all before Sharen took Jack to the airport... The first day of any kind of weather was the day Sharen had to come back down I95 by herself. There were regular rainstorms with the lightening and winds. Several tornados touched down up around the Orlando area - so she hung out and waited until the weather cells passed over - got on the road and got some good old gullywashers as she came down the Interstate! She worried that she hadn't researched driving in our little storms - and made it back here in good time and completely safely....

We did some aquacises with Peggy a few of the remaining mornings and we went up to finish up the 2nd day of their Kennedy Space Center tickets. Buyer beware!!! The tickets say 7 days - but they are counting the day of purchase.... You do not have 7 more days to use the 2nd day portion.... And we took a couple of little side trips - making wrong (or not making) turns and looking for the closest parking space - so we missed all but the final viewing of the movies she wanted very badly to see. The movies are about 45 minutes long so you have to be there by 3 (not a second later - they close the doors) to see both of them. We did see a very interesting and history filled movie about the moon walk and Apollo missions. It was in 3D and it was very good. I totally enjoyed it. We spent some time in the NASA store (of course) and there was an astronaught doing autographs. Of couse, we couldn't get anywhere near him - and then they had another fellow dressed up as one - and we were stuck in a line and couldn't get out there for pictures with him either - so we settled for pod pics....



Sharen gave up on me and my lack of interest in my surroundings and went up to the Treasure Museum alone - she gathered groups of shells to make 'things' with from her beach walk. She was the bunny.....
for the Easter Egg hunt....
and before she left we took her down to the Riverside Cafe for her first taste of grouper. It is a neat little waterfront cafe that sits right at the water's edge and has it's own little boat dock for the customers that show up via water....

We took a little tour and showed her the marina, yacht club, boat ramps, gazillion dollar homes, and other little odd things. Like where Keith's favorite Mexican Restaurant on 20th is.

We had some really good visits and she has an idea of what all will be ready and what will need done when they return in October. It will be nice to have the house used.... and fun to have a friend close.

So, as Sharen is probably just boarding the plane . . . . safe travels and we'll see you in summer!

Fun Fest

We went to Faith Community to the Fun Fest on Saturday. S'te waddled around a bit before she just found a place to sit - and sat!! Thankfully!!! Ever since Wednesday, when she started having "cramps", she has done a fair job of staying off of her feet. The kids don't really understand - but - que sera sera!!!

Anyhow, the Action Team did a short presentation, Ty, Naner, and Jay all headed for the skate park, Makk was amazed by the Fire Engine, Police Car, and of course, (as well as Dery and RQ) the CHARGERS PLAYERS!!! There were 3 of them there and we got AUTOGRAPHS and a few PICTURES !!

Jamestown and Arlington Cemetary

We got up and packed our "gear" to check out and be away on the last leg of our journey. We decided to drive down to the Jamestown Settlement before heading north again. After 3 days of walking all day, we opted for the drive thru tour of the island that the original settlement was founded on. As always, the history of our Country amazed me. The trials and tribulations that the early settlers went thru to found our Nation were truly amazing. The melding of cultures and the many things learned by all is what made our Nation the "melting pot" that it became. We saw so many things. The Island itself has pretty much gone back to nature - but we were able to see the swamps and bogs that were so instrumental in moving the settlement more inland. There are spots that trees are growing straight out of the standing water!!

After taking the long route around the island, we took the "scenic route" back inland. We drove thru about 40 miles of back roads to see the plantation homes of yesteryear. I was amazed at how small many of these homes actually were. Of course, they were closed to the public - the "season" hasn't started yet. But I got to see the outside of them. We did take pictures of the signs that gave the history to them - and that was in itself interesting to me.

After finishing our second "tour" of the day - we headed back to the Rappanahock to cross over to the Potomic back into Maryland. Then we headed west again as we decided we had time to do a quick view of the Arlington National Cemetary. We went on a mini tour there also. I was at the Cemetary during my 9th grade school year - so it has been awhile for me. I was amazed to learn that Keith never visited it - even when he worked right there at the Pentegon!! We had to wait for the tour to start as the Japanese Minister of Defence was touring and it was closed to the public until he was out of the area. It was worth waiting for. It was a very moving tour - including the Changing of the Guards at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the gravesites of the Kennedy's - both President and Robert Kennedy's sites, the Monument in Memory of the Space Shuttle crash, and many many many others. If you are ever able to get there - it is certainly a very moving place to visit. In one spot of the tour - you see graves - as far as the eye can see - in any direction. This is the price that our Brave Men and Women have paid for our Freedom. The same freedom we take so for granted!!

After that, we toured on down to the Monument "Park" and saw the Jefferson Monument, the Vietnam Wall, Washington Monument and so many more of those that I couldn't even begin to name them all. It too shows the great people and great works that are so part of our heritage. The AMERICAN Heritage. We have that whether our forefathers came from Japan, Korea, Ireland, China, Africa, England, France, or anywhere else. Maybe we should be dwelling on our Freedoms instead of chafing on the unfairness that we seem to want to waller in~~

After again putting miles on our feet, we headed closer to the airport. Driving thru Washington DC I was able to get a pretty good picture of the renovated "row houses" in the downtown area. They were renovated some years ago (but since I was there last) and are actually in a pretty seedy part of town - but hey are still really awesome looking. These aren't the best ones I was - just the only ones I got pictures of.

We then headed over towards the airport. We had the only poor experience of our entire trip. We got a lousy, smelly, dirty room. And by the time Keith went back up to complain, they were full. He left a scathing comment card - and we actually got a follow up phone call, an apology, and our room charges reversed. The carpet was so sticky and dirty that I spread bath towels out on it to walk on so I didn't have to do the floor in my bare feet. I will walk thru security at the airport barefoot - but that carpet - no.no.no!!

So this was our last day before heading back home. It was a jammed packed week - with lots of sights, lots of history, lots of laughs and a very good time.

We had a great flight back to Florida, seemed like it went by in a flash!! Stopped at the Lone Cabbage, ate stuffed crab and watched the gators floating in the marsh. Welcome home!!!!