International travel is fun, exciting, eye-opening, perspective-changing and awesome. God has created such wonderful planet. And we are fortunate to get a glimpse of some that’s out there. Not to be overlooked are the near-by adventures though. Near everyone’s little spot on the globe is an exciting, fun and wonderful something to be explored . . and you can just hop in your car and go. No tickets, no passport . . . just pack a few things and go!
We have been to Orlando numerous times. In the late 80’s we drove here a couple of times to visit DisneyWorld. Cody was very young and it was her life’s aspiration at the time. We stayed in a beautiful home owned by Stan’s colleague, Delores Wyncoop. She traveled a lot and invited us to stay in her gorgeous home in her absence. We repaid her hospitality by leaving wine and a spotlessly cleaned house and pool. To Delores, we thank you once again wherever you might be today.
Stan was here for business several times, too once studying Disney’s acclaimed manner of quality. And we came to see Shea’s apartment when she lived here for a short time and once more when we visited Murray and Josh in their new home in Winter Park.
Still this trip was different. We arrived late on Saturday and Mary and Greg arrived late on Sunday. We spent the next three days exploring wonderful things that were new and exciting to all of us.
If you have never canoed or kayaked down one of Florida’s many cold, clear rivers that spring forth from underground aquafers, do put it on your to-do list. We were in glass-bottomed kayaks on the Rock Springs Run. The white sandy bottoms and fresh clear water allow you to see everything below . . . fishes, leaves , mussels. Along the banks are cypress and pine trees, lilies, vines, and small and tall palmettos. You’d think you are in a tropical jungle. Sunlight is fractured by the leaves of tall trees above creating natural ideal light for photos or just for pure enjoyment. When luck is around glimpses of turtles can be seen sunning on a log. Or you might catch sight of a snake slithering across the river. We saw all that and we also quietly watched three different herons, a tri-color heron, a small blue heron and a great blue heron as they stealthily stalked their next snack.
The experience was a bit surreal. Only 20 minutes back cars and trucks jostled, with each other competitively racing down Interstate Highways but here in this hideaway, pure nature flowed quietly along.
The next day we stepped it up a notch . . From low-tech to out-of-this-world high tech. We had low expectations. While we thought it might be educational ,in reality we also pictured one long, hot, boring day. Oh and driving there was a trip!!!! Just picture 4 type-A passengers, three of them acting as navigators and one was the driver!!!!! Poor Greg!
We were there fully engaged from opening until close. The Kennedy Space Center is something each and every US citizen and particularly each child should visit before college. I certainly cannot speak for everyone but I have a feeling we don’t appreciate our space program. I feel ashamed that I didn’t know more or adequately valued the work that has been done in this endeavor. We have some brilliant, purely brilliant and brave people in our country working in this program. They have accomplished so very much. It is mind-blowing to see that it took over 2 million integrated intricately designed systems working in synchronicity to enable flights to the moon . . . and get this, their safe return home!!! Even more astounding is that our country worked peacefully with other countries to build the International Space Station and to service its operation over 100 space shuttle missions. Rocket launches are still being conducted today. Some are manned and some are not but they occur regularly about once every two weeks. Did you know???
On Wednesday, our last full day together, we did the city thing, first enjoying a leisurely morning with coffee, conversation and the hypnotic engagement with our devices. We drove to Winter Park. Visiting the charming, super-cool shops, galleries and restaurants in their small-town atmosphere nestled in big-city scape fit just right between the contrast of kayaking on Monday and space science /technology trekking on Tuesday.
We strolled, window-shopped and ate. We had gelato. We bought old-fashioned candy like wax lips, candy buttons, horse pills, and Mary Janes from a specialty candy & soda shop. Mary and I tried on clothing but bought nothing. It was very pleasant.
Slow walking takes its toll on a body however. It’s very tiring. The bistro Prato called to us. A glass of white wine and a shared small, fancy wood-fired pizza called the Widow Maker at a street-side table did the trick. Ahhh, now that’s civilized!
Our friends went home today. Hopefully we will see them next April in Costa Rica that is unless we can convince them to visit us earlier in Panama.
As Stan and I almost always say when visits from our girls or friends leave us alone, we look at each other and say, it’s you and me kid.
After earning the right by taking a 3-mile fast walk each day, the rest of this week will be spent in the sun by the pool for a bit, listening to audio books and purely relaxing. We might even take in a movie in a REAL theatre tomorrow.
On Saturday we drive home or more accurately to Cody’s home. We have dinner plans on two nights with friends to say good bye. We’ll get our 6-month supply of meds. We will work at Solidarity two mornings to say good bye to our friends (both shoppers and volunteers) there.
We will re-pack, organize our stuff and ready ourselves for the start of Our Next Adventure.
