Looking Skyward

Looking Skyward

It was a most exciting Thursday night! Doug could barely wait for the rocket launch from Cape Canaveral. The countdown was delayed until way past our embarrassingly early bedtime. So, while Mom, Dad and I watched from the balcony, Doug was pacing the sidewalk and running back and forth up the steps to check the NASA channel. Finally, we had lift-off. The rocket rose up in a ball of fire, streaked slowly across the sky and sailed out into space. Worth the wait.

Today we spent the day looking up at the amazing wildlife at Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge and Cape Canaveral National Seashore. Arriving very early in a fog (literally), we hiked the five-mile marshland trail along the Indian River and Mosquito Lagoon. Until the National Park Service took measures to control the salinity and water levels, this preserve sometimes put out a million mosquitoes per square yard per day! Poor Ponce de Leon! My sister Nancy, Doug and I had no such problems and were rewarded at each bend in the road. Roseate spoonbills, ibis, wood storks, herons, egrets, white pelicans, ospreys, hundreds of ducks and migrating shore birds, and (are you ready?) a gorgeous bald eagle high atop his post near a huge nest. Lest you think we are total bird nerds, we did spy a couple of snakes, a raccoon, and several GATORS!

After all that educational activity, we headed for the beach and hung with the surfer dudes. We were the second-oldest folks on the beach, but as you can see, I, for one, fit right in.

Thanks for the messages. We miss all of you!