Fort Christmas Historical Park

Hubby and I went to Fort Christmas Historical Park about 23 minutes away from where we live. This place is a full-scale replica of Fort Christmas which was built in 1970's by the Orange County Parks and Recreation Department in Florida with the Fort Christmas Historical Society. Last weekend, they have a big event here but, hubby and I were too lazy to go so; just enjoy the photos I took few weeks ago.

This building is an old school replica:

This is a 1906 School and the lunch room is in the another building located nearby. Inside this building is this:

There is a stage, old piano, old typewriters ...

At the back of the building is a small space created as a replica of an elementary classroom. It has old books and old tiny desks ... (see photo below)
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They have a tiny chalkboard too. This desk reminds me of the desk that I have when I was in my first grade in the 70's.  It looks like this and made of hardwood as well.

... old typewriters ...

There's so much to see here. If you like to refresh your history, start visiting a national park in your area.

If you are in Florida, take time to visit Fort Christmas.

Here is the address that I Google: 1300 N Fort Christmas Rd Christmas, FL 32709
(407) 254-9310 . Check it out!

NASA Parkway West in Titusville

How was your Valentine's day celebration everyone? Did you get the gift you wanted? I told my husband I don't want chocolates because, we have stocks of chocolates at home and I don't want flowers that will wither in days. Instead, I told him to give me orchids and tulips in the planter. Happy me, that's what I got! Anyway, I hope you have a blast yesterday guys! Early morning, I went out to meet a group of people along Merritt Island. I told hubby that we will take the route in NASA Parkway. First important building on this road which is just 10 minutes away from our place is the US Astronaut Hall of Fame Building. This place has the world's largest collection of American astronaut's personal memorabilia.

The body of water to either sides of NASA Parkway is the Indian River Lagoon. I always look out the window to see a glimpse of dolphin swimming right here. Most of the time, I saw them swimming in this area.

Check out the photo below. This road is about 2 miles long and it connects the mainland Florida to Merritt Island while the NASA Causeway connects Merritt Island to Cape Canaveral. Anyway, this road is the main route heading to Kennedy Space Center and also to Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. This picture though is showing that we were heading to Titusville from the Kennedy Space Center.

Now, the photo below shows the Assembly Building in Kennedy Space Center. See the tiny building across the water? That's the Vehicle Assembly Building or VAB, the largest single-story building in the world, and the tallest building in the United States outside an urban area.

VAB was used to assemble American manned launch vehicles. This building was originally built for the vertical assembly of the Saturn V rocket of the Apollo program. This building is where Space Shuttle orbiters were mated with their solid rocket boosters and external fuel tanks. When space shuttles are assembled and complete, the Crawler-Transporter will move the shuttle to the Launch Complex 39. If you are interested to read more, you can search some photos and entry posts about VAB and the crawler in my blog too.

The picture below shows bascule bridge and it allows some boats on the Intercoastal Waterway to pass through the causeway. Saw it twice already and it was cool.

If you happen to pass by this road, look at the waters in both sides, you might see the dolphins. They are always seen here. In fact, I saw one dolphin at this moment but, wasn't able to take a photo. Too fast :-) !

Passing the bascule bridge and you will enjoy 180 degrees of amazing view of nature.

That's all for now. Next set of photos will be along NASA Commerce area where we saw 3 wild baby gators along the canal.

See you next time. That's my hubby driving and the red beads display is one of my favorite beads from Mardi Gras parade. Don't forget to check out my blog post everyday. Stay happy and be inspired with the beauty of nature. Thanks for stopping by.

Mardi Gras Day Parade in Ocean Springs

There is a big parade which is scheduled in Biloxi today. Hubby and I thought Mardi Gras this year would start this week and onward but, it started early about last week of January. We did plan to visit Mississippi for Mardi Gras and see the parades in Ocean Springs (day/night), D'Iberville, Past Christian and Biloxi. Before we could book a trip, we found out that some of the parades were over. We missed the Mardi Gras in Mississippi this year. Oh well, maybe next year right?

Here are some old photos that I took when we live in Mississippi. My sister-in-law and other relatives lived nearby Porter and Jackson Avenue so; all of us would watch the parade along these streets. Shown in the picture above is a group called Shriners in their Model T miniature cars. Cute huh? Looking great grandpa :-)

Mardi Gras is a very interesting parade. There is always a surprise like the photo above.

We watch the parade at Porter Avenue. The building that you see above is Bradford O'Keefe Funeral Home. My husband said, originally this building is an ancestral home of the O'Keefe family and they sold it to a guy named William 'Willy' Frederic Dale. He turned it into a restaurant and bar then, towards the end of his life he sold it back to the O'Keefe. Presently, this building is an elegant funeral home in the area.

Clowns afre always present in Mardi Gras parades.

Every time there is a parade, some folks find this event the best season on their business.

Most schools participated as well.

The well-applauded participants in the Mardi Gras parade are usually the police officers, firemen and military either active and retired men in uniform.

Cheering crowd!

A representative of every organization is present as well.

Here comes the firemen and gorgeous firetruck.

Shown above is a float with little krewe members in costumes throwing some beads and trinkets.

Here is another Mardi Gras float with Krewe members throwing strings of beads, doubloons, cups, frisbees and other trinkets. From the floats, they throw some of those interesting trinkets, plastic toys and cups to the spectators lining on the streets of Porter Avenue. These goodies consist of colorful necklaces, bracelets, beads and they also throw coins called doubloons, which are stamped with krewes' logos, parade themes and the year. Have you been to a Mardi Gras before? You should try it sometime. You will like it for sure. Happy Fat Tuesday everyone! Thanks for stopping by in my blog today. See you again.

Outdoor Patio Heaters

How's the weather in your place this week? I was watching the news and some states were being hammered with severe snow storm. I hope you are all safe from the brutal blizzard. As long as you stay indoors, nothing could go wrong. Today, I saw some photos of my friends who were having a good time and enjoying their morning after the storm. Most of them had a glorious day taking pictures in their white backyard. In fact, one of them was having a cup of coffee on the patio. I thought she must be freezing but, she was so comfortable. Seen at the background of her photo were the outdoor patio heaters. What a blessing to have those items at home. She was so comfortable and the heaters keep the area warm and cozy.

Are you looking for heaters? EquipSupply provides not only outdoor patio heaters but, they also have propane heaters as well as portable generators. If you live up north, you need heaters to keep you comfy and warm in winter time. Storms can knock down electric posts and when you are not prepared for any untoward incident, you put your life and your family in great danger. Get a generator for your household. Bundle up is not enough. You need heaters to keep you warm.

I bet you have a huge property so; splurge your backyard and create an ambiance for an amazing outdoor place. If you plan for an outdoor event on winter time, make sure you have outdoor patio heaters. Keep your guests warm for them to enjoy the party.

Purchase the product according to the size of your space. One time, I attended a party which was held in a beautiful garden. It was cold that night and their patio heater did not work right. No one stays in the garden for long because it was freezing. The hosts decided to move the food table in the kitchen and we all crowd the living room which was really awkward. Avoid this incident to happen to you. Heater is must product in the household so; you need to have one

In Mourning: Sky Watching Lifts Me Up

Every waking moments of my life, I appreciate the air I breathe and the gift of life. Life is too short to be wasted. When hubby and I travel either long trip or just around the neighborhood, I make sure that I glorify God for all His goodness and blessings. I am not as religious as you are but, I know how to thank and praise God (wink). When I am not in my gaily mood, sky watching lifts me up and it's my way of conversing to God.

A while ago, I was browsing of the funeral photos of a neighbor friend back home. It is heartbreaking to see her husband and son mourning then, I started to recall. Ate Lita is our neighbor in fact, our house is next to hers and she is the first neighbor that is like a family to us. We were neighbors for 13 years and she and my mom bonded closely together. When I was at work whole day, she was there for my mom chit-chatting about dreams and life.

When I left to migrate half way around the globe, she remains a good friend to my mom. Ate Lita's company is precious and she was always there for my mom. I was back home in two years and she was there with warm smiles excited that I came home to be with my mom. We talk about the future that one of these days, we all could go to Bohol, in their farm and spend a vacation in the island. On my next visit, I said.

Our health is indeed our wealth. No matter how financially stable we are, if our health will deteriorate then, we are at the mercy of God's ultimate healing. I was thinking about my health because lately, I am sickly. Anyway, I talk to my mom every day and I was aware that Ate Lita was sick for few months now. I thought it was just an ordinary sickness you know; fever and colds. I thought she will be back in her home soon. She died at the age of 54 and all I can remember about her is that she is very healthy. I was surprised to learn that she was gone and I ask why? Why her Lord? She has so many plans. What about her dreams for her son? As I gazed up the sky, it seems that this statement has broken the silence: Who am I to complain about God's plan?

Wherever you are right now Ate Lita, you are now at peace in God's presence. I will truly miss you when I come home soon. To a good friend, rest in peace Ate.

Sky watching lifts me up when I am sad, lonely or heartbroken. The beauty of nature speaks profoundly about God's promise that amidst life's obstacles and pain, there will always be sunny and beautiful skies. Thank you for reading my post everyone. I hope you like the photos above. All of these were taken along the roads heading to Melbourne, Florida. Stay happy and live life to the fullest.

United Launch Alliance Atlas V 401 Rocket Launch

The first launch of NASA for 2013 is Atlas V 401 which had a succesful lift off last January 30 at 8:48 PM. Hubby and I were at our usual favorite location to watch it along US 1. NASA's Tracking and Data Relay Satellite-K (TDRS-K) lifted off aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V 401 rocket from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida.

This January, there is a scheduled upgrade of NASA's Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System (Space Network). The United Launch Alliance Atlas V 401 will provide communications with NASA's fleet of Earth-orbiting science spacecraft and that includes the International Space Station and NASA's Hubble Space Telescope. TDRS spacecraft is needed to ensure that the communications network is able to provide critical services to user spacecraft in the next decade.

From where we live, Port Canaveral is just across the Indian River which is about 3 minutes from our place. We can see it clearly along the river banks. The place along the boat ramp from where we viewed the launch were crowded in fact, parking space were full.

We had a good spot to watch the launch. It was a thrilling and fascinating experience eventhough this is not the first time that I witness shuttle/space launch.

The next launch in Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida is scheduled on March 1. The mission is SpaceX CRS-2 Commercial Resupply Services flight via Falcon 9. The launch will take place in Space Launch Complex 40. SpaceX CRS-2 will be the second commercial resupply mission to the International Space Station by Space Exploration Technologies or SpaceX. Expect that I will take photos so you all can see. Thanks for always visiting my blog. I will see you next time.