On a work trip a few months ago, we held a Roadshow event at the Houston Space Center.  I made it a point then to try and work it out so that we could visit on our way back to California, and we were able to make that happen today.

We got there when the opened at 10am, and were there till after 3:30 in the afternoon.  We got to see all of the exhibits, take the big tram tour, and even see a couple of their demonstration shows.  They even have a moon rock that we got to touch!

On the tram tour I took a few months ago, we got to go see where the astronauts train for missions, such as ISS, the Space Shuttle, and the new Mars missions.  While that was closed today, we did get to go into a new area they just opened yesterday.  Our tour was the third to be able to go in and see the old mock-up test Shuttle that was used for EVERY Space Shuttle mission.  This mock-up allowed them to test all the equipment, from an engineering and functionality standpoint, prior to any launch.

There is also a museum of sorts, or collection of artifacts.  It was odd, in that you really had to look for it to find it, but it held a bunch of information and items from the space programs history.  I think Molly was impressed to hear about Skylab, and to see the real Saturn V rocket in “Rocket Park”.

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After all the fun of New Years, a trip to Clearwater, and visiting cousins from Florida AND Indiana, it was time to move back to the RV, and to visit the cousins in their hometown of Fort Pierce, FL.

We had moved the RV to Fort Pierce so that some work could get done at Diane’s Uncle Ed’s shop.  They did a great job in getting it aligned, oil changes for engine and generator, some new suspension pieces for a level ride, a re-extended tailpipe, brake inspection and adjustment, and some new front tires.

If you find yourself in the Fort Pierce area, and need to have some mechanical work done on your RV, I would HIGHLY recommend you give Ed and the crew a call.  Yes, Diane is related to most of the employee’s, but, they do great work, and they are awesome people.  It’s Hickman’s Brake and Alignment Service.  They do all kinds of mechanical work.  Before the economic downturn, they did a lot of large vehicles, but now, more cars and RV’s, and the occasional big truck.  http://www.hickmansbrakealignment.com/

We stayed at a local RV park, called Road Runner Travel Resort.  They were very nice to deal with, and the park was really nice.  The residents were also very friendly and helpful.  This was even AFTER I took out one of their site marking poles, and crushed the top of a sewer inlet.  I discovered that it’s not a good idea for me to try and drive/park the RV while sick.  I’d started coming down with a fever and the flu earlier that day.  Made for a rough time parking. We still have the scars on the back of the RV, as the pole left several white stripes, and pulled off a plastic part that is now held on by tape.

While we were there, the family had a BIG birthday party for Ed and Gail’s new granddaughter, as well as for Ed.  I sat this one out, so as not to spread the flu, but Diane and Molly had a great time.

Molly and Rhiannon with Annabelle, the birthday girl.

Copyright secured by Digiprove © 2013 David Gardner

Like many, we saw the movie Dolphin Tale, and really enjoyed it.  While in Florida, we wanted to get over and see “Winter”, the star of the movie.  The movie was filmed at her home, in Clearwater, Florida, at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium.  You can get more info here… http://www.seewinter.com/  They now have both the Aquarium, and a large building that holds some movie props, and lot’s of information about the true story, and filming.

We drove over and met Diane’s cousin Amity, and her two girls, at the Aquarium.  The drive was pretty easy, and Tampa is not far from Orlando.  The view’s in the Tampa area were amazing!  If we’re back in Florida in the future, we’ll have to try and spend some time on the gulf coast.

We started in the Aquarium, and had our pictures taken on the way in.  They asked for us to pose in some strange ways, standing in front of a green background.  So odd.  The pictures turned out pretty cool though.

Once inside, we got to see Winter, and some of the other animals that were in the movie.  The Aquarium is focused on rescuing animals, and you can see that the popularity of the movie has greatly impacted the number of guests that come there now.  It wasn’t built for so many, but they do a good job of making sure everyone has a good time, and learns a thing or two.

Everyone waiting for Winter to come out and show off.

We’d arranged for a big multi-room hotel spot for us in the area, so we spent as much time as possible at the Aquarium and at the annex area.  It was a great day with family.

Copyright secured by Digiprove © 2013 David Gardner

A couple years ago, Molly, Diane, and I were in Florida as part of a work trip.  While there, Diane and Molly got to go to Gatorland, and they loved it.  It may be hockey, or a bit of a tourist trap, but it is still a fun day none the less.  Since Megan and I were here with them, we decided we’d all go this time.

Needless to say, they have a LOT of Gators there at the Gatorland.  The surprising thing was how many birds they had there too.  A few were in cages, or with clipped wings, but the majority were just native birds, hanging out with the gator’s.  It seems the Gators had no interest in the birds.

We toured the grounds, watched them try to get the Gators to jump out of the water for some meat, watched one guy wrestle a Gator, and even bought some turkey dogs to feed the Gators.  A great time was had by all.  If you’re ever in Orlando, just head on down to Gaterville… er, Gatorland.  www.gatorland.com

We had some fun, and saw some weird things sitting on the Gators…

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