Janet’s Webpage

7.13.2005-7.18.2005

Kennedy Space Center Cape Canaveral, FL
7/13/2005

I got two hours of sleep last night. I’ll probably get two hours of sleep tonight. This crazy trip of driving all over Florida started with the space shuttle launch. It’s been years since Columbia has NASA come close to launching the next shuttle. Even with all the warnings, I thought I would have better luck and the launch wouldn’t be delayed. After all, I did buy the tickets in advance, which makes all the difference in the world to NASA, of course. So, last night, I drove 2.5 hours from Granger to Ann Arbor (going through hurricane Dennis, which came all the way from Florida.) And this morning few from Detroit to Orlando. From the Orlando airport it took 2 hours to get to the KSC. It felt like hundreds of people decided to go as well, and everyone enjoyed the hot Floridian weather at the Visitor Center. At around 2PM, NASA announced the launch canceled. All I did at the KSC is stand in line, stand in line some more, bought a souvenir pin, and lunched at Mira Restaurant. The IMAX was closed and I saw no astronaut or shuttle. It wasn’t all negative though. I did roll some pennies, and I thought the drive from the gate to the center was really cool, with all the water and bridge about half a mile long. At least I didn’t wake up at 5AM and travel all day to see the launch like some people… oh wait, I did.

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Florida
7/14/2005
I woke with a surprise this morning. It was too late to tell last night, but Jason’s condo has the ocean view. I’ve never seen the ocean like this before, on the 11th floor building right on the beach. It stretches endlessly left, right, and forward and it’s absolutely amazing.
I gave up my crazy plan of waking up at 5 to drive to Sanibel and Captiva. We got there around noon instead. It’s completely confusing and no guide book gives specific directions on how to get to the islands. After half an hour, I finally found out: 75N to exit 131, drive opposite of the airport and follow the brown signs.
Shelling was a lot of fun, but again the drive is the best part. The excitement of the ride to the island and the view were worth the total of 5 hours drive. the sand is full of shells, but they are mostly the same kind. We got most of our shells from the store. We also went to the JN Darling wildlife refuge, where I found out that I’m not a nature person.
The man at the visitor’s center showed me the map of the beaches (and parking areas) and said: any of these beaches may have that special shell. But I found mine at She Sells Sea Shells. It’s a pair of angel wing and its gorgeous. I wanted to get a lion paw, but they range from $40 to $80, totally out of my price range.
Little Jason really isn’t an outdoor kid. He enjoyed the beach but I think his ideal vacation is probably staying at home and watching TV.

Villa Vizcaya Miami, FL
7/15/2005
Big Jason wanted to see Jai Alai, a game where players tie a claw like thing and throw a ball that bounces against the wall on the other side of the room. So the three of us went. I had too man beers and woke up with a hangover this morning.
Around noon, we got to Miami and somehow found Vizcaya (I forgot to look it up on Mapquest.) Aside from constant complaining from little Jason wherever we went under the sun, I thought this day trip went really well.
I just love big houses! This one sits next to the ocean, is square in shape and has a courtyard where the sea breeze is free to go in and out of the wall-less front and back building. The owner wanted the place to look like the same family occupied there for 400 years. All the rooms are different with decoration from different time period. We went through the guided tour and took in everything, it was so awesome!
There is a basin from the second century. A grotto that’s so worn it looks like treasures may be hidden. The set of china specially ordered that sank with the Titanic (and replaced on the next ship to America.) The gardens are fabulous too.
This guy spent $20 million building his winter get away villa, left it to his nieces and nephews (he had no kids, was never marred.) The house was sold for $1 million to the county. Some resident didn’t want it, saying who would pay to see an old house. I guess they were wrong.

Joe’s Stone Crab Miami Beach, FL
7/15/2005
Miami Beach is so different. It’s this island right next to Miami, and it’s a world of its own. I’m not a big fan of it. To me, a hip city should look like New York. At Miami Beach, there are no sky scrapers. The buildings all have a retro look, ridged and oddly shaped with pastel colors, and there are tons of people. People on the streets and in the restaurants, and, goodness, there are a lot of restaurants. The main drags are full of them and cars go 5 miles per hour due to the traffic.
To my surprise, Joe’s Stone Crab is not in the crowded area. It’s closed to the southern tip and is great for parking. Stone crabs are these crabs with black tip claws. They only serve the claws and they are cold. The food’s not bad but not that great either. Jason, Jason, and I met up with one of Jason’s friends, Dan, and had dinner together. The bill totaled $140.
I regret a little bit of not planning South Beach and the Delano into the schedule. I understand this is a hip place, but it’s just not my taste, maybe I’m getting too old.

Walt Disney World Resort Orlando, FL
7/17/2005
I got no sleep again. The drive to Orlando was so long that Jason was well rested by the time we got to our hotel at Kissemmee. In the early morning I finally got so sick of him and threw him off the bed along with a sleeping bag. I was closed to falling asleep when I felt the corner of the bed sink. Before I realize it was just Jason perched on the edge, I started screaming.
The whole Disney trip went like that, bad, then good, then real bad, but ended good. The night before, I went to Port Orleans, Boardwalk, Yatch and Beach Clubs, and the All-Star Resorts to smash quarters. We started at Magic Kingdom. After half an hour, big Jason left us, and we didn’t rejoin other than to hand him the ticket until we left Disney. I hated when he’s selfish like me. After smashing all the quarters from Magic Kingdom, we went to the Contemporary (where we lunched), the Polynesian, and the Grand Floridian to press coins. We went on a couple of the rids in Epcot, by this time, Jason was on a stroller, but went to MGM just to press coins, Animal Kingdom closed before we got there.
The drive back was enjoyable. I bought the new Harry Potter audio book and it’s absolutely intense. Unfortunately, both Jasons slept through the ride and were wide awake when we got back to Jason’s condo.

7/18/2005
I drove back to Orlando today to catch my flight. The Enterprise guy said that I drove 1650 miles during my Florida vacation.