Sky Gazing

Accused of occasional laziness, I needed to redeem myself and show the world I really do get up early in the morning and get some things accomplished. So this morning, a crisp and bright Valentines Day morning at that, I awoke early and prepared to take on the day. Brewing up a big pot of coffee, I raised the blinds to enjoyed the morning sun and heard the familiar sound of a hot air balloonists kicking on the propane burners. Poking a look out each window I quickly could see there was more than one balloon … there were eight of them. Grabbing my cameras I headed for the door … then realizing I was still on my pajamas, (I figured who’d be up at this hour of the morning)  I stepped out.

The sky overhead was filled with the brightly colored orbs, each drifting slowly across the sky in front of me. A whoosh here … a whoosh there as they fired their burners lifting them gently into the sky. As I stood there taking it all in, tripping the camera shutter occasionally, I then realized I wasn’t the only one enjoying the view. I was however the only one in pajamas. Not exactly the view my neighbors wanted to see so I suspect I may have slightly spoiled the moment for them. But oh well … I got a few images and proved beyond doubt, that I can do something useful in the early morning.

Speaking of things in the sky around here, the Space Shuttle Endeavour STS-130 lifted off from the Kennedy Space Center the other night and I got up around 4:00AM to see it. It was the last night launch of the Shuttle program and I didn't want to miss the show. My old friend George, visiting with his wife Paula from Battle Creek, joined me for this early morning opportunity and helped me locate the launch direction on the horizon some 60 miles away. It was spectacular even at this distance.

For you photo bugs out there the exposure was 288 seconds at f20 at an ISO of 50.

So on this Valentines Day, I hope you all are with loved ones … I am, and still livin’ the dream

Phil

Changing places

It's the life we chose ...  apparently.  We left our beautiful site at the Bella Terra Resort in Foley amidst rain, wind and cold weather.  We'd convinced ourselves it was just crummy luck having such rotten weather for such a long spell and thought if we headed somewhere else, we could leave that mess behind.  Thinking back I had the awning down only about 4 hours and grilled out only twice in 10 weeks.  So we gathered up our collection of mildewed garments, water-logged spirits and, along with our Iowa friends Jim and Carol and their coach, headed east to mid-state Florida.  We broke up the trip with an over-night in Lake City and arrived in Clermont at the Citrus Valley RV Resort.  Well guess what!  We sort of got a break on the weather this time.  No wind!  However rain is in the forecast but think the temperatures will be higher.  So far the place looks great and our Canadian friends Dave and Ann are to thank for us being here in the first place.  They left Bella Terra a few weeks ahead of us and gave a good review of the place.  It was great to see their smiling faces when we arrived. Sharon and I cannot get over what great friends we've met on this trip.  Making new friends is better that winning the lottery.  Well okay ... it's about the same.

We pulled into our spaceous corner lot; brick paved and very large.  After setting up, Jim, Carol, Sharon and I decided after a gruling 140 mile drive from Lake City, we'd check out the local resturants.  After about 20 minutes driving around I soon concluded this is not a good spot to be if you want to lose weight.  Way too many places to pull up a chair and chow down.  It will be a struggle here not to gain.  But try we will.
The venue change is quite marked as Foley and the Gulf Shores area was mostly a seasonal area with Spring thru Fall being the busy times.  Clermont is a totally different situation.  Only about 8 miles from the Disney complex, the entire area is thriving year-around.  Lots of shopping and things to do.

So we'll be here a month or so before heading elsewhere.  No big  plans ... just poking around looking for interesting places to see and hopefully, soak up some warm weather.

We do have especially good news to share as our son Steve and his wife Jenny are expecting their first child in September.  The entire family is elated and we know they'll make great parents.

Still livin' the dream.

Phil