Endeavor Launch 11.14.2008

We went up to see our third space shuttle launch from the causeway at the Kennedy Space Center.  Endeavor was taking parts and supplies up to the International Space Station.  We spent the entire day waiting for the launch, and got to watch IMAX movies about the space station, experience a launch simulator, and learn about future missions.  The kids played on the playground a lot, too.  This was an early evening launch, right around 8PM.  The crowd out on the causeway was the most attentive, awed, and inspired compared to our past experiences.  Our kids were stoked to see the shuttle again.  It was a great evening.

journey to the space station

Endeavor blasts off!

Spectacular view of Endeavor lift off

Endeavor lighting up the sky

It’s really cool!

It go boom, boom!

Homosassa State Park

manatee swimming at Homosassa

underwater view of manatee

hippo

alligators

majestic eagle

owls

albino turtle

tortoises

fighting flamingos

Wyatt and I visited Homosassa State Park with our friends from Ocala and their son.  It was his first visit to see animals in a zoo like setting.  We parked off State Road 19 and took the tram to the park.  Wyatt thought it was a train ride.  The park is located on one of Florida’s many crystal clear springs.  My only regret was not bringing my bathing suit to go swimming nearby.  The highlight of the park is manatees.  We could see them swimming from the surface, and in the underwater observatory.  What was more amazing to me were the number of snook and redfish.  I was wishing I could catch and eat a snook, but I’m sure fishing isn’t allowed in the park. 

There were all sorts of other native birds and reptiles, including an albino turtle.  My favorite of the animals was the hippo.  What an amazing creature.  There was also an education center that had fossils and displays.  Wyatt touched an alligator skull and some alligator skin. 

We rode the boat up the river back to where we were parked.  It is definitely a park I would recommend visiting if you are traveling on the west coast of Florida.

Yulee Sugar Mills

I visited the ruins of a sugar mill that ran for 13 years during the time of the Cival War.  Not far from Homosassa State Park, it’s worth the extra few minutes drive to see how sugar used to be made.  Sugar cane would be rolled through big rollers.  The juice that came out was collected and heated and then put through a refining process.  After that they would put the liquid into barrells.  When it dried, sugar crytals remained.

It makes me want to see how they process sugar now.  The only idea I have is from the attack of the giant ants movie, which was filmed at my local state park and beach.  If you like B movies, it’s worth a laugh.

Yulee Sugar Mill Ruins

Loggerhead Marinelife Center

The other day we visited the Loggerhead Marinelife Center in Juno Beach.  We have gone to see it many times before, but within the past year they opened a new state of the art facility that must have cost millions.  I don’t have a problem taking the kids to see animals and teaching them about ecosystems and the ocean environment.  I think it is a great opportunity for people who wouldn’t snorkle, dive, or spend time on the water to see and learn about creatures they would never see otherwise.  However, I think a lot of people are really missing the mark and not getting what life is all about. 

This is a place where I have seen multitudes of people volunteer their time and energy to save a few sea turtles.  Plastic people in heels, hairy hippies, protestor types, along with the scientists and philanthropists…all there to spend millions on a few turtles.  That’s nice, but last time I checked, God made turtles, and all sea creatures, to be self regulating.  If sea turtles are part of the food chain, there must be some hungry sharks out there. 

Why are we here?  Doesn’t it have something to do with taking care of others?  Can’t we feed the hungry and sick in other nations for pennies a day?  Why then spend millions on turtles?  Where are peoples’ priorities anyways?

The last picture shows more than a handful of people “helping” a turtle.  If you ask me, it was all a big show.  Is it really necessary to have that many people helping a turtle?  I think God instilled in us the need for a purpose in our life.  Some people never find it, and go on living a depressed routine.  Others fill that need with different types of addictions and dependencies.  Some become workaholics, workout freaks, uncontrolled hobbyists.  A lot become devoted to a cause, thinking they are making a difference.  Yes, they could be, but in reality they are just trying to justify their lives.  They are only serving themselves. 

I feel bad for the turtle people.  One day, God will ask, what did you do with this life I gave you.  “I saved turtles.”  I imagine God replying…what about your kids?  What about the old lady down the street that needed help getting her trash out?  What about the guy at work who was going through a hard time?  The money you spent on turtles could have given a whole village food, immmunizations, and an education for a year.  The time you spent feeling good about yourself at the turtle place could have been spent feeding the hungry, clothing the poor, tending the sick, meeting the needs of the less fortunate, and taking care of those around you.

I’m not saying all causes are without merit.  Many causes that people are devoted to do a lot of good.  But where are our hearts?  Is what we do in life just to make ourselves feel good, or are we really heeding our Higher calling? 

Busch Wildlife Sanctuary

We visited Busch Wildlife today, wich we do pretty often.  I tried to get some good pictures of the animals.  They have all been rescued and are used for educational purposes.  The kids really like feeding the turtles and catfish, something we can do at home.  The panthers are pretty cool, too.  I wouldn’t want to come across one of those in the woods.

Lowry Park Zoo 9.13.08

Saturday we went to the Lowry Park Zoo in Tampa.  We were in town so Gary could get an AC van at auction.  So Aunt Paige came along, and we looked at animals and rode rides.  It was a fun, but exhausting day.  I don’t think I would ever go back.  I prefer smaller zoos with less rides and attractions.  This was too much like a theme park.  It took away from the animals and educational experience. 

Palm Beach Zoo 9.11.08

I like to take Wyatt to the zoo every few weeks.  We actually got to see the tiger and gigantic gopher tortises this time.  Wyatt really likes turtles, and the old truck.

Hanna surf 9.5.08

I took Wyatt to one of my favorite local beaches to watch the surf that came in from Hanna.  Since I couldn’t paddle out, I did the next best thing and took video and pictures of all of my friends.  It really got me amped up seeing it this big.  When I finally got to go out later that evening, it was much smaller.  I am pretty out of shape, so I didn’t do so well.  I am going to leave that video out. 

It kind of stops me in my tracks to think I used to surf waves like that, fearlessly.  Things change when you have kids.  Yet, I imagine in a few years Wyatt will be out there with me.  I can’t wait! 

Space shuttle Endeavour night launch 3.11.08

 

This was one of the most amazing things I have ever experienced.  If you ever get to see a launch, go to a night launch.  My kids didn’t go to sleep at all, but it has them wanting to learn about science.  Nothing can describe the sonic boom that lasts for minutes.  We are going to try and see all the remaining lauches.

Space Shuttle Discovery 5.31.08

Discovery takes off to the roar of its engines and the thousands watching.

Future astronauts.