Rooms with a View
Trip Start
Oct 16, 2007
1
44
52
Trip End
Dec 16, 2007
Cocoa Beach - the Las Vegas of Florida,
Florida,
United States
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Last night my partner and I had our final meal at the fabulous Thai Thai restaurant and this morning he left to return to his home in California
The View
. Alex, an ex marine, has been working for MHNGS almost since the program began. His colorful background and sense of humor made him a fantastic partner for this assignment. From the first day we were in step conducting briefs, sitting in on meetings, seeing clients, and making referrals. I haven't laughed so much in a long time - which is always good when you are working hard. His lovely wife Mary ran a coffee shop in California and it was there they met and eventually married. When Mary had to return home earlier than expected I covered Alex's "butt" by driving him (and waiting) while he had his semi annual digestive system check up. Only a good partner would fill that function. It was an ongoing comedy when they took me back to get "Joseph". I kept insisting that I had brought Alex not Joseph which made for a very interesting few minutes until we realized Alex was his middle name. I think the outpatient clinic was glad to see the two of us leave.I am discovering that there are "launch groupies" everywhere and they come to this area filling up all of the local hotels in the hopes of getting a great view of the latest launching. I don't think I mentioned that even with military clearance it took almost 2 hours to return to the Base after the shuttle launching. Weaving our way through the thousands of watchers and their transportation was like leaving a well attended rock concert
Tour with new recruits
. I was slated to attend another launching this past Tuesday but after dinner we were informed that it had been cancelled due to a leaky valve - talk about up to the minute reporting. The week before I was informed by Major Jane Hance, the project manager, that the shuttle launch had been cancelled. She conveyed the information to me on the way in to teach her weekly hula lesson. She is not only competent but beatiful and multitalented. Space travel is definitely the priority here. I am chagrined to say that I was the ONLY one on the new recruit tour that was alive when they sent up the primates in the 50's. Although it did make me somewhat of an expert - or a legend - in their eyes.The manatees have also begun to relocate as the weather warms. I love watching these gentle beasts. I've included a picture that I took where I noticed something else in the photo only after I downloaded it. Just wanted to to make the point that sometimes you can be so caught up in your own vision that you miss something that is right there in front of you - check out the Green Heron. Note to Self: keep on the look out for all the exciting things that are going on around you. Shortly before I took the picture there was a large turtle basking on the back of one of the adult manatees. Gentle And lanquid.
I want to thank Dan for the lovely week end in Jupiter
Right behind Manatees/Right in Front of Me
. Best meal I've had in months was at the Sicilian Restaurant . Just to get me back into the swing of things he and Dominic took me to the Leopard Lounge (more appropriate would be the Lizard Lounge). We danced (and laughed) the night away ending up in an even more interesting place on the way back to Jupiter. Like I told Dan, there is a reason I don't go to bars. I suggested that the next time I visit we skip the bar dancing and play that fantastic golf course in his complex. Sadly, a former championship fisherman, Dan has the boat up for sale and is retiring from the circuit. We shared some pretty funny Bahama stories. Celine has also moved from her home across the street only to be replaced by Mr. Net Jet. Sorry to say that he's not making any money. Looks like by the time I win the lottery it will not longer be an option.I ate at an incredible Indian restaurant last night. I think it was not a good sign that they kept asking me if someone would be joining me. Looks like I over ordered and will be eating Indian food for awhile. if you make it to the "Taste of India" don't miss the Butter Chicken and the Nan - it just bumped an Indian restaurant in New York out of first place in the bread category. They make their own chutney and Indian ice cream. I'm still touting Thai Thai for the best in Thai food - and the sexiest sushi chef. I have also found an Italian restaurant with thin crust pizza to rival any I had in Italy and a Cuban place that has great dishes and a flan that falls into the 99th percentile
A great week end
.For those of you who keep up, my guy Lance took the number one spot in the Iditarod again this year. All my Alaska buddies are wearing face masks to deal with Mount Redoubt latest expulsions.
Me? I'm shedding clothing and can tell you that my dermatolgist will be lecturing me when I return home and she sees the shade of my skin. I'm staying away from restaurants that look like they might be doing a casting call for a remake of Easy Rider (I know you guys that it's a step up from Deliverance and the Banjo Boys). River Rocks is not one of them. I highly recommend it if you are in the area. The chef is from San Diego and the food is out of this world - with a Mango sorbet to swoon over. The view is great as well.
It has been dessert for the soul working here in Florida.
Now if I could only launch my golf game as successfully as they launch these rockets I'd be in good shape.
Comments
Success again
Your travel blogs are funny, the pictures are great, the information and education you give us is such a treat....hurry home we miss you. Hey it is 56 here today....come on home.
annie
Spring???
Are you still my neighbor?
We are having a Sylvan Lake Ski Club meeting tonight at Brett Novak's house. Shall I represent you?
6 degrees C. Cold, Windy. Don't rush back. I am fly ing to Ft. Meyer Monday for a week with my buddy Denny Berels.