We have been in Florida for five days now. No we did not see a Space Shuttle launch today because they had to delay two days until Wednesday. The weather is currently the only potential concern with a 30% chance of rain / clouds violating launch.
So what have we been up to for the last five days? Here’s a short summary of our trip.
We had a lovely flight down and sat next to a guy named Kurt. He even played Phase Ten with us!
We stayed at the Double Tree for 80% off (thanks priceline) for the first night because our flight was on Thursday, but the resort didn’t have any openings until Friday.
Laura’s Highlight – good, smooth, fun flight
My Highlight – on time flight, and cheap hotel.
We found out (also by staying at Double Tree) that the Thunderbirds were in town that very next day for the CocoaBeach airshow. We talked Double Tree into letting us park in their parking lot one extra day (using their parking pass) so we could use their beach to watch the Airshow Practice on Friday.
On Friday, we checked into the resort and stocked up on food for the week. We also found out they had delayed Discovery a day. After checking in to the resort, we went back down to Double Tree and hung out on their beach while watching the Airshow Practice for free!
Laura’s Highlight – Relaxing on the beach
My Highlight – Got to see the Thunderbirds, an F-15, and an F-18 on the beach for free!
Saturday we checked out the resort. Turns out they have put-put golf, a lazy river, a water slide and access to the beach all included. We decided today to push our end date out three days to Sunday since Discovery was delayed yet another day (this is what brought us to Wednesday for the launch date). This was the day of the actual airshow, which we didn’t go south on the beach and pay money for, but we still got to see from up north on the beach. I even got my wish of seeing the F-22′s fly over!
Laura’s Highlight – A lovely pool and more rest on the beach
My Highlight – Got to see two F-22′s, they fixed the leak in Discovery
Sunday consisted of another restful day at the resort. More time on the beach. Watching the 3rd day of the airshow from afar.
Laura’s Highlight – reading on the beach
Andrew’s Highlight – building a sand castle and reading on the beach
Monday (today) we went over to Orlando and visited Universal Studios Islands of Adventure. We spent most of our time at the new Harry Potter exhibit which was very well done and then wandered in the Jurassic Park section while we looked for cotton candy (a must when visiting an amusement park). The day was fun in an exhausting sort of way. Laura took a nap when we got back, and we’re going to do more relaxing this evening.
Laura’s Highlight – Hogwarts castle at Universal
Andrew’s Highlight – Hogwarts Castle at Universal (and resting once we got home)
The look ahead.
Tomorrow we plan to rest and prepare for Wednesday. We will probably spend it on the beach again.
Wednesday will be another long day like today. We have to be ready by 6:30 AM for our ride to the Kennedy Space Center and then we get to hang out there for 10 hours while we bite our nails and pray the weather doesn’t sock us in. Lord willing we will see an on time 3:52 PM (2:52 PM CST) launch of space shuttle Discovery.
We have four delay days after Wednesday if we need them. If we don’t, it’ll be more time on the beach!
That’s the status.
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