Friday 29th

We got up and loaded the car. We started on our way to Nasa. We were making good time until we were 7 miles away and then traffic slowed way down. It took about 15 minutes to go 5 miles, and then we found out that not everybody had the parking pass they needed. We got past that check point and found a parking space. There were only a couple of rows after our car, so we had a long hike. I put you in a spot so you could see the launch, we grabbed our chairs and some water and headed toward the center. Our tickets were for the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Center. We had to go through security, metal detectors, and then get our chairs searched. After all of this we needed to use the bathroom. During our bathroom break Tanis and Kellie heard the launch had been scrubbed. At this same time I dropped my I Pod in the toilet (freshly flushed), it turned on at first but a little later wouldn't turn on. We verified that it had been cancelled and they would give us more information later. I offered to take the chairs back to the car so I could have some time alone. When I got back to the car I told you that the launch had been cancelled, and I thought about hiding you somewhere where you could watch all of the launches. When I got back Tanis was playing in the play area and Kellie was reading. We grabbed lunch and then took in the Visitor Center. A lot of people had left so we had the place to ourselves (mostly). They rode the launch simulator, and we toured a shuttle. We ended up going to a special Lego thing where we had an hour to build something space related. Once built they put them in the middle of the room so everyone could see. I built a space ship, Tanis built a robot factory, and Kellie built a house for the Astronauts. We met a guy who actually designs the Lego sets (this wouldn't be our only Lego adventure) but Tanis wasn't that impressed. We bought some souvenirs, and made some squished pennies. Before we left they had announced the problem was with a hydraulic heater and it would have at least a 72 hour delay. We left, but decided not to go straight back. We found a marshy type tidal pool and walked around a bit. It wasn't quite what we wanted to show Tanis as the ocean, but it was the closest we had come (so far). We ended up in Titusville and were very hungry, we found a restaurant call El Leocinto (the lion). We drove past it but Kellie and I both thought it sounded good and it was. The fajitas were awesome but the Churros were filled with a vanilla cream at least the one Kellie let me have was. We went back to the hotel and swam for a little while then off to bed. Love ya guy.

Thursday 28th

Up around 8, the plan was to go to Universal. We all got dressed and ready. We hit Golden Corral for a big breakfast and then went to Universal Studios. It turns out they have 2 parks but we wanted the Islands of Adventure so Kellie and Tanis could go to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Of course Harry Potter was all the way in the back. We started walking back towards it but did some looking around a Seuss world. But our destination was set, and eventually we saw the Hogsmeade sign and the train. A lot of shopping and looking ensued. The first ride Tanis was not tall enough for, that was the Dragon Challenge. We then went to Ollivanders and waited for the wand experience, this was really lame. 36 people get to go in, one person gets to interact and it is basically the scene from the movie. We did buy wands and what not. We had those sent to the front of the park so we didn't have to carry them all day. We then went to the Forbidden Journey which takes you through Hogwarts. I was too big to ride but toured Hogwarts with them. Once they got off that they rode the flight of the hippogriff. We then had lunch at the three broomsticks. It was good, they both had a frozen butter beer that was pretty tasty. I had purchased Pumpkin juice that was OK but not for the price. We ended up in Jurassic park next. Tanis got to see a Raptor hatch, he did think it was real and may still think that. They rode a smaller kid ride that was a Pteradon hanging roller coaster. We then went to toon town and they road a log flume and we went back to Jurassic Park and they rode the water ride there. Our next stop was hero world where they rode the spiderman ride, and the Tanis and I rode Professor X's storm machine (we defeated Magneto) They rode two more things in Seuss land and we toured the Hogwarts castle again. A few more souvenirs, and then we picked up our purchases and headed out of the park. The best money spent that day was the extra $5 for preferred parking. We went back to the hotel and Tanis opened his chocolate frog took a couple bites and then fell asleep before our pizza was delivered. To bed. Love ya guy.

Wednesday 27th

DRIVING DAY! I got up at 4:15, Kellie and Tanis got up a bit later. Our goal was to leave by 5, but it was more 5:15. We made our first stop in Byesville Ohio. We had breakfast at McDonalds, by that we got out used the bathroom ordered and got back in the car to drive and eat. Our next stop was for gas in Mossy West Virginia. Bathroom and gas, I bought Kellie a little bottle of Coke for her and Tanis. Next stop was in Virginia or North Carolina I am not sure which. It was a fast food joint that had a very interesting menu, a corn dog was considered a side dish. We got food, shakes, and a toilet break. Next stop was for Gas in South Carolina. Bathroom and gas. We were making pretty good time, we made it to Florida by around 7 p.m. We had decided we would stop and eat at a sit down restaurant. We ate a place called Boston's it was good but took longer than we wanted it to. This was in Jacksonville. We ended up stopping for gas one more time. By this point Tanis had fallen asleep. We got to Orlando and our hotel around midnight. Carried in a minimum of clothes took a shower and went to bed. 18 hours in a car is a long time. Love ya guy.

Tuesday April 26th

Everyone dreads that day before their vacation. Tanis was squirmy at school, Kellie was too. Tanis had Scouts and play practice afterward. He was promoted from Tiger Scouts to Cub Scouts that night. Me I took a few ups and prayed not to get a late customer. On my way home I called mom to talk about the trip and pass the time. My car had been making funny noises when it decelerates, but I thought it was the tires as I had missed a rotation and they couldn't be rotated because they had been driven too far, so during the conversation it made a more horrible noise and I thought something was wrong. I'll have it looked at after the trip I thought since we were driving Kellie's Jeep anyway. Well about a mile from home it made an even worse noise and then didn't continue forward I had busted a universal joint and had half my drive train hanging down. Bad omen or whatever I called Kellie and she called a tow truck. We got behind in packing and got to bed late, but it didn't change the plans to leave at 5 a.m. Wednesday....Love ya guy.

Houston Let's Talk About Last Week

Well, on April 5th my coworker Ray told me the shuttle launch had been postponed and would not be going up on 19th like scheduled. Instead it would launch on the 29th, the week after his spring break. At first I was really bummed. Mom said it was a once in a lifetime opportunity and I should take Tanis out of school to see it. Kellie agreed, so during his spring break he and I played video games for four days. The postponement meant Kellie could go with us. But because Kellie and Tanis were going we had to plan a day to go to Harry Potter at the Universal theme park. So the new plan was to drive all day Wednesday 27th, do Universal on Thursday, and see the shuttle on Friday. I am going to do a few posts detailing each day as I remember them. Before we went we had to book a hotel, we found a time share called Westgate Lakes Spa and Resort on hotel.com. It looked nice and wasn't too expensive so we booked it. Finding a hotel was causing a lot of anxiety for Kellie and me. So it was all booked, hotel, launch tickets, and what to do each day. Now we had to wait. Tuesday the 26th showed up.....Love ya guy.

Houston We Have A Plan

Friday night we ordered tickets to view the Space Shuttle launch. Tanis and I will head out Sunday before and be ready to see it. I haven't booked our hotel yet. We are excited about making the trip. You will be going with us, but I don't know if I will be able to take you inside, but I will have you in the car. I plan on turning a wheat penny into a squished penny souvenir. We will have one full day and two half days to find other things to do I hope to show him a tidal pool like you did for me. Love ya guy.

Your Dream My Possible Reality

Tanis and I are considering going to Florida to see a shuttle launch. There are only 2 more planned and this one is during his spring break. Everyday I get a little closer to saying okay. There is a lot of planning to it, but sometimes you have to say "screw it" and go after what you want. I have heard from several people that it is unforgettable. We will have to stay in Orlando, and I am trying to figure out tickets to the launch. I will take you if we go. Love ya guy.