We have had quite a day. We tried to skype home today but there was no internet connection in the hotel when we first tried, so we went for breakfast at the Waffle House next to the hotel. Millie and I had blueberry waffles with maple syrup, my husband had a pecan waffle and a bacon 'biscuit' (a toasted english muffin). Our best breakfast yet and it only cost $15! We might be doing that more often. When we got back we tried to skype you again. We had an internet connection but my parents weren't there.
After breakfast we packed everything up and checked out of the hotel. We did think about going back to the Space Center but decided that it was too late to see the bits we didn't see without the crowds. One of the things we wanted to do was the tour that gets as close as possible to the shuttle on the launch pad. The tour had been sold out when we went yesterday and I looked online last night to see if we could reserve for today. Unfortunately the first available tour was at half 11 which was too late to do everything and get back to RMH at a reasonable time. So, we decided to check out the Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge which is north of the space center and on land that used to be owned by NASA. We started with the Visitor Center which is closed on Sundays between April and October. So we followed the map to a couple of short walking trails. We got about 10metres in and decided to go back to the car. The biting bugs were far too much for us to cope with and because Millie was walking we were going at her slow pace so they just mobbed us. Millie was getting a face full. Instead we went and did a 7 mile wildlife drive! We saw a number of different types of water birds but it was obviously the wrong time of year and day because there wasn't much. We got out a couple of times but the heat (and bugs) kept those excursions short. We didn't see any alligators, and I really wanted to see one in the wild. However, we did see loads of black-headed vultures including a group devouring a wild pig at the side of the road.
On the way out of the refuge we stopped at a "Manatee viewing stop". There weren't any manatees but there were pelicans cruising overhead and occasionally crashing into the river to catch a fish. And a dolphin swam past - yeah, seen a dolphin at last. We spent about 20 minutes just watching this very different scene and listening to the thunder behind us and getting closer. As we got into the car it started to rain.
We left the refuge some time after 2pm. Millie was hungry so I kept her happy with some crisps whilst we drove north on US Route 1 which supposedly goes up the east coast between the Florida Keys and Georgia. However, you can't see the coast because (a) you aren't actually that close and (b) there are always buildings and trees between the road and the coast! About 15 minutes or so after we left the wildlife refuge we went through some form of civilisation and saw a Burger King and a Publix (supermarket chain) on the other side of the road. After a quick U-turn (we are still getting used to driving here) we pulled into the car park and decided to try the Publix for a sandwich before risking the Burger King. Fortunately for us, nestled up next to the Publix and almost invisible was an Italian Steakhouse which we ventured into instead. We had a very nice meal served by a very nice lady who will be adding Millie to her prayers. We did a quick walk round Publix, for curiosity but also to stretch our legs, before continuing our journey north and to Daytona Beach.
We arrived at Daytona Beach in the early evening. Many people were leaving the beach having been there for the day but also many people were arriving for the evening. We paid $10 to park near the pier. A rip-off we felt and we wouldn't normally pay it but a quick scout round in heavily traffic-ed roads gave us no option. We spent a couple of hours there soaking up the atmosphere. Millie wanted to walk on the beach so we walked down to the water and saw a dolphin cruising past. Then we saw numerous pelicans flying over head. It is a different world! Along the waterfront was a street full of beach shops selling the normal assortment of printed beach wear and little else. There was also a small entertainment park which had a ferris wheel. Millie watched the wheel intently and when I asked if she wanted to go on it she tentatively said yes. So we went on it and had a rather cool view of Daytona Beach. Millie wasn't overly impressed. She hung on to me with one hand and her hat with the other, and she refused to smile for the camera! Millie and I then shared a large single scoop ice cream (american portion) by which point it was about half 7. And we really did need to get back to RMH.
We left Daytona Beach on the coast road byt rejoined the Interstate route 95 shortly afterwards and were back at RMH shortly after 9pm. I fed Millie a jam sandwich whilst my husband unloaded the car. Millie wanted to play so I gave her 10 minutes which she barely managed before she decided she could barely stand! I carried her up and took her through the routine and she fell asleep fairly easily. Apart from her twitchy feet which calm down when I rub them. I had thought we didn't have anything other than proton at 11am tomorrow but we do have occupational therapy at half 9. So, looks like I will have to wake everyone in the morning. I was hoping Millie could sleep for a bit longer.
Oh well. Back to real life. It was nice to get away for a couple of days and temporarily forget why we are here. We missed our eldest and I'm sure she would have enjoyed some of the weekend as well. I hope she doesn't feel to jealous or left out.
Day 8 of proton tomorrow.
When you have Little Feet and it's a Long Walk, you take One Step At A Time.
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