Rocket Town U.S.A.

Titusville -- I love this place!!

I think why I like Titusville so much is because it embodies my two most favorite things as a child – trains and rockets!! It is directly across the Indian River from Cape Canaveral and the awe inspiring Vehicle Assembly Building. My favorite toy as a kid was a Cape Canaveral mock up with spring loaded rockets that were current at the time -- Redstone, Atlas, etc. I played for hours with that. Then when they renamed it the Kennedy Space Center – I never accepted it.. It was always “Cape Canaveral”!

Here in Titusville near the marina are now 3 space parks commemorating the astronauts that participated -- Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo. The Mercury was the first and much better exhibit than the others but it is so cool to walk through each and read the names of the astronauts, their flight number/name/date and look at their hand prints captured in monuments. Hand prints of all but Gus Grissom who died tragically in Apollo 1 fire.

Across the street from the marina less than 100 yds is a train track which is the main line north/south. Trains pass up and down all day and night. It is near some crossings and a bridge right there on a curve so you hear the POWER, the screech of the wheels, and the train whistle sounding. I just love the sound of a train whistle at night..

There is another strong cold front passing through today and tonight so I had reserved a space here at the marina for today. It was getting a little bouncy in the anchorage shortly after we got up this morning but I moved into the marina about 9:30am before it really started to blow.

It is ROUGH here today. The boat is bouncing in the slip and just a bit uncomfortable but for all those boats on anchor it is very bad. Bouncing and the constant worry of an anchor breaking loose. Fortunately the holding is good and the anchorage is only 8 – 9 feet of water. Look at the picture of the anchorage with boats showing taunt anchor lines and flat flags!!

I took the slip for both the peace of mind and it would be easier to get the bikes off the boat. Today was the first day that Karen could ride her new bike and this town is so full of parks near the marina it is just great to get re-accustomed to bike riding.

We took the bikes to several stores and stocked up – liked we really needed to – NOT. But it is always nice to keep the larder full.

Tomorrow the high is only expected to make 63 degrees – whew cold by Florida
standards. Will get near to freezing but we have those custom “bug Rugs” Karen made
us so we will be toasty with no heat. Then again I can kick the 25K BTU heat pumps in
if needed.