Space Coast of Florida – Wrap Up

The area along central Florida’s east coast from Titusville down to Cocoa Beach is known as the Space Coast, due to the long history they have tied to the US space industry.  We stayed in the area for almost two months before moving over to the west coast of Florida and were able to see many sights, but not as much as we wanted.  So, it will require another visit at some future date.

You may remember that we were busy in this location with the task of downsizing my mother’s belongings and selling her home so that she could move into an independent living facility in Indianapolis, IN.  We completed everything on our list for this project.

Some of the other highlights from our time there include the following:

• I became a member of the Merritt Island Elks Lodge!  We have been coming to visit this lodge as guests for about 20 years as we would come to visit my parents and they were members.  I came to know many of the officers and members, so it was quite a thrill to be a full member now after my father had passed away a couple of years ago.  The Elks have lodges all other the country that we can visit during our travels.

• We saw three rocket launches while in the area.  One right near the space center, one from mom’s backyard (night launch below), and the final one from our RV park in Cocoa, about 20 miles away.  The nighttime launch was incredible to watch as the booster returned and landed perfectly.  It lit up the backyard.

• I made a few visits to the local Merritt Island shooting range to work on my pistol accuracy.  This indoor range was very nice with good lighting and equipment.  I still can’t keep them all within the 10-ring.  More practice required.

• Lunch at the Lone Cabbage Fish Camp watching the airboat rides.  This was a very cool day, so I skipped the ride.  Next time maybe.

• Day trip to Melbourne FL, (about 30 minutes south) for lunch, shopping, and a brewery.

• Toured the Veteran’s Military Museum of Merritt Island.  A nicely done museum with artifacts from the Civil War up to the Gulf Wars.  My father’s navy uniform is included from WW-II!

• Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge – we drove through and stopped at a few places to look for birds.  This is supposed to be one of the best birding locations in the US.  Unfortunately, it was a cool and windy day.  I think the birds were all hunkered down.  We did see a Painted Bunting.  Google this bird!  It did not look real with its vivid colors.

Take care and God Bless!