Coastal Commentaries

didn’t go off today. However, from now on everyone who tries to post a comment on my posts, i will deny yours and comment back. I know how this works. Incoming links boost a rise in the search engine. Here’s hoping you’ll allow every link in.

Yes the shuttle launch has once again been scrubbed. I’m told it’s been pushed back to December, which means Endeavour has been pushed back a month or so.

One of the reasons why we had so many tourists in for the air show is because many people were anticipating what could be the last shuttle launch of Discovery. First it was slated to lift off on the 1st, then the 2nd and now it is supposed to lift off on the 3rd at right before 4 p.m.

We’ll see how it works out. It’s been quite cloudy here in the past few days and we’ve had some unexpected southern downpours.

Afterall, as we say down here, if you don’t like the weather, wait an hour and it will change.

I’ll keep you posted and I do (if I can scrounge up some batteries) I’ll bring you pics, fresh from my balcony. Although I may have to go to the beach for this one.

This past weekend was the air show at Patrick Air Force Base just 20 miles or so down the road from me. Our streets, buses, restaurants and hotels filled up with those anticipating a great show (well, that and the shuttle launch tomorrow.)

It’s an annual event and people who plan their vacations around it should know a few things. One need not pay for tickets at the base. The planes fly out over the ocean and do many of their manuveuvers there. Anywhere on the beach between the Cocoa Beach Pier and Coconuts on the Beach will have a decent seat. Just get there before the show starts at 11 for a prime spot on the sand.

On the con side, don’t consider taking the bus system. Major events like this throw the schedule off, not to mention it will be jammed packed with locals trying to get to work, and tourists trying to get to the beach.

As for me, I loaded up my chair and umbrella and walked the two blocks to my beach here in Cape Canaveral. The view wasn’t as good, but the lack of crowds made it worthwhile. And of course, the jets had been buzzing my house since their practice day on Thursday.

This year’s event was sponsored by Geico, although I couldn’t tell from the bright green Geico speedboat zipping by parallel to the shore, or the five skywriting planes who spell out with dots and dashes of smoke overhead that Geico welcomes us to the show.

It was a beautiful weekend. The waves were up so the surfers were in the zone, and the more than usual breezey breeze brought kiteboarders out in droves.

And of course, I worked on my tan in the last weekend of October. That’s always a good thing.

Around here, this time of year is off season. I know it’s hard to believe. You’d think plenty of folks would be on a quest to escape their cold, wintery weather. But besides the snowbirds who live down here part-time through the winter, and maybe around Christmas, it’s slow season.

Make the most of off seasons when traveling. And this is a great place to come. There are a few shuttle launches slated to lift off in the next 8 months or so, you can still tour Kennedy Space Center. Orlando is just a hop, skip and a jump away, so why not take advantage of the cheaper rates.

Here’s a wonderful site I found that offers discount coupons to local eateries and attractions. It’s not only just for Orlando, but is available for many major metropolitan areas throughout the U.S. as well as many other countries.

Groupon.com.

Let’s face it, it’s expensive to feed a family of four. Heck, it’s expensive for just two people to eat out. Save half on your restaurant bill by getting a coupon from participating restaurants at Restaurant.com. I know several of my favorite places in Cape Canaveral, Cocoa and Cocoa Beach offer half off the total bill through the site.

Travel smart and always be on the lookout for deals. In this economy, we need every dollar we can save.

I know, it’s been awhile since I have posted. What can I say, life gets in the way.

I am in the process of revamping the site, mainly due to the fact that I have switched server hosts. In that process, my photos didn’t make the journey. I’ve had some massive computer problems and used the wonderful mozy.com

A storm rolls in at the Cocoa Beach Pier

to back everything up. I just have to take the time to restore it back to my computer (it took about a week to back everything up initially) So hopefully, I will be able to get my photos back in place.

So please bear with me.

Ok, old people live down here pretty much year ’round. But we get an influx of old people during the months of November through March. We call them show birds. They want to escape the snowy north for the warmer weather of Florida.

However, most people don’t know this, but Florida is a haven for feral cats. When I first moved to Northern Florida, I was surprised by all the wild cats. One of our local video stores just up the street used to set out bowls of food. One night we walked by and saw at least 30 cats.

Living in Florida, land of the old people, who’s sex symbol is Bob Barker who always signs off of his show warning to get your pets spayed and neutered, I was shocked. I was stunned. Seems like the old folks of Florida weren’t heeding his warning.

When I moved down to central Florida there were just as many wild domestic cats roaming around. As a matter of fact, I met a girl at one of our beach accesses that was filling in for another lady who comes down every night to feed the feral cats. In Florida, it is supposedly illegal to do so. But as an animal lover what are you suppose to do? Let them starve to death?

Last night, I saw a kitten try to climb a light pole. She is not more than 4 months old, probably younger. I brought her home because in an environment such as ours, you shouldn’t let your kitty roam late at night by herself. I will post flyers to find her rightful owners, but if you’re just going to let her out to roam free, maybe you don’t deserve her to begin with.

She’s been quite at home in my son’s lap all day (after sleeping with him last night.) Apparently, she needs the love and apparently, she’s not getting it from the original owners who took her home only to toss her outdoors to fend for herself.

Florida is already too full of feral cats, and she will not be one of them. My son loves cats but is allergic to them. I’ve armed him with Benedryl and he’s happy to have her. The thing is pet will always give you unconditional love. That’s all they want back in return. And if my allergy ridden son can love a kitty regardless of his own discomfort…well, enough said.

This is the best thing about living in Cape Canaveral. This is why I moved to the coast. My friend, Samantha and I headed to the beach this afternoon. The sky was clear and blue, the water a nice shade of blue green and sparkling. Despite all the people, although not as crowded as other beaches like Daytona, it was a peaceful, tranquil day.

A beautiful day at the beach!

Samantha suns.

We sat in the surf.

The surfing was good, surfers ranging in ages from 6-65. This surfer was about 65 yrs old.

I’m a people watcher. This father uses a trip to the beach for educational purposes, pointing out the different little fishes and shells.

Look! It’s Bond Girl, Samantha Breezy!

Top rated hotels and resorts by Trip Advisor.

Other hotels and motels in the area from Trip Advisor.

I wrote this last year on my old blog. As the information is good, I thought I’d bring it back for an encore (I will be doing a lot of that over the next few weeks.)

When I first moved here at the end of June last year, hurricane season was already upon us. Everyone cautioned me to stock up on supplies so I would be ready, just in case.

Hurricane season officially begins on June 1 and runs through Nov. 30. The original end date has changed twice over the last several years. First, it was Oct 30, then it changed to Nov 15 and now it’s at Nov 30.

Scotty the downstairs neighbor says that in the 14 years he’s lived here, there have been five hurricanes. After looking it up for myself, since 1995, there have been six storms, not all of them hurricanes, and not all of them direct hits.

The Hurricane City website states that this area gets brushed or hit roughly every 4.15 years and the average years between a direct hit is 12.45 years. Statistically, the next hit for this area should be at the end of the 2009 season. (We got slammed pretty hard last year by Tropical Storm Fay.)

Scotty claims never to have evacuated. However, in my county, Brevard, when living on a barrier island, evacuation is mandatory. And quite frankly, it’s better to be safe than sorry.

My mama didn’t raise no fool either, so I have been slowly stocking up on suggested hurricane kit items. Since it’s just my son and I, our list is a tiny bit shorter.

Water- 1 gallon a day per person for 3-7 days.

Food- at least enough for 3 to 7 days
non-perishable packaged or canned food / juices, snack foods, non-electric can opener
cooking tools / fuel, paper plates / plastic utensils

Blankets / Pillows, etc.

Clothing – seasonal / rain gear/ sturdy shoes

First Aid Kit / Medicines / Prescription Drugs

Toiletries / Hygiene items / Moisture wipes

Flashlight / Batteries

Radio - Battery operated and NOAA weather radio

Telephones – Fully charged cell phone with extra battery and a traditional (not cordless) telephone set

Cash (with some small bills) and Credit Cards – Banks and ATMs may not be available for extended periods

Keys

Important documents – in a waterproof container or watertight re-sealable plastic bag…insurance, medical records, bank account numbers, Social Security card, etc.

Tools – keep a set with you during the storm

Vehicle fuel tanks filled

Books and games

For others who have infants, elderly family members, make sure you have what they will need such as diapers, formula, speciality foods (such as Ensure or Boost), medications, etc.

For pets, owners need to have proper identification, immunization records, medications, ample supply of food and water, a carrier or cage, muzzle and leash.

Wal Mart sells bottled water either by the gallon (around 84 cents,) the 2.5 gallon (around $3,) and the big 7 gallon plastic carboy ($7 for the first fill up including the bottle, $1 for refills.)

When I was a kid, deviled ham came only in deviled ham. Now they offer deviled chicken and deviled beef. The same with Spam, it comes in turkey, with cheese, with bacon, hickory smoked, lite, and a few others. There’s also the tried and try Vienna Sausages, which also now come in a variety of flavors.

For travelers planning a vacation to a historically active hurricane destination, you should also keep hurricane supplies on hand. You might want to consider travel insurance as well. Places such as InsureMyTrip.com and Priceline.com offer travel insurance, so in the event of a hurricane canceling or ruining your trip, you can recoup a large portion of your hard-earned money.

Whether you live on a barrier island, like me, or you’re simply planning a trip to one, you can’t go wrong with the Boy Scout motto: Always be prepared. I know I will be.

Yes, it’s been awhile since I’ve been here. What can I say, this southern belle has been busy trying to eek out a few bucks to survive on (btw, 2009 calendar is once again for sale at Coastal Designs. Toward the end of the year, I will be putting together another calendar for the 2010 season. And, if you are so inclined….visit my zazzle site at Southern Expressions.)

But enough of that. Living in Cape Canaveral has been tough on many folks because of the economy, to say the least. This is a town that has relied heavily on the space program. And while Pres. Obama says he will try to continue the space program at least another year or so, everything is up in the air. Believe me, this area needs it. We rely a lot on tourism, but with the economy as bad as it is, tourism is kind of at a low point now.

so, without further ado…here are a few photos I snapped of the Atlantis launch from my (yes) balcony.