Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.
Mark Twain
Last night was a great night! We were forced to drink Bud's half bottle of Rye so that he could buy another at the border, or something like that! Lots of laughs and we were all still able to answer the bell this morning.
After a quick bite at our Country Inns and Suites we headed for home. We stopped at the New River bridge in Virginia for a shot. It is the longest arch bridge in North America.
We drove until we got to Grove City Outlet Malls where we all picked up clothing at deep discounted prices (up to 70% off). Bud did the best because he got additional discounts from the web.
We got home around 9:00 pm.
What can you say about friends like the ones I have? We had a ton of laughs this last week. We even wrote a couple of partial songs and played once, but most importantly they are people that have been there for me through thick and thin. They always have your back.
I am truly a blessed man.
Time to head home...........
We left Orange Lake at 9:30 and pointed the vans towards Beckley, WV. It was 74 F out and going to 82 F today 80(
Stopped at McDonalds for a quick breakfast.
We changed our food choice to Wendy's at our first stop and enjoyed an Apple and Pecan Salad.
I wore a T-shirt and my zip outs. By the time we got to Wytheville, VA it was 32F and I couldn't find the legs to my zip outs. Damn chilly. To make matters worse, Paul and Andre had to go so bad they left me to pump the gas into the van. I think my butt cheeks are frozen!!!
It's never fun driving in the mountains in the dark. Terry, please note, this was not my idea 8O)
We got to Country Inns & Suites in Beckley, WV at 10:30 pm. Snow on the ground and 32 F, but look at this brave Canuck!!
\
Cheers, to a fabulous and memorable trip!
Andre and Paul talking bedtime strategy 8O)
What is he taking a picture of?
His better looking brother of course!! Hahahahahaha!
Time for bed. Another adventure awaits us tomorrow!
All good things must come to an end, and so we all took Moe and Barry to the airport for their flight home.
We returned to our Villas and went for a swim in the Lazy River. Unfortunately (fortunately) Bud didn't provide me with the pictures in time to publish 8O)
The highlight of the pool time was spotting my first Monarch Butterfly since Chris' passing, right near her favourite spot!! AWESOME!!
We followed with a marathon MPGA (Mini-Putt Golf Association) Tournament! We played 36 gruelling holes and walked the entire course (no carts!)
I destroyed them to win the 1st Annual MPGA Cup!! The poor chumps never knew what hit them. It was the pure athlete in me breaking out of my humble mode to put a real beating on them that they won't soon forget!.......... you can probably see the frustration in their faces in this pic!
With the beating over, I consoled them all by suggesting that we go to the Alehouse for our Last Supper.
Mardi joined us and we had another fabulous meal.
I have been a pretty good boy this past month. My coach would be proud of me, but my elation from the earlier trouncing I performed,went to my head and I ordered this chocolate beast!
I could only finish half of it. Maybe my stomach has shrunk?????
This has been a fabulous month and I must thank my buddies for coming down to support me this week. I am very, very blessed to have the friends I have.
Their reward was to escape the coldest week at home in two years and bask in the glorious weather that we've had!
My reward was their presence.
Thanks Guys.
Today is our last day together. Bud and Barry left early to play 9 holes. Moe and I went to the Guitar Center to check out................ Ukeleles!!......... no mandolin this trip.
I had taken a picture of the kid's from the Sponge Dock yesterday. It looked and sounded great. I didn't see any hanging up so I showed my picture of it to the clerk behind the desk. "That is a Cordoba 20TM-CE,I think we have a couple in the back". Turns out he is Hawaiian and has the exact same model and loves it. He brought one out, tuned it up and played a number of tunes on it (he was good!). SOLD!
It has a great sound and is also electric!
We returned to the Villa and Bud and I went for a very enjoyable 4 mile walk.
Lots of the plants and trees coming into bloom.
We found Bud's other unit that he and Mardi bought.
Nice backyard.
Came back to the Villas and actually picked up our instruments for the first time this week and had a great practice!!
Enjoyed another beautiful sunset and leftovers as we tried to get rid of our food.
We had talked about going back to Downtown Disney our last night, but most of the guys were too tired.
The younger guys (me and Moe 80) were up for more, so we headed down and left the old geezers to rest.
Yes Lillian, 9 holes of golf was all that Barry could take!! No 4 mile walk or walking Downtown Disney........... old geezer 8O)
The first band we heard as we entered were these two guys outside Splitsville playing Moe's song, Copperhead Road! A great sign of things to come!
We sat and enjoyed their music for a set. Moe enjoyed a Yeungling
Passed these guys playing Spanish Music outside the Cuban place.
Sat through most of a set from this guy at House of Blues.
Watched the band play at the entrance to Pleasure Island for a set along with this Flamenco player. He put on a great show.
Finally got down to our main destination Raglan Road for some great Irish music from their house band Creel. Put in a request for "And the Band played Waltzing Matilda" about the slaughter in Tripoli during the First World War in which Moe's Grandfather participated. They did a great rendition!
They called a gentleman up from the audience named Anthony Kearns, one of the founding members of the Irish Tenors. He was recognized in 2010 by the Irish Music Association as the Best Irish Tenor in the US, UK, and European Union.He is also a voting member of The GRAMMYs. He performed several various styles of songs, although I am not a huge fan of opera, I must admit I was moved by this song. His voice was astounding live!! Give it a listen.
We closed Raglan Road and didn't get back till almost 2:00 am.
What a great way to close out a great week!!
Too bad the Old Geezers couldn't answer the bell! 8O)
We took two vans (comfort is more important than economy 80) today to Tarpon Springs to visit the Sponge Docks.
Chris and I were here last year. It is a very cool Greek Village.
We had lunch at Mykonos. We had Saganaki as an appetizer, which is Goat cheese set on fire!! OPA!! Sorry I didn't get a picture of it. All the food was very good as well as the Mythos (Greek Beer)
We checked out a lot of the stores and came across this Father and son team. I loved the kid's Ukelele (take note as it pertains to tomorrow's blog).
We walked the Sponge Docks, checking out some of the fine vessels.......
and then went to the Museum and watched a '50s movie about the history of sponge fishing at Tarpon Springs. Not "quite" up to NASA standards. 80)
We then drove over to Clearwater Beach. Went for a walk on the beach and watched the sun starting to set.
We went to Moe's favourite restaurant , The Corner Post pizza.
We met up with Andre's little brother Peter who is down here for 6 months.
Started the day with an excellent breakfast provided by Andre.
Talk about too many maids in the kitchen!
We decided to play a game of "Teenage Golf" today on the Arnold Palmer designed par 3 Executive course.
Golf is a stupid game. Too many rules and things "frowned" upon.
After a power nap, we made our way down to Universal's City Walk.
"Hemisphere Dancer" , Jimmy Buffet's plane that was shot at in Jamaica with Jimmy and Bono aboard as it was mistaken for a drug runner.
We enjoyed the food, music and atmosphere of Margaritaville.
Today was our big trip to NASA. We were supposed to leave ast 10:00 am, but herding FishGuts is like herding chickens....... or maybe Sandhill Cranes 8O)
We eventually got away at 11:00 am.
Barry, Paul and Andre had never been there. I haven't been in 25 years.
NASA did not disappoint.
Moe and I fit into this Gemini mockup. We wondered where they would store all he poop on a 14 day mission????
Myself, Bud and Andre give the thumbs up in an Apollo command capsule.
Not easy getting back out!
This is the actual gantry that Armstrong, Aldrin and Collins walked on to get into their Apollo 11 Spacecraft! A real piece of history.
Barry standing beside the Saturn 5 Rocket that propelled the Apollo Spacecraft to give it a bit of perspective.
This is the real deal! The actual Apollo 14 Command Module that circled the moon!!
This is living history man!
Another piece of history. Buzz Aldrin's (second man on the moon) spacesuit that he wore on the moon. You can still see the imbedded moon dust!
This volunteer was actually working in Mission Control (on telemetry for the 2nd stage) on Apollo 11!!
Now that is cool!!
Here is the actual Mission Control Room for the Apollo Series.
We also saw an awesome 3D IMAX movie on the Hubble Telescope and the universe and took a simulated launch in the Shuttle cargo bay. Both excellent adventures!
We left NASA and headed down to Cocoa Beach where we visited Ron Jon's, Moe's favourite store.
From there we went to The Old Fish House nearby for dinner based on internet ratings. They were accurate. It was an excellent meal.
It was an excellent FishGuts Day! NASA will have the space shuttle Atlantis on display in a new building next year. I think it will call for a return visit!
