From the Space Coast

As I mentioned last week, I would be writing this from Cape Canaveral and that is indeed the case. I’m sitting at the Sand Reef Condominium where we’ve been since Thursday. Elizabeth came over from Orlando, Vance drove up with Nicholas and I drove over from Bradenton.

But first things first, the exhibition at The CAMP Gallery last Friday was great and after that I had a beer at Luna Star Cafe where I had the place all to myself. I walked to both since they are just three blocks from my house. It was a fun way to spend start the weekend.

Saturday and Sunday were pretty quiet, there was lots of rain one of the days and when that stopped, Vance and I took advantage to tackle yardwork. Really Vance did much more than me. He mowed the lawn, edged and spruced up the yard with mulch while I did quite a bit of weeding.

Sunset view from the booth at the football game.

Tuesday, I took off to Bradenton where I watched my nephew Chris coach the St. Stephen’s Episcopal School Falcons to a football victory over the Cambridge Christian Lancers 28-10. It was cool to sit in the booth next to my brother Mario.

Wednesday I spent a relaxing day with my brother at his condo. He took me out to a great breakfast, we bought some great sweets at the bakery next door and that night went for sushi with Chris, his wife Ericka and their kids Belle and Chase.

Frog Creek

Thursday, I took off for Cape Canaveral to meet Nick, Vance and Elizabeth at my niece Nicole’s house in Merritt Island. On the way there, I made quick stop, really I just drove through Terra Ceia Preserve State Park and snapped a photo of Frog Creek.

We all got there at relatively the same time. We hung out with them and their kids Ramzi and Mazen who were so happy to see us. We then piled into Vance’s car, headed to the condo and settled in. Then we got ready for dinner at the Pig & Whistle where we chowed down on a reuben sandwich (Elizabeth), a BLT (that was mine), a couple of Scotch eggs that we all shared, a French dip sandwich (Vance) and of course, a burger and fries for Nick.

Today, I went for a great walk on the beach before everyone got up. Vance of course left early for his orientation so he was gone by 7:45. The beach was glorious, windy with really rough surf but the weather was cool and delicious. I got back and ironed all of Vance’s work clothes for the week. Then, he and I went to look at a few short term rentals with the help of one of my niece Nicole’s good friends who is a realtor. Vance narrowed it down to two very nice ones.

Lovely stained glass behind the bar at Cocoa Beach Fish Camp Grill.

When we both got back, the four of us once again piled into the car and had lunch at the Cocoa Beach Fish Camp Grill. They had a really good smoked fish dip and red beans and rice with Andouille sausage. The rest of the gang had Thai chili chicken and brussels sprouts, a loaded sweet potato with pulled pork and crispy onions and a cheeseburger and fries for Nick. We all shared the hush puppies. Vance, Nick and Elizabeth enjoyed some time shooting pool while I chatted with the four ladies sitting next to us. They were from Michigan and are departing on a cruise tomorrow.

ALL the candy!

Nick and Elizabeth ready to throw the football around.

After lunch we stopped into this massive candy store and bought way too much stuff, popped into the Ron Jon Surf Shop to buy a football and headed back to the condo. We went back to the beach and spent a good hour throwing the football around on the beach and frolicking in the sand watching the sun go down.

Dinner with the Chararas at Dolphins

Finally, tonight, just a couple of hours ago, we met my niece Nicole, her husband Tariq and their kids Ramzi and Mazen for dinner at Dolphins Waterfront Bar & Grill at Cape Crossing. It was such a nice way to end these few days in this quaint part of Florida’s West Coast.

Vance will stay here to start his job on Monday, Elizabeth will head back to Orlando tomorrow to her apartment at UCF and Nick and I will go back home tomorrow, all of this after breakfast at The Waffle House. Nick and I will make a stop at my friend Janet’s house for her Pumpkin Carving Party and then on to my sister Mari’s 80th birthday party.

And THAT IS ALL.

Goodnight and have a great weekend!