083 USA; Cape Canaveral and Orlando

 USA; Cape Canaveral and Orlando

When we arrive we go to the Hertz desk. The guy mentions to Frank that they've just had a Red Mustang Convertible brought back and we can have it for just an extra $25 a day. Frank goes weak at the knees. He's always wanted to drive a Mustang and to drive one down the Florida Keys is just perfect.

As we are driving along we see a sign to Melbourne - so we just have to go. It is a very  pretty town on an estuary. We discover that they say it the same way we do.

On the wine list is a wine from the Greg Norman estates with Jacobs Creek below that.
There is also Dolphin on the menu. Turns out to be a fish, not a porpoise.

We visit the Kennedy Space Centre. It is fantastic. So informative and so well put together.

This is supposed to be the largest one story building on the world. The doors take  20 minutes to open (so they can get the rocket out).
The stats on the Crawler that takes the rocket to the launch pad are amazing.

A mock-up of the control centre as it was when they landed man on the moon with a recreation of the countdown and launch on a big screen.

A replica of the Apollo series rocket. Amazing to think all of this started as weapons and ended up for such great purpose.
Everything was jettisoned. They moved to the shuttle because they had a directive they had to reuse as much as they could.

This is the actual Atlantis. Burn marks and all. It is genuinely awesome to be this close to it.
The space that Astronauts have is so small I can't work out how three people actually get in there.

The stories in regard to the arm are amazing. What they achieved in building the International Space Station is extraordinary. Everything done via cameras as there is no direct view of the arm.
We had an amazing day at the Space Centre and it was good to be reminded of how many great things America has achieved, rather than always focusing on war.

We spent the day at the Epcot Centre. It really is more for children under 10. Probably the perfect place for grandparents to take their  grandchildren. Slow boat rides, lots of things to touch.

Micky (Franks edit: Ruth to the right with me singing Oh Mickey you're so fine)

They have an area you walk around that has mock-ups of parts of the world. There are so many places to eat and drink - about 30 countries of the world. Very expensive and long queues.
We weren't the only ones looking bored.

Next stop, the Everglades

082 Bahamas; Cruisin

Bahamas; Cruisin
Freeport, Nassau, Great Stirrup Cay

View of Miami from our balcony.

There were some very experienced cruisers here. Before we'd even got our bags delivered there were people who already knew what was going on, had joined in an activity, had their drink or were already in the pool. I was overwhelmed for the first half day as there was so much you could do.

So we sailed all night at a slow 8 or 9 knots. The water was as flat as a pancake, if you were not looking out at water you would not know you were sailing.
First port of call was Freeport. These dancers were making an almighty noise and it wasn't until you tipped them that they went away!

There were loads of these tiny lizards darting about. No bigger than a few centimetres. So cute.

A British red phone box - complete with broken window. (Only understood by POMEs)

Couldn't resist this sign. So God likes Ice Cream? or has he gone commercial?

So I've just had my photo taken with a policeman when Frank spots these two police women ahead of us. He shouts out "Hey sexy ladies can I have my photo taken with you?" They ignore him, so he shouts it again but this time louder, presuming they did not hear (no way could they not have). I nearly died! But they still agreed but  the one on the left was not happy with him.

Second stop was Nassau. Great shopping.

We really got into the pirate stuff. It genuinely is a fascinating history. The museum was not a theme park, it was a genuine museum and we really enjoyed ourselves.

Frank showing people we'd met on the other ship our room.
We kept bumping into people from Carolina. They were so much fun. Eventually we worked out that they were from the ship that was on the same route as us, although their cruise was 7 days (I think)

The last day was spent on the shipping companies private island. We were pleasantly surprised when everything was still free.
The water was so clear and so warm.
We had a fantastic time snorkelling. They had put items, such as a ship wheel, and anchor, a treasure chest on the bottom, marked with buoys and it was great fun to follow the route.

Our ship, Norwegian Sky. It is considered an old boat but everything was pristine. The service was faultless, the food amazing and we had a great time.

So Frank is no longer a cruise virgin.

 

Next stop: Cape Canaveral

081 USA; Miami Beach

USA; Miami Beach

We drive from Niagara back to Washington, where we will fly to Miami.
We stop over on the way and opposite the hotel is a 9 hole golf course. We can't resist. It is our first golf since we left and 9 holes is just right.
Spot the red maple leaf.  

We also can't resist  going to Woodstock. Now we can say "We were at Woodstock" (and omit when :)

Miami Beach on a week day! We are back to warm weather, yippee.
It is a party town and you see people drinking massive cocktails for breakfast!
Quite a few people asleep in the park (not homeless, just couldn't get home).
People cruise the streets like in the movies in flash cars and on Harley's.

There are a lot of Art Deco buildings. We are impressed with the building regulations; When building something new they have to incorporate something of the style of the Art Deco but it must not be a copy. The buildings really work well together.

We hopped on a local bus, paid our 25c and went for a ride. Saw this: Jewish Holocaust Memorial.
We thought the bus was a loop but at a remote location the driver announced his shift had finished and he dropped us off and drove off. There are still some insalubrious places in Miami. Nothing around. There were 4 of us. Eventually someone else turned up and explained it was shift change over and a bus would be along. 20 mins later we are on our way back. Phew.

We've had some interesting conversations with people about guns. Most Americans seem to want hunting rifles but nothing else. Lots of anguish over the new rules to carry hidden weapons.

Versace Mansion on Ocean Drive where he was living when he was assassinated. Many famous people, such as Elton John and Madonna came here to stay with him.

Now you can see just how far behind I am with my blogs!
I'm getting lazier and lazier and fully understand the saying "If you want something done give the job to a busy person".
It is 11am and the mercury is climbing.

Many cruise ships leave from Miami.  It is 5:15. Our ship leaves tomorrow at 5:00, I wonder if someone will take a photo of it just like this?

another of Frank's photos!

There are loads of life saving booths along the shore. Each one is different. They are fantastic.

and that was Miami. Not our kind of place but worth a quick visit.

Next stop: Cruising the Bahamas - yeah :)

080 USA; Niagara (Canada)

USA; Niagara (Canada)

We drive up to Niagara and watch the mercury fall. Autumn is far more advanced and many of the trees are bare as we approach Niagara. We stop in a place called Dubois and visit Macey's & Sears. Two more 'American things to do' ticked off the list.

Halloween is massive here. We love the decorations. The best we saw was two dirt bikes in a field with skeleton's riding them. The road was too narrow and too busy for us to be able to take a photo.

We visit Gobblers Knob of Groundhog Day fame with Punxsawtawny Phil. It's about 8 miles away from the main road and we are genuinely surprised when 2 other cars also turn up. The sun is out and we have a pleasant stop. This is Frank predicting how many more weeks of Winter?

We spot a quaint store in a picturesque autumn leaved valley with a sign just saying "moonshine". We have to stop and fortunately there is no traffic. (The roads we are on are narrow and windy and have huge stretches of no overtaking or stopping)
We are given a shot of moonshine and after drinking it can barely speak!

The Guinness hats come into their own. It is freezing. We are a bit late in the season for seeing the Elk rut but with a bit of luck we may spot some. So just in case we don't, we take a photo with a statue :)

We've walked in the park and been on the look out for about an hour. We had given up spotting any Elk and were heading back to civilisation when we spot a small crowd at the side of the road. We find a turning spot and managed to get back. We are rewarded by a small herd.

Iconic American school busses.

And there are the Canadian falls. We thought after Iguassu that we might be disappointed but we are not. It has been raining for quite a few days so the volume of water is above average and is spectacular.

A wonderful dinner in a restaurant  overlooking the falls. We hadn't planned it this way but as we were dining the daylight finished and the lights came on the falls. So with no effort we had perfect timing. Notice we now are wearing sweaters indoors!

It is raining as we walk back and the lights that illuminate the falls catch the rain. Frank captures the Tower hotel behind to achieve a great photo

The Canadian falls lit up with the coloured lights.  Every 10 mins or so they would go back to white.

It wasn't really necessary to go on the Maid of the Mist to get wet as it was still raining.

We choose to take the tour behind the falls. They have created a tunnel behind the falls with two port holes. You can't see much - just tons of rushing water but what is amazing is the noise. Then you come out onto a platform so you can get even wetter!

We had been led to believe there wasn't much at Niagara. Even though we were there out of season (the season ended two weeks before we got there and quite a lot of things were closed) we found heaps to do. There is a surprising number of children's entertainment features.  This was dinosaur mini golf. There was the waxworks, Ripley's believe it or not, amusement arcades, Guinness book of records, house of horrors etc.

We drove to Niagara on the Lake (Ontario). It was a beautiful place. Some amazing homes. No shortage of money around here.

So while the autumn was more advanced here, it was still beautiful (although freezing and plenty of rain)

We could not believe it when these people went in the open basket across the river. We are huddled in the gift shop, with our beanies on, our jumpers, our jackets and we are still cold. It is raining and windy. They are nutters.

The American falls on the left and Canadian on the right. This is the view from our hotel window.









And that was Niagara.
Despite the weather, and having to spend an extra day, so I could spend hours shut up in the hotel to apply for my job (no fun and only a very short time to turn round the application) we still had an amazing time.

Next stop Miami Beach - and back to warm weather :)