American World Traveler Spring 2020 Issue

what they were doing and precisely where to
go for sightings. After fitting us with the best
wet suits on the market, we would lazily navigate
the canals which had a mysterious morning
fog rising from the water. A breathtaking
sight on its own.
Even early in the morning, the Three Sisters
Springs Refuge was full of people all enjoying
the magnificence of being in fresh warm
water with the gentle giants. Following protocol,
we would only observe the Manatees and
were only allowed to touch them if they came
to us. Two hours passed in a flash, but we left
with lifelong memories and for some - a
check off their travel bucket list.
Other activities on this visit included the Ellie
Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State
Park. This is a refuge for animals that would
otherwise not survive in the wild. To our
amazement, amongst the many diverse animals
there that included many specious of
beautiful birds, was an actual Hippo. Yes, off
all things, so far from home yet so happy in
this sanctuary.
Our thirst and appetite were well served in
downtown Crystal River, including wonderfully
prepared mix drinks at the redesigned Crew
Bar, and large juicy steaks at Vintage on 5th.
Beautiful ending to a great day in a quaint
and charming town.
Which way to the beach?
Travel for me is about doing new things. This
trip to the Space Coast would give me a
chance to see and participate in yet more
wonderful experiences. The Space Coast is
more than what people think of, being the
place that launches humans into outer space.
It also has some fantastic beaches, 71 miles
in all. During our short stay here, we would
visit the Kennedy Space Centre and the following
morning take surfing lessons.
Kennedy Space Center
Getting there early in the morning before the
masses arrived would have us right at the
front of the gates of the Kennedy Space
Center and we would enter right after the
singing of the American national anthem.
Right up front were the amazing spacecraft in
the rocket garden, they took my breath away.
These are the things of a little boy’s dreams. I
felt small and humbled beside them, who
could not.
All the while running to beat the crowds, we
would find ourselves at the Space Shuttle
Atlantis Pavilion. There I would marvel at the
building while climbing upwards to a theatre
that showed the launching of the shuttle in a
large room with screens on most sides. Then
it happened, the movie ended, the front curtain
rose, and I was speechless. Right in front
of me was the star, a space star. It was the
actual ship, the Atlantis that flew 33 space
missions over 26 years was now hanging
slightly sideways with its bay door open. It was
a sight I would remember for life.
The rest of the full and glorious day was spent
on more amazing experiences. We tried the
incredible Shuttle Launch Experience, a
thrilling ride that heightened all the senses.
We would also have a delicious buffet style
lunch with the retired astronaut John-David
Bartoe who spoke of his time spent in the
space station. Had some astronaut training
experience and finally a tour by coach of the
Cape Canaveral grounds where we saw the
NASA hangers and launch pad of the Apollo
missions. To add to this, on this tour we would
be interrupted by an unscheduled moving of
a Space X rocket to its hanger.
Later supper at the Westgate Cocoa Beach
Pier was a perfect way of ending our day as
we would feast on the best the ocean has to
offer.
Hang Ten at the Ron Jon Surf School
The following day brought us a whole new
experience and a great appreciation for surfing.
We would get lessons at the Ron Jon surf
school, call it a crash course on how to get up
from a surfboard when you hit the perfect
wave. That was easy, really easy, on dry land.
A short walk to the beach and the students –
‘surfers to be’ were taken one by one by a
professional staff member into the waves and
surf. Long story short, it was a disaster, most
of our attempts found us splashing on our
backs into salty water, but at least it was a
warm, sunny day and we would treasure this
experience as another once-in-a-lifetime
event.
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American World Traveler Spring 2020