Orlando ICON

The conference hotel in Orlando was about a five minute walk from the ICON. After looking at it numerous times, and having some time after the conference let out early for the day, I decided to check it out.

It was raining lightly at the time and they warned it could be shut down at any time if lightening became an issue. Luckily it didn't.

The rain meant it wasn't very busy so I got a whole "pod" (or whatever they're called!) to myself. Nice!

Lizard Adventures

The B&B I was staying at in Titusville had a lovely garden area. It was humorous each time I walked through and along the path to get to the car because several small lizards, enjoying the heat and sunshine, would scatter in all directions.

On my last morning there, I packed up the car and planned to stop at another nature sanctuary for a short hike before heading back to Orlando for the conference I'm attending this week. As I neared the nature preserve, I suddenly realized there's a lizard on the hood of the car! I pulled over to take a photo and he just stared right back at me.

When I got to the sanctuary, I tried to convince him to get off the car but he kept hiding under the hood.

I even explained that he'd had a pretty good gig going in the B&B garden, the sanctuary was good too  but that he really, really didn't want to become a city boy! Especially if he didn't get off before I got back to the airport to return the rental car. Accommodations would not be pretty!

Who knows where he'll end up but I sure hope he manages to escape the airport parking garage and hitches a ride somewhere equally as nice as the B&B garden.

Good luck, little fella!

"Newsies" and the American Police Hall of Fame and Museum

I'd have to say the highlight of my trip so far was seeing "Newsies" at the Titusville Playhouse. It's a musical based on the 1992 Disney movie of the same name. The actors, the singing and dancing, were fabulous! Very likely one of the best live plays I've ever been to. 

Near the theatre was this interesting and very well done mural. I have no idea what building it was on.

While I'm not usually into museums, I thought I'd check out the American Police Hall of Fame and Museum. I wasn't sure what to expect but it was actually very well done! In addition to the museum area, there's a gun range, a pro shop, and training classrooms which I'm sure help to keep the museum viable. 

In the middle of the building was a chapel and a large memorial area with names of officers killed in the line of duty engraved on the walls. Around the outside of the memorial was the display area. 

Outside was a canine memorial. 

There were the usual car and motorcycle displays but, unusually, this one included the police car prop that was used in the original Blade Runner movie. 

There weren't as many guns on display as I thought there would be. There was a good mix of modern policing, historical equipment, information on notorious gangsters (Al Capone et al), more current events such as 9-11, crime scene techniques, and several interactive areas for kids of all ages.

I wonder if I have a relative who escaped from from the New York County Jail?? Thomas Ballard was wanted for counterfeiting. He lived in Wisconsin and was "brother of the well known John and William Ballard." $250 reward money would have been a lot in 1871. Humorous!

At the entrance to the chapel, there were banners on either side of the door.  One was "A Policeman's Prayer" and the other was "A Policewoman's Prayer." The distinction and tone of the two different prayers annoyed me. Perhaps it's because I was very fortunate in my career not to have faced a whole lot of opposition, criticism or doubt from my male colleagues. But it seems to me that praying for respect from my peers or for their understanding that I'm not there to take away their "man's" job rather than praying for courage, strength and dedication to keep the community safe . . . well, it just seems wrong. And, quite frankly, insulting. I wonder what other people, especially police women, think about this? 

Enchanted Forest and Cocoa Beach - Florida

After a second day of dripping sweat while barely moving, I've come to the conclusion that Florida in the summer time is probably not for me! But I'm still enjoying my time here in the great outdoors. 

I started the day at the Enchanted Forest Sanctuary. Despite it's hokey name, it was not hokey at all and is one of many protected areas in the region. A series of forested trails with widely diverse vegetation provided lots of shade (but didn't stop the dripping sweat) and, while I heard lots of birds and searched and searched for them, I saw not a one. 

However, on a short section of the trail that didn't have shade, I came upon this tortoise enjoying the sun, sand and grass. 

American Beautyberry

I'm amazed by the many bridges that span the rivers between the mainland and other pieces of land that separate it from the ocean. This particular one had beautiful bridge supports with dolphins and manatees decorating them. 

Beautifully decorated bridge supports

My next stop was the famous Cocoa Beach Pier and I enjoyed a nice long walk on the beach. Although still hot and humid, the ocean breeze and walking with my feet in the water most of the time kept the temperature manageable. 

I'm staying at the Casa Coquina B&B in Titusville for these few days before the conference in Orlando. Built in 1927, it's retained a lot of charm and is filled with beautiful old antique furniture. Outside areas include a lovely (if a bit overgrown) garden area and a roof top patio with a view of the water. However, as another guest put it, "It's a bit quirky."  (I think she might have been referring to the horse and armoured rider in the dining room!) 

Beautiful mural on the garden fence

Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge - Florida

Hot, humid (dripping sweat), birds, manatee (and their babies), and rain showers. This sums up my first day in Florida. The reason for this trip is a conference in Orlando next week but I took a few extra days to wander on my own.

Not the greatest photo in terms of being completely in focus, but I liked it anyway.

First stop was the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge visitor centre to get a map and trail recommendations. After one short hike (and getting a better taste of the heat and humidity!) I decided the suggestion of a "drive" wasn't a bad one. The Black Point Wildlife drive was well worth it as I saw several birds and traffic was light enough that I often just stopped in the middle of the road to get out and take photos. And there were other places along the drive to stop and do a couple more short hikes. 

I didn't see any alligators but I always find signs like this humorous. 

I found him! Finally! Could hear him in the bushes but took me forever to spot him.

The token lizard shot . . . since Andrew isn't with me on this trip.

Fairy wings

Staking out the bird watching blind

Wildflowers

Mostly, all that could be seen of the manatees was their backs, tails and their noses when they came up for a breath of air. 

A protective fin

A rare glimpse of a face

Walking on the beach

The rain is coming!