OK...It isn't really a balloon, but a camper van. For the last 5 weeks, it's been our home.
We're celebrating our 5th Saturday on the road here at Pat Neve's sign shop in Melbourne, Florida. We've got toilets, running water, a DSL connection and access to nearby beaches. It just don't get much better.
We left Nettie's home in St. Petersburg Thursday afternoon determined to see a space shuttle launch. Just before Orlando, we learned the launch has been scrubbed until Sunday, and now Monday. We decided to kill some time and attend the big ISA Sign Show at the Orlando Convention Center.
And what a show it was. A huge room full of Letterville Merchants and those that needed to learn about Letterville. I donned my favorite Florida flowered shirt, and Barb and I walked our buns off. We only had a few hours Friday at the show, but we both feel good about what we accomplished.
Letterheads in attendance included Chip Carter, Mike O'Neill, Paul Bathe, Duncan Wilkie and his wife Laura, Amy Brown, John Smith, Glen Taylor, Dennis Goddard...the list goes on. Bob Parsons was onhand, but we lost his cell number and never did run into him. It's always a thrill to run into old friends and get to meet new ones face to face.
After the show, we bid farewell and drove here to Melbourne. Many of you will recall The Melborne Migration meet that was held here in Feb. 2002. Lots of memories. Banners and artwork from that meet are everywhere I look. Here's a link to that meet.
Looks like the shuttle lauch has been delayed until Monday. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for me to see a live launch, so I think we will lay low here and hope there are no furthur delays. Time, money and my stockpile of heart medications are becoming a real concern. We may have to change some of our plans. There are always a few people we just don't get to on these trips and that really bothers us. All we can do is apoligize and promise to make up for it next time around.
We want to take a second here to thank all of you along the way that have opened your hearts and homes to us. This has been a very special trip. We met many new Letterheads and visited so many places I have always dreamed of seeing.
Stay tuned for more road stories and photos.
[ April 06, 2002, 12:19 PM: Message edited by: Steve Shortreed ]
Posted by Monte Jumper (Member # 1106) on :
Good to see you are having such a good trip...glad you made it here and hoping one day we will awake and find you on the front lawn again.
Good luck on the launch!
Be careful making yer way home.
Posted by Mark Neurohr (Member # 2470) on :
Steve,
Umteen years ago when I was living in Southern California, my buddy and I were so broke we couldn't even pay attention!
So, we went through the ashtray of my 1970 somethingoranother Plymouth Sport Fury III Oceanliner to get enough change to buy some gas. Low and behold we found a FIFTY DOLLAR BILL by the gas pumps. WE WERE RICH!!! (I know what your all wondering,............................ what did we do with ALL THAT MONEY)?
Bought a case of beer, a few wine coolers, picked up a couple of our favorite lady friends and drove up to Edwards Air Force Base and watched the very first Space Shutle land. It was Awsome!!
I'd be willing to bet that watching a Shuttle launch is 10 times better than watching it land, but I'll never forget the memories.....
Posted by Curtis hammond (Member # 2170) on :
i lived in Florida for many years and watched moon shots, satelite shots and shuttle shots. Its a sight you will never forget.
One year around 1971 or so we watched a moon shot go up. The sky was absolutelty clear and blue. In the background was nearly a full moon. The rocket fire lit up the afternoon sky in such a way that it was like a science fiction photo.
Unforgetable
Posted by John Smith (Member # 1308) on :
Steve, if you can make the shuttle launch, it will be the most awesome sight you have ever seen! I can see it from my house here in Kingsland, that is how big it is. Just a note here.... I just got in from my Orlando trip and i-95 through Jacksonville is a nightmare. I don't know the next legs of your journey, but, if you have plans to venture up i-95, please call me and I will plan a route for you that will be as painless as possible. Am glad to hear you have some pretty hospitable hosts down there !!!
Posted by Amy Brown (Member # 1963) on :
Glad you guys are having a good trip! Sorry we missed you at the ISA show. You should try to catch a launch. They are great! I can see it from my house. Just be prepared, they tend to cancel them a lot! Enjoy the rest of your journey.
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