My daughter went to South Dakota for a 3 week trip with my parents. She traveled by plane to Iowa then north by car to Mount Rushmore. I had taken this trip went I was just a little older with her Great Grandma; who by the way was on the trip with her and my parents. My daugher said something to me while she was on the trip, that was quit the food for thought. She said "did you know that there are no beaches here" I said yes I new that, she repeated "NO NO not anywhere, not Iowa not South Dakota not anywhere here".
This got me to thinking. She was born in Florida this was odd to her. We have coast line everywhere. Some of our local beaches are the beaches you see in advertising for Florida vacations. The beaches are pristine and remote. They are just part of our everyday lives. She just assumed that everyone had them.
Only a few days after she got back from seeing Mount Rushmore. This marvel of a monument, and to human creativity and patriotism. We were going to have a shuttle launch. Which to me growing up in this part of South Florida it was as common as a beach.
As we stood out in our front yard and waited with excitement to see the shuttle come over the tops of the trees. I remembered what my daughter had said. Not everyone has a beach. Well, at this point it was to late to run into the house to get my camera. We saw the bright yellow orange flame come up the horizon. It was cloudy that day. We saw the stream of smoke come in and out of the clouds and then a bright orangie yellow/blue flame go brighter just before it exited the atmosphere and then it was gone. Then realization that not everyone one can see a shuttle launch from there front yard. The next launch I will have my camera. I will have everyone see my view of the shuttle launch from my front yard.
I am a Full-Time Realtor, in Jensen Beach, who loves Florida. We deal with Buyer & Sellers, Residental, Commercial and Rental Properties in Martin, Saint Lucie and Palm Beach Counties.
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Chrissi, I look forward to your sharing the next one with a picture. Talking to kids can be eye-opening =)
Chrissi - Very nice post. It's pretty sad for a true Floridian (like me) - to NEVER have seen a shuttle launch "close up". Everytime ones goes up....I watch on TV and then run outside to see if we can see it. Then we say - "We need to drive down and watch" - So, I welcome your pictures too! Once of these days, I will get there to see one (like a tourist!).
Chritine- maybe we should get together and meet at the Cape, I've never seen it up close either just from my yard. I bet it is spectacular from the Cape. Sometimes we can feel and hear the sonic boom, from here too, when it lands.
Hi Chrissi,
It goes to show how we take things we have for granted and not appreciate them as much as we should. This applies to many things.
I'm here in a "no-beach" zone, too. I actually saw the ocean for the first time this year, and I am O-L-D (according to a certain 4 year old).
But we have fall, glorious fall, with more colors than you thought were possible from trees....
Mike - Welcome, it is very nice to goto the beach year round. But being almost native (I was 5 when we moved here) The winter water is totally off limits for me. It's much to cold! ~ yes I used the word cold when talking about Florida.
Jayne - The land is so flat down here we have to travel to North Florida to get any kind of waterfall action. Wait until your baby is 9 and tells you, you have no fashion sense as she walks out the door looking just so... with un-brushed hair and socks that don't match and you have to bit your lip because all her friends look just like her.
Chrissi - Lovely post! We sure take what we have for granted sometimes. Isn't it interesting how we have to be reminded of the simple enjoyments of live through the eyes of a child? Can't wait to see your photos of the next launch!
It looks like a shuttle launch is on the horizon (just a little pun). Hopefully it is a clear day.