Spring of 19 -#1 - Repairs, Space Coast, Cocoa Beach, Rocket Launch, Sunsets

Wednesday April 10th, 2019
We have accomplished a lot, with Ryans help, during our winter stay in Jacksonville.
Bryan took the shower out and fixed the crack in it.  Ryan built a new wooden base support that was sturdier than the original, especially around the drain.  This is where it had cracked. They put the plumbing all back in, and after ensuring the pipes and connections were good and didn't leak, they put  insulation around the pipes and any holes.   Then the shower cubicle and the surround walls were put back. The best news was that the flooring underneath was good.  Bryan had done a temporary fix on the crack in the base when he noticed it, and we were worried that the floor may have got wet, and rotted from the crack, but it was fine.
A couple of weeks later they replaced our toilet.  It was only a little more to buy a new one than replace all the parts we needed to fix the old one.  I really like my new toilet, it flushes better and is higher.  It does squeak when you sit on it though as it's plastic but that's ok, as long as you don't move. Ha!!Ha!!  The good news again was the floor was fine, no rotting!!
Bryan also did all of the routine maintenance that we have to do on the car(Tilly) and motorhome(Lily).
Of course, there was the small matter of him getting a knee replacement!!! My eye problem, as well as routine medical and dental appointments.  So, all in all I think we did very well but we are ready for a short trip south.  We'll call it our Spring of 19!!
We headed out on our way to Manatee Cove Campground at Patrick AFB, Cocoa Beach.  This is a first come, first serve campground and you can't make reservations.  We had called though, and were told there were plenty of sites available, so off we went.  The park does fill up in winter and it is harder to get a site then.

We stopped for lunch

Not a bad rest area

 The bridge going over to Cape Canaveral.

We won't be visiting the Space Center as we went there in 2014 when we were in the area.

 Cocoa Beach seems very commercialized but I liked the surfing statue.

 This is a scenic highway, hmmmm.  Lots of cars & traffic.

We got a great site at the campground, site#40.  This is our view through the front window, and because we're not right on the waterfront we don't have to pay the additional $6 a night. The waterfront sites are back in anyway, so we wouldn't have a water view from the front.  This is much better.

Don't know what type of bird this is, but it kept diving and then reappearing further along.  Looks a bit like a mini Loch Ness monster.

A great first sunset.

Thursday April 11th, 2019

We went for drive around the base to check out the Commissary and BX and just generally find out where everything was.  They have a Charleys here which is one of our favorite sub sandwich shops.  

View from our front window

My view out the side window. Hmmm, need that C Class to move I think.

And look, he did just that.  Much better. I wonder how long it will last!!

Osprey nest in a tower behind us.  We can see this from our bedroom window

There was a rocket launch from Cape Canaveral this evening.  We went outside Lily to see if we could see it, and we did.  The Falcon Heavy Rocket Launch took off without a hitch after a delay from yesterday.  We didn't see it actually blast  off from the ground, but once it was in the air it was visible for a few minutes.  Here's a VIDEO, it's not very good but watch to the end, listen closely and you will hear the booms as the boosters are ejected.

 until the boosters ejected and it was barely visible to us.

 Then just the vapor trail was visible

 Remaining vapor trail

 We saw the rocket boosters eject and fall toward the ground but couldn't get a picture.  They landed on target, on platforms in the ocean.  Unfortunately they didn't survive the rough seas over the next hours.

We had another wonderful sunset.

Friday April 12th, 2019

We saw some rugs when we went to the BX yesterday that were remnants, so we went back today to buy them.  The rugs we have are getting worn and needed replacing.  The rugs were only $17 each, so a bargain.

Saturday April 13th, 2019

Another sunset

Sunday April 14th, 2019
We watched the Masters Golf.  I was hoping Ian Poulter would do well but he had a bad last round. 

Tiger Woods won, his first masters for a number of years.
Monday April 15th, 2019
Bryan took Tilly to get new brakes and we will go on a road trip tomorrow to test them out.
More sunset pictures. We have a wonderful sunset every night even after the day has been overcast it seems.

That's it for now. Tomorrow we are going to see a lighthouse.  Surprise, surprise.