Fly In with Friends

What do you get when you combine sunshine in Florida, a private air strip, homes with hangers attached, and good friends? A great time and lots of planes. We met friends from Iowa at their home located on a private grass air strip and was it a wonderful day. The planes started arriving and it looked like O'Hare Field as they buzzed the strip and arrived for a lunch that was terrific. We met more Iowa folks and visited the day away. There were 101 planes that participated in the Fly In and watching them land and take off was a close up experience. We hope you enjoy the photos as much as we did in taking them. You may recognize some of the Iowa folks from Fayette County. It was time to escort planes to take off and say good byes. Then it was time to walk the dog and put the planes in the hangers at the private park. We look forward to next year and seeing our friends from Iowa.

Last Launch of Discovery

Being the last launch of the space shuttle "Discovery", we traveled to New Smyrna Beach, FL. to gather with friends on the Atlantic Beach to watch the lift off of the shuttle to update and resupply the International Space Station. The lift off was scheduled for 4:50 PM on February 24, 2011, and was a few minutes late due to low level clouds. Once these clouds cleared, the lift off continued with a flawless, spectacular view of the shuttle leaving the launch pad and heading into space. We were located about 20 miles due north of Cape Canaveral to watch the lift off. The launch was exciting and viewed by many folks on the beach. We walked the beach to gather some shells washed up on the shore. The waves left trails in the sand as the tide went out and the shuttle left a contrail in the air following a successful lift off. The contrail remained for us to watch as a reminder that "Discovery" was headed toward the ISS.

February Flywheelers - Gathering of the Orange

The February Flywheelers brought warmer weather and a great turn out for the Gathering of the Orange. Yes, Allis Chalmers tractors were featured for the four day event at Ft. Meade, FL. There are many antique cars, trucks, bikes, and wagons on display for your viewing. There are vendors selling parts for those looking for that rare part. Other vendors have many items that may catch your eye. You absolutely cannot see the entire display in one day. Food vendors have specialty foods depending on your tastes. We recommend trying the homemade ice cream. Be sure to look at the photo below showing the John Deere and Allis Chalmers tractors that were split and joined together, Half-Rite and Half-Rong. What a look. The 2012 show will feature Ford, so we look forward to seeing many Ford Tractors at that event. We have a restored 1949 8N Ford that would look terrific at the show.

SE Area Flywheelers 2011 Show

The January Show came with cool weather. We visited with many show participants and visitors. We always enjoy shopping for some tractor parts and tools. The February Show will feature the Allis Chalmers tractors. All colors are welcome and we look forward to seeing them all on display.

Leaving 2010 and looking to 2011

2010 came to a close with a total eclipse of the full moon at around 0315 in the morning on December 21 in our area. This was unique as it occurred on the Winter Soltice. The last time this occurred was in the year 1638 and will not occur again until the year of 2485. Looked forward to Jo's niece, husband, and son visiting us on their way to Orlando. We enjoyed the short time with them and glad they were able to stay with us. On New Year's Day we ventured with friends on a cool day of sailing in the Gulf. We sailed 9 miles into the Gulf Waters and saw dolphins and many birds along the way. In the channel a gentleman cleaning fish was sharing the cleanings with the many birds sitting on the dock. They longed for a piece to be thrown in their direction.