Port Canaveral - suggestions for visitors?

Discussion in 'Fred's House of Pancakes' started by Les_PL, Feb 19, 2014.

  1. Les_PL

    Les_PL Active Member

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    Just received my voyage orders - Port Canaveral FL. Of course - the obvious thing to see - the Kennedy Space Center. A wide offer for visitors - easy to get lost when choosing the best option. Anybody have some experience? What is the must and what is not worthy? I think the VAB, Launch Control center and Shuttle Atlantis are the most interesting.
    Hoping that in Florida is a lot of Prii I also intend to walk around for some Priusspotting on the other side of the Ocean :D
     
  2. MarcSmith

    MarcSmith Active Member

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    you are only about 60 minutes from Orlando, (disney, Seaworld, Universal theme parks)
    about the same to Daytona Beach, a few hours to miami south and tampa west....

    If you are into fishing, you could get on a charter and head offshore for some deap sea fishing.

    Just hang out and relax on Cocoa beach...

    the space center is pretty cool. but I haven't been in nearly 20 years....nto since I left orlando...
     
  3. Les_PL

    Les_PL Active Member

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    Thank! Cocoa Beach - sounds good :) Actually I'm looking for some spots not too far and not too much time taking. Don't like to leave my boat for more than several hours. I'm at work.
    Anyway - first I have to cross the Atlantic, some ten days to consider :whistle:
     
  4. MarcSmith

    MarcSmith Active Member

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    I'm envious of you being on a boat. What Kind....Sail or power, big small, cruise...ect... My dad used to deliver boats up and down the east coast on the Intercostal waterway using his captains lic...
     
  5. Les_PL

    Les_PL Active Member

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    At present - reefer ship - speed banana boat :)

    GREEN_BRAZIL_speedboat_resized.jpg
     
  6. MarcSmith

    MarcSmith Active Member

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    gotta love the merchant marine.... I spent two years at the US Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point NY...

    are you a passenger or are you are worker?
     
  7. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

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    Look for inland restaurants by fresh water. The manatees are worth getting a peek.

    Bob Wilson
     
  8. Les_PL

    Les_PL Active Member

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    This must be something great! I saw most of the marine mammals except manatees and narwhales :)
    And good restaurant with fresh steak (not manatee though) would make me happy after weeks on frozen stuff only.
     
  9. hkmb

    hkmb Senior Member

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    It's been 30 years since I went there, but the Space Centre is one of the coolest things I have ever seen. I'd highly recommend it.
     
  10. Les_PL

    Les_PL Active Member

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    Yeah - I saw their website - already cleaning my camera lenses and formatting memory card :0 But first - cross the Atlantic. Weather forecast ahead is ugly :eek:
     
  11. Les_PL

    Les_PL Active Member

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    Guess :) [​IMG]
     
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  12. hkmb

    hkmb Senior Member

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    I'd imagine it's a challenge at this time of year.
     
  13. Les_PL

    Les_PL Active Member

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    I'm afraid that you are right..
    fore_Atl.jpg
     
  14. ETC(SS)

    ETC(SS) The OTHER One Percenter.....

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    If you're into tourist traps you can always hit Ron Jon's for a T-shirt.

    Maybe a sticker for the pilothouse. :)

    If you have a CAC card or military ID there's Patrick AFB.
     
  15. MarcSmith

    MarcSmith Active Member

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    it's not uncommon for folks to book travel on a tramp steamer...:) I would in a heart beat, but my wife like some luxuries....
     
  16. pmike

    pmike Member

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    I live in Titusville. I actually see the Vehicle Assembly Building when I walk outside my work on the Indian River. I would say food wise I would go for Grills Seafood Deck & Tiki Bar at the Port.

    Grills Seafood Deck & Tiki Bar - Cape Canaveral, FL
    Grills Seafood Deck & Tiki Bar - Cape Canaveral | Urbanspoon

    You might want to check out Cocoa Village if you want to walk around: Welcome To Historic Cocoa Village - Official Website

    In Cocoa Village food wise I would recommend Ryan’s Village Pizza, it is a Irish place that serve really good NY style pizza.

    Ryan's Village - Cocoa, FL
    Ryan's Village Pizza - Cocoa | Urbanspoon

    Looks like they have Mardi Gras in Cocoa Village this weekend. Its a younger crowd but we always have fun.

    If you want to hang around younger more active crowd (live band) there is Coconuts On The Beach.

    Coconuts On the Beach - Cocoa Beach, FL
    Coconuts On the Beach - Cocoa Beach, FL

    I was born in Titusville so the whole space thing doesn't usually impress the locals. I went to one of the last open houses they had before 9-11, they let you walk under one of the Space Shuttles (you could literately touch it if you wanted to disobey the signs) and walk through the Shuttle Carrier Aircraft. It was for friends and families of KSC workers. I also worked at the visitor center for a few years as an annoying Kodak "photographer".

    There are a lot of walking/hiking trails in the area if that interest you.

    Actually taking my 2013 Prius in for the recall tomorrow at noon in Merritt Island (Mike Erdman Toyota), about 10 miles from the Port.
     
  17. Les_PL

    Les_PL Active Member

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    Thanks pmike - will keep in mind - WOW - touching a Space Shuttle :) And then - good pizza can do.
    At present not even a half way to go - not nice. I wish to be a submariner.
    P1170694.JPG
     
  18. Les_PL

    Les_PL Active Member

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    On big containercarriers the PAX accomodations are nice and comfortable. And not much competition for ladies. Mmmm... it reminds me of one... round the world trip.. err.. better not, who knows who else is reading this thread ;)
     
  19. MarcSmith

    MarcSmith Active Member

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    I'll take high seas over being a submariner

    • Spend as much time as you can indoors during the daytime, stay out of direct sunlight. Go to work only before sunrise and come home after sunset.

    • Eat food that you can only get out of a can and requires water in order to eat it. Empty out your refrigerator and turn the temperature control down, turning the refrigerator into a freezer. Get rid of All fresh fruits and vegetables.

    • Repeat back everything spoken to you. Repeat back everything spoken to you.

    • Sit in your car for six hours at a time with the motor running. Keep hands on the wheel. But don�t leave your driveway. Log readings of your oil pressure, water temperature, speedometer and odometer every 15 minutes.

    • Put Lube Oil in your humidifier instead of water. Set it on high.

    • Buy a trash compactor; use it only once a week. Store the rest of the garbage in your bathroom.

    • Don�t watch movies except in the middle of the night. Have your family vote on which movie to watch, then show a different one.

    • Have the paperboy give you a standard Navy haircut.

    • Take hourly readings on your water and your electric meters. But only for a six hour period.

    • Invite guests but don�t prepare enough food for everyone. Serve food cold. Limit the time they sit at the table to 10 minutes.

    • Wake up at midnight every night and make a peanut butter sandwich, use stale bread. Better yet, make your own bread but cut 3 inch thick slices and use these. Optional: warm up some canned Ravioli or soup.

    • Make your family a menu for the week without knowing what food is in the cabinets.

    • Set your alarm clock for various times at night; adjust the volume to the maximum. When it goes off, jump out of bed, get your clothes on as fast as you can, run outside and grab the garden hose. Then go back to bed and do it all again when the alarm goes off.

    • Once a month take apart every appliance completely and then put them back together.

    • Use 18 scoops of coffee per pot and allow it to sit for 5 to six hours before drinking it.

    • Invite at least 85 people you really don�t like and have them stay for a couple of months.

    • Store your eggs in the garbage for two months and then cook a dozen each morning.

    • Have a fluorescent lamp installed under your coffee table and lie underneath it to read books.

    • Put a complicated lock on your basement door and wear the key around your neck on a special chain.

    • When making cakes, prop up one side of the pan when cooking. Use extra icing to level it off.

    • Every so often, yell "EMERGENCY DEEP!" run into the kitchen and sweep all pots, pans and dishes off of the counters onto the floor, and then yell at your wife for not having the kitchen area "Stowed for Sea!"

    • Put on the stereo headphones (don�t plug them in), go to the stove and stand in front of it. Say (to no one in particular) "Stove manned and ready" stay there for 3 to 4 hours. Say (once again and to no one in particular) "Stove secured", then role up your headphone cord and put them away.

    • Pull out your refrigerator and clean behind it for 4 hours and then put it back when you are done. Have your wife come and check every 10 minutes with a flashlight to see how you are doing.

    • When doing your laundry fill it only 1/3 full, sit in front of your washing machine in your underwear and read a book or magazine you�ve read at least 5 times before in the last week. When the wash is done, only run the dryer for half the normal time.

    • Fix-up a shelf in your closet that will serve as your bunk for the next six months. Take the door off of the hinges and replace them with curtains. While asleep, have family members shine a flashlight in your eyes at random intervals and say either "Sign this!" or "Sorry, wrong rack!"
     
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  20. Les_PL

    Les_PL Active Member

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    Just arrived. Welcome to sunny rainy Florida :) As a starter: USCG Port State Control Inspection -passed OK !! Tomorrow going to Space Center yuppee..