Day 48 - Florida

Day 48

Nov. 28

Orlando, Florida

Dear Miss Smith,

Today was an exciting day for me. We got to go to the Kennedy Space Center.

Priscilla, Amy, Mikayla and I went to see a film in the I-Max Theater. It was called Space Station 3D. It was a very interesting film. The narrator was Tom Cruise.

Amy and Priscilla took the Cape Canaveral: Then and Now Tour. They got to relive the launch at Air Force Space and Missile Museum. It was America's first satellite.

Mikayla and I couldn't go since we are both under 18. We were dissapointed but decided to take another tour in the meantime.

We took the Kennedy Space Center Up Close: The Launch Control Center Tour.

We got to tour the inside of the Firing Room 4. It is one of the four firing rooms and the one from which all 21 shuttle launches since the year of 2006 were controlled. Mikayla liked that you could see the computer console where the engineneers monitored computerized launch control system's that checks every mintue leading up to the launch. There are thousands. I enjoyed the bubble room where its walls of interior windows through which the KSC management team views all the proceedings below. I must say that I had a hard time convincing Mikayla but after she got there she had to agree that she liked it.

We then met Priscilla and Amy for lunch. I decided to eat lunch with an Astronuat. Priscilla joined me while Amy and Mikayla ate at the Kenneday Space Center Dining Room.

Later that afternoon we went to the Astronaut Memorial. It was designated by President George Bush in May 1991. It is made of Black granite that is 42 foot high by 50 foot wide. Names of astronauts that passed away was incarved in the granite surface. That was a sight to see.


We hung around looking for the rest of the afternoon. I just had to hit the gift shop before we left. I bought all four of us girls a tote bag that says "I need my SPACE". Priscilla still can't figure out why I love bags and purses so much. To me, I can't figure out why she loves hats so much. Hats seem like a waste to me.

Well I must end this. Take care of yourself and talk to you soon.

Love,

Grace Mae

Day 45 - Florida

Day 45

Nov. 25

Hawks Cay, Florida

Dear Miss Smith,
    Yesterday was Thanksgiving and it did feel a little strange not being with our families. Instead we made each other family.
    Well, today we went to Hawks Cay Tropical Lagoon to swim with the dolphins. First we had to enter the outdoor classroom to get our instructions. That was educational but a little long. Priscilla and I enjoyed swimming, playing, and kissing the dolphins.

We got to spend 25 minutes in the water. I enjoyed splashing with the dolphins while we were in the water. Miss Smith, you would definitely love it here. I could spend all the time in the world in the water with them. Mikayla and Amy though, decided to stay on dry land and play with the dolphins instead.

    The Hawk Cay Resort Lagoon for dolphins was constructed in 1985. The purpose was to serve as a place for the bottlenose dolphins that seasonally preform all over the United States. Now the Dolphin Connection Company is independent under direction of the Messengers, who continue to carry on the tradition of breeding, education, and research.

    We all went on a boat ride where Mikayla and I got to go fishing.

Later, that day, Priscilla and Amy went snorkeling.



    After a nice lunch, we all decided to play tennis. I must tell you Miss Smith that I am not good at the game. It was great fun though. We all kept playing until we realized that it was nearly 5 o'clock. 
    I hope to that someday I can come again. Before we left, I hit the gift shop and can you guess what I found? Another purse! Mikayla was laughing because I couldn't decided between the duffel bag or the small handbag. I ended up getting the small handbag and a change purse for Mikayla. Priscilla found a pin for her hat, while Amy bought some postcards. 
    We all headed back to the hotel for supper. Now I am so tired and need to take it easy and get to bed.

Take care,

Grace Mae

P.S. I am going to send you a postcard soon with a picture from Dolphin Connections.

Day 43 - Florida

Day 43

November, 23

Dear Miss Smith,
       I just wanted you to know what we have been doing. As Priscilla said in her last letter, they did forget about us for the time being. Mikayla and I were very worried but were so relived when we saw them coming.
      This morning we were at the Forest Capital Museum. There was so much to see.


    The museum is a structure made from Cypress and Pine wood with high beamed ceilings that are topped with a glass dome. I know I wouldn't want to be under that when it is storming outside for fear it could break.
     We saw the old Smokehouse and the Cracker House from the 1970's.

 Amy and Priscilla spent time looking around while Mikayla and I read the signs about each site. Mikayla and I loved the map that was carved with each out the counties on it. I think Priscilla was intrigued by the map and hope there was a picture of it.
    We also visited the gift shop where I found another purse. This time it had the Forest Capital Museum logo on it. I also found a pin for Priscilla's collection. Mikayla found some postcards to buy.

    After the museum, we headed to the Bok Tower Gardens. On the way we listened to Gilbert and Sullivan's "H.M.S. Pinafore". Amy didn't seem to enjoy it as much as Mikayla and I did.

    When we reached the Bok Tower Gardens we listened to a Carillon Bell concert. That was so much fun. I really enjoyed it. Everyone else loved it too.

    It is almost Thanksgiving. This time in the gift shop I found some postcards. I will send a couple home to my family for Thanksgiving. Priscilla found a cute, small bag and bought it for me. I will use it to hold my sock knitting project I brought along with me.
    Miss Smith, we did have a very enjoyable day but I am tired so I will end this now.

With Love,

Grace Mae

Day 27 - Louisiana

Day 27

Evening

St. Francisville, LA

Dear Miss Smith,
Today was such a fun adventure. We went to visit Grandmother’s Buttons Museum.

Inside, we entered an old bank vault and saw the walls lined with buttons. Eight wall cases displayed thousands of antique fasteners dating from the 1760’s all the way through the 1940’s. 

One case held buttons that were finely crafted for men of the 18th century. 
Five cases were filled with buttons from the era of Queen Victoria.

Mom would have loved seeing them. She and I share the love for old fashioned things.

Mikayla and I were in awe at all the buttons there were. Miss Priscilla and Miss Amy enjoyed themselves too.

As we were leaving the gift shop, to my disappointment they didn’t sell any purses. 
Everything was lovely. I saw a watch for sale that Nanna would have loved but unfortunately it was out of my price range.

It’s getting late and I am supposed to cook dinner. Mikayla is out walking the dogs, and I am going to help Miss Amy cook.

Take care,

Grace Mae~ 

P.S. Miss Smith, this is Priscilla, now. Grace is allowing me the use of this last bit of her paper. I just wanted to mention what I purchased for my "50-State" hat. It is a lovely German glass cameo charm. It will remind me of the lovely plantations we have seen here in Louisiana. 

~ PDS

Day 22 & 23 - Louisiana

Day 22

November 5

Abbeville, Louisiana

Dear Miss Smith,
I arrived safely at the airport. Miss Priscilla and Miss Amy met me there. I am so excited about this trip. I met Mikayla and got to know her as we flew in. We headed back to the RV for the night.


The next day we went to the Great Omelette Festival here in Abbeville, Louisiana. We arrived in the afternoon. They make the world’s biggest omelette. 

According to legend, when Napoleon and his army were traveling through the south of France, they decided to rest for the night near the town of Bessieres. He feasted on an omelette prepared by a local innkeeper which was so delightful that he ordered the people in the village to gather all the eggs they could to make a huge omelette for his army the next day.

We went to see the art booths. Mikayla and I stayed together while Miss Priscilla and Miss Amy walked around. There were so many things to see and do. I bought some homemade soap and a purse. If I told Mom she would say, "You bought another purse?" I guess I am addicted to them. I bought Mikayla one too.


Later, we headed back to the RV for a while. I played with the dogs some. I can tell you that Miss Amy’s hand looks better than I had thought. She is using it more. After supper we all turned in for the night.
Talk to you later and look forward to hearing from you. I bought you something at the one art booth. Miss Priscilla said you would love it. I’ll mail it to you soon.

Love,

Grace Mae~

Day 23

Nov. 6

Today we enjoyed the celebration. It all started with the members of the Omelette celebration marching down the streets to greet the crowd. After that they started to make the omelette.

They used 5,027 eggs this year, Isn’t that a lot? I thought it was. They have a big fire going underneath this big, big, metal skillet. It is a 12 foot pan!

They add the butter, chives, and then the eggs. When it is done they gave us all some samples with bread. It was delicious. After that we walked around and talked some.


Miss Priscilla said it was getting late, and we should head back to the RV so we can get to Nottoway Plantation.

Love,

Grace Mae~