All 3 days in one, sorry the excitement took over, visit, ride or blog??????Got up early, got the coach out to the Space centre, what can one say, amazing place. Saw an IMAX movie filmed using the Hubble telescope, felt like you were there. Coach trip round the launch pads, yards away from the crawler, its massive. The Saturn 5 was incredible as you walked along under it for its length and then touched a piece of moon rock.

image

Then off to see the shuttle,
image
mounted at 45 degrees, cargo bays open and the same condition it returned from its last flight, Massive although dwarfed by the booster engines. Then had a go in the shuttle simulator, simulated take off, vibration and gravity sorted out my back problems but left me a bit deaf.
Listened to a talk from an astronaut, my heros when I was younger, all big men, he was smaller than me but still a very lucky man to do what he did..

Day one very memorable.

Day 2. Lucky day as I got up a bloke Jeff passed my door and stopped, said they were off to get their bikes, did I need a lift. Grabbed gear and after a coffee and chat and went. Sorted out the paper work and told how a bike works, bad nthoughts on my part, JUST GIVE ME THE KEYS AND GO AWAY. Took nearly an hour.

3 of us Me the Englishman, Jeff the Scotsman and Brian the Irish man decided 11 o'clock, non of us ever ridden a Harley before so off to Daytona beach for a jaunt of about 140 miles.

Well I am converted, always fancied a go on a Harley, risk the fillings being shaken out and the ear drums blown away. None of it true its ........... When your riding it

I want one of my own......

How to explain, heavy yes, gearbox bad, neutral almost impossible to find, no foot pegs but plates to rest the feet on, only does 160 miles on a tank, loudest horn I have heard but awesome piece of American engineering, does 69.9MPH no problem, apparently clock says the ton with some left, handles on the sweepy roads when you throw it about and the engine torque in any gear is the best fun I have had in ages. LOVE IT.
image

After a bite in Daytona and look at some shops, mainly gun and bike ones but also a tee shirt shop. Then back to Orlando in the rush hour for a shower and meet the mob who are doing the ride. Glad I am not picking up the bike tomorrow like the other 50.

Day 3.
image

Got up at 7 and out by 8. Boxes a bit small so dumped some stuff in the bin, who needs clothes and trainers? Headed out to the Epcot centre, do not bother, a big tourist rip off and then across to Tampa and up the coast road. Thought Africa had some long straight roads, at least they had pot holes to keep you awake. Found out the bike had cruise control, (took a while to suss out on the move but had plenty of time) very handy when a police car is following you. No idea how many miles but filled up 3 times and not a lot left. Did a fair bit of taking the scenic route and ending up in the same place a few times, should look at a map or GPS but some great roads up to Tallahassie before heading cross country back to Perry where the Royal Motel is. Missed the town first time due to direction failure, could blame signage but just enjoying myself.

Bike was great again, see why they use them over here, loud in big open spaces, straight roads to sleep on with the cruise control and music in the ears. Just a pity they do not drive on the left, have to do a reality check every so often to keep on track. Found get in the left lane and they only pass on one side, but I am still allowed to overtake them on the inside.

Bends are a bit???? But use the torque when leaving the bend and its pretty good, can not get weight on the pegs to help either, definitely a cruiser. One again, no photo opportunities as is where to pull off. But scenery is gorgeous even if very swampy. Riding through bear territory was nice but did not see any bears, not even on the side of the road. Must have road sense. Take care poisonous snakes was another. They must be able to move fast in the 65 MPH zone.

Gave up at four and went to the motel. Walked to ?????mart (what you are going to walk 200 metres to the shop, I can come and pick up your bottle water if you want, no problem.

No wonder so many are oversize, no exercise and it is must be the biggest consumer economy going. Massive junk food and marts all over the place, all empty except the staff who live local and drive to work. ( Can only assume the few cars in the car park are workers as there were no customers. Get out of the tourist traps and its very quiet and peaceful.