Today began with a 6:00 wakeup for our 10:10 flight to Orlando. We are heading to Florida for their Council of Governors meetings. We’re going a few days early so we can spend some time with ID Neil & PDG Donna in Cocoa Beach. We’re really looking forward to that. They won’t be at the meetings because they leave on Thursday for an engagement in Anchorage, so going early is the only way we’ll get to see them.
We left the house about 8:45, and got to the airport at 9:45. We checked luggage this time, as we’re staying longer, and I brought the golf clubs. DG Estelle has a tee time set up for me on Friday with some Lions from the district.
We had no problems with luggage or security, and stopped to pick up breakfast at the McDonalds (two yoghurt parfaits, two coffees, one cinnamon roll). The plane was full, so it took quite a bit of time to get everyone on board, and we were about 20 minutes late taking off. When we got to Orlando, Neil was waiting for us just outside security. We grabbed the bags, and headed for their house.
We had time for a wee bit of scotch before Donna got home from work a little after 5:30. We sat around catching up on things for a while, and then went out for dinner at the Pier restaurant. We shared a mixed seafood appetizer that was very good. Debra had the parmesan encrusted Tilapia, and I had the shrimp Toulouse. Wow! What a meal! It was a delicious dish of shrimp, mushrooms, and artichoke hearts over linguini. I could only eat about 1/3 of it, and I’m sure the 2/3 we took home will be enough for both of us tomorrow.
We walked out on the pier after dinner to watch and hear the waves crashing to shore. Cocoa Beach is on a barrier island, and they were coming in pretty good. Neil pointed out the Kennedy Space Center and other landmarks across the bay. We took the scenic route home, driving through the port (it’s the second largest cruise ship port on the east coast), and by the KSC before heading back to their place for more good conversation before we headed for bed a little after 11:00.