Kennedy Space Center

Our next adventure took us to Orlando, Florida where were got to visit with friends who used to live in London AND we were able to visit the Kennedy Space Center. This was particularly interesting to Nathan as he used (and still does) want to be an astronaut when he grows up!!

We got to see Atlantis on the launch pad before it was launched on June 8th and one of the Saturn V rockets (the model of rocket that were used to fly to the moon). It is hard to describe just how big this rocket was - it's hard to imagine that it lifted off the earth!! You can also see the vehicle that was used to travel around on the moon.

Niagara Falls

We went for a weekend trip to Niagara Falls on the New York / Canadian Border. The Falls themselves are stunning!!! We took the ever so popular 'Maid of the Mist' boat that takes fairly close the Falls. When you are on the boat, it feels like the Falls are much closer than the picture above indicates. Fortunately, we were decked out in our gear!!

San Fransisco cont'd

There is also a fun and unique side to San Fran. First there are the twins who are always dressed identically and still walk about town. Apparently, they have been on a few advertisements. They seem to enjoy the attention but needless to say, they are really sweet and friendly.

The next interesting aspect to San Fran is that there is a pier that has been completely taken over by sea lions!!! They are so funny to watch!! Some are sleeping, some are fighting over which ones get to be 'king of the raft' and some are just barking for the sake of it!! We watched them for over an hour!!

The last thing is that there is a classic American dinner called Mel's dinner and we found this especially amusing as our friend Mel had just been to stay with us.

San Fransisco

Our next adventure took us to San Fransisco. Nathan was sent there for a work conference called Java 1 (the city was swamped with techies!!).






The architecture and streets were amazing!! It's such a great city to explore.









I found myself always wondering what around the corner or at the top of the next hill! You can see Alcatrez in the distance.






And of course, it was really fun (and sometimes convenient) to take the trolleys around town. Ding! Ding!

A visit from Melence

One weekend, Mel & Larry visited us for a fun and food filled weekend!! We took them out to New York most favourite restaurant and out for a Southern BBQ (which is surprisingly common!).

This pic is looking up from the lobby of the Guggenheim Museum.


There was also a very cool exhibition in the main lobby that was made out of plastic magnifying lenses. It was fascinating to see the light reflected and images distorted.






And of course, what trip to New York is complete without going up the Empire State Building! Here is Jasmin, Larry and Mel at the top.




As well, we were excited to finally spot the Flatiron Building!! I have seen it on some many pictures but I couldn't work out where it was!!

Visit from Melence cont'd

This is the view from Jasmin's swish apartment in Brooklyn Heights.

Here we are walking across the the Brooklyn Bridge. . .






with fantastic views of Manhattan!!






We finished the day off with Frozen Hot Chocolate at Serendipity 3 (a quirky restaurant in the Upper East Side).