[A/S] Christmas, Florida - March 8, 2001

[hhamp5246@xxxxxxx]

Hi Gang,

So little has been happening I didn't have much to write about, until today.

Last night I heard about the Discovery launch, which was taking place 10 
miles down the road at the Kennedy Space Center.  I decided to get up and 
watch, I've never seen a launch in person.  I do remember as a teenager 
standing in the front yard of our Greenwich house and my dad pointing out 
Sputnik as it orbited, but that was the last space anything I have seen.  I'm 
not even sure I saw it (c:

I woke up at 3:30, 4:30 and 5:30 am.... I finally got up at 6:00.  I wrestled 
with the idea of driving over to the space center, but I hate to start 
Bruiser that early in a campground.  I noticed a bunch of people congregated 
a few rows over so I went and stood with them..... just after sunrise the 
rocket went up.  The smoke behind it was golden where the sun was hitting it 
and turned to white as the Discovery arched up into space.  It finally looked 
like a tny, bright star as it disappeared out of sight. The view from here 
was perfect.

It was so cool to see it. (c:

I've been here since I left Zolfo Springs, the longest I've ever stayed in a 
park.  I have made so many friends, and have so much to do I see no reason to 
move on at this point.  

The Canadian couple next door, who have a huge Airstream motorhome are really 
nice, and the other Canadian couple that I met here before Sarasota came 
back.  He's on the Airstream list.  Linda showed up again and will be here 
until Sunday. I got a visit the other day from some Listies who are staying 
in Melbourne. Melbourne's Port o Call is closing in two years I think. I'll 
be heading over there this week to see Harriet and Donald Kribbs and Ralph's 
vintage Airstream.

We've been hitting the shopping centers, the Chinese buffets and found a 
great little wildlife rescue place that's open to the public.  Mostly we just 
hang out.  If you sit outside pretty soon people wander by and sit with you 
and before long you're having a party.  I am really enjoying being so laid 
back, but also look forward to hitting the road this spring.

I'll be going up to Ocala around the 14th or 15th because my trailer is 
finally getting all the hail damage repaired.  I was hoping to get the money, 
but they won't pay unless I fix it. The dogs and cats and I will be staying 
with my friend that I stayed with last winter.... only in her house this time.

The weather is awesome, I keep hearing about all the snow up north..... I 
don't ever want to see snow again unless it's on the tv. (c:  We did have 
some rain last Sunday but nothing like the weather men predicted. It's been 
cooler since, low 70s today. 

They had their annual shareholders meeting here the other day.... many of the 
shareholders are getting up in years and they want to sell the park.  I'm not 
sure how I feel about that.  On one hand it makes me sad, if it's not an 
Airstream Park anymore it won't be $10.00 a day.... on the other hand it 
needs some updating.  It'll be interesting to see what happens.

So, life's great here in Florida..... 

Hunter