Florida

We are now on our way up the ICW, Intracoastal Waterway, and have just passed Daytona Beach. Last week we landed in Vero Beach, they call it Velcro Beach, because when people get there, they tend to stick.  We actually spent a week.  So it fits its name.  When we arrived, two nice Americans followed our boat and asked us if we were from Norway, and if we had crossed the Atlantic.  And by the way, would we like to have dinner next evening.  Always up for an adventure we said yes.  They picked us up and showed us around in Vero Beach, which is a small beautiful  ocean town in Florida.  We had a wonderful evening, but Beverly and Fred were very disappointed because we were not “real” Norwegian after spending too much time in the US.  They also introduced us to their lovely neighbors Lydia and John, who were not too disappointed. Just kidding Beverly and Fred. 

At the bookstore

  At the Yacht Club

   Having Icecream

In the Mustang     

With the REAL Norwegians

She is ready to adopt!

We rented a car, and since the price at the marina was so reasonable, we decided to leave the boat there when going to NASA and Orlando. We had a interesting day at Kennedy Space Center.  We were one day early, because next day the Atlantis was returning. But we had a nice time anyway, and it was wonderfully not crowded. In the evening we went to Orlando where we rented at hotel.  We spent two nights in an air-conditioned hotel, first time off the boat since February (January for Oyvind).  It was VERY nice.  They even had a pool and direct access to the internet via cable in our room. Wow, I have missed that!

We had decided to only do the Epcot Center. We had a great day. Met the Norwegians at the Norwegian Pavilion, and were able to shortcut the line by one hour. Thank you.  One day in this big park is not enough, but we were very tired in the evening, and happy not to do anything the next day.  We took a lazy morning online and in the pool, then we headed back to Cape Canaveral to see the IMAX movie we missed when we were there.  2^nd visit free within 7 days.  We enjoyed the movie. 

Then my friend from Norway, Heidi called. She was on a business trip to Miami, were we still in Florida?  She and her colleague Karl Jorgen came up to Vero Beach the next day. We had drinks at the boat and we went out to dinner. How nice is that, to have my friend visit on such a short notice.  Thanks for coming Heidi. Beverly and Fred wanted to see us for breakfast before we left, and we promised to bring them some “real” Norwegians.  We had a wonderful breakfast with Beverly, Fred, Heidi, Karl Jørgen at Fred and Bevs Yacht Club.  Thank you.  Next time the breakfast is on us in Norway!