DUCKY

In Mexico we almost ran down a herd of cows which were walking down the middle of a mountain road just around the bend.  But, in Cocoa Beach there are signs to alert drivers to ducks crossing the road.   Yeah, instead of cows we have ducks.

Friendly Ducks Too!

It's Official

Having To Stop!

Lots Of Ducks

CAPTAIN TYLER FARNHAM

We first met Lifeguard Captain Tyler Farnham, lifeguard extraordinaire, at 16^th Street during and after an emergency.  It was the first day of lifeguard season (two years ago) and at first people thought it was a drill.  But it wasn't.  It was a real emergency.  Within a short period of time after Lifeguard Jason spotted and began the rescue (with the help of Lifeguard Victoria, also on duty) everyone including Tyler showed up to assist.  Afterwards Tyler would show up at 16^th Street with an update and that's how we became friends.

On Tyler's time off he's a skydiver among other things including writing a book titled, "Reaching Cloud 9."  It's about his skydiving experiences.

Captain Tyler Farnham

At Lori Wilson Park

Cocoa Beach, Florida

LEARNING TO SURF

People from all over the world seem to show up at 16^th street including George Jones.  Often times he shows up with several surfing students of all ages and sizes.  He initiates them on surfboard shaped carpets teaching them to pop-up and the do's and don'ts of surfing with amazing results.  Some of his clients have even paid him to fly to Central America for lessons.  His web site is located at surfguyssurf.com

George Jones

At 16th Street

Cocoa Beach, Florida

George Carpet Surfing

George Giving Instructions

Pratice Makes Perfect

Up, Up And Away 

Can't Wait To Get In The Ocean

Morning Sunbather Watches

COCOA BEACH SURF

Sunday (27 May 2012) turned out to be a "surfer's delight."  Unusually good waves rolled in and surfers were exhilarated all day long.  Several of the surfers also reported being frightened after bumping into "something rather large."  Others, including an underwater photographer claimed to have seen lots of sharks in the water … but, nobody seemed to be worried and nobody was bit.

Dad is still not ready to go into the ocean but I did and I even managed to catch a few waves without the aid of a much hoped for surfboard.

So, it was a fun day for many!                          

South Cocoa Beach 5/27/2012

Happy Surfer

Surfers Wait For Next Set

Nice Wave Forms

Looking South

Looking North Towards

Minutemen Causeway

Looking North

But From Further South

The Farthest Point We Hiked

North On Sunday ...

Looking North

Towards The Beach 

At the End Of Minutemen

MYSTERY SOLVED

Brevard County Lifeguards are often seen with large orange buckets … ever wonder why?

Lifeguard Ben-Arnold

Doing Bucketercise

That's right, Ben-Arnold (as in Schwarzenegger) is pumping up.  He's the first lifeguard known to use correct Buckettique (i.e. Have sand in the bucket).

Lifeguard Ben-Arnold

Doing Bucket Squats

Lifeguard Dakoda Observes

Ben-Arnold Working Out

Ben-Arnold Working Other Arm

Life At 16^th Street South

Cocoa Beach, Florida

Can It Get Any Better?

RIVERWEST

RiverWest is the name of the last condominium Dana helped build here in Cocoa Beach back in the early 1980's.  At the time, it was built using steel cables that were rolled out from one end of the building to the other end.  Then, after the concrete dried the cables were stretched and wedges were set to hold the cables taunt.  RiverWest was constructed under the supervision of the former City of Cape Canaveral building inspector Harry Keller who had earlier inspected the Canaveral Sands project in Cape Canaveral during construction.  Both Canaveral Sands and River West were built by the same owner, Lee Biscontini, and Dana worked on both projects.

RiverWest Cocoa Beach, Florida

GRADUATION

Dad & I spent Saturday (19 May 2012) taking it easy in the shade at 16^th Street South, Cocoa Beach.  Also at the park, a family celebrated their daughter’s High School graduation nearby.  The family unexpectedly offered us hot dogs, etc. … but, we had to decline because we are vegetarians.  Thanks again … it’s the thought that counts.

16th Street Picnic Tables

O'Bubble Machine

Tasting Bubbles

Snoozing In The Park

A Beneficial Nap

THE AVOCADO PIT

Last Friday (18 May 2012) Roxane was in the area of 16^th Street while doing a few errands.  So, she stopped by to say hello and share a smile.  Vern, she said, has opened a vegetarian restaurant in Cocoa Beach, Florida called “The Avocado Pit,” and she wanted to know if we would join her for lunch.  Now Vern also grew up on Barrello Lane (Cocoa Beach) and was only a youth in the early 1970’s when our home at 344 Barrello Lane was stolen by the Federal Government without any court action whatsoever.  At that time, we, the Browns, called Vern by his beautifully sounding name, Vernon Mattioli.

Roxane, said Vern’s restaurant was the smallest restaurant in the world … well if not the world certainly the smallest in Cocoa Beach, Florida.

The Avocado Pit

24 N Orlando Ave

Cocoa Beach, FL 32931

Vernon & Roxane

Dad & Roxane

Sign Outfront

Vernon Preparing Lunch

Busy, Busy

Vernon's Trailer

LORI WILSON PARK

These photos were taken at Lori Wilson Park which is located close to the middle of Cocoa Beach, Florida.  Lori Wilson is the former wife of Al Neuharth and he is the founder of USA Today and Florida Today newspapers.

North End Of Lori Wilson

A Late Sunrise Photo

Sand Dunes & Grass

Looking South

Looking North

RABBITS

Even the rabbits are glad we are back.  They have been coming right up to us in the morning almost demanding we hurry up and feed them bits of bananas and apples.  Last summer, before we left Dana had them eating peanuts right out of his hand.

"Bugs" Remembers Us

Yum Yum

Three Hungry Rabbits 

FRIENDLY FACES

Reed and his girlfriend moved to Brevard County, Florida from San Antonio, Texas not too long ago.  And we have seen a lot of him at 16^th Street South in between his visits into the ocean.  

Reed Fresh Out Of The Water

Wrong Hand Covers Heart

Reed-n-Kim

Next week Russell and his friend Noland are planning on going to Costa Rica for about 3 weeks of surfing and traveling.  Wish I was going.  The two of them are becoming star surfers and have sponsors helping them.   Good Luck!

Russell Waxing His Board

Noland & Russell

Just Out Of The Water

Budding World Surfing Stars

Jeremy welcomed us back to Cocoa Beach.  Note: in one of the photos of Jeremy, Reed’s kockout girlfriend is sitting on the lifeguard stand watching for Reed.  If you look hard you can see her.

Jeremy Welcomes Us Home

The Surf Was Fun