1984 Florida 2 (4/19-21/1984)

Thursday, April 19, 1984

I took Mikayla, Angela, and Deronda for a walk to the mailbox, then we played on the swings. After breakfast we drove to the Gulfarium on the other side of Fort Walton Beach. Arrived about 10:10 and so missed 10 minutes of the porpoise show. Paid $6 per adult and $3 for Mikayla and went to see the show which was actually dolphins and not porpoises!

Gulfarium Dolphin Show

We went down to the Living Sea, a tank with a variety of fish into which a scuba diver came to show his equipment, maneuverability, and to point out various fish like red snapper, grouper, green moray eel, alligator gar, sand shark, stingrays, etc. Also Robert E Lee, a sea turtle believed to have been born before the Civil War. The diver fed some of the fish, then showed us emergency procedures should he lose his air supply. Next was the sea lion show to see balancing acts, basketball and ring catching, etc. The shows were over at 11:00, so we went to see the alligators, turtles, harbor seals, more sea lions, bird including peacocks where the male opened his fan for us, otters, and more dolphins in a pool who played with the spectators by tossing a ball. Spontaneous tricks.

American Alligators

Peacock

There were also tropical penguins, more sharks and turtles. We left at 11:30 and stopped at a park to let the girls run, but they were tired.

Trees with Spanish moss

Home for lunch and the girls went for a nap. Kathy and I made scones and had tea time, and were joined by Mikayla and Deronda. We had dinner after rod came home, and after the girls went to bed, we played Monopoly until midnight!

Friday, April 20, 1984

It has gotten hot and humid. Today we left about 10:45 to go to the beach at Post Point within the AFB limits. I put on my iodine and baby oil, and Kathy put on her sunscreen. We didn’t really get to lay in the sun for long, being up and down. I had to go to the car for first aid to clean a cut on Mikayla’s foot. We had sandwiches and snacks for lunch. It was generally cloudy and a bit breezy. We ended up at the playground for a while before leaving at 15:45.

Mikayla

Angela

Danielle

Back at home, the girls had supper and went to bed early.

Saturday, April 21, 1984

Got up in time to say goodbye to Rod. Took the girls to Valparaiso for breakfast at the Americano Pancake House. Took Kathy to do some shopping at the Exchange, and then dropped them off at their house. I left at 11:00 and dropped off my passes at the gate. I decided to drive straight through to Lake Como, FL and remembered there was a time difference, and it was really 12:00. Bought gas twice at $12 and $11 for about 9.5 gallons each time. Unleaded gas. The gas cap is attached to the car with a piece of plastic, so that it is never lost!

Saw some deep pink flowers along the road, then paler pink and purple ones. (Crape myrtles.) A few hawks, lots of butterflies, and a couple dead armadillos. Also some cows grazing in pastures with palm trees and bayous! Everything is so green! Also magnolia trees with a few white blossoms left. Found Aunt Sophie’s place in Lake Como with no problem, following Grandma’s directions. Arrived about 16:00. A relaxing time with my grandmother and great-aunt.