Enchanted Lakes RV Resort - Malabar, FL

1 hour+ - 90 miles

A full mobile home community. Many of the 5th wheelers and
Class A RVs are here for the long haul.

A folding picnic table was delivered and set up on my last day.

Looking north up West Stardust Drive.

Looking south

With temperature back home in the teens, a third two-hour delay for schools due to icy conditions and the pending 4-8 inches of snow due on Wednesday, my Winter Adventure continues in the Palm Bay area. I am most fortunate and blessed to have very special friends with whom I have enjoyed their visits, company and dining experiences. Now, while in Malabar, I get to see my long time friend, Tanya, who lives just 11 minutes away.  She took the time to keep me busy with dining and fishing. Monday morning, she picked me up at 10 am and we traveled to the Sebastian Inlet Marina where she is a member and, on Island Time, spent the afternoon fishing the Indian River. Well, I was about twelve when I last picked up a pole, baited up and hoped for a sunny or a catfish. The pelicans, gulls and cormorants watched from the shore as well as from their rocky crags on the riprap to get their chuckles at the sight of me fishing...the extra treat they enjoyed was watching the stiff breeze take my newly purchased Savannah cap get blown into the water. Expertly working the currents and tide, Tanya maneuvered the pontoon boat and enabled me to fish the hat out of the water. It was my best (and only) catch of the day. We stayed within the channel and got to enjoy dolphins swimming nearby. Tanya had two strikes to my zero. Besides a rock fish, she snagged a blue runner which she let me reel in. 

Try as I may, I could not capture any of the dolphins breaking the surface for air before diving again. Tanya caught the tail end on an Eagle Ray breaking and diving; I just heard the splash.

I've known Tanya, my hair stylist, for about 25 years

The cheering section busy whitewashing the riprap.

A causeway over the Indian River which was our limit
due to the type of boat we were navigating.

That evening we drove up to Palm Bay and enjoyed dinner at the Thai Riverfront Thai Restaurant and Sushi Bar.  Another case of having to make tough decisions based on extensive and varied menu choices. Alas, as you would expect, I opted for the special rolls. My choice tonight was the Sushi Bomb: Shrimp tempura with hamachi (a Japaneses amberjack), tuna, salmon, avocado, asparagus, scallion, roe and a sweet sauce.

Tuesday, we went to the Brevard Zoo where Tanya volunteers in the commissary one day a week and helps prepare the special diets for each and every one of the animals in the zoo. I found the zoo to be a pristine environment nestled in among the thick overgrowth of bamboo, palm and oak.  And what better climate is there that can provide year round experiences for patrons. Cages were plenty big for the animals within to roam, run, jump and climb. Observation opportunities were convenient and plentiful. A sampling of the species viewed follows.

Just in time to see the new arrival be introduced to her new living quarters.

A little shy, the giant boa soon got used to its surrounded and huddled herself into
the viewing box.

Truly an amazing creature.

On the opposite side of the path, a meercat takes in the activity.

The only word to come to mind was H-U-G-E

Even with poor eyesight, this one got a shove from behind to move along. 

Another impressive animal, the giraffe.  A group of them sauntered past.

Know what a group of giraffes is called? A "tower", "corps," "troop", "herd", "kindergarten", "journey" or a "kaleidoscope".

In this setting, you can get right up close and personal.

Close enough to feed

One beautiful bird after another.

You can walk right into the netted area among them.

Scarlet Ibis....most vivid color ever seen.

Once back at the mobile home park, we were able to catch the frequentlly postponed launch of the Falcon Heavy. It will be the most powerful operational rocket in the world by a factor of two. With the ability to lift into orbit nearly 64 metric tone (141,000 lbs), a mass grater that a 737 jetliner loaded with passengers, crew, luggage and fuel, Falon Heavy can lift more than twice the payload of the next closest operational vehicle, the Delta IV Heavy, at one-third the cost. The successful launch was something to see. Even though we were about 35 miles as the crow flies, I was able to capture some of it.

The exhaust trail that finally condensed and became visible.

For a much better (and professional) view, check this video. Elon Musk putting his own Tesla Roadster into an orbit that will take it around Mars.

Click here.

Later that evening we went to Texas Roadhouse.   

I had another delicious (scrawny looking 6 oz) "Dallas Filet"

 and a baked potato....just enough and delicious.

And some unexpected entertainment.

My four night stay has quickly come to an end and I have nothing but a great big thank you to Tanya who provided the transportation and the entertainment to make yet another stop a memorable one. My next stop will be on the west coast, Port Richey and the Tropic Breeze RV Resort. See you there.