Sand sculpture created to honor space shuttles

CAPE CANAVERAL — Combine about 30 volunteers, 12 shovels, six rakes, a ton of sand and what do you get?

Artist Todd Brittingham of Fort Lauderdale created a sand sculpture titled "Sun and the Moon," which commemorates the end of the shuttle program with stars dedicated to shuttle astronauts who have died.

A work of art depicting the moon, sun and stars etched in the sand at Jetty Park. The creation, completed Sunday after four days of work, is the mastermind of Fort Lauderdale-based artist Todd Brittingham.

Every year since 1988, Brittingham has traveled across Florida creating a new "sky message" on the beach in honor of Earth Day. The creations are as large as 10 acres and best seen from an aerial view.

In addition to Earth Day, Brittingham also wanted to honor the shuttle program, which will come to an end later this year.

"I've been a big fan of NASA, and I thought this is the perfect year to do something space themed," the 47-year-old said. "We're dedicating this to the 14 people who lost their lives on Challenger and Columbia."

The sand sculpture is about 150 feet by 150 feet and contains 14 stars to represent the astronauts killed in the shuttle tragedies.

His crew of about 30 volunteers spent four days creating the piece.

Curious beachgoers milled around wondering what was being formed as volunteers used everything from their hands to a wheel barrel to perfect the artwork.

When it was completed, those involved laid around the sculpture to create human stars as a plane, paid for by Brittingham, flew overhead to snap photos.

"It was unbelievable," Brittingham said after seeing the aerial view. "You never really know what it will turn out or how accurate to the design it will be, but I'm just tickled it was so incredible. Probably the best one we've done in 23 years."

This is Brittingham's sixth trip to Brevard County, a place close to his heart since he grew up in Orlando and often came to Space Coast beaches.

He began doing the sky messages on a whim, when a friend in the real estate business asked for help with some advertising. Back then, the single college student pulled together about a dozen friends to help him with a day of fun on the beach.

"I can't believe what it's turned in to," said Brittingham, now a married father of two.

"It's a family event. We all get together every year. It' a chance to have fun and promote a positive experience. People say they aren't good at art, but everyone can dig, everyone can take part."

Some of the original dozen, along with numerous volunteers who joined in during the years, took part in the latest creation.

Thinking of enjoying the movie but confused where to stay in - book yourself one of the Florida villas or Orlando villas for your Florida vacations and have a great time partying and enjoying here. 

Canoe Escape

Located just 10 minutes from Busch gardens, Canoe Escape believes that a canoe is the ideal place from which one can enjoy the beauty of nature. This one is a trip not to be missed as it is a peaceful ride once you leave your luxurious Florida villa to escape from the buzzing streets to nuzzle with nature and wildlife. Canoe escape offers choices of the trips ranging from 2 hours to a whole day. If you are a first timer it would be a great experience to learn about paddling and the best option would be to take a two hour trip to view the wildlife. Great blue heron white ibis Florida red-bellied turtle alligator and anhinga are the species that are seen for sure. Deer red - winged blackbird belted kingfishers are often seen too. The seasonal birds like the roseatte spoonbill yellow-crowned night heron blue-gray gnatcatcher wood stork are spotted at certain times in the year.

Alligators are said to be predators for humans and highly dangerous but if you are not going to disturb them they are not going to even interfere with you. As you move along the canoe you will be gazing at a dozen alligators that might get into underwater due to the reclusive nature and over the 18 years at Canoe escape which is a cypress swamp, a home for the gators there has been no untoward incident by them. If you are a person who is a little mischievous and can’t resist feeding or teasing the gators then you better stay back at your Florida vacation rental home as Canoe Escape is a place which respects nature and is not pleased with the ideas of those who want to tamper with it.

 

Hillsborough River is the home for thousands of animals and is filled with lots of surprises bends and of course abundant wildlife. There are also special events that occur occasionally so just check the website http://www.canoeescape.com and be on track.

St Petersburg Honda Grand Prix

A city in Pinellas County, Florida, United States, St Petersburg before thought as the perfect destination for retired people to enjoy their calm life in the green benches and get excited at the thought of playing shovelboards has now made a transition into a buzzing city boasting of museums, art galleries and much more entertainment making it Vivacious for the vacation visitors.

One of the attractions here is the Honda Grand Prix having an Indy-style course with race cars, sharp turns the cars are let to roar on a 1.8-mile, 14-turn running along bayshore drive it is a visual treat to watch. Race weekends take place in the bright house, adding to the excitement are face painting, racing simulations, rock climbing, bungee jumping and much more exciting things in the racecourse’s vicinity.

Tickets are priced at $25 for Fridays and Saturdays and $40 on Sundays. Giving the worth for your money it is the best place to race to when you decide to temporarily retire from your Florida Vacation Homes

For more information on how to get tickets and about Honda Grand Prix please visit

http://goflorida.about.com/od/thingstodoinstpete/a/grandprix.htm

Astronaut Hall of Fame Titusville Florida

Had you thought foreclosures were an issue related to the world then read on to know it has affected the United States Astronaut Hall Of Fame too. Initially situated in Melbourne it went to the foreclosures in 1990 and then after many attempts of privatization it came into the hands of NASA who have seen the hurdle off. Now this tourist spot is located in Titusville Florida and you cannot miss it as it is put up just in front of the Kennedy Space center. 

This is one of the must visit places for the space geeks boasting of astronaut memorabilia it’s also the world’s largest. The United States Astronaut Hall Of Fame is really amazing as the design seems to be inspired by the sci fi films giving a dark feel with halogen lights something which all of us can relate to The Star Wars movie. They have also given the perfect finish with the audio clippings of rocket roaring, Nixon and Kennedy speeches, astronaut voices and more space related audios chasing you all over the place.

There are exhibits of Jim Lovell's Boy Scout sash, Buzz Aldrin's high school football jersey, Deke Slayton's Mercury survival knife, goggles and flight gloves of John "MIG Mad Marine" Glenn, Gus Grissom's controversial space suit and more spaceman outfits & accessories.

The Hall of fame have accomplished one of the tough feats by short listing 66 astronauts from around 275 Americans who defied gravity. Situated on a quiet corner it just brushes up your memory if you are a space buff keeping note of the men who made it outside the world alive.

The most exciting part of the United States Astronaut Hall Of Fame is "Astronaut Adventure" where the tourists can take their trip to space by strapping themselves to get a feel of the moon gravity, space shuttle cockpit scheduled for landing and also they have accomplished to get the aroma of the moon. 

The hall of fame is a great place to visit for the space buffs but at time you find some of the programs irritating. If you could sit through Star Wars Movie n times then you would love this place for the rest of the big no to sci-fi audience, relax yourself in your Florida Vacation Home.