On to Mars!!!!

On to Mars!!!!

On to Mars!!!!

We have lift-off!!!!!

The November 26, 2011 launch of the Atlas V Rocket taking the Mars Science Laboratory and Curiosity Rover on a mission described by NASA: The Mars Science Laboratory is a rover that will assess whether Mars ever was, or is still today, an environment able to support microbial life and to determine the planet's habitability waiting for blast-off.

Zack Adams
Melissa Adams
Katie Adams

After the finish of the Space Coast Half Marathon.

Space Coast Half Marathon
Cocoa, Florida
Sunday, November 27, 2011

I race walked the Space Coast Half Marathon on Sunday, November 27, 2011 in Cocoa, Florida. The temperature was a little warm as it remained in the 70’s for the entire event. The skies were overcast for the most part and there was a strong southeast wind. The course was relatively flat as it went out and back along the Indian River. Water/Gatorade stations were located approximately every mile throughout the course and were manned by plenty of enthusiastic volunteers. There were some spectators along the route and a large number in the finish area. This year’s event was the 40th anniversary and featured a beach towel, a patch, and an extremely nice medal to all finishers. The event was extremely well organized and fun to do as usual. Once again I was able to talk to former astronaut, Mike McCulley, who participated in the half marathon and is a very wonderful person.
I got a couple of bonuses on my trip. On Saturday, November 26, 2011 I got to watch the launching of the rocket to Mars from and ideal spot along the Banana River. It was quite exciting. However, on Sunday after the race I had an even more exciting event. I went over to Canaveral National Seashore and viewed a Florida Panther crossing the road in front of me. That is an event that very few people have been lucky enough to see.

Everglades National Park, Florida

Everglades National Park, Florida, Hawk with Snake

Everglades National Park, Florida, Purple Gullinule

Everglades National Park, Florida, Roseate Spoonbill

Everglades National Park, Florida, Rock Reef Pass

Everglades National Park, Florida, Osprey with Baby

Everglades National Park, Florida, Osprey with Fish

Everglades National Park, Florida, Blue Heron

Everglades National Park, Florida, Green Heron

Everglades National Park, Florida, Baby Alligators

Everglades National Park, Florida, Black Vulture

Everglades National Park, Florida, Turkey Vulture

Everglades National Park, Florida, Hawk

Everglades National Park, Florida, Snapping Turtle

Everglades National Park, Florida, Wood Stork

Everglades National Park, Florida, Wood Stork

Everglades National Park, Florida, White Heron

Everglades National Park, Florida, Butterfly

Everglades National Park, Florida, Butterfly

Everglades National Park, Florida, Ibis

Everglades National Park, Florida, Gecko

Everglades National Park, Florida, Flower

Everglades National Park, Florida, Flower

Everglades National Park, Florida, Crow

Everglades National Park, Florida, Cormorant

I did the local Zonta 5K Race in Key West on November 5, 2011 and in the results write-up in the local paper, The Citizen, on November 6, 2011 I got mentioned for my race-walking win as well as finishining both a full marathon and a half marathon in all 50 states and DC. I highlighted the part in bold print.

RUNNING: 19ra ANNUAL ZONTA ABC 5K
Kugler tops field in Zonta race
CITIZEN STAFF

KEY WEST —With temperatures in the 60s for the first time this season, runners and walkers welcomed the change in climate Saturday morning for the 19th annual Zonta ABC Run/Walk.
Overall male winner Kyle Kugler, from Deerfield Beach, ran the winning time of 17:55. Overall male masters winner (first male over 40 years old) Felix Torres of Key West, finished in 22:17, just ahead of the first place female finisher and overall female winner, Gwen Ebensen, from Key West (22:27). The second fastest female was female masters winner Wendy Carpenter of Key West, who ran a time of 22:49.
Walkers were led all the way by Key West Southernmost Walker Chester Kalb striding across his home turf in a time of 36:30. Kalb completed his quest to walk both a full marathon and a half marathon in each of the 50 states plus Washington D.C. Not too far behind was female walker winner, Kathy Kilroy, also from Key West, with a time of 36:52.
Locals and Parrot Heads from across the country came out to participate in this rewarding race that raises funds to cover mammograms and other diagnostic tests for women that need help. The Zonta Club of Key West makes this happen with the help of Parrot Heads in Paradise and many other Key West businesses as sponsors of this event.
The Key West Southernmost Runners managed the course volunteers, along with help from Key West Traffic control for this event and many other races in the Keys.
The next Key West Southernmost Runners event is the Nov. 19 Mariners Hospital Gordon Present 5K Run for the Center in Excellence in Nursing Program, in Tavernier. The 18th Annual Hog's Breath 5K is the Saturday after Thanksgiving.

French Quarter in New Orleans, Louisiana

French Quarter in New Orleans, Louisiana

French Quarter in New Orleans, Louisiana

French Quarter in New Orleans, Louisiana

French Quarter in New Orleans, Louisiana

French Quarter in New Orleans, Louisiana

French Quarter in New Orleans, Louisiana

French Quarter in New Orleans, Louisiana

French Quarter in New Orleans, Louisiana

French Quarter in New Orleans, Louisiana

French Quarter in New Orleans, Louisiana

French Quarter in New Orleans, Louisiana

French Quarter in New Orleans, Louisiana

French Quarter in New Orleans, Louisiana

French Quarter in New Orleans, Louisiana

French Quarter in New Orleans, Louisiana

French Quarter in New Orleans, Louisiana

French Quarter in New Orleans, Louisiana