THE ROCKET'S RED GLARE

 UP THE CREEK

              NEWSLETTER  OF  THE  RATTLESNAKE

                               CREEK  GARDEN CLUB                                                                               Almost April , 2023

A ROCKET'S RED GLARE

       What's up in space? I read about rockets blasting off once-a-week from Cape Canaveral and thought I'd be cool to see one myself. Recently I googled "Next Rocket launch from Cape Canaveral" and learned Space-X was sending one up the following day.

       Four of us went the highest point in the county, Orange Lake Overlook, to see if we could see a rocket rising 110 miles in the

.  distance.                 We could and...we did!  

       On a phone we watched the televised count down.  At "zero" there was the usual orange blast on the tiny screen.  Seconds later -far far away- we could see a red glow rising.

Three more go up in April

I don't know but its shimmering tapered trail seemed miles long. It was bright, bright, bright even in daylight.

        Two minutes later using binoculars, we could see the first stage breaking off to begin its descent to an offshore landing pad.  

   

Carlos and I acting goofy

     We were impressed but later wondered,   "What did we just witness? Incredible  technology used make spying a little easier?  Elon Musk adding another million to his wallet?  

      It's unfortunate that zillion dollar efforts like this can't be used to solve real world problems.

 

CREEK CLEANING

This year's creek cleaners

     We removed 140 pounds of trash from Rattlesnake Creek two weeks ago.  We thank the 17 of you who joined the effort.  

    Speaking of trash, our club is going on s field trip next month to tour the county dump and recycling facility.  Give me a shout if you want to join us.

 

    

     I explored the Hogtown Creek wilderness area, north of NW 23d Ave., last week.  It's pretty amazing how the land drops 60 feet -from the back of Lowe's- to the creek far below.  90 % is pristine and the rest, trashed out by the homeless people living there.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 WEARIN' O' THE GREEN       

    Last  week we followed sidewalk shamrocks until they took us to Jim and David's annual St Patrick Day Party and Parade on 14th Ave.  The beer and wine flowed freely and everyone wore green to avoid getting pinched by Dave. Jim roasting a pig on a Cuban caja brought back memories of Miami. 

We thank our neighbors for another generous holiday gesture.

 

 

IT"S A WONDERFUL THING when people come out of their houses to talk, drink, and eat together. The next 'hood party will be our neighborhood association's SPRING PICNIC. You need not be a member of "UPNA" to attend. 

It'll take place on Sunday, April 30th, from 3 to 6 in Parker Park ( NW 5th Ave. at 20th St.). Houston will be there to show is one of his  electric bikes (see "Batteryland" below).

 

TREES THAT HEAL

     Yesterday our guides, Diane and Bill, led us through quiet woods southeast of G'ville.  We were taking a lessen in "forest bathing".

 

 

 

 

 

 Our trail next to Prairie Creek Conservation Cemetery

 We were taught how a slow, solitary walk can help you  enjoy things you never noticed before. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BIG ROCKS

     The highest point in Gainesville is now atop the rocks that landed on NW 17 St. last week.

  The big one on the left weighs 11,000 pounds.  I plan to climb it to watch the next rocket launch.

 

 

 

 

CATCHIN' SOME ZZ TOPz     Have you ever thought you might be better off if you had a long scraggly beard?  Artist Julie Anspach nipped that thought in the bud last month when she led a beard-making workshop at UCG.  Thanks, Julie!

   

 

 

 

And speaking of hair...

 

 

MORE THAN A HAIRCUT

      I go for the stories as much as shortened hair. Once a month I plunk down $20 to hear tales from another world. I don't say much as Danielle tells me why she got each tattoo. Recently  her 11-year old bought a BB-gun without permission (she made him send it back). And finally, "Mama" has a few miniature cows.

"They're like big dogs and they got her an agricultural tax exemption". 

      And after all that I thank her and walked away with new stories and a new haircut.

 

BATTERYLAND 

      I wonder about stores that sell one thing.  Remember the "Spatula City" on SNL?  East of our neighborhood, where 16th meets 6th Street is "Batteryland".  I stopped there recently but I didn't need a battery for my phone, scooter, or watch. I wanted to check out the groovy electric bikes that had been placed out front.

    I introduced myself to Batteryland's  owner, Houston Whitehead.

Houston with one of his bad-ass e-steeds

He told me he had switched his main product line from car batteries to e-bikes recently.  "They're selling like hot cakes to happy people", he explained adding, "Business is better and I don't have to deal with customers bummed because their cars won't start."

    He's got new signs too. "Batteryland" is now "Gainesville Electric Bike Garage". Stop by and go for a test drive today. Houston guarantees that his products will make you smile and even climb the big hill on 8th Avenue.

 

ON THE WINGS OF A PIG

     Gainesville is going to get a new parade come December. On Sunday we had the first meeting of the visionary people who will make

it happen. 

     The plan is to create something like the King Mango Strut, a Coconut Grove procession that's been around since 1982.  We're calling it the "Flying Pig Parade", a riff on G'ville's original moniker, "Hogtown".  

If you'd like to help make it fly, let me know.

 -Glenn

 

 

 

 

 

 Florida Park is a little different. On rainy days everyone inflates afront yard bounce houses.