Disney

No, that's not a baseball, either!

We can see how you might be confused.

Actually it's the symbol for Disney's Epcot Center,

but if anything it looks more like a giant golfball.  

How could we spend time if Florida, without taking in the local wildlife?  So, we spent a day at Epcot. 

One at Disney's Hollywood Studios

And one at Disney's Animal Kingdom

Water ride, anyone?

We had a lot of fun, but mostly we just got goofy!

And that's the end of our Orlando vacation.

Now back to baseball.  Next stop:  Miami!

Kennedy Space Center

No, it's not a baseball.  This blue ball symbolizes our earth, as seen from space. 

In Central Florida, Disney World definitely gets all the love.  

But for anyone interested in science, technology, or space exploration, 

we've got an attraction that's out of this world!

You begin your visit of Kennedy Space Center with  a 45 minute bus tour of the grounds -with a very well-educated tour guide.                                                                                               This is the largest one-story building on earth.  The doors, created to load and unload the original Apollo rockets, are so large the statue of liberty could fit inside with 100+ feet to spare!

Inside the visitor center there are entire buildings devoted to the Apollo program

and the space shuttle program.                                                                                   Did you know that it is only called a Space Shuttle when these rockets are attached? Otherwise it's called an Orbiter.                                                                         See how much we learned?!

There is information on Hubble, including an amazing IMAX movie.                        

There are interactive displays that allow you to experience the life of an astronaut, such as landing a space shuttle, docking at the space station, using a robotic arm, or completing a space walk. If you like, you can even try the launch simulator -hold on to your stomach!

And if you are interested in the life of an astronaut, you might want to check out displays 

explaining how they eat, sleep...

 ...and poop in space!

Watch out, Mickey!  

The Belove family gives this place high ratings for a reasonably priced, interesting, and fun all-day attraction!

Schrader's Little Cooperstown

If a tribute to baseball exists, you know the Belove family will find it.  For this gem, we must give credit to Grandpa Orren, who alerted us that a baseball museum was right in our field of play!

Schrader's Little Cooperstown is one man's lifetime obsession with baseball, and comprises the largest collection of signed baseballs in the world (Guinness book certified!)  It is a temporary exhibit (19 years!) located in the St. Petersburg Museum of History. 

The collection contains balls from early history

Some of the greats

and even political leaders

and celebrities

With an eye to preserving history, Mr. Schrader contacted surviving members of the Negro and Women's leagues, and managed to capture over 150 signatures from each group.

We thought this quote pretty much sums it up!

A fun stop on the Beloves Amazing Baseball Adventure.  We had a ball!