Ocean view

 Good morning! I hope you enjoy the view that I had this morning! 

1923 8c Radiator & Propeller

The design for the 1923 8c Radiator & Propeller stamp (#C4) was based on a photograph of the radiator and propeller of a De Haviland plane. The stamp was issued on August 15, 1923, at the American Philatelic Society annual convention in Washington DC.

The history of airmail dates back to the early 20th century when aviation was still in its infancy. The first official airmail route in the United States was established on May 15, 1918, running between Washington, D.C., and New York City. This pioneering route marked a significant shift in how mail was delivered, as it allowed for much faster transportation compared to traditional methods like trains and boats. Charles Lindbergh, who would later become famous for his transatlantic flight, was one of the early pilots involved in these flights, helping to demonstrate the potential of air mail.

The early air mail service faced numerous challenges. Pilots flew small, open-cockpit airplanes, often navigating through rough weather and difficult terrain. They relied on maps and their instincts to find their way, as navigation technology was not as advanced as it is today. Despite these obstacles, the service quickly gained popularity. By the 1920s, a network of routes was established across the country, connecting major cities and allowing quicker delivery of letters and packages.

One of the most significant developments was the transcontinental airmail route, which stretched from New York City to San Francisco. This ambitious route enabled the postal service to deliver mail across the entire country in just a few days. It played a crucial role in promoting air travel and helped to build public trust in the safety and reliability of flying. As airmail continued to expand, it transformed not only the postal system but also the way businesses operated, allowing for faster communication and commerce.

Today, air mail is an integral part of global communication, largely thanks to the innovations and risks taken by those early aviators. Their efforts laid the groundwork for the modern air mail system we rely on today, connecting people across vast distances in a matter of hours.

References:
The stamp is part of the author’s collection
"The History of Air Mail." Smithsonian National Postal Museum.
"A Brief History of Airmail." U.S. Postal Service.
"The Birth of Airmail." National Geographic.
https://www.mysticstamp.com/c4-1923-8c-radiator-propeller-dark-green/

Taking the Trains to Miami

A few weeks ago, we decided we wanted to ride the trains to Miami since we had nothing planned. We found out that an all-day pass on Tri-Rail only costs $2.50 for seniors on the weekend. Of course, you have to buy this on a weekday to get the discount. If you buy an all-day pass at the station kiosk on the weekend (ticket offices are closed), you have to pay the regular $5.

We arrived at the Boynton Beach TriRail station at 7:52 and the southbound train arrived at 8:45 am. It runs every hour on the :45 minute mark.

At 10:01, we got off the Tri-Rail at the Metro Transfer Station. We found a kiosk for the Metro-Dade Transit and bout a 1 day pass for $5.65 plus $2 for the card each. The southbound train arrived at 10:15 and we got off at the Government Center at 10:30.

We transferred to the Metromover which was free and rode the Inner Loop to the Bayfront Park Station.

Once we got off the Metromover at 10:43, we walked through the park along the waterfront to the Bayside Marketplace. Everything there opened at 11 so we were right on time. It was fun to look around in the shops and people watch but everything was expensive.

After a snack at McDonalds, we decided to head back home. The College Bayside Metromover was right beside the McDonalds.

We retraced our steps back to the Metro Transfer Station where we had to wait for 2:03 northbound Tri-Rail train back to Boynton Beach. It runs every hour according to the schedule and we would have planned this a little differently if we had realized that. We arrived back at the Boynton Beach station by 3:15 pm. 

We had a wonderful time and would do this again in the future. We are thinking about visiting the Frost Museum next time because Veterans get in free and those over 65 get a $5 discount.

Original photos and video by Pat Hensley

Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge

Today we went to the Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge to walk around the boardwalk. The weather was nice and there wasn’t a lot of people there when we arrived at 9 am. We saw that they offered a free tram tour but it was filled up so we just planned on doing the walk. When we got back to the visitor center, we were told that we were welcome to join the tour if the last 3 people didn’t show up. When they didn’t arrive, we took the tour. The tour guide, Don, was fabulous. Even though we have been there several times, I always learn something new! He was very knowledgeable and you could tell he enjoyed sharing his knowledge with others. We probably will sign up to go with him again just so we can hear him share more information!

I learned about the sawgrass blade and felt the edge of one. If you move your finger along the edge in one direction, the edge is smooth, but if you move your finger along the edge in the other direction, you can feel the sharp saw-like edges. I also learned that if you estimate the length in inches from an alligator’s tip of the nose to his eyes, that is how many feet long the alligator probably is.

We stopped near the levee and learned about the history of the water flow in the Everglades. We also learned about pythons and alligators. We were given a little time to walk to the fishing pier and we saw a great blue heron watching the fishermen. It was funny when one of the men caught a fish and the heron hoped he would get the fish but the fish was returned to the water.

It was a wonderful tour and I would highly recommend it to anyone who has time to take it. It fills up fast, so you want to call ahead and reserve your spot.

Other activities are scheduled like Sunday photo shoots and bird walks that we want to check out. We are also thinking about volunteering here but I tend to act on impulse too quickly so I'm trying to be patient and think about it before jumping in with both feet. We might want to check out the other activities to decide what we want to volunteer for.

Original photos by Pat Hensley

Aunt Het Festival 2024

Today was the Aunt Het Festival in Fountain Inn, SC. It was supposed to happen last week but it was postponed until this week due to Hurricane Helene. Debbie came over to our house around 9:15 am and we walked to the festival. It started out cool but eventually, it warmed up. We stopped at several tables that were giving away bags and I could put my jacket in it. We also saw a vendor selling aprons and I was looking for a garden apron. We found a $10 one that was made of denim and perfect for what I was looking for. I also ran into Amy Burns who was playing a fiddle with a band. I hadn’t seen her in over 20 years and she looked the same as ever! Around 11:30, we went to Bucky’s BBQ and got takeout to bring home to eat in front of the TV.

Original photos and video by Pat Hensley