So, If you’ve never seen a NASA external fuel tank up close simply drive across the Shands Bridge and look ashore on the far right side. You don’t even have to get out of your car. You will see a yuge, yes….huge orange capsule-looking thing. That, my friend, is a NASA fuel tank AND…. If you visit it, you can get in a geocache…. YUP. There is one there at the end of the fuel tank. SO! ( If you don’t know what geocaching is…google it. It’s basically treasure hunting from your phone).
NASA fuel tank in Green Cove Springs, Fl
It is rare to see a fuel tank because when they go into space, they tend to burn up when they re-enter the earth’s atmosphere. In addition, they don’t use these any more…
According to reports from Roadside America, the tank is “longer than the Statue of Liberty is tall and built in the 1970’s.” The most Angeles Times says that it is 153.8 feet in length and “taller than a 15 story building”. So, if you want to see something as long as Lady Liberty is tall, this is your stop and it’s free in Green Cove Springs, Florida, just over the county line.
Notice the fuel tank is still on the original trailer…
When I was at Kennedy Space Shuttle back-in-the-day, I saw this item on display. My understanding is that after the space shuttle era ended in 2011, they had this as a museum artifact. Some time around 2013, it was loaded on a barge, trailer and all, and carried to this Green Cove Springs boat yard. It’s still there.
Just for reference…(NASA photo)
I don’t know of another fuel tank that you could see except for that of the one at the California Science Center in Los Angeles. This one is a free look. You have to pay to see the one in CA. Take your pick, ya’ll.
The day I was there a Dad was field tripping with a family member. (Permission granted to take pic.)
See you tomorrow,
Nan
Sources, RoadSide America, California Science Center, NASA
See it here- 3939 Reynolds Blvd, Green Cove Springs, Fl ( I don’t know how long it will be here. It’s been here at least since about 2013 but…who knows?)
When the, what was thought and was, a Chinese balloon, drifted across the United States beginning sometime about January 28th, 2023, the trajectory was unclear. By Wednesday of the next week, we thought it could come Jacksonville way. The Weather Authority trajectory indicated it would go across the Carolina’s which was a little above Duval County but who knew?
NORAD trajectory- Ramey Collection
The powers that be decided not to shoot it down over civilian spaces so they waited for it to travel over the Atlantic Ocean. The huge weather-type balloon, they say the size of three busses began being noticed somewhere in Alaska. NORAD, the North American Aerospace Defence Command, Brigadier General Pat Ryder said on Thursday, February 2, 2023, “The United States government has detected and is tracking a high-attitude surveillance balloon that is flying over the continental United States”.
They indicated it was not a “military or physical threat to people on the ground at this time” according to General Glen VanHerck.
According to ABC News, a correspondent said the balloon was the size of “three busses and complete with a technology bay”. It seemed to be without power when looking at it on television newscasts and seemed to drift with the jet stream moving eastward. I thought it was possibly coming our way. Who knew?
The balloon was said to enter the United States airspace in Alaska near the Aleutian Islands news reports posted. As it floated eastward, and the Weather Channel posted a possible trajectory, I thought we may have a balloon in our sky in the coming days.
Chase Doak Photograph of Chinese Balloon
On Wednesday, February 1st, a freelance Montana photographer Chase Doak photographed the balloon and his photo went viral and is now used on Wikipedia. ( That had to be exciting for him). He was a freelance photographer at the right place, at the right time and just did his thing….
Chase Doak Profile-Linked In
Tomorrow I’ll post a basic timeline of the event and no, the balloon did not come across Jacksonville way or to Jacksonville Beach . It ended up in the Atlantic Ocean though, up the way near Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. It was shot down on Saturday, February 4th by a F22 Raptor fighter jet. The United States Military began recovery following that event.
It did not come here but, it was still too close for comfort.
See you tomorrow,
Nan
Sources: ABC News, NOAA, RORAD, The Pentagon, Helen Cooper, Pentagon correspondent, Edward Wong, correspondent, Breitbart, Google, Personal viewing of news reports…
Many of us applied for the Teacher in Space program back-in-the-day. Teachers were invited to fill out some paperwork in order to be considered for the NASA space program. The paperwork was done by hand and mailed in. Having been a teacher for only about 9 years I applied anyhow. After a time, a letter was sent from NASA indicating if a person was in the running for a spot with NASA and the Teacher in Space program.
Mike Reynolds was born on March 30, 1954. He was a Jacksonville teacher who had grown up in Duval County and ended up being one of the final five contestants. He had attended Duval County schools and began teaching at Duncan U. Fletcher High School. Later, he left town to attend Thomas Edison State College in New Jersey and in 1982 had returned to receive a Masters at the University of North Florida right here in our city. He later received a Doctorate in science education and astronomy in 1990 from UF.
Press Photo for Reynolds
In 1985 Reynolds had applied for the Teacher in Space program and became one of the top 5 candidates. In 1986, Reynolds was teacher of the year at Fletcher High and from there he traveled to the Kennedy space center to be a part of the teacher in space program events and later would be invited to watch the Challenger space shuttle blast off into space.
NASA Program logo
On this cold day, January 28, 1986, the Space Shuttle Challenger with 7 NASA astronauts aboard, lost their lives in a shuttle disaster only 73 seconds after take off. The cause of the explosion was cold weather when the 0-ring seal failed. It was a sad day for all of America and even the world. Jacksonville residents mourned the loss.
Challenger Crew
Mike Reynolds went on to work at Florida State College, Chabot Space and Science center, Meade Instruments and the Association of Lunar and Planetary Observation. He died October 15, 2019 at the age of 65. He had spent his whole career in the science, astronomy and in the education field.
For me, I probably could not have figured out the math.
See you tomorrow,
Nan
In honor of those who lost their lives, we name them and thank them for their service:
The last Challenger mission, dubbed STS-51L, was commanded by Francis R. “Dick” Scobee and piloted by Michael J. Smith. The other crew members on board were mission specialists Ronald E. McNair; Ellison S. Onizuka, and Judith A. Resnik; payload specialist Gregory B. Jarvis; and teacher S. Christa McAuliffe. (Credit: NASA).
Jacksonville’s involvement with “The Ship of Gold” tells a story of respect, love, fear, betrayal, riches and more. Life magazine called it “the greatest treasure ever found” but did the treasure show the greatest or bring out the poverty in most all connected? After researching the story and finding the boat in Northeast Florida, the real question is, which is the “Ship of Gold?: The SS Central America?, The Arctic Discoverer?, or the man who hauled a great bit of the gold away and then disappeared? I’d say, all three.
Contemporary painting of Central America ship
My grandsons are nine, four and four. Knowing the ship was so near, it was a must-see, so we, their mother and me, did. Our nearby travels took us less than twenty minutes to see the Arctic Discoverer. It’s basically, just down the road. It’s an approximately 65 year old deserted boat along a dock in Green Cove Springs, Florida. We all totally enjoyed the trip. With Gary Kinder’s book in hand, we basically knew the story start to finish except for the details of what Thompson will now do.
Arctic Discoverer- Photo- Ramey
Over 30 years ago, the 180 foot ship was called the A.T. Cameron. It was then sold and renamed the Arctic Ranger when an investor seeking to help Thompson’s exploration bought and repurposed it. He brought it to Jacksonville, and Green Cove Springs, had it painted light sky blue and white and for a “nominal” fee, rented it to Thompson for his exploration. Thompson and his crew took it to sea to find gold and lots of it. Along with it, they took a, what many called a “miraculous” 12,000 pound underwater robot named Nemo that could be deployed remotely. The trip was orchestrated by a young Tommy Thompson, an engineer who had a passion and drive to hunt down and find the sunken ship, SS Central America.
Ship of Gold- Photo-Ramey
September 1857 the Central America ship carrying some 600 passengers was returning from the California Gold Rush when it sunk off of the coast of South Carolina due to a hurricane. Over 20 tons of gold, other treasures and some 400 lives were lost.
Ship Gold- Recovery Limited Photo
In 1985, Tommy Thompson, with his company, Recovery Limited Partnership, set out with a group of 141 investors to discover and find the Central America . The plan was to recover the treasures lost. He and his team used “Nemo”, the underwater vessel along with other recovery equipment to find and explore the bottom of the sea where it sunk. Using special computer equipment and savvy methods for capturing such , including robotics and far-advance oceanography tricks to the trade, the team not only found the Central America but was able to bring up a great amount of items from the wreckage including luggage, documents, the ship’s bell and millions of dollars of gold coins and gold bars.
By 1989, the crew discover the shipwreck bringing great attention to this disaster. After this incredible find, over 35 insurance companies sued Thompson saying their policies gave them rights to the gold. Through years of litigation, and continual protection of the shipwreck site, Thompson and his company were rewarded 92 percent of the recovered gold with the remainder to pay insurance companies. Within two years, Thompson sold his companies’ portion of the gold to California Gold Group for $52 million
Investors cried foul and said that Thompson never returned their investment money thus there were further lawsuits against Thompson. High profiled businessmen sued him including The Dispatch Printing Company, directors of the Columbus Exploration group and Donald Fanta, an investor along with nine technicians who helped with the discovery.
The Arctic Discover in 2023- Photo- Ramey
In March of 2012 Thompson filed for bankruptcy but the filing was dismissed. It was then that Tommy Thompson did not show up in the next court session which prompted an arrest order. Thompson and his girlfriend Alison Anterkeier disappeared and for at least two years their whereabouts were unknown. According to The Columbus Dispatch, the resident going by the name of Susan Owens was actually Alison, the manager of the motor lodge, Virginia said. She moved there after being a no-show for a court date. This information came out in federal papers in June of 2015.
It was in January of 2015 also that, Thompson and Anterkeier were found in a Hilton hotel in Boca Raton. Those involved in the case said they had been paying cash for their living expenses. They were arrested and jailed. Thompson’s girlfriend, Alison spent a month in jail and then released.
In 2018, Thompson said he did not know where the gold was. That same year, the judge ruled that what artifacts were available could be sold and the $19.4 million in damages could go to the plaintiffs.
Thompson has remained in jail since the arrest and being unwilling to tell where the gold is to this day. He is being held in a federal detention center in Milan, Michigan according to news organizations . When searching his name under “inmate”, there is no release date listed.
Did Thompson bury the gold in Boca? Green Cover or even Jacksonville? If you read the court transcripts you might find out. Some say he’s given hints. If you find the gold, it would be yet another “great treasure find” pertaining to the “Ship of Gold”. The Arctic Discoverer is at present docked just outside of Duval County city limits.
See you tomorrow,
Nan
Scripture for the day: “Thou Shalt Not Steal”. Also
Exodus 20:16 — “Thou Shalt Not Bear False Witness Against Thy Neighbor.”
There is probably more to this story that we don’t know.
Sources: Columbus Dispatch, Ship of Gold, Gary Kinder, Coinworld, Odyssey Marine, Recovery Limited, Wikipedia, Personal visit.1/27/23
Known as Jacksonville Municipal Airport, it was a working flight center from 1927-1968. Growing up, we called it “Imeson Airport” named after Thomas Cole Imeson, the first President of Southeast Airmail Association and a city commissioner.
Imeson Airport, Florida Memory photo
For many years we rode past it after it was closed. I never remember actually being on the property until this year when a friend and I set out to find what was left. She said she picked up her cousin from Atlanta there once and literally waited on the tarmac for the plane to land where she met her outside when she walked out of the plane. That was about in the mid 1960s she said.
Imeson Airport- Florida Memory photo
At some point, Imeson was a big deal and later deemed as an Army Air Force facility. According to reports, it was located off of North Main Street, began with a grass runway, by 1934 had a sandy, sodded, surfaced” and a gravel-type runway. The airport grew to over 600 acres and 5 hangars with asphalt runways by 1941. When Imeson died in March of 1948, the JMA was renamed in his honor.
Imeson Airport Postcard
On the day the Jacksonville Municipal Airport opened, the famous Charles Lindbergh came that October 11, 1927 along with his airplane, “Spirit of St. Louis”. Charles Lindbergh had just breaking news of his trans-Atlantic solo flight and was being celebrated world-wide. News reports were about the tremendous crowd of some 150,000 at the Duval County airport on that day.
Charles Lindbergh and Spirit of St. Louis visit Jax 1927- Fl Memory photo
Many famous people have flown in or out at Imeson Such as Richard Nixon, Martin Luther King, The Beatles( 1964), John F. Kennedy, Rose Kennedy, his mother. Amelia Earhart was in Jacksonville on March 1, 1936 as reported in the Times-Union but it does not mention if she rode in a car, train, or flight.
There were rails to be ridden and the train line was an important part of Jacksonville’s transportation at that time.
Train track on Imeson property. Photo-Ramey
As history notes, Eastern Air Services, now Eastern Airlines was the first passenger airline. Over the years Imeson Airport served flights for personal, military, World War II flights, Army Air Corps, and more. Following the war, with less need for military services and with the sight of a new airport on the rise, the base was closed in 1946. Over the years it was used by other needs concerning flight including the Air Force, Air National Guard’, Fighter groups and more. By 1970 it becomes Webb International Inc. and made into a commerce center.
Imeson area 2023-Photo- Ramey
As recent as 2022, at least 1.2 million square feet of industrial space at Imeson Park South was under review by the City of Jacksonville so things out there continue to change.
Looking at the area today, there is no evidence of an airport unless a large cemented area was possibly used for runway access. There are some very large cement pilings but other than that, it is definitely an industrial complex of large business buildings.The East end of Imeson Blvd was reportedly resurfaced from part of the runway to the road where people now drive. We flew down it today, so-to-speak.
The area of buildings off of Main Street-Photo-Ramey
See you tomorrow,
Nan
Sources: Google, Wikipedia, Bizjournal, Times-Union, Florida Memory, USDT, Personal Visit
Category: Military, Transportation, Travel | Comments Off on Imeson Airport and Lucky Lindy ( Charles Lindbergh)
Jean Ribault was a French naval officer serving under Admiral Gaspard de Coligny who attempted to colonize in Florida near the mouth of the St. Johns River at Fort Caroline.
Fort Caroline State Park
With some 150 colonists, he landed on Florida soil and claimed the land for France. As a Huguenot Protestant, his belief in God was strong. In 1565 he founded the Fort Caroline settlement on the St. Johns River , even placing a monument there.
Fort Matanzas State Park. St. Aug.
The Spanish who had their own claims to Florida at St. Augustine eventually scattered his group and captured Ribault. The name Matanzas is Spanish for “slaughters” named after the1565 slaughter of Jean Ribault and his group. Being Huguenot, they were as Protestant heretics.
The fort at Matanzas is small but accommodating. You can get their free on a boat ride set forth by the Florida State Parks system. The trip is about an hour long but you can stay longer and there are tables for picnicking.
The Parade of Trees is held at Christmas time in Green Cove Springs just south of Jacksonville. Individuals and businesses purchase a tree and decorate it to their own heart. Some are dedicated to those who have gone before them, others to a cause and still others to their business.
We walked by the Baptist Church’s “empty” tree and made the comment that while the church was requesting and executing on getting people’s prayers answered, it needed to do a little work on their boring tree.
This just goes to show you cannot judge a book by its cover. The tree had no ornaments because the sign says to “take an ornament” off of the tree. We had a good laugh. Good for the Church, giving as usual.
St. Augustine, Florida is a most beautiful place to see anytime and many times over during the Christmas season. Today’s tree is from the stunning Flagler College located at 74 King Street, St. Augustine, Fl 32084. The campus is named for railroad builder and financier, Henry M. Flagler who built a Spanish Renaissance type hotel in 1888. Today, that old hotel is a liberal arts institution named Flagler College.
The college has its roots from 1968 to the present with the current President being the former Mayor of Jacksonville, John A. Delaney. The campus is 19 acres and is situated in the downtown St. Augustine area.
The tree is located in the Rotunda, just outside of the famous campus dining hall and Lewis Auditorium.
See you tomorrow,
Sources: Flagler College, Ramey [Idea about a tree a day came from the editor of the Daily Record, Karen Mathis].
The Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine has a simple Christmas tree with tags offering those with tender hearts to donate. While I was there, besides the tree was a large, brown bag of snacks and crackers apparently left by a parishioner for the less fortunate.
The Cathedral is a monumental building with tall ceilings, beautiful beams and incredible decor. The room was completely empty of people when I walked in. Before leaving, no more than 4 people came and went. It was open at 11:00 am and I was met at the St George Street entrance (side door) with a very sweet and friendly lady encouraging me to enjoy my time.
Martin Luther caused quite a stir in the Catholic Church in the 16th-century causing the Reformation with “Christ Alone”. He also is believed to be the first to add lights (by candle) to the Christmas tree. The Catholic Church resisted use of Christmas trees which was a Lutheran Church tradition. In 1982, the Catholic Church set up a Vatican Christmas tree for the first time in Vatican City.
Luther tree with lights
Fast forward, 2022 and the Cathedral Bascilia has a tree in the sanctuary.
Merry Christmas to All and to all a good night.
See you tomorrow,
Sources: Wikicommons (Luther photo), History . com, Ramey, [Idea about a tree a day came from the editor of the Daily Record, Karen Mathis].
St. Augustine Basilica Location: 38 Cathedral Place, St. Augustine, Fl 32084. Go visit.12-6-22
The name of the castle was unusual to me. I have ridden past it for years and years on my way to and from St. Augustine, Florida. It was named after Otttis (yes, three t’s), one of the two builders; the other being named Rusty Ickes.
On their website it is clear that it was built “In remembrance of Jesus Christ” and built for the purpose of”beauty and as a landscape-sculpture”. So the builder himself indicated that the castle was built as an art piece such as the Eiffel Tower or The Washington Monument in Washington, DC not as a business or residence. The tour guide today said it was in the design of an Irish Abbey (Christian Church) and going inside it sure appears so. There are 88 open windows and the structure is taller than 50 feet. At the top it has a castle look with stones affixed. On this day, we met one of the two builders of this structure, Randy.
Our trip began with a friend setting up the visit “by appointment”. When driving in we were met by a man about 6 feet with a flowing beard and brown hair with a hat and sunglasses. Who knew it would be Randy Ickes a man who once had a vision for a castle and enacted on the task to actually follow through and build it.
The castle is located about 3 miles North of St. Augustine, Florida on 3rd Street St. just outside of the Nation’s Oldest City, St. Augustine. Construction began May 1, 1984. The masonry was completed in full by Ottis Sadler and Rusty Ickes and by 1998 the exterior was complete. In the span of 3 years, (1988-1991) Lee Carpenter completed the interior portion with primarily “cypress wood and some southern-pine”. There are 8”elaborate stair cases, an alter, pulpit, series of pews, choir loft and Bishop’s chair” wrote one person describing it. In 1992 it was recognized by the American Institute of Architects.
Sources: Atlasobscura, CastleOttis, Personal visit and observation…
If you choose to go, contact randy @ castleotttis.com
