Shelling with the Ponce. The Storm that Swallowed the South.

Too say that the Ponce got around would be a bit of an understatement, even in 16th Century terms. In 1493 he was a member of the Chris Columbus expedition that found Hispaniola (Puerto Rico) and visited a couple other islands in the Caribbean as well.


In 1513 Ponce de Leon became the first Spanish explorer to land in Florida (disputed). And he did it right here at Melbourne Beach (well, maybe). It's said that he organized a bar-b-que and beach volleyball for the fleet and later parasailing and a surfing contest. He made exploration and conquest of the native tribes fun.

Here's Ponce warding off the vampires that were surrounding Kathy.

Ponce and 200 of his closest swabbie buds set sail looking for rumored islands northwest of Puerto Rico and first landed on the Bahamas, a few more days of westerly travel led him to yet another "island" which he promptly named  "La Florida".

Because of shoddy record keeping on the part of his chief pilot, the actual landing place is (disputed). Coulda be St. Augustine, Coulda been Pensacola, Coulda, Coulda, Coulda. Since I'm here and not there, we're going with Melbourne Beach and sticking with it.

A view of the "official" site where the Spanish "comida en el campo" occured (disputed).

I'm sure there are lots of duubloons buried in the sand here. Lots. Oh wait, isn't that Kathy out there looking for souvenir Ponce de Leon seashells? Yep.

That was yesterday and today...56, cloudy and as you probably have heard, under the siege of a massive polar vortex. In Atlanta anyway. Kinda funny watching the news here today. 1-10 the major interstate up in the panhandle that runs from Jacksonville to New Orleans and further, was shut down all day due to ice and jack-knifed tractor trailers. Atlanta residents abandoned their cars and SUVs and slept in stores and truck stops.

The best line was from former governor of Montana, Brian Schweitzer, who when asked about the snow in the south and the shutting down of highways in three states, said "We don't shut down roads in Montana for two and a half inches of snow.". (He probably didn't make any friends) But in Georgia's defense, I think it was their first "major" snowfall in 15 years.

Was also fun watching the governor of Georgia and Atlanta's mayor try to blame the poor response in the state on the National Weather Forecasters. Evidently two plus days notice that there might be snow, wasn't good enough.

Sun tomorrow and back to the mid 60's.

Red rover, red rover, send Joker Zumpf on down. No need to nap in the sun son, when you can nap on the beach. Stay warm little buddy! Smooches, 'fred.

Good night and good luck. Y'all.