Enjoy the Outdoors. Love the Planet.
All about Nature, about the outdoors<>I love it, photograph it and protect it.
The Cost of a Lifetime Senior Pass to Our National Parks is Going Way Up!
I should have made sure to get this post up before today as there’s barely enough time for any of you who didn’t know this but would like to have the pass at minimal cost to get ‘er done.
The cost of the America The Beautiful lifetime senior pass for the National Park system has been $10 for about 23 years. That all changes this Monday, the 28th of August.
The new price will be $80. Yeah, quite a jump, isn’t it?
I just got my paperwork mailed off two days ago. There’s no additional fee if you get one in person at any National Park. But because of the approaching deadline, it’s damn near impossible to get one that way; there’s a huge run on these gems, and they’re usually all gone within a few hours. I was told that by a Park Ranger in a phone convo on Monday.
So printing the hard copy app and filling out credit/debit card info may be your only option. They’ll hit your card for twenty bucks, ten for the actual fee and ten more for processing, at the time they print it, lick it and stick it! (Cards only, checks won’t work.)
If you think you might be able to make it to a park in person in your neck of the woods before they’re all gone, here’s a link to the site to see all the possible parks and facilities where they’re available but you must call before you go! Then you’re good with just ten bucks! For a lifetime pass!
Can’t wait for mine to get here!
Enjoy Mother Nature’s bounty, folks. Hope to see you out there!
Keepin’ one eye on the mailbox, I am,
“Bulldog Ben” Basile
Photo credit National Park Service
Sunrise Diner in Cocoa Beach is the Real Deal
I have loved having breakfast at the Sunrise Diner in Cocoa Beach for about five or six years now. It’s my “go to” spot in Brevard Co. for real food at breakfast-time.
You’ll notice as you approach, that’s it one of those diners. You know, one with a simple and undeniably “old school” look. And yes, they have real food. And a real staff. A few of whom have been around for many, many years.
One of the things that sets the Sunrise apart from other places of its type is that you can–and probably should–eat breakfast, lunch and dinner there. Most diners that live up to the name close around 2:30 in the afternoon. Just SOP for these storied establishments. But this one doesn’t stop seating patrons until 9 PM.
To be honest, I have only enjoyed breakfast here; I’m not a good source on those two other times of the day when Americans usually feel like they have to “fill the tank.” But I have eaten there five or six times and always have a first-rate breakfast, receive very good and personable service and don’t ever feel like I’ve had my pocket picked.
The place hasn’t changed in the six years or so that I’ve been going and it looks as though it’s been around much longer than that. Long-time crew member Wendy told me on a recent visit how long it’s been around and I just don’t remember a number; suffice it to say, they’re far from newcomers.
One of the things I like about the Sunrise is that the breakfast sausage featured there are those over-sized patties that are about the size of a sand dollar. That’s the way this pup likes his sausage in the morning and places that have it are few and far between.
I do know that you’ll find quite a bit of seafood on their menu, and Greek fare is featured prominently as well. I tend to get stuck in a rut at many of my fave eateries but that doesn’t mean you should! And though came as a bit of a surprise to me, their beer selection isn’t bad at all.
Let me close by saying that if you’re anywhere near the heart of Cocoa Beach in the future, especially in the AM, you owe it to yourself to stop at the Sunrise Diner. It’s conveniently located on SR 520, aka Cocoa Beach Cswy, just a block from where 520 meets A1A.
Sunrise Diner ~ 365 W. Cocoa Beach Cswy ~ Cocoa Beach, FL 32931 ~ 321 783-5647
“Bulldog Ben” Basile
Photo credit Benjamin Lawrence Basile
The Men Who Lead Our Troops Make Clear They’re Not On-Board with tRump’s Embrace of Nazis and Racists
Bulldog does get into politics now and then. Especially when that sub-tropical climate here in “The Sunshine State” takes some of the fun out of outdoor activities. And the events of the last few days on the national political scene are screaming out for Americans’ time and attention.
The men who lead our military are showing courage. Which should not surprise anyone. I commend them for making it crystal-clear that they are not on-board with the Trumpenfuhrer’s toxic and hateful embrace of Nazis and Klansmen.
If you’ve been living under a rock and don’t know exactly what their statements are intended to counter, here’s a link to a video where you can see our unPOTUS spout off about what great Americans his Nazi and white supremacist supporters are.
Plenty of detail here in this article from Politicus USA. It’s about a three minute read and will get you up-to-speed on this concerted effort by our military’s top brass to make sure the American public and even our adversaries know that racism and white supremacist ideas run counter to American values and have no place in our fighting forces.
To the draft-dodging, pus-bag poser who is currently stinking up our White House, I say: keep insulting our intelligence professionals and embarrassing the proud officers and NCO’s who lead our war-fighters. But you might want to watch your back, mein Trumpenfuhrer. Those folks you’re trying so hard to discredit, disparage and embarrass know how to deal with an enemy. After all, it’s their job.
Footage Of Rare White Moose Taking A Dip Makes A Big Splash | HuffPost
Bulldog writes: I’ve been stuck at home for the last two weeks; no cool outdoor fun happening… Seeing a teaser for this article perked me right up! How cool is this, anyway? If only I’d have been there, camera at the ready! If only… I’ve had a few photo opps like that. No doubt I’ll get a few more. If you love outdoor stuff half as much as I do, this is gonna make your day:
“It was an experience to meet such a stately animal up close,” said the hiker who took the video.
Source: Footage Of Rare White Moose Taking A Dip Makes A Big Splash | HuffPost
The Professional Bull Riders Tour came to Tulsa this week
Professional bull riding is an insane sport! Mad respect to the cowboys who ride those damn bulls! I caught a Pro Bull Riders tour event this afternoon on CBS while channel surfing and stayed with it to the end. Some good riding in Tulsa this weekend.
And please know that the bulls are not mistreated; this is nothing at all like Bullfighting. The bulls are part of the action and get scored too. Riders don’t want to draw a bull that isn’t top shelf because it would hurt their score. Sort of like “degree of difficulty” for an Olympic diver. Unusual and very interesting sport. My fave bull is “Seven Dust” named because it’s so hard to stay on him for the full eight seconds required to score!
As many of you know, Bulldog is a big sports fan; bull riding is not at the top of my list, but I feel about the sport the way I feel about hockey; the skill level of the athletes is so insanely high–as is the likelihood of mayhem and great bodily injury–that you just have to give them a ton of respect.
The other reason I keep one eye on the sport is that in my early cab driving days I had several fares with riders who were in town for their events. I don’t think we’ve had many of those in Orlando lately, but there were several PBR events in the early aughts at the old Amway Arena. Those were the days!
Anyhow, a tip of the hat to the riders and to the bulls who don’t want to be ridden! And everyone associated with this sport. It’s way down on the list in terms of audience and dollars for the athletes, but it’s one helluva sport!
Lovin’ the PBR today and waiting for SNB to start, I am,
“Bulldog Ben” Basile
Photo credit Benjamin Lawrence Basile
Yes, It’s Good to Re-purpose Stuff!
Here’s a posting that doesn’t fit into any of my usual topics, but it’s the kind of thing bloggers write about a lot: re-purposing common stuff. This is my absolute fave…
I’ve discovered that a used Altoids tin is perfect for holding your earbuds. Absolutely perfect. I’ve been using two of them for that for a couple of years now. And Lord knows that their actual mints are a great product, so I’ve got several of those cool little boxes doing this or that in their “second careers!”
As a write this, I’m thinking that holding your loose earbuds just may be the best possible use for one! Holding buttons in your sewing kit would be my runner-up…
I hope this modest posting on the first day of August finds you well. Life in Central Florida’s not so bad today; the sun is actually shining right now! Great to get a break from that nasty, squally weather we’ve had almost daily for what seems like weeks!
Cleaning out my car and getting a blog posting up were the only two tasks on my list today and so I’m good. Tonight, watching the free Tuesday Night Baseball game on Twitter is the only thing I have planned. So at this moment, I’m relishing the feeling that I had one day this week without anything truly urgent to do. Tomorrow a couple of large tasks await, and so that’s a whole ‘nother thing, as the saying goes…
Blogging and takin’ life easy today, I am,
“Bulldog Ben” Basile
Photo credit Benjamin Lawrence Basile
WKMG: Jamie Seh getting sports show – Orlando Sentinel
Bulldog writes: This is a very good development for Central Florida TV viewers, especially folks like me who are loyal to Channel 6. Jamie has been doing very solid work as the weekend sports anchor for WKMG for over five years and she’s definitely ready for prime time!
Ping, aka David Pingalore, was good at his craft but his shtick could get so annoying. So this is good news both because I think it’s a good move and because I had gotten really tired of Ping after ten frickin’ years! Details here on the new 30 minute show:
WKMG sports director Jamie Seh will headline a year-round sports show at 11:30 p.m. Saturdays.
Source: WKMG: Jamie Seh getting sports show – Orlando Sentinel
Another Fabulous Day to Be at the Beach
It truly is a gorgeous day today. Spent a good chunk of it soaking up some rays and enjoying the sights and sounds of the ocean.
Last night I wasn’t completely sure I was beach-bound but one of my fave Central Florida weather folk, Channel 13’s Mallory Nicholls, said the chance of rain for today would be a mere 30% and I pointed the nose of my cruiser to the east and hit the gas!
If you’re also from the Central Florida area, you know we’ve had nearly-constant rains around here for the last two months or more. I’ve whined about the dreary weather we’ve had lately here on da bulldog blog on a couple of occasions. But today has been close to ideal.
Having said that, I didn’t have the best of luck with photos. I’m not the best at shooting under different light conditions. I have an auto-everything cam, the Canon Power Shot, and I like the results under the usual kinds of conditions but I do need to progress to a camera that will stretch me a bit so I can learn the craft better. (What in the world does “usual kinds of conditions” mean in photography, anyway?)
Anyhow, the featured photo is one from a different visit to a stretch of beach quite close to where I was this morning. I like the tranquil feeling I get when I look at this one. And I really like that Mother Nature gave some of her most devoted subjects–like me, to name only one–at least one July day without a big freakin’ downpour! I was a happy camper!
Make that a happy beach-goer, now that I’ve given it a moment of thought.
“Beachdog Ben” Basile
Photo credit Benjamin Lawrence Basile
The Science of Wanderlust – Condé Nast Traveler
Bulldog says: Just stumbled across this article and I’ve got to pass it on. I dream–and daydream–about traveling constantly and can never get enough. I’ve not done as much wandering about as many folks, but would be all over this planet if I had deeper pockets. (It’s all about the benjamins!) I think I’ve got that genetic trait to wander that the author is talking about! Fascinating read here, take a look:
Are some people genetically predisposed to travel? Science says maybe.
USSSA Pride and Chicago Bandits Tangle Thursday Night in Viera
Some of you know of my love for sports and for softball in particular. Last night two of the best teams in National Pro Fastpitch met at Space Coast Stadium in Viera. The rain-delayed contest ended with the Pride on top, 3-0. Pride slugger Lauren Chamberlain went yard twice on Kaia Parnaby, the Bandit’s rookie hurler in her professional debut. Both shots were no-doubters; Bandits outfielders took a step or two and then watched those bright yellow spheres sail on through the night sky.
These are good times for fans, supporters and players of the game of softball. As many of you may know, softball and baseball will be played in the Olympic Games again in Tokyo in 2020. See my posting on that IOC decision from back on August 6, 2016 if you’d like.
Though it may be true that professional softball is small potatoes compared to big league baseball, the N.P.F. is working hard to keep the sport thriving. The USSSA Pride is the league’s showcase team and if you’re a fan here in the Central Florida area, their home field, Space Coast Stadium, is just down the road. Well, just take exit 195 from I-95 and you’re there!
I’ve been in Florida for a very, very long time and I really don’t like those nasty, sticky, scorching summers we all learn to endure down here. Trips to the beach and the ballpark are my two best strategies to thrive and survive while we wait for the arrival of milder temps and fall sports! It’s working for me!
See you at the ballpark!
Ballpark Bulldog Ben
Photo credit Benjamin Lawrence Basile
Enjoy the Outdoors. Love the Planet. 
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