Home Again, Home Again, Jiggety Jig!

The journey is officially complete, and the transition from the humidity of Florida to the familiar air of Colorado is finally settled. The flight and the drive home were singularly uneventful. Which is always a good thing!

Homeward Bound Under a Florida Sunrise

 

A quiet, hazy sunrise over the tarmac as ground crews prepare for the day's first departures.

A Launchpad for the Future

 

Dr. Alexander N. Cartwright:
President Cartwright detailing the $3.5 billion vision for the university’s next twenty years.

Orlando Interlude

 "I don't know about you," I said to Tim over a leisurely breakfast in the hotel, "but with all the dashing to-and-fro around Central Florida that we have already done this week—and the fact that we have the event tonight and have to fly early in the morning—I would be just as happy doing nothing today!"

A Day at the Resort

 While the cat's away, the dogs will definitely play. Lev and Neshama have been making the most of their stay at the Overland Pet Resort here in Denver, Colorado. It is always a relief to see them so active and engaged, trading the living room rug for a proper sprint across the yard.

Lev leads the charge across the artificial turf with Neshama keeping a watchful eye from the background.

Sarasota Sunsets and Family Reunions

 After a morning of academia and automation talk at the University of Central Florida, the scenery shifted from the blackboards of Orlando to the coastal charm of Sarasota. The day was a whirlwind of strategic meetings at the College of Sciences, but the evening offered a much-needed pivot to family.

A Reunion and a Feast in Oviedo

 After a busy day, the journey led to Oviedo for a wonderful dinner at Yao's. The evening was spent catching up with Melodye, a friend from school, and her brother, Tim. While the conversation was the highlight, the food certainly held its own. The portions at Yao's are famously generous; even after sharing a fried rice, there was still plenty left over for Melodye and Tim to take home. It was the perfect way to wrap up the day with good company and even better flavors.

 Don, Melodye, Tim, and Tim enjoying the vibrant atmosphere and great food at Yao’s in Oviedo.

The Glass-Bottom Perspective

Florida's Silver Springs State Park: 
The iconic entrance arch welcoming visitors to one of Florida's most historic natural wonders.

A Tradition in the Scrub

 We kicked off our Florida trip this week with a bit of a "sightseeing first" strategy. With a full slate of meetings at UCF on Friday and the big campaign event on Saturday, we carved out Thursday to head north into the Ocala National Forest. For me, a visit to Juniper Springs is more-or-less required by tradition—it’s a place that feels like a homecoming every time I pull into the lot.

Juniper Springs Water Wheel c. 1965:
The historic CCC-built millhouse and waterwheel, which once provided electricity to the campground.