Titusville is known for its proximity to the Kennedy Space Center and the small downtown area is frequently bypassed, as visitors trek over the causeway from the highway to the launch pads. This is exactly what we did, a few years ago, when we toured the space center. At the time, we didn’t realize that Titusville has much to offer.
This town has been a port on the Indian river since the 1800s. In the early 1900s a fire swept through downtown and the main street was rebuilt in the style of the day. A closer look reveals a small reminder of how life used to be. Although the period architecture is interrupted with fast food and chain store eyesores, the roots of the town are still present.
Titusville has more waterfront parks per mile than any other place we have visited. There is a park on both sides of the marina and a downtown park dedicated to the hero’s of the space race. These parks are situated directly across the river from the launch towers and they provide a perfect vantage point for lots of people to watch the liftoffs.
The names and faces of the early astronauts are included in a series of small monuments with nameplates and raised bronze relief portraits. This display brings back memories of newspaper headlines and black & white TV coverage of the 1960s. Seeing the memorials to all the forgotten people who either died, or dedicated their lives, to the space program is truly humbling. These people were the rock stars of the 1950s & 60s. While the famous are immortalized at the Smithsonian and at the Kennedy Space Center, the memorial park in Titusville pays tribute in a way that focuses both on the famous, and on the shear number of supporting people, who contributed to the accomplishments. (2,000,000 people in total played some part in putting a man on the moon) Well worth a reflective moment for those of us who were young and impressionable during this era.
Two restaurants were recommended by the dock hand at the marina and we tried them both. Hoffmans Table is owned by a Nancy & Steve Hoffman who both grew up here, left and returned to the place that they love. Nancy had a career at NASA while Steve attended culinary school and their combined talents make this the kind of relaxed eatery where you savor the fare and then just want to linger.
On the other side of town is Pier 220 which is located on a fishing pier under a bridge. An old guy rock band plays outside, fishermen with poles and nets traipse by to the pier and little kids dance in the sand in front of the band. Very cool on many levels.
The municipal marina is a friendly home to both live a-boards and transients. We planned to stay 2 nights here but extended it when the weather report included the words “Tornado Warnings”.
This extra day provided an opportunity to meet some fellow cruisers, preparing for the start of their great loop trek, aboard a Mainship 400. We reciprocated boat tours with Frank & Debra while trading a few sea stories. These two have been living aboard full time, and had just returned from the Bahamas. They graciously provided a wealth of boating information and we hope to see them again of they decide to detour to New England.
Next stop Daytona