Friday Night Special: Coral Castle and NASA Jet (A Castle and Shuttle Photo Blog)

Hi Everybody!!  Please come in as this is an exciting Post tonight!
A true Friday Night Special: A great trip tonight suggested by our friend and Author, Lee Battles of Little River Canyon, Alabama.      
When Lee began telling me about Coral Castle, I had no idea what he was talking about! I never considered any Castles were in the states.  I asked Lee to write the Intro and choose the videos about Coral Castle for our trip. So tonight is the night; we are going to the Coral Castle! I have a jet lined up for us after Lee's intro so I will meet you at the Gate,  brendasue. 

JUST PUSH PLAY

INTRODUCTION  BY  LEE  BATTLES

There are so many  dogmas and fanatics out there who would scream heresy and close their eyes immediately before considering a mere man could do the things you are about to see.

First let me say I am a believer.  I think all things man can and does do is Divinely inspired.  What we choose to learn from it defines us as individuals and information learned, gleaned, or inspired when shared benefits all humanity and is praise for the Source.  As He has told us many times in many scriptures in many religions—‘…there is nothing new under the sun…’  I believe He shares with us what He wants us to know—when He wants us to know.  ‘… those with eyes let them see and those with ears let them hear…’

I learned of coral castle while a teenager and was fascinated that one man could not only do this singlehandedly, but actually dismantle and move it 10 miles away.  With the help of a neighbor ( who wasn’t allowed to watch)  and his truck,  he transported the pieces and  reassembled the castle.

Here are just two individuals who have done truly remarkable things with little more than basic tools, knowledge or training.  I really believe we all can learn from each other and from the Divine presence in all of us. 

The first  video below, is coral castle and a description of Ed,  and it is a fun trip with the team from ‘weird us’ from the history channel.  The next has ‘joe bullard’ with his thoughts and feelings gathered from 20 years study of Ed and his techniques.  The third  is equally interesting and informative and  includes a clip of Wally Wallington who built a miniature Stonehenge in his backyard, and shows us how it was done.

Center of gravity, balance, magnetism, ingenuity, resourcefulness exemplified.

A quote from charlamagne , and later Caesar, ‘…veni, vidi, vici…’ I came, I saw, I conquered.  Well, in these examples, ‘they thought, they tried, they did’  Should any of us do less?

The next video is a long one but I assure you a worthy one.  If you don’t take time to see it all now, at least bookmark and come back to it.  It shows some marvelous accomplishments and attempts to explain the unexplainable and connects the explanation with Leedskalnin’s techniques and tools also pictured. 

Not all of us , certainly not me, have the means to visit the pyramids or Stonehenge, but these examples are within driving distance or a short flight for most. Coral castle I have seen twice, 1^st time in the ‘80’s with my kids, returned 20+years later and enjoyed it even more although the gate originally weighed much more than the one now there.  The first was balanced on the axle of a t-model and could be turned with a gentle push, even though it weighed tons, with one hand.  The bearings eventually wore out and it was replaced with a smaller trimmed version, still awesome.   As Arnold said, ‘…I’ll be back…’  The other two I have just learned about from our good friend brendasue and I will, God willing, visit them as well.

Thanks for reading my ramblings,  if I may I’d like to share a couple of my inspirations.  I constantly try to motivate everyone by letting them know that whatever circumstance or difficulty they are in now  or have experienced- none of us are alone.  Someone else is or has been through what you’re going through and no one can handle your particular malady or seemingly insurmountable situation but you—that’s why you’re here and with God’s help all will be well.

Chin up!! And may God bless us all.

Lee

Ps

I’m just a rambling meandering poet, don’t know nut’n,  don’t claim to.  Just love life and its experiences.  Visit me at my website—have a cup of coffee, curl up to the fire or just relax on the front porch, show you some pretty pictures and mini-videos and sneak a little poetry in the bargain. J http://poemsbyleebattles.weebly.com/

Lee and Son

Thanks Lee!!  I am highly honored that You chose this field trip for our Nature Class. I have been curious about this place since You told me of Coral Castle.

When I found out we were going to Florida, I called one of my friends at NASA in Houston and asked if anyone was flying to Florida and could Our Nature Class have a ride as we are going to see Coral Castle with Lee Battles. They are such wonderful people at Space.com (and they come to the blog all the time). As luck would have it, NASA said it was sending its largest jet to Florida to pick up the Space Shuttle and take it to its new home in a Museum. There is plenty of room for all of us!!  Hooray-I always wanted to ride in a very big jet! While they put the shuttle on top of it, we will go see the Coral Castle.  So, All Aboard. As a Great Surprise for all of Us, they are serving an in flight meal of Surf and Turf (steak and shrimp). And we all get a NASA T-shirt!!  What a Deal-Hooray!!

 WOULD YOU LOOK AT THAT FINE CRAFT: Let's Go!!

NASA’s original Shuttle Carrier Aircraft, a modified Boeing 747-100 known by its tail number, NASA 905 (N905NA), first flew passengers as an American Airlines jetliner in the early 1970s.
CREDIT: collectSPACE.com / Robert Z. Pearlman           JUST PUSH PLAY

http://www.gribblenation.com/flpics/vintage/
http://fcit.usf.edu/florida/photos/recreate/tour/coral/coral1/coral1.htm

Lee's Video One-Just Push Play

Lee's video two-Just Push Play

Lee's Third Video Selection-Just Push Play

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coral_Castle
Coral Castle is a stone structure created by the Latvian American eccentric Edward Leedskalnin (1887-1951) north of the city of Homestead, Florida in Miami-Dade County at the intersection of South Dixie Highway (U.S. 1) and West 157th Avenue. The structure comprises numerous megalithic stones (mostlylimestone formed from coral), each weighing several tons.^[2] It currently serves as a privately-operatedtourist attraction. Coral Castle is noted for urban legends surrounding its creation that claim it was built single-handedly by Leedskalnin using magnetism and/or supernatural abilities.

Edward Leedskalnin

Edward Leedskalnin (Latvian: Edvards Liedskalniņš) (January 12, 1887, Stāmeriena parish, Livonia; December 7, 1951, Miami) was an eccentric Latvian emigrant to theUnited States and amateur sculptor who single-handedly built the monument known asCoral Castle in Florida. He was also known for his unusual theories on magnetism.

Life

(1887 - 1951) Edward Leedskalnin was born January 12, 1887, according to World War Idraft registration records, in Stāmeriena parish, Latvia. Little is known of his childhood, aside from the fact that he was not wealthy and achieved only a fourth-grade education. However Edward was a sickly boy, and often spent his time inside reading books - eventually leading him to discontinue his schooling as it "bored him". For Ed, his development of a yearning to obtain knowledge became a passionate and potent driving force in many endeavours throughout his later life.^[1] At the age of 26, he was engaged to marry Agnes Scuffs, a girl ten years younger.^[2] However, the girl that Leedskalnin referred to as his "Sweet Sixteen" broke the engagement the night before their wedding.

Several years later for reasons of which are unclear (yet most likely involving his lost love Agnes),^[3] he emigrated to North America where he found work in various lumber camps at Canada, California, and Texas.

Then, after contracting a case of tuberculosis, Leedskalnin moved to the warmer climate of Florida around 1919, where he purchased a small piece of land in Florida City. Over the next 20 years, Leedskalnin putatively constructed and lived within a massive coral monument he called "Rock Gate Park", dedicated to the girl who had left him years before. Working alone at night, Leedskalnin eventually quarried and sculpted over 1,100 short tons (997903 kg) of coral into a monument that would later be known as the Coral Castle. Leedskalnin gave polite, but cryptic answers to visitors' questions regarding his construction methods, which to this day remain a mystery. In spite of his private nature, he eventually opened his monument to the public, offering tours for 10 cents. He was a surprisingly accommodating host, even cooking hot dogs for visiting children in a pressure cooker of his own invention.

When people asked Ed how he had moved all of the stone by himself, he refused to give up his method and would only reply to whomever was asking with the same statement of; "I understand the laws of weight and leverage and I know the secrets of the people who built the pyramids (being those at the site at Giza in Egypt)."

This building was originally located in Florida City in the 1920s; then in the mid 1930s Leedskalnin moved it single-handedly to its present location on a 10-acre (4.0 ha) site near Homestead, Florida. "On November 9, 1951, he checked himself into Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami. Ed suffered a stroke at one point, either before he left to the hospital or at the hospital. He died twenty-eight days later of pyleonephritis a kidney infection, at the age of 64. His death certificate noted that his death was a result of "uremia;" failure of kidneys, as a result of the infection and abscess."^[4] It should also be noted that Edward Leedskalnin was a man of slight build and stature, measuring no more that 5 feet (152 cm) tall and never exceeded a weight of more than 120 lbs (54.43 kg).

Writings

During his lifetime, Ed Leedskalnin published five pamphlets, advertising them in local newspapers:

• A Book in Every Home. Containing Three Subjects: Ed's Sweet Sixteen, Domestic and Political Views^[5]
• Mineral, Vegetable and Animal Life^[6]
• Magnetic Current (19 pages)^[7]
• Magnetic Base
• Magnetic Current (4 pages)

Sun Dial

The numbered loops on the Sun Dial represent hours. The loops without numbers represent half-hours.

Photo credit: The Florida Center for Instructional Technology, University of South Florida http://fcit.usf.edu/florida/photos/recreate/tour/coral/coral1/coral1.htm

http://www.stamerienaspils.lv/index.php?id=vesture&lang=en

I discovered that Ed grew up in Stameriena Parish, Latvia. I found this old photo from 1905 of this Castle: Stameriena Castle, Latvia      Stāmeriena castle buildings are quite new compared to other Latvian manors. It started only in the 19thcentury. Before Stāmeriena has been a half-manor of Vecgulbene manor for a very long time. In 1802Vecgulbene manor became property of von Wolff family. The first owners of the manor - Johan Gottlieb II von Wolff and his wife Marie – they had seven sons and three daughters.        Stāmeriena manor was established in 1809 separating it from the manor of Vecgulbene. After death of  J. G. von Wolff his younger son Heinrich Johan Friedrich von Wolff inherited the manor, but later – his descendants. At the beginning of the 20th century two brothers – Boris and Paul von Wolff  became owners of Stāmeriena castle. They both had got good education and they connected their carrier with St. Petersburg and the tsar's court.  On January 30th, 1894 in French health resort Mentone Boris von Wolff married born in 1858 in Modena Italian camera singer Marie Theresa Alice Laura Barbi. Artistic performance of the singer that time was highly appreciated by the great composer J. Brahms. A. Barbi resigned her carrier in favour of marriage and family life. On November 15th, 1894 in Nice the first of their daughters Alexandra (Alexandrine) Alice Marie was born (1894 -1982), but on July 11th, 1896  – Olga. After Boris von Wolff `s death his widow married an Italian ambassador inLondon marquis della Torretta .      1920th /30th in Stāmeriena can be symbolic called as time of Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa. In Latvian State History Archive funds there is information stored documenting residence time of the novelist in Latvia. Although the acquired documents do not give full and chronological review the accessible data reveal and within limits lets us understand the essential things in Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa's interface with Latvia and his relations with the hostess of Stāmeriena manor Alexandra von Wolff that resulted in marriage in 1932.  It is considered they got acquainted in London with interposition of her mother and mother's second husband Pjetro della Torretta (Torretti)  who was the novelist's uncle. We can remark – Alexandra's marriage to Andrew Pilar von Pilchau concluded in 1918 was not successful and they divorced on July 19th, 1932. Soon after on August 24ththe same year Giuseppe Tomasi and Alexandra von Wolff got married in Riga in the Holy Mary Proclamation Orthodox church. Italian ambassador in Latvia was informed about it, too.   In 1920th /30th owner of Stāmeriena manor Alexandra von Wolff travelled a lot periodically staying abroad, inRiga and in Stāmeriena. She lived in the castle also after divorce and presenting of the manor to her divorced husband Andrew Pilar von Pilchau. For a wider range of interested-in people it is possible to get acquainted with materials from Latvian State History Archive, Latvian National Library and private libraries on Italian novelist `s Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa interface with Latvia. For the first time it was revealed in spring of 2002 in State History Museumwhen the exhibition „Is Stāmeriena akin Sicily!” was opened. Now part of this exhibition is viewable in Stāmeriena manor castle as a constant exhibition. Speaking about Stāmeriena manor we must admit it was founded in a very beautiful place at two lakes – Stāmeriena and Poga. It is not possible to indicate direct years of construction for the buildings but probably mainly they were built in the first half of the 19th century because it is known in 1822 it was a stone building with a tegular roof.  Later the castle was reconstructed and extended several times.  As a result of these works Stāmeriena manor castle has become one of the brightest French Neo-Renascence samples among manors of Latvia.  Similar to many other castles in Latvia it was burnt down in 1905. Soon after that renovation works started. Restoration was finished in 1908. The castle was not reconstructed in its preliminary looks but was heavily rebuilt.  This way the castle got traits of Palladian and Art Nouveau style. Stāmeriena manor castle remained property of baron von Wolff family also after agrarian reform in 1920. That is why representatives of the family resided here also in the twentieth and thirtieth. There is a more than 20 ha landscape park around the castle. It is formed following the so-called fan-principle, i.e. very long view perspectives are opened from one central point - castle.  There are several manor constructions preserved in the surroundings – blacksmith `s dwelling house with a forge, stable, cart house, coachman `s apartment, servant `s house, miller `s house, granary etc., also St. Nevsky Orthodox Church built in 1904.

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.coralcastleexplained.com/images/P1010273-800.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.coralcastleexplained.com/&h=600&w=800&sz=295&tbnid=qi4lvfyKLhRcDM:&tbnh=91&tbnw=121&zoom=1&docid=8EVtrI0zKzE66M&hl=en&sa=X&ei=pViIT9PPG6PK2AW9tsGMAw&ved=0CE8Q9QEwAw&dur=5469

http://www.leedskalnin.com/CoralCastlePhotos.html


http://coralcastle.com/

Coral Castle At Night

This concludes our tour of Coral Castle. Special thanks to Lee Battles for suggesting this trip, writing the intro, doing the video research and for all he does for our little Nature Blog Community!
Okay everybody, our jet is ready to give us a ride back home. They have the shuttle loaded!  All aboard:

Just Push Play-Say Goodbye to Florida!

Just Push Play>

Goodnight Everybody!

Lee's Fourth Video Selection:
The following video is a longer version (40 minutes) of the first video in the lineup. More detail is given on Ed's work. You may view it now if interested, or return later after your eyes have a break!

Just Push Play-An introduction to Stonehenge (short)

Disclaimer:  I am not associated with NASA in any way other than I like Space Stuff. I did not ride on this jet or any space craft. I am not an Astronaut or Scientist. Just to be clear so You do not think I am somebody I am not!  I am brendasue, a Granny in Texas, Artist, Storyteller, Nature lover, Amateur Photographer and Space Cowgirl. 
And, I am going to Change the World into a better Place for all of Us!


Image Credit to Nasa:
LINK:
http://www.space.com/15266-nasa-shuttle-carrier-aircraft-explained.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+spaceheadlines+%28SPACE.com+Headline+Feed%29&utm_content=Google+Feedfetcher

NASA’s original Shuttle Carrier Aircraft, a modified Boeing 747-100 known by its tail number, NASA 905 (N905NA), first flew passengers as an American Airlines jetliner in the early 1970s.
CREDIT: collectSPACE.com / Robert Z. Pearlman 

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — Space shuttle Discovery's ride to retirement, NASA's modified Boeing 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft (SCA), has come a long way since it first took to the air in the 1970s as an American Airlines passenger jumbo jet. Now an iconic craft in its own right, with more than 800 flights in service to NASA, the original of two SCAswill embark on the first of its final ferry flights next week. Known as NASA 905, referring to its tail number, the 747 will deliver space shuttle Discovery to Washington, D.C. on April 17 for public display by the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum.

LINK:
http://www.space.com/15268-space-shuttle-museum-flights-coverage.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+spaceheadlines+%28SPACE.com+Headline+Feed%29&utm_content=Google+Feedfetcher

The Space Shuttle Endeavour, mounted securely atop one of NASA's modified Boeing 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft, left NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base in Southern California at sunrise on Friday, June 28, 2002, nine days after concluding mission STS-111 to the International Space Station with a landing at Edwards.
CREDIT: NASA / Jim Ross 

The final chapter is about to close on NASA's 30-year space shuttle program. The space agency's three remaining orbiters — Discovery, Endeavour and Atlantis — each made their last flights in 2011, and are now being prepped for retired life in museums.  Discovery has been gifted to the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum's Stephen F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Va., while Endeavour is bound for the California Science Center in Los Angeles. Atlantis is due to stay close to home at the Kennedy Space Center Visitors Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla. Additionally, the prototype orbiter Enterprise, which never flew to space, is set to move from its current home at the Smithsonian to New York City's Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum.  The first of these moves, the transportation of Discovery from KSC to the Smithsonian, is scheduled for April 17, weather permitting.

....this is brendasue signing off from Rainbow Creek




O+O