A Shuttle Launch

We had to try twice to see the shuttle take off but it was worth it! The first try to on Wednesday. We left our camp near Dundee, FL with friend Dave’s motorhome fully stocked with food and wine. We were set to make a day out of it! We arrived in Titusville a few hours later and found a spot in a park along the road. No sooner had we set up when we received the word that the shuttle launch was scrubbed – due to a leaky fuel valve.

 

We met our paddling/hiking friend Philip that moved from LA since he lived not too far away. It was a perfect day. The sky was clear blue and there was a nice breeze off the water.

Since we had drive a few hours, we decided to just make a picnic of the day. We made turkey burgers and sat around to talk for a few hours.

Sunday we prepared to watch the launch again. This time we arrived later. Sam and I had spent the weekend back in LA attending Sam’s son’s wedding. We flew into Tampa that morning, drove to our camp near Dundee and then drove over to Titusville arriving just a few hours before the launch was set to begin. Philip arrive there earlier and saved us a spot.

Again, we grilled our dinner – veggie burgers and sat around to talk until just before the launch was to begin. Sam got a connection on his HAM radio so that we could hear directly from NASA what was going on.

The crowds reminded me of a conservative Mardi Gras. The streets were lined with people who had set up mini camps. Everyone was well behaved and quieter………quieter than crowds at a Mardi Gras parade.

We found a spot along the bank of the Indian River – directly across from where the shuttle was to launch. We were about 12 miles away.

The rest needs no words…. It was totally one of the thrills of my life to watch the shuttle take off. The time of day (right at sunset) was probably the best time to see it. The way the clouds from the trail of the shuttle formed and the way the sunlight hit the clouds high in the atmosphere made for beauty beyond words.

You can see more pictures under my photo II link. There is also a video via this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9F3Iy0XeKk