Visiting Kennedy Space Center

After watching the 50th Anniversary Coverage of Man Walking on the Moon, we decided it was high time for us to visit the Kennedy Space Center (KSC).  It's just about a 3-1/2 hr easy drive across the state - so we hopped in our car and went!

Inn at Cocoa Beach - very nice!

Plume of smoke of rocket to space station

The Inn at Cocoa Beach was great.  We arrived in time for free wine & cheese.  As we talked to Canadians from Montreal, we discovered that a resupply rocket to the Space Station had been rescheduled.  It was due to launch at 6:01 p.m.

We walked a short distance to the beautiful beach and waited patiently.  Exactly to the minute, we heard a rumble and saw the rocket lift off with its plume of fire underneath.  We watched it disappear into the beautiful blue sky and all that was left was a beautiful plume of smoke.  About a half hour later, when the booster came back down, we heard a tremendous sonic boom that shook us and the surroundings.  Wow!  That was exciting!

We went for a swim in the gorgeous Atlantic - waves were gentle and water was warm.  Next morning, we hopped into the car for an early admission to KSC.  We spent the whole day there and thoroughly enjoyed every minute.  It has been completely revamped since I visited there about 45 years ago!  Of course, what was I thinking?  

Richard touring

Launch Pad

We agreed we loved seeing the launch pads and talking to all the international visitors (we met people from Toulouse, France; Germany; and Canada).  We like the Saturn 5 exhibit, the talk with the astronaut, the simulation of going up in space (very cool), the Space Station exhibit, the 3D IMAX, and more.  That evening we had one of the best seafood dinners we've had in a long time at Florida Seafood Grill.  

Outside close-up

Next day was time to depart.  We took a chance and went for a ride out to Satellite Beach, retirement home of John & Opal Forsythe.   I worked with John for many years at the University of Texas at Galveston in our cephalopod lab.  Luckily (or by fate?), there he was building a kitchen onto the church he founded where he is now pastor - Calvary Christian Church Surfside.  We had a great visit!  Time to travel on home full of good memories...

Joanne poses with moon memories

Capsule - pretty small for the astronauts!