A space launch is something worth waiting for. We
viewed the liftoff of Discovery at 2037 last night from the Titusville space
park and it was a great view. Local museum volunteers set up a sound system
that echoed the communications from mission control and that added to the excitement.
It was a beautiful evening and the launch went off as scheduled. “It is
daytime” commented Noah as the rocket lit up the whole area. The view
came first amid cheers and applause followed, almost a minute later, by the
roar of the engines as the sound made it across the Indian River.
viewed the liftoff of Discovery at 2037 last night from the Titusville space
park and it was a great view. Local museum volunteers set up a sound system
that echoed the communications from mission control and that added to the excitement.
It was a beautiful evening and the launch went off as scheduled. “It is
daytime” commented Noah as the rocket lit up the whole area. The view
came first amid cheers and applause followed, almost a minute later, by the
roar of the engines as the sound made it across the Indian River.
Our day of waiting was enjoyable as we explored the
town on foot. Stopping in a used book store we learned that there was a
Christmas parade that afternoon. We stocked up on bread at the bakery and visited
the local history museum. Rounding a corner we found a Space museum run by
local volunteers. They had a good collection of stuff from all the space age
crammed into a couple of old storefronts. What made it special was the
tourguide who had worked in the launch preparation area from 1959 through the
first shuttle missions. He shared lots of insight and then turned Noah loose on
their newest acquisition, a Delta rocket launch control room. The panels were
all hooked up and we played with all the switches and dials. Noah found the
“emergency destruct” controls and asked if Delta rockets were manned.
town on foot. Stopping in a used book store we learned that there was a
Christmas parade that afternoon. We stocked up on bread at the bakery and visited
the local history museum. Rounding a corner we found a Space museum run by
local volunteers. They had a good collection of stuff from all the space age
crammed into a couple of old storefronts. What made it special was the
tourguide who had worked in the launch preparation area from 1959 through the
first shuttle missions. He shared lots of insight and then turned Noah loose on
their newest acquisition, a Delta rocket launch control room. The panels were
all hooked up and we played with all the switches and dials. Noah found the
“emergency destruct” controls and asked if Delta rockets were manned.
Back at the marina, Noah went to a birthday party for
Nicki, one of the local liveaboards. From there it was back to town for the
Christmas parade where he rejuvenated his candy stash before going to the space
park.
Nicki, one of the local liveaboards. From there it was back to town for the
Christmas parade where he rejuvenated his candy stash before going to the space
park.
The local Christmas Parade was a fun event. Some of the float makers had a good sense of humor with the wishing us a “Great White Christmas.”
Today we finally dropped the lines and headed down the
Indian River. There were winds in the twenties and quite a few boats headed
south. Someone ahead of us on a catamaran ran into a red daymark and smashed
their bowsprit, but otherwise were okay. The mark didn’t fair so well and was
leaning over, just above the surface, creating a danger to navigation. The
coast guard was called and it will, hopefully, be repaired soon. We went
into the anchorage just around Dragon Point near Melbourne, but it was too
crowded for my comfort. Ended up anchoring just off the west shore of Merritt
Island in an East wind, with lots more space around us. Vero Beach is our next
planned stop.
Indian River. There were winds in the twenties and quite a few boats headed
south. Someone ahead of us on a catamaran ran into a red daymark and smashed
their bowsprit, but otherwise were okay. The mark didn’t fair so well and was
leaning over, just above the surface, creating a danger to navigation. The
coast guard was called and it will, hopefully, be repaired soon. We went
into the anchorage just around Dragon Point near Melbourne, but it was too
crowded for my comfort. Ended up anchoring just off the west shore of Merritt
Island in an East wind, with lots more space around us. Vero Beach is our next
planned stop.