Joan on the Road...of Life

We took a day trip to the Space Center because I hoped to see the shuttle Discovery on the launch pad...that's it behind me. The closest you get is a viewing pad that's right on the ocean about 3/4 mile from launch pad 39. Discovery is scheduled to launch May 22nd.

The astronauts come in from Houston a week before and do some training that includes emergency egress from the shuttle where they jump into baskets that are attached to cables leading from the gantry. They swing down the cables and run to an M13 tank parked near by for their getaway. Must be quite a ride!

The shuttle is between the gantry and the rockets. You can see a triangular corner of the tail. Wish we could have seen the whole thing.

There's a lot to see and do here so we tried to fit it all in after our two hour bus tour of the facility...because the price of admission...$116 for two. So when we reached the Rocket Garden I opted to admire the rockets from a shady seat while Jim explored and played.

We closed out the day viewing an IMAX film, The Dream is Alive. This 40 minute film was shot by the astronauts on various missions. It shows a few launches and lots of activities in the shuttle, space walks and many views of earth from space. It was an awesome climax to the day because we realized that this was not a movie set but actual space travel and some of the stars died in pursuit of new horizons. I can't even imagine the courage it takes to be one of these space heros and heroines.