Wednesday April 17, 2024
Jim had the alarm set for 6:30 a.m.. we woke up happily and got ready to leave to head to KSC.
We decided to take the Ford yesterday. As the AC works great and it was going to be super hot and humid today. We left about 7:30 a.m. and arrived there closer to 9:00. We had our tickets we bought when Thomas was here that were only $5 extra.
As soon as we arrived we put the For Sale signs back up. We carried the lunch I packed and a lot of water.
Immediately went over and got on the bus. They play videos on the way explaining what we were looking at on the drive.
We saw gators in canal on the drive over and back. They looked to be at least three or four feet each.
The huge building is the Vehicle Assembly Building with a flag that is 24 stories high.
The red stripe is the width of a road 8 ft. The VAB has the largest doors in the world. The blue part of the flag is the size of an NBA basketball court. The stars are 6 foot across. They have to repaint it every few year. The Florida Sun is hard on it.
We went into a room that simulated the first manned Apolo launch. So loud had to hold my ears. The whole room vibrated.
The picture on the left there was a hologram with a astronaut in a tube looking thing, I forget his name. You could press a button with different questions and he would answer them in there. Kind of creepy it looked like he was in that tube.
Went into gift shop. Jim got a hat and T-shirt.
The size of them was incredible, some were suspended from the ceiling.
We took return trip back. I saw this circle in the sky while on the bus.
When we arrived we saw and heard the fighter jets over head, making the shapes in the sky.
Really cool.
Then we found a lovely outdoor table in the shade and had our lunch I packed. So enjoyable I wish I would have packed for all of us when we came the first time with Thomas. Definitely healthier and cheaper.
Got a phone call from one of my line dancing friends, Pam she had a knee injury, hope I get to see her soon.
Below is a one of the viewing areas for launching the Rockets.
Jim and I packed up and continue walking around, went into the huge gift shop here.
Then we went into the building that had different ride simulations. We only got to do one of them with Thomas.
Above picture. You relive the launch of the first crewed NASA mission to orbit the Moon in 1968 aboard the massive Saturn V Rocket at the firing Room Theater. Experience the countdown for Apollo 8 facing the actual controls used during the Apollo launches as you see and feel the powerful Saturn V Moon rocket lift off from the Launch Pad and blast into space.
Today we finished the other three rides.
They were simulating going to Mars, and the Moon.
We went and also did a talk with an astronaut his name was Mark Lee.
Really enjoyable. He took questions from the audience, which was full of young people on field trips. The kids asked really great questions. He told us at the end that there was a SpaceX launch tonight, 5:30 window opened. They were staying open an extra hour. Couldn't believe our luck we'd be able to see another launch today hopefully.
We continue to walk around and felt as though we covered pretty much everything we thought we'd want to see.
Started walking over to the viewing area for the launch. Thought we were getting there so early, but the seats were pretty much filled up. So we found a spot in the grass to sit.
There's a guy sitting on a big blanket and he started talking to us immediately, when he saw my switch it up hat, and Jim RV there yet shirt. He said, I watch them sometimes.
We had a lovely conversation all things RV, and travel. They were on vacation here for 2 weeks, in their fifth wheel from Wisconsin. He was waiting for his wife and two young daughters.
They had a big screen up and
there was a guy giving commentary on what was happening or about to happen. We watched the launch go off right in front of us.
Was so loud I had to hold my ears.
What another fantastic end to the day. We said goodbye to Misty and her husband Mitch with two daughters Lily and Maddie..
then we walked out to the truck.
We enjoyed the cottage cheese pudding treat I had packed away.
But now it was after 6:00 p.m. and we're getting ready for dinner so that held us over. Wasn't too bad getting out of the parking lot.
We drove towards home and stopped at a Chick-fil-a, for the first time. We really enjoyed the sauce, I told Jim I think they sell that in the stores, will have to try to find some.
Sun was setting on our drive..
It was still daylight when we got home, barely.
What a great day although we missed Thomas and family.
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