Our Time On The space Coast

Sunday the 15th

Just a quick note – we have very limited internet access here at the KOA so I won’t be able to update the blogs until we reach Ft Myers Beach later this week.

Marni and Emma arrive today so we spent most of the morning and afternoon getting ready. Tina went grocery shopping and I did the laundry. We left the KOA about 3:45 PM and drove to Orlando International. After finding where we would make the pick-up we went and sat in the cell phone lot. Just about 5:00 PM Marni called and said they were on the way to the gate so we headed back into the airport to passenger pickup. And waited, and waited and waited, and got sent away for being there too long. Tina did a loop around the airport while I waited for Marni and Emma. And waited, and waited, and waited. Tina got back and called Marni. They were on the floor above. So we waited, and waited and just as we were going to be sent away again the kids showed up. Yea!!!!!! Heheheh! After putting their bags in the trunk we headed off for the freeway to go home. Thirty-six miles later stopped at WalMart for a bit of summer clothes shopping. Even Tina got a shirt while I got a tube of glue to fix the screen door. After the girls got their purchases we drove down the street to a restaurant called Sonny’s and had a lip smacking good BBQ dinner. Finally we were back on the road and got to camp around 8:00 PM where we settled in for the evening and made our plans for the next three days.

No photos today.

Monday the 16th

After breakfast, walking the dogs and getting the coach squared away we headed down I-95 then cut over on SR 406 to the Kennedy Space Center. It was a nice day with the temperature around 65 or so but the wind put a chill in the air so it was uncomfortable being outside without a light sweater.

We got to KSC about 9:30 AM, bought our tickets and went in to find the shuttle station. We chose the basic package which included a bus tour to the Space Shuttle launch viewing stand, the Apollo/Saturn V Museum followed by a stop at the International Space Station processing center.

We got on the bus along with 50 other people and drove out to the Space Shuttle launch viewing stand which is about 5 stories high and positioned about three miles from launch pad A, which is as close to the launch pad as is safe when they fire those rockets. From the top you have a clear view of all the launch pads in the facility, a great overlook of the Merrit Island Nature Preserve and south to Cocoa Beach. We could even see the Shuttle and external fuel tank and solid boost rockets on the launch stand waiting for the launch on the 27th.

From the viewing stand we drove to the Apollo/Saturn V Museum where we could see a real Saturn V rocket used to launch the Apollo moon missions. The history of the Apollo program was documented with the various capsules used including a lunar orbiter, command module, lunar rover and other items used in the missions. We walked all around the facility and eventually stopped for a bite to eat before getting back on the bus.

Our third stop was at the International Space Station processing center. Here we were able to go into a viewing gallery above the work floor where new experiment packages were being put together for the launch scheduled for next July. There wasn’t a lot of activity on the floor. Apparently NASA is ahead of schedule on projects to go up in the shuttle, including the next big hardware attachments for the ISS and behind on the shuttle schedule. But it was interesting anyway.

From the ISS processing facility we returned to the main display area and walked around viewing different displays. We also went on a special simulation of a shuttle launch. It was way cool!! It started with being asked to remove anything loose and to put it all in a secure locker. Then we walked up the side of the building winding our way back and forth like going up switchbacks along the side of a mountain. Finally we reached the top and entered the launch waiting area where we were given our seat assignments. Next we were given instructions by one of the launch technicians on what we were about to experience and to be prepared for a test during the launch. Then the doors to the simulator opened and we were escorted to our seats and strapped in. The shuttle launch screen was in front of us and we could se the view outside the shuttle.

The countdown began. Then we were rotated until we were lying on our backs facing the stars. Finally we started to hear and feel the sounds made by the shuttle and launch equipment just before liftoff. We could see chunks of ice breaking away from the big external fuel tank. Suddenly we pitch backward as all the umbilicals are cast off then rotate back to the full upright position.

At T minus five the burnoff sparks fire under the rocket nozzles to burn off any excess hydrogen and oxygen. Then the main engines ignite with a rumble. Immediatly the shaking begins. The noise is stupendous. It feels like everything is shaking apart. Slowly the acceleration presses us back into our seats. The G forces stretch the skin of our faces backward as our mouths begin to grimace. We watch the speed build up as the viewing widow shows a receding planet earth. Suddenly explosive bolts fire and the solid fuel rockets are cast off. They will be retrieved after splashdown and used again after being refurbished. The next thing we feel is the final six minutes of burn before the main fuel tank is cast off to burn up in the atmosphere on re-entry.

At last things are quieting down and smoothing out as the main shuttle engine performs the final burn to orbital insertion. The engine shuts off. Silence. No noise, no vibration. We’re weightless. And before us in the view screen, planet earth. A blue and green pearl floating in space. It’s an awesome spectacle. It is easy to see how fragile our environment is and how important it is to save our planet.

Eventually our time in space is up. We return to earth remembering the sights and sounds experienced by so few of us and thankful for the opportunity, if only a simulation, to participate in such an inspiring endeavor. By this time we are all ready to head home.

After getting back to camp Tina and Emma go for a swim while Marni and I scope out a good seafood restaurant. By 5:30 PM we head for Titusville and the Crossroads Shrimp House. Everybody orders something different. Emma gad a Cheeseburger, Marni ordered deep water Red Shrimp, Tina had Shrimp and Pasta while I ordered Scallops. We all enjoyed our dinners and got home in time to watch a little TV before calling it a night.

To see all of todays photos click on the following link:

http://picasaweb.google.com/mjdolanski

Tuesday the 17th

Cooler today but no wind so it actually felt warmer. We had breakfast and after cleaning up we headed for the Brevard Zoo. We got there around 10:00 AM bought our tickets and walked into the zoo. This is a really fine example of a small regional zoo. The grounds are lush with vegetation, pathways that are pleasant to walk on and with good signage. They have the property divided into specific areas including a children’s petting area which is where we headed first.

Emma was happy to squat down and pet the Armadillos and turtles, while we walked around and visited with several pigmy goats, a small deer, an ostrich and several llamas. Marni was really favored by the small deer or maybe it was her sweater.

From here we went to the Florida water bird exhibit passing a nesting pair of Herons up in the trees while the wading birds, ibis, egrets, flamingos and spoonbillswalked about the shores of a small lagoon. Not far away were about a dozen alligators of different sizes basking in the sun. Next we passed through several exhibits of primates and parrots on the way to see the newest additions to the zoo, a pair of young jaguars playing with their mother. Really beautiful markings!

Next we went to the Lorikeet enclosure where we spent fifteen minutes feeding the fluttering birds, several of which landed on our shoulders or perched on our fingers to sip from the fruit puree cups we bought for that purpose. Then it was on to the savanna exhibits where there were several strange birds including wood storks, emus and several with a very strange crest of feathers. Since it was nearly time for our private tour we walked over to one of the small cafes and ate lunch.

After lunch we walked over to the Africa exhibit and met one of the zoo naturalists. She escorted us through one of the gates and down to ground level underneath the pedestrian walkways where we were introduced us to several types of tortoise. Emma was given a plantain and some kale and shown how to feed them. Then she was allowed to do it on her own – pretty exciting. We continued on to where several white rhinos were getting brushed down to help them get rid of mites and other skin pests. Several had been out in a wallow so they had a heavy coating of mud. The zoo staff person asked us not to take photos until he was done so they wouldn’t get startled by the flash. We were about ten feet from these huge fellows while they were being groomed. Very Cool!

Next we went to an area where we could visit with the giraffes. Almost immediately four came over to us and bent down over the top of the enclosure wire and stuck out their tongues for a cracker. We spent about half an hour with these very tall animals. Once again, Marni became the focus of the attentions of the largest Giraffe and was able to rub noses with him for the longest time. Across the way on a small island were several lemurs and some very stunning birds were basking in the sun. Passing back through the enclosures we were able to get several good photos of the rhinos before getting to our starting point. We had a really great time at the zoo. After leaving the zoo we drove around the Cocoa area for a while before heading home to the KOA.

To see all our photos click on the following link:

http://picasaweb.google.com/mjdolanski


Wednesday the 18th

We woke up to a warm morning with a promise of mid 70’s for later in the day. Since we were scheduled to go on an airboat ride this morning we got the cooler out and packed a picnic lunch for later in the day. Loading the cooler and dogs into the car we headed out toward the town of Christmas on the St Johns River.

Arriving at Midway Tours we got permission to park the car in the shade for the dogs then we were escorted down to the docks where we boarded one of the boats. There were about a dozen people on board plus captain Mike (aka Hotshot – heheheh) who instructed us in the use of our headsets. We all got comfortable as the captain fired up the engine and pushed us away from the dock. Going south we headed up river (the St Johns is one of the few rivers flowing south to north) twisting and turning through various channels passing herds of free range cattle before slowing down for photos of a nesting pair of bald eagles.

Next up was a small herd of horses standing by the river bank. Then things got exciting as we came upon a couple of alligators basking on the shore. We were able to get up close for photos before they headed into the water and with a flash of their tails were gone. We passed lots of wading birds predominantly herons and egrets who were fishing along the shore.

Eventually we pulled into a small creek and went upland into the swamp where we took some photos of nesting herons and because the water was low, were able to view catfish holes. We stopped here for a few minutes so the captain could talk without the headsets about the flora and fauna of the area.

Next we headed back towards the main body of the river where we encountered a group of seven alligators up on the bank. The largest was probably about fourteen feet long and the smallest about six feet. With the engine off we drifted up to within ten feet of the biggest. He didn’t seem too excited by us but eventually got up and hissing at us moved several feet away before settling down again. Eventually we had to return to the docks and head for home, but before we left we had a surprise.

After docking and going upstairs to the deck above the river, Captain Mike got a small alligator out of a tank and handed it to Marni to hold. Marni was really surprised at how soft the skin was. We all got a chance to hold the alligator which was about four feet from tip to tail before he went back in the tank.

Leaving Midway tours we headed for Cocoa Beach to go for a walk on the pier. But first we stopped at RonJons for some swimwear shopping. After the girls made their purchases we headed for a spot to park the car close to the pier.

Getting there we found out that dogs weren’t allowed on the pier or the beach so we drove a few blocks away to a public access and parked the car. We had a small picnic table next to the walkway over the dunes so we got out the cooler and made lunch. After lunch the girls headed for the beach while the dogs and I stayed behind. I put the cooler away and got my book out so I could sit in the sun and read.

Eventually the girls came back and we headed for a tour of old Cocoa. Unfortunately, it took a lot of driving around to find what we were looking for and since we couldn’t find a parking space we drove through the area then headed back for the barn. On the way Marni and Tina spotted a restaurant they wanted to go to for dinner. So after getting home, putting things away and cleaning up we drove back to Titusville and a very nice restaurant overlooking the bay. We got a table by the widows and ordered, staying with seafood once again. It was a very nice meal in a nice setting and we had a very nice time.

When we arrived back home we organized for the following day. We had to be up at 5:00 AM to head for the airport so everyone went to bed early.

To se all of todays photos click on the following link:

http://picasaweb.google.com/mjdolanski

Thursday the 19th

Up at 4:35 AM I took the dogs for a walk while the girls got ready to leave. We had a quick breakfast, loaded the car and headed for airport. We dropped Marni and Emma off at 6:30 AM then headed back home. Later in the morning we decided to take a drive through the Wildlife Preserve next to Kennedy Space Center. We packed a lunch and drove towards KSC and the wildlife area. Finding the eight mile drive we slowly motored along the winding one-way road of crushed shells with wetlands and grassy areas on both sides of the car. It was pretty windy but we were able to find several alligators, spoonbills, herons and egrets.

After reaching the end of the road we drove to the Manatee viewing docks next to the Haulover canal. There weren’t any manatee but several dolphin were jumping and splashing around while they fished for their lunch. While taking some photos it started to rain great big drops. We retired to the car and ate lunch watching the rain pass over us. Next we drove to a cutoff road called Biolab Rd. We wanted to go out to the National Shorelike north of KSC and this was supposed to be a shortcut. Heh, heh… This turned out to be another great off road experience as we wandered along the inland shore of Mosquito Bay on another crushed shell one lane road with bayous and waterways on the other side. Since we had already tried another road that turned out to be a dead end we were prepared to turn around and retrace our route if necessary. But until then we were having a great time driving through the wilderness. Off in the distance we could see launch pad B and the VAB getting closer and closer even though the map showed we were still in the preserve.

Eventually we came out on a paved road with signs that said “No Left Turn” and evidence of a formal gate that even though it was open , looked like we weren’t supposed to go in that direction. But that was the way we wanted to go. After a little analysis, we concluded that the gat was closed during launches in order to control access to the launch area. So we boldly turned left, went through the gate and headed for the National Seashore, a designated federal park along the Atlantic. It immediately began to rain… hard… with huge drops… and got worse as we continued to drive… eventually causing us to pull off into a parking area and wait it out. Finally the rain slowed down and we continued on down to the end of the drive. Just beyond the gate at the end of the road was an observatory with a telescope dome used for tracking the launch and documenting debri incidents for the post launch review. Now that the rain had let up some we parked and walked across the dune to the beach. Tina continued on down to the water while I stood guard at the platform over the dune above the beach. The waves were crashing in on the beach with a tremendous noise while the rain continued it’s light assault with huge drops. Eventually we were soaked and headed back to the car for the drive home.

Since we were driving across the state to Ft Myers Beach tomorrow we spent some time getting squared away for morning, had a light dinner and went to bed early.