We have just arrived at Daytona Beach which puts us about an hour north of the Kennedy Space Center. We will be heading down tomorrow morning for a tour and to visit the center. Hoping to also catch the new Star Trek exhibit that has opened at the Center as well.
The morning spent with Enterprise was incredible! We will be uploading pictures as soon as I get my Canon camera to agree with me. Thankfully Mel backed up my shaky hand and far less practiced eye for aesthetics. The day at the center marked the beginning of our trip as well as the beginning of the shuttle program itself. Orbiter 101, Enterprise, served as the flagship of the fleet. While not having traveled into space itself, the prototype shuttle ushered in a new era in space flight.
We were hit by torrential rain storms on the way down to the State. Our newly decorated car fresh with window crayon “chasingatlantis.com” was washed away well before it became of use. Will have to refresh the paint job tomorrow. Sure that the rental company won’t mind our handiwork. Thanks to Mel for a majority of the legible lettering.
Rain may be causing more of a problem than simply the erasure of arts and crafts, however. Latest from the BBC suggests a 60% chance of launch preventing weather. As Chris said when I mentioned this earlier tonight “there is still a 100% chance that we will be there in either case.” That much is certain. We have traveled over 2000KM already. We are committed. We keep our hopes up and pray for good weather on launch day!
-Matthew &8-)
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It is so amazing to follow you guys on this trip. The next best thing is to be there with you! ;p As I work in Toronto and await text from Paul, I realize how much I am with you guys in thoughts an spirit. It is not a mistake or chance that you five wonderful people are on this trip together. I like Chris’ way of thinking! rain or shine, launch or no launch you are living this together. I encourage you to make the most of it as you have been doing. It is interesting, being away from my husband during this time is almost living a VERY small fraction of what the wives of astronauts live while their husbands are in training and quarantine. I just wait for his call or his text to know what’s next and what made your day as a group and individually. In many other ways my experience is nothing like the wives of those astronauts: I will be seeing my man on Sunday, and well, they most likely won’t as the shuttle launches! I feel for them and cannot imagine the ache they must go through from being far from each other for so long!
You are all always in my thoughts and prayers throughout my day, and I keep praying for clear skies and a dream come true!
Cheers!
Steph