Archive for August 6th, 2006

06 Aug 2006 Cocoa Beach and SkyVenture
Author: Gail |  Category: USA  | 3 Comments

Cocoa Beach sunset

Cocoa Beach, Florida Cocoa Beach, Florida

We hit Cocoa Beach after a full afternoon at the Kennedy Space Center, and I tried to capture some beach life in the fading light.

SkyVentureWoo-hoo! I went flying, this time without a plane!

http://skyventureorlando.com/

I would definitely do this again the next time I’m in the area. We had two rotations, and I got the hang of it into the second one, once I figured out where my limbs were and relaxed enough to hold my position in the wind tunnel. I just wish it lasted longer!

06 Aug 2006 Preparing For Launch
Author: Gail |  Category: USA  | Leave a Comment

Space Shuttle Atlantis getting ready for launch

I was fortunate to visit Kennedy Space Center very close to the next launch, scheduled August 28, and Karl just booked a ticket to view it! The tour brings visitors within a mile, but rarely are there opportunities to see the Space Transportation System (STS — which includes the orbiter, solid rocket boosters, and external tank) at the pad. The astronauts arrive next week.

Of course, I took loads of photos all day, but I’ll show this one for now and upload the rest later.

06 Aug 2006 Alligators and Armadillos and Bald Eagles, Oh My!
Author: Gail |  Category: Critters + Creatures, USA  | Leave a Comment

that turtle was fearless

the first alligator I sawThat was one fearless turtle! The most wildlife I’ve seen in Florida thus far was at the Kennedy Space Center, which is the home of thousands of species, all protected from hunting. I’ve never seen bald eagles’ nests so large before!

There’s so much security on the grounds and relatively little traffic that the creatures have nearly full run of the place and don’t get bothered by humans the way they would outside of the property. Although, what the guides certainly don’t mention is how many animals die from the heat and sonic booms from the launches. I suppose the animal populations benefit overall, they just have to stay away from the active launch pads!

(And NASA vehicles — unfortunately, the armadillo that I saw was roadkill.)

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