Atlantis Shuttle Launch

As part of my pledge to myself to try not to be the "Party of No" (because, as anyone can tell you, I'm no Republican), I packed up half of my brood today (left the other half at daycare where I know they were much happier) and trekked across Florida to see the last shuttle launch that we will have a chance to see. 

Audrey asked a few days ago and I just didn't think I could swing it, but I know that you regret the things you don't do...not the ones that you do...so we skipped school and did it!  :) 

My friend, neighbor and fellow Marine wife, Kelly Robbins, decided to join me and I was grateful for the adult company on the long, long drive as well as her better catalog of movies for the kids in the car. 

It took us three hours to get there and FIVE hours to get home on what should have been a 2 hour and 20 minute (one way) trip.  (Note to those going to the next two.....Stay overnight in Titusville after the launch.  You'll be glad you did.)

We happened upon this house, on our way to Space View Park, right along the Indian River.  It was empty.  I could look at that house and practically see the owners from years and years ago, throwing a cocktail party on the gorgeous wrap-around porch, watching the shuttle and other space flights lift off into space.  I think the kids of the family who lived here liked the second floor porch the best!

Kelly drove so I could leave my van at the littles' school so the car seats would be there and my  (FABULOUS) neighbor, Christine Hosmer, could just drive my van home.

I left my toll pass in my car and Kelly didn't have one. And on our way home, we had to pull off the toll road to get our girls to the potty. It was an exact change exit. $.75.

We were out of quarters. And we worked and looked and looked and worked and scraped together $.65 from various dimes and nickels in my purse, her purse and her car cup holder. And then we started throwing pennies. And we threw 10 pennies in there (I SWEAR WE DID!), but it still said PAY: $.01. We were laughing so hard! Kelly then, miraculously found a penny in her car handle and threw it in.

Later, I thought, "WHY DIDN'T I TAKE A PICTURE OF THAT?" so I made Kelly go through another exact change one (after we got change from our potty stop) and took this picture.

I'm sure the cars behind us were as amused as we were. NOT! :)

 

Even with the crazy, crawling drive, I am so glad we went and I would do it again.  

 

 

GOD SPEED ATLANTIS!

Here are a bunch more pictures from my Facebook account.  

Shuttle Launch Pictures