Date: Sun, 13 Feb 2011 09:13:00 -0500
Reply-To: craig cowan <phishman068@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: craig cowan <phishman068@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Last Launch of the space shuttles Discovery, Endeavor,
and Atlantis
In-Reply-To: <227013.93729.qm@web39420.mail.mud.yahoo.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
My family has a place in Melborne Beach (just down the way from Cocoa). It's
far enough from Kennedy to discourage crowds, but the beaches have a line of
sight view (Though from 15 miles away) of the launch. You still see
everything. These launches make ALOT of light. Just something to consider.
There are public access points all along that beach that you could take a
few chairs out and make an evening of it.
I will say this, waiting for a shuttle launch is a very boring thing. You
will get ansy and excited, and eager, but there may still be 2 hours to go.
Then it launches, and it's sweet and all worth it.
Actually going to Kennedy and taking a tour while your down there is wise.
It's ridiculously expensive now (I think close to $60 per person for the
day?), but you might as well while you're down there.
Florida is full of beauty and cool things to see. Make sure you make a
vacation out of it!
-Craig
(Travel from PA to florida for the last 10 Christmases)
(Once in a vanagon).
On Sat, Feb 12, 2011 at 11:51 PM, Anthony Egeln <regnsuzanne@yahoo.com>wrote:
> I saw a shuttle launch while attending a military class at Patrick AFB many
> years ago ('92?)....I think it was the joint service equal opportunity
> manager class. Quite magnificent daytime launch from just a few miles south
> of the Cape.
> I now live in northeast Florida, about a 2 1/2 hour drive north from Cape
> Canaveral/Cocoa Beach, and we can see the launches from here quite well.
> Night launches are really cool, but I don't think there are any more of
> those on the remaining schedule.
> I've never camped in that area, but if you are retired military there are
> some very nice recreational cottages on the beach near Patrick. Don't miss
> the NASA museum, which is actually closer to I-95 than the Cape. There must
> be campgrounds all over Brevard County.
> If you go to the June launch, stay as close to the beach as you can, since
> the bugs will be bad by then. April not so bad. Fishing is great in
> Mosquito Lagoon....redfish and sea trout fishing is legendary.
> Be prepared to wait it out, since as you may recall the launch is often
> delayed for one reason or another.
> You live in Alabama, right? So you'll likely get there via I-75 instead of
> I-95, but if you get back up 95, say to spend a day in St. Augustine, let me
> know.
> Cheers, Anthony'89 Syncro GL (Hidalgo)
>
> --- On Sat, 2/12/11, John Rodgers <inua@CHARTER.NET> wrote:
>
> From: John Rodgers <inua@CHARTER.NET>
> Subject: Last Launch of the space shuttles Discovery, Endeavor,
> and Atlantis
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Date: Saturday, February 12, 2011, 7:29 PM
>
> These shuttle launches are to be the final launches of each of these
> historic machines. Discovery flies on Feb. 24, Endeavor flies on April
> 19, and Atlantis will fly June 28 - the latter depending on whether
> Congress funds the flight that has already been authorized and signed by
> the President. After these launches, the shuttle fleet will be retired
> in its entirety.
>
> I would like to make that pilgrimage to Canaveral this year - given I
> came of age as the space age took off - and have never been close enough
> to make a reasonable trip of it. I was in the 11th grade when the
> successful launch of Sputnik-I was announced and stunned the world and
> America.
>
> Has anyone ever gone down to one of these launches? If so, have you any
> tips as to where to go, what to take, campgrounds, and camping areas.
> Costs for staying in the area. Good viewing spots, etc,etc, etc.
> Concerns while there, etc.
>
> Thanks
>
> John
>
> --
> John Rodgers
> Clayartist and Moldmaker
> 88'GL VW Bus Driver
> Chelsea, AL
> Http://www.moldhaus.com
>
>
>
>
>
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