Space Shuttle Launch:

We  now live about 40 lines due east of the Kennedy Space Center where they launch the Space Shuttle and a lot of rockets.  Since this was the first launch since in over 2 years, this was a big event for the USA.  However, it was even more big for the people who live in Central Florida give the proximity of Cape Canaveral and literally thousands of people who work for NASA. 

So for about 1 week before hand. there were all kinds of reports about the launch and a "count down" to the launch, etc.  So, of course, being new to the central Florida area and not wanting to feel left out, we got fully engaged in the activity.  I took the morning off from work, got the kids ready, and headed to the launch site.  Of course, I was greeted by about 70,000 other people that had the same idea.

Fortunately, we had driven through the area before and knew of a boat launch site for one of the river systems about 20 miles east of the launch site.  This had a big open field which is rare in this area.  This was right along Highway 50 and just east of Christmas Florida.  So we pulled over on the side of the road.  So did everyone else

There were people everywhere.  It truly was a carnival like atmosphere. The whole area was buzzing with excitement and people had their car radios turned up to hear all of the announcers.

So we heard the launch and about 30 seconds later we saw the Space Shuttle overhead.  What follows is several picture shot with my camera.   

Proceed forward to the Space Shuttle Pictures