Vacation

Warning, this is a long post, I mean a really long post.

Our trip actually started on Saturday. We decided to rent a car for the drive to Orlando, so we went to the airport to pick it up. That night we packed and got ready for our 5:00 AM wake up. All went well and we were on the road by 6:15 AM.

Day One - Fifteen hour drive to Orlando.

Our drive took fifteen hours. We didn't get to the condo we were staying at until around 9:00 PM. When we got there, there was a note on the office door that it had been moved, and the directions were unclear. We drove around and found what we thought was the office, but the code for the lock box to pick up the keys didn't work. Needless to say, it was the wrong place. A short phone call, followed by a short hike got us to the right office. After that, it was a quick dinner and bed. We had another 5:00 AM wake up.

Condo....... Dining room / family room...........
Living room....................
Master bedroom...............
The Boss at the wheel..................

Day Two - another long day to be sure.....

We were up at 5 AM to catch the tour bus at 6 AM. The pick up point was about two blocks from the condo. There were a quite a few people there when we arrived, so we took our proper places in line and waited. Ofcourse, the bus didn't arrive until 6:30. By that time, the line was long and people were still arriving. The bus proceeded to pull up the the tail end of the line, and people started boarding. Imagine how that pissed off the people who had been waiting at the front of the line (yes, ME included). Turns out, they were working off a passenger list and our names were on it so we boarded and got seats together. Then we settled in for the ride to Kennedy. The trip to Kennedy was uneventful but the trip back was another story (more to follow).

Boss on the bus to Kennedy.........
Steph on the bus to Kennedy..........
Heading into Security at Kennedy, just like the airport......

After clearing security, we rushed over to the Kennedy Space Center bus tour, since our tour guide said that the last bus would be leaving at 8:15 AM and it was now almost 8:00. What he didn't tell us was that only two stops were open and the one we really wanted to get to was the one that was closed, the Observation Gantry. This is the one that gets you the closest view of the launch pads. We found that out on the bus as we headed to the Saturn V exhibit.

Saturn V display.........
Steph checking out the Saturn V.........
After walking through the Saturn V exhibit and checking it out, it was about 9:30 and we had to be back to board our bus to the viewing area at 10:45, so we headed to the bus that was returning to the Visitor's Center. Rolled in there about 10:00 and decided to hit the Gift Shop. What a mistake! LOOONG lines everywhere, but t-shirts and hats were going fast, soooo. On a quick check of the bus boarding area Steph found an extremely long line. She and Gail went to get in that line while I waited in the check out line. Then I joined them in the bus line. We got on the bus about 11:20. The bus finally left for the viewing area at about noon.

Here's where we were.......
Quite a large crowd.........
Gail and Steph waiting for the launch......
Then it was time...

Reference shot from Observation Gantry of Endeavor on the pad ready for rescue mission if necessary......
STS 125 Atlantis, Final Countdown started........
We have ignition.......
Liftoff.....................
STS 125 airborne....all Systems GO.........
Heading for space.......
Totally awesome and then some.

The trip back to the condo was long. We were on the 528 Toll Road when we came upon an accident involving a death and serious injuries. Traffic was stopped to allow Life Flight to land on the highway. The trip back took over four hours. Had a quick dinner and hit the rack.

Day Three - EPCOT

We actually slept in and didn't get on the road until 9:00 AM. Upon arrival, the ladies plan our strategy. As it turns out, we hit "Test Track" and "Mission to Mars" first thing. Gail doesn't like those rides and waited while Steph and I rode. Luckily, it wasn't very crowded so the wait wasn't too long.

Which way do we go George..........
Then we decided to travel the world by visiting each country exhibit.

Ahhhh Mexico, Nachos, Dos XX's and Margaritas......

Loved Norway, Vegetable Torte, Bread Pastry, and Carlsburg.....
Gail feeding a Norwegian squirrel.......
China was pretty good too, Pot Stickers and Tsing Tao.............
Ah, Florida in the Springtime. During the early afternoon, the weather started to change rapidly. It went from sunny and mild to cloudy and windy in what seemed like minutes. Ironically, we sought shelter in a closed Rain Bird Sprinkler booth.



I found this sign to be fitting................
Gail found a very safe place during the storm........

At this point, we decided to head for "Soarin", the ride that simulates a hang glider over California. We stopped briefly in Mexico to pick up another Dos XXs and flavored margaritas. No time for pictures, we were racing with the rain and lightning.

Waiting in line for "Soarin". they have an interactive game to play to make the wait seem shorter. Steph REALLY got into it....



We did manage to tour some of the other exhibits just to get out of the rain. Our timing was near perfect. While we were going between exhibits there was light rain. When we came out, we saw soaked people coming in, but the rain had just let up.

By this time it was nearing dinner time and the storm was not really letting up. We had planned to have dinner in Japan, so we headed that way. When we got to the restaurant there was a forty minute wait, so Steph waited while Gail and I headed for Morocco for more refreshments. We got a "Morocco-rita" (vodka, triple sec, and lime juice) and two Casa beers.

International stars.......
Waiting for dinner..............
Dinner was great, Gail had Tempura and Steph and I had Sushi. It was by far some of the freshest/best Sushi I have ever had. Oh, let's not forget the Kirin. too busy eating to get a picture.

After dinner, we watched the fireworks and then left. We didn't make it all the countries., had to save something for the next trip.

Day Four - Back to Kennedy

We decided to go back to Kennedy since we didn't get to see much of anything or ride the rides on launch day. This time we drove. Much better trip.

Made it to the Observation Platform.

Gail & Steph was the launch platform in the background. If this had been on Monday, STS 125 would have been on the pad.
Endeavor on the pad ready for a rescue mission, if needed...................
At the International Space Station Assembly Building, I had an "Armageddon Moment". You know the part where Bruce Willis says "You guys are NASA, you think shit up, is this the best you can do?" Notice the cable running over the roof. It's being held down by sandbags. Really Hi-Tech.
International Space Station Assembly Clean Room......
Steph and I rode on the Shuttle Launch Experience. This is supposed to be a close simulation of an actual shuttle launch. It was way cool, but I think the real thing would be better.

Of course I had to add to the hat collection.....

Day Five - Return to Virginia Beach

The return trip took about fourteen hours. We only had one rough time. Apparently, my driving was not up to par, so........

Got home and relaxed for the remainder of the evening.

All in all it was a great trip.

Remainder of the weekend to follow. This post is long enough.