This morning we achieved the previously impossible task of all being up, ready, dressed and out the door by 9:00 am. Our previous record for this week was noon I believe. Our mission today? To visit The Kennedy Space Center. My last visit there was 30 years ago, my boys went with Steve, Ed and Polly 18 months ago, and for Kerry and JV, this was a first. In fact, this has always been on Kerry’s bucket list so it was an exciting day for her! We are so fortunate to be staying just 20 minutes away, so getting an early start would allow us pool time later on.
The Space Center is located out by itself surrounded by the Merrit Island Wild Life Refuge and the Canaveral National Seashore. Prime real estate that protects both the natural habitat and hosts the place where NASA is on a constant quest to break even more barriers in Space.
Upon arrival, we were happy to see that the place was not mobbed. We headed for the bus tour first, getting straight on the first one. We were taken out to the NASA Space Center where we saw launch pads and the iconic Vehicule Assembly Building building, with the world’s largest doors. Most people know that I’m not exactly one to remember or retain many historical or scientific facts, but what I can tell you is the astronauts ate hearty breakfasts before launches, including steak and eggs!
We were dropped off at the Apollo/Saturn V Center where our visit began with a presentation about the Apollo 8 shuttle launch. It was a very cool experience that had Kerry and I in tears at the end of it.
On exiting the presentation, we entered the Saturn V hall, the largest rocket ever flown and there it was, suspended from the ceiling. An awesome sight!
Kerry just had to visit the gift shop and now she’s the proud owner of a NASA T-shirt. And a Shuttle pendant. An avid reader regardless, she has read several books to do with NASA and the space program so she was fascinated by it all. It’s always a great feeling to cross something off your bucket list.
We returned to the Visitor’s Center complex and ate some overpriced forgettable food which at least gave us fuel to finish up our visit. We visited the Atlantis exhibit which was spectacular as it starts with a film about it and then the doors open and there it is!
A visit to the Journey to Mars exhibit was the last thing on our list before ice-cream and a walk through the Rocket Garden. At 50 bucks a piece, it’s not a cheap day out but we all loved it and we’re definitely glad to have made the trip out here.
After our space adventure, it was time to relax by the pool and cool off. It felt great and was the perfect end to a fabulous day. Hungry for good food, we decided to get take-out from the local restaurant Flavors of India. We ordered Chicken Tikka Masala, Lamb Biryani, Tandoori Shrimp, Mango Chutney and Raita. Kerry and I went to pick it up and loved the amazing aroma as soon as we walked in. We couldn’t wait to try it. It was really good. I miss having easy access to great Indian food so it was a real treat. Everything was great until Rory suddenly declared that his throat was starting to itch….with not a single Benadryl dose to be found, I rushed round to the 7 Eleven to get some, dodging some interesting after-dark characters on my way. All was well and his condition didn’t worsen thankfully, just all part of the adventure. What a day!
From my Porch to Peru 