Yosemite reflections

I wrote this piece below while sitting by the campfire in the Sierra Nevadas, the night before we left to travel home. It was a time of reflection. A time of peace and fulfillment. Yosemite, in all of its glory causes one to give pause, give thanks, and to think about the future.

So, at 62 years old, it is all about legacy. I am no longer productive. I am not going to work this year. I have signed up for Social Security. I am now a burden to society. Am I going to slide out, let the government take care of me, or am I going to continue to do something that leaves a lasting and positive legacy? Is it for my children? My community? My country? My planet? My grandchildren? Is it that I want them to remember who Grandpa Norm was? What can I leave behind so that they, especially my grandchildren, can remember me as a productive person?

Sitting by the fire, in the Sierra Nevadas, at four thousand feet, the campfire does not distract from the stars above. The only noise is the occasional airplane at 30,000 feet. I am not so sure that John Muir would be proud of me. I would like him to be. He is one of those persons that I would most like to talk to, around this fire. Muir is right there with Jesus, John Adams, Madison, Lincoln, Gandhi, Mohammad, Buddha, Bush, now President Obama and many others. They offered insight and vision. One might argue specifics in regard to each of their ideology but each did/does leave a legacy.

Tonight I tried to be there with him, Muir. But the hulking RV, something I am sure he would disapprove of, lingered near me. I rode some of the trails he forged. I admired the valley, waterfalls and peaks that he described so well. We traveled, albeit by car, to a promontory point that was one of his favorite refuges. He hiked it. Thanks, John, for the legacy that you left. You enriched me. If one truly wants to leave a legacy it is not who you are or what you have. It is what you do.

It is what you do.

Thanks, John Muir

Home

We learned in the "RV University" our Life on Wheels Workshop at the University of Idaho in Moscow in 2004, that as a RV driver, one must remember the "three 3's": don't drive 3 hours without a break; never stay more than 3 days at a friend's/relative's home; and keep your day's voyage less than 300 miles. We broke the last rule today. We drove home. After the casino stop at Rolling Hills near Red Bluff, I was ready for home. Trucks rolled into what I thought would be a casino RV parking. As we exited our RV this morning, I thought our door may hit the truck parked next to us. It was that close. However, it was free.

We are home. Almost 600 miles today and gray skys welcomed us at Roseberg, Oregon and the rest of the trip home. As I exited the RV in Puyallup I still had on my summer sandals. The rain was falling.

We bought a "low-end" RV. Our Seabreeze has performed so well. Another adventure has been completed and we thank the Lord for safe travels. Thoughts of this experience will follow. I wrote some material around the campfire in the high CA mountains when no internet connection was possible. For some reason it will not allow me to transfer to this blog. I am tired. I will transpose tomorrow.

Toward home

We left the campground mid morning, this time Barb driving the Jeep behind me as we dropped 3,500 feet in the first 20 miles. The rest of the drive was easy, mostly freeway. Tonight our campsite stands in stark contrast to last night's pristine setting. We will still have the stars and temps are in the 70's. However sitting on pavement and hearing the din of diesel engines is far from hearing the sound of birds and a babbling stream. We are in the parking lot of a casino near Redding. We are not gamblers but we did go into the Casino briefly. We gave into temptation. $10 each. Barb lost hers. I walked out with $43. Yep, a big wheeler/dealer I am.

Linger Longer

It is Friday and Barb and I will linger at the campground today in preparation for our trip home. The campground has a stream running through it which does draw some fly fisherman. We could have left this a.m. as we have little left on our agenda, but the sunshine, blue skies and the ambiance convinced us to stay. (Yes, Janie and Jens, the beauty of this area even overwhelms our yearning to see you soon.) Diane and Gary left mid morning for their trip back to their home in Sacramento. We had such a fine time with them. Tentative plans are for us to meet in May in north eastern Oregon.

Barb and I plan to arrive home on Tuesday, giving us 3 days for the drive.

Last day in the Valley

October 22

God Speed to you, Nathan, on your trip to Uganda.

On our last day in the Valley we wanted to soak up everything again. Yosemite falls continued to dwindle but she continued to indicate to us as to why we were here. The grand and the natural. Barb and Diane boarded shuttle buses to view some sites again. Gary and I boarded our bikes. Mirror Lake, near the base of Half Dome was our destination and just a short ride. Half Dome is such a unique feature. Is there anything like it in the world? It sure gave us pause as we lingered at the base and looked into its face. We revisited several sites then headed back to the campground early as Gary and Diane leave tomorrow.

Vistas and meadows

Picture on right: El Capitan on left, Half Dome barely visible in the distance, center of picture. Climbers ascending vertical walls of El Capitan can be seen in two pictures below.



October 21

We again walked and drove the valley floor. Yosemite Falls, North America's tallest, was a bit wispy today, not showing the volume of water as yesterday. At almost every junction, we stopped, paused and viewed the waters dropping some 3000 feet. El Capitan, looming 3000 feet above the valley floor (valley floor elevation is 4,000 feet), it's vertical face revealing at least two parties of climbers. The climb, based on the climbers expertise, usually takes 1 to 3 days. The evening found us at one of Muir's favorite spots, Glacier Point. We stood on the 7,000 foot ledge and gazed at Half Dome across the valley, and the Yosemite Valley village below.

Old stories, Older Mountains

We gathered for dinner last night and retold the many experiences from our 40 years since our college graduation. After a leisurely morning in which my main activity was trying to keep Loki from jumping on Tule, Gary and Diane's dog, we drove to Yosemite. This time the sun shone intently and not one cloud blocked our views. The water falls were dry just last week but the recent storms brought the stream flow back, giving us views of curtains of water cascading off the giant cliffs. We drove and walked in awe throughout the day, sometimes just sitting in silence in respect to the Creator and to likes of Clark and Muir, who had worked so diligently to successfully save this valley from exploitation and possible ruin. The night found us again sitting around our campfire, cooking over the flames. Magical and mystical, this valley.

Into Yosemite

October 19, 2009 (Half Dome in picture at right)

As we left Vineyard Ericson, the rain began to fall. The climb was steep and I regretted not unhooking the Jeep to have Barb drive behind me. The narrow roads and switchbacks, climbing from elevations in the 40's to more than 6,000 feet in less than 90 minutes was a challenge for the driver and the RV. Then drops into valleys where I rode the brakes hard, finally to the RV campground destination just 5 miles outside of the park. We parked the RV, walked Loki, then set into the Jeep looking forward to the 25 mile trip into Yosemite Valley. The clouds hung low and the rain fell. The granite cliffs of El Capitan mystically revealed itself on occasion. Ribbon falls uncovered itself for only a brief moment. The fall colors vibrant in this time, glimpsed at us through the droplets and clouds. Barb and I walked the village in the rain, the visitor center and the museum. We left only to wait to revisit this valley. On arrival back at the campsite, Gary and Diane, friends from college, were waiting, their rig parked next to ours.

Yosemite info

Due to problems accessing wifi and phone this blog is limited. We have again been blessed with fine weather and we our enjoying this magical valley with college friends, Gary and Diane. More details follow.

Ericson Vineyard

We arrived at Meridith and Linda's home by 11. There was a walk through their vineyards, a tour of their processing area, then a wonderful lunch under the gozebo, complete with their 2008 vintage. After lunch we traveled into Modesto for some more wine tasting. A fun day. Will sleep well tonight.

Sacramento Day 2

We met my niece Marie in downtown Sacramento. In the bright sun, she walked us around the capitol grounds where we came upon Arnold's motorcade. He had just completed a speech honoring CA firefighters. Later in the afternoon, Marie's grandson Marcus (13) played in a basketball game where we sat in the stands with grand niece Julia, her husband Troy and great grand nephews Donovan (5) and Anthony (4).

Tomorrow we drive half way to Yosemite, stopping overnight at Barb's cousin Meridith's home.

Things look better

Barb is feeling better. On Thursday we stayed near the RV camp, rode bikes for 2 hours, and peddled by many walnut orchards that suffered severe wind damage.

I met cousin Kathy and her daughter Erin (19) for lunch in Sacramento on Friday. Kathy and Erin had visited Norway in the summer of 08 and it was good to catch up on life in the first Selbu. Erin is in the throngs of fighting Hodgkins Lymphoma so Barb did not attend lunch, fearing passing on some bad bugs Erin's way. A special time. Erin is so strong, vital, and a Viking in pursuit of a conquest. By the way, her hoodie states, "Cancer Sucks".

I returned to the RV park to see it filling with small hydroplane boats. It appears that there are races here this weekend on the 41 acre lake that dominates the park. The temps were in the 80's. Weather looks great for Yosemite next week.

Sacramento

Arrived at the Thousand Trail campground near Sacramento in mid afternoon. We were welcomed by sunshine, mid 70's and just a slight breeze. The area is dominated by orchards and considerable damage was inflicted by the storm. The power had been out for 10 hours here but was restored just prior to our arrival. We will stay here 4 nights.

Close to boredom

With strong wind gusts (55 MPH) and sideways rain due to subside in the next few hours, we shall head south today. Yesterday we did attend a movie but for the most part we just hung out in the RV. The wind buffeted the side and a small tree down the way did blow over. We read and Barb healed. She is much better. We are excited regarding the weather reports for next week. Yosemite predictions are sunny with highs in the 60's with O chance of precip. Yahoo! Tonight we should be near Sacramento.

Staying in Redding

With 40 MPH winds with sheets of rain throughout the day, we decided to layover another day in Redding. It's not the California coast but we are safe and dry.

Change of Plans

October 12, 2009

Why is it that we do not celebrate Lief Ericson Day? Wasn’t he here 500 years before Columbus? And Columbus never set foot on what is now considered US soil. There is plenty of evidence that Lief did.

We’ve had a change in plans. The beauty of life in an RV. One source listed 40 MPH winds. Another mentioned gusts up to 70 MPH. One source listed 2-4 inches of rain in the next three days. Another mentioned up to 8 inches. It looks like the coast is up for a major storm. If we were sitting snug in a condo with a fire in the fireplace and view of the beach we would enjoy the weather. But given that we are in a RV and given Barb’s health status, we abandoned the beach plans. Also, we were to cross the coast range two times. It looks like there may be some significant weather in those mountains in the next 3 days.

Yes, we are disappointed. We wanted to revisit the area that we wandered through on the way to Kate and Steve’s wedding in 05. The giant trees and the beautiful bays and inlets are unique biomes, true art forms of our Creator. But our goal is Yosemite. We chose to go the comfortable way, one in which Barb can have time to heal.

Tonight we are in Redding. This area is in severe drought. Rain is expected tonight. The locals are excited for their first rain since spring. It was an easy 140 miles down I5. Barb still has a headache and a deep cough. Her energy has improved but she still lacks the spunk that defines her. Tomorrow we have another 160 miles and we will hunker down near Sacramento. We do not leave for Yosemite until Saturday.

Picture of Shasta Lake today.

Leaving Medford

We are leaving Medford and heading west then south today. Barb still has a lingering headache and sore throat. Some of her energy has returned but she is not her normal self. In our three nights here, she has not left the campsite. Thankfully the 70ish sun and the babbling creek with frolicking mallards that swim by the front of our RV has given Barb some refuge in which to heal.

I did drive out to Jacksonville Saturday morning. This historic town has kept it's charm and style. Once the largest town in southern Oregon, Jacksonville was the site of a gold find in the mid 1800's.Many of the present day buildings date to 1850. It's boomtown past has its sordid element. Chinese workers were imported to work the mines and blatant racism occasionally raised its head in violence. On one occasion a drunken miner fired on a group of unarmed Chinese men walking down the street. One Chinese man was killed. The miner was arrested and charged with the unlawful discharge of a firearm within the city limits.

Because of Barb's health situation we did not attend any plays. I was able to have lunch with my cousin Diane.

We plan to take two days to drive to Fort Bragg, CA the plan to arrive near Sacramento on Thursday.

Up before dawn

It's 4 a.m. Because Barb is sick, she is in the bed in the bedroom, I have the sofa next to the dog. We have had four dogs in our 40 years together. Bubba, our last dog, was with us from '93. He traveled well and he was 10 when we got the RV. He required little work/exercise and he knew the routines of RV life. He died the spring before our big US trip.

We now have a pup, Loki. Loki is the Norse mythology character whose defining characteristic is mischief. At our home, Loki sleeps in the garage. In the RV, with me on the sofa, Loki is just a few feet away. It is 4 a.m. and he wants to play. I had forgotten how much work a pup is.

Listed below are the swine flu symptoms. Barb has them all.

Swine Flu Symptoms

According to the CDC, like seasonal flu, symptoms of swine flu infections can include:

• fever, which is usually high, but unlike seasonal flu, is sometimes absent
• cough
• runny nose or stuffy nose
• sore throat
• body aches
• headache
• chills
• fatigue or tiredness, which can be extreme

Thankfully. Barb is experiencing no vomiting or other gastrointestinal complications.

Barb remains to be the trooper that she is. She doesn't complain. Her resolve is to heal. She dealt with an infection while traveling in India and bruises and scars from the accident in Indonesia. Hopefully this will only be a minor setback on this venture.

Back to sleep for me. Loki is now curled up on his sleeping mat.

Medford

Arrived in Medford by midafternoon. Barb's cold or flu has intensified so we will stay close to the RV park to get healthy. We plan to stay three nights and hope to visit Jacksonville, a historic village near here. Also hope to see cousin Diane and family however will not make those efforts if Barb is fluish. Meanwhile the campsite overlooks a babbling creek but a block away is a MacDonald's, 4 coffee huts, and the bike trail that runs for several miles through the valley. We can hunker here comfortably. There is cable TV and all those football games tomorrow...

Gresham

Thompson Farms was in full array today. Dahlias, pumpkins, lettuce, and probably another 20+ marketable produce. We arrive in time for Barb to have her walk, I to have my bike ride, and a family dinner at Vicki's and Ed's, who so welcome us each time we are in town. Tonight we are attached to an outdoor outlet at the family farm. Tomorrow we are Medford bound.

National Park Bound

We are heading out tomorrow, hopefully. Barb is feeling a bit under the weather today. It may be the onset of grandparent/grandchild separation syndrome. Janie is here today as we pack. We will see Jensen tonight as we return Janie, then drive to the Gresham farm tomorrow. The goal of this trip is Yosemite though some family visits, some California coast, and some Shakespeare may be in order as well. The Burns video on PBS over the last few weeks has heightened our anticipation. I have always been in awe of the parks as we visit them. It is even more meaningful now as we have learned of the sacrifices and efforts made by individuals to set aside these pristine environs as a natural state for eternity.

Thompson

Each year the Thompson family (Barb's side) usually gathers in late August at a state park somewhere. This year we invited the clan to camp in our backyard to play pickelball and volleyball, among other things. Nate, Cailyn and Kari decided we needed a video to promote the weekend so Nate came up with the following:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J6MzK0qLYKU

Arrive at ISS

Discovery docked at ISS. Click on video (related multimedia box) to see arrival. Information updated daily:

http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/main/index.html

If the clouds part, you may be able to see the ISS in the night sky. Find out how:

http://www.jsc.nasa.gov/sightings/

As far as this mission is concerned our experience is complete. This is the last blog related to STS-119. Over and out.

Post Launch

We awoke to the blue skies and the warmth to which we have grown accustomed. Our week foray into Florida turned into more than 4 weeks. Driving north up A1A we said good bye to the palm trees, the roseate spoonbills and the pelicans which we so enjoy watching. As we passed over the causeway leaving Cocoa Beach I had the same thoughts of a year ago. Will we ever return to this very special place? It is checked off of my “bucket list”. Does that mean it is behind us?

The view from the causeway showed the empty launch pad 39A which elicited thoughts very much different from a year ago. The weeks of jockeying our schedule, bouncing from place to place, staying in contact with the Steves and, finally, resolution.

Other than the spectacle of the launch two other thoughts flooded my mind. One, the Steves. They are a family full of faith and they live out devotion to others. How fortunate we were to experience this event with them; to share the highs and lows, the fear and frustration, the joy, and the blessing.

Secondly. Space travel - the true project without borders. Seventeen countries are involved in the space station. STS-119 carries a Japanese astronaut to replace one who has been in the space station for four months. They will be housed in modules built and delivered by the Russians and they will use a robotic arm built by the Canadians. A true coalition. As the launch neared yesterday, a small group broke out in song, singing “God Bless America”. But it didn’t catch on and the chorus soon died away. Those gathered included French, Germans, Japanese, Chinese, Indians and others. Somehow the song didn’t fit this time. Patriotic we are. Nationalistic we are not. Perhaps the words of John F. Kennedy were more applicable at that moment.

“We are vowed that we not see it (space) governed by a hostile flag of conquest but by a banner of peace.”

If only that were true on earth and not just in space.

The pictures:

How Barb and I looked before the launch.

What we felt like before the launch.

The Antonelli friends gathering for the view.

Our view just before the launch.

Barb and I arrived in Atlanta in time to have my birthday dinner with Ben and Penny, my first birthday with Ben since he was a senior in high school, 1994. On Tuesday we flew home. As Cailyn picked us up at the airport, the air was chilled and drippy. We could see our breath. Barb starts work tomorrow, Wednesday. We are back to reality.

We Have Liftoff

As we were gathered together at breakfast today, we were more guarded then we were Wednesday. There was still the anticipation of the launch but we all worried about the “Ground Hog Day" movie effect. I went for another long bike ride after breakfast. Barb did the last minute shopping and made one more walk to her beloved beach. By 1 p.m. we drove out to the KSC.

It is Sunday. Most of Orlando must have gravitated to the area to enjoy the weather, the beach, and the launch. Cocoa Beach is one of the best views for a launch.

KSC was much more crowded than Wednesday. By 4 p.m. we stood in line for the shuttle buses. A good sign since we didn’t make it to that point on Wednesday. We were bused to the causeway, the bridge over the Banana River that has a direct view of the launch pad, six miles away. The site was a mix of tourists who had been able to purchase the coveted tickets on line and the gathering friends of the crew’s family. We unfolded our carried in chairs and sat with Cam and Kay, Ceil and Dennis, and Cliff, friends of the Steves. Next to us sat Lisa and Eddie with their two young children. Lisa is a member of a Bible study group with Janeen, in Houston.

The countdown continued over the live feed of NASA audio. We heard what anyone would have heard that watched NASA TV. Launch control and Houston, as well as monitor points around the world checked in as the countdown progressed. The support appendages were pulled from the vehicle, the countdown entered the single digits. Pops, then a cloud engulfed the shuttle. The orange glow in the shape of a spear emerged from the cloud then the noise hit us. At 7:43 PM ( right on time), EDT, almost dreamlike, and with the vehicle emerging from the cloud into the clear blue sky it took on a large smoke trail heading into space. The audio announced separation and the two boosters dropped from the glow, forming their own droplets of light falling to the earth. We stood in awe and did not make haste to leave.

God Speed STS-119 and thanks for a great show and thanks for a great ride.

Pictures: The Causeway, thousands with tickets are 6 miles from launch.

Group gathering. Joe Acaba, former teacher in Florida. Scientist, now astronaut.

Blast off. Escape to orbit. And finally left, boosters drop.

God Speed STS-119. GOD SPEED

Prelaunch Again

While engineers and technicians work furiously at pad 39A, and while the STS-119 crew resumes training for their upcoming mission, tourists continue to inundate this area. The Best Western is full every night. Some are on spring break. Some are here with sports teams. As I sat after my bike ride, a party of young men descended on the beach. I noted that they looked like PLU types. That they were. A NCAA division 3 baseball tournament was held here this week. The young men were the baseball team from Gettysburg College, the Lutheran School there in Pennsylvania.

We continue to watch for NASA updates each morning. To keep us from watching other reports, Visa bills, car rental fees, hotel charges, etc., we try to concentrate on the gifts of our environs. After my run in with manatees yesterday, Barb, Phil, Virginia, Shauna, and Jessica (Virginia’s relatives from Moses Lake) encouraged me to drive them out to the pond.

I was relieved that I was able to repeat the trip in the car. However, the manatees were not lying by the bank as they were yesterday. Barb, not wanting to give up, sought the aid of a neighbor. Lewis and his wife jumped to our aid. “They are over in the corner. See them there.” The pig-like snouts were visible. “I wish you would have been here earlier. They were very active and there was a pod of dolphins here too.”

Lewis, a few years younger than us, grew up in Key Largo. An engineer by trade, he moved to Cocoa Beach to subcontract for NASA. “Don’t miss the launch,” he related. “There is nothing like it. Your first percussion is the exploding hold down bolts. After that, the boosters kick in. Noise and waves of power overcome you. Powerful.”

Thanks, Lewis. Just one more expert letting us know we must ride this out. Barb and I, carrying out our own personal domestic economic stimulus project, with no hesitation.

Pictures: Mother manatee and her young. Phil, Virginia, Shauna and Jessica.

Between Scrub and ...

After 23 of us met for dinner last night, 9 of us met for the hotel’s free continental breakfast this a.m. We sat and talked until 10:30, then congregated in front of the TV in the lobby. The NASA news conference committed to a launch on Sunday, or Monday, or Tuesday, or…

Mike Mullane’s book, Riding Rockets, “the outrageous tales of a space shuttle astronaut” refers to NASA as meaning, “Never A Straight Answer”. (Thanks for the recommendation, Rosey) Although we have had many interpretations, delays and redirections over the last month, I can identify with all of the above. Space flight is not a perfect science and “failure is not an option”, thus delays and redirection are part of the business. I guess I see that as strength, not a weakness.

We are staying. Some of the group went home today. All of us went our own way. Phil, Virginia, and family, including Janeen and the kids, went to Orlando’s Disney World. Barb walked the beach, read on the beach, and did laundry. I, for the 5th time, rented a bike. In retrospect, I could have bought one in Georgia, strapped it to the car, and saved a bunch of money. However, like NASA, you look back to see where you have been but you look at today’s situation to determine your future.

I rode for 3 hours today. Traffic is heavy on the main roads of the cape so I started out south. Located there are the communities that were constructed when NASA was first developed. The 1960’s housing (post Sputnik) is situated between the tourist Atlantic beach and the Banana River. The narrow streets meander through quiet neighborhoods, interspersed with canals and inlets. At one time I stopped to access my water bottle at a spot between a house on my right which bordered the Banana River, and a pond on my left. As I tipped my bottle I heard a gurgling sound. I turned to the pond to see 4 giant manatees lounging near the bank. Didn’t have a camera.

I also stopped at a 1950’s style cluster of ocean side cottages that were south of the tourist area. The one story flat roof structures with single paned wooden framed windows with 43 coats of paint, grass, beds of flowers, and narrow sidewalks that led to the sea would be a pleasing setting if we ever return here sans the RV. The 70 ish lady manager talked on and on about her time here. “Forty three years since I moved down here from Michigan. Every time there is a launch scrub, phone calls from relatives and engineers ask if we have openings. We seldom do this time of year. It is the busy season. I love it here. However, in August, I miss Michigan.”

I guess there would be worse places to be hold up in February/March. Michigan, this time of year would be probably confining. It is not confining here. In fact, at every stop on my bike ventures I ask, “Why were we given the gift of being here?”

Post Scrub Plans

Like Bill Bennett and John Daly at the craps table, Barb and I continue to roll the dice, hoping to hit the big one. We are staying on. We’ve rescheduled our plane tickets and extended the rental car agreement. The launch is now “set” for Sunday or Monday. This is a surprise to us since NASA earlier explained that if the launch did not occur before March 14, it would be delayed till April. Now that has changed.

Some of our party left for home today. Commitments at home, expenses in rearranging travel plans, hotels and cars caused them to pull up stakes. Barb and I are fortunate that we have some flexibility.

Barb was scheduled to start teaching on Monday, the 16th, for a colleague going out on maternity leave. She has received ongoing support from her former school to “go the distance”. Thus, we shall, maybe. Of course, I am in no hurry to go home. I, as Barb goes back to work, take on the role of househusband, a position I don’t mind delaying.

We met for dinner tonight, sharing stories and plans. Janeen and the boys joined us, a special time with a special group. Discovery stood on its pad just 10 miles away. Hopefully, next week, Discovery will be a sparkling orb, connected to the space station, traversing the night sky.

Scrubbed

They called it at 2:30 p.m. just 7 hours before the scheduled launch. Hydrogen leak. It could be minor (few hour repair job) or major (weeks). Thus, our chance to see the launch hangs in the balance tonight.

It has been a special 24 hours. This morning we met with the Steves (pilot inlaws) family and friends for breakfast. Jim, Janeen’s brother , related how Janeen had called him Monday night and asked him to be at the NASA center by 10 a.m. Tuesday. There he was given a medical check up to make sure he was not carrying any infections, and was, with his brother, transported to the “Beach House” to spend the afternoon grilling hamburgers and playing on the beach with the crew. The brother in laws of the pilot and other screened family visitors offered diversion to the crew as they awaited the next day’s launch.

After the gathering last night, the immediate family was loaded into buses and taken to the launch site. There, in the seemingly daylight of the pad’s illumination, and at 1 a.m., they were able to view the processes of the last stages of preparation and they received detailed explanations from the accompanying astronauts.

Today, we arrived at Kennedy (KSC) around 2 pm. The Center was bustling with the normal influx of tourists but this time it included school kids on field trips, families and friends of the crew dressed in team-like matching colors, and hoards of space zealots gathering for the launch. The air of expectation rose with each minute. Then it deflated as the “scrubbed” announcement was made.

The leak, external to the craft, will take at least two days to repair. Sunday, the day we were to fly home, is the nearest launch date. We have some decisions to make but right now Barb and I linger toward what was written on a coffee cup we saw at KSC today, "Let's do Launch". Are we close? We can't say yes. Until the launch is permenantly scrubbed we are resolved to be here.

Pictures: rocket garden last night and today; and the space shuttle mock up at KSC.

Prelaunch

I know that sometimes the Boeing workers refer to their place as the “Lazy B”. Here, the workers call Kennedy “The Rocket Ranch”. We spent the entire today touring it again. We took much the same tour as last year and found it even more meaningful this time. In the evening we gathered in a conference room at Kennedy to meet Tony’s family and share in a preflight celebration. Discovery, the crew, and the families are ready for the launch, hopefully tomorrow at 9:20 pm EDT.

Pictures: Discovery on the launch pad.

Barb, Virginia (Janeen's mom) and Janeen, Tony's wife.

Norm, Barb and "flat" Tony. Tony is in quarantine with the other crewmembers and could not attend the party.

Janeen and son Danny speaking to the gathering. Danny will turn 5 on the day, if all goes as scheduled, his Daddy will help land the shuttle at Kennedy.

Barb and Mike Foreman who has flown one shuttle mission, made 3 space walks, and is scheduled for the next shuttle flight. As is NASA custom, astronauts are assigned to escort the present crewmembers' families during the pre and post launch activities.

Countdown

The astronauts are here. They flew in from Houston yesterday. This is a huge sign. Launch is near, God willing.

Canaveral is a cape. Kennedy is the Space Center located on the cape. Cocoa Beach is the long stretch of white beach that stretches south of Canaveral. We opted, this time, for the Best Western Cocoa Beach.

They give it a 90% chance of lift off on Wednesday night. Conditions indicate it as such. Relatives are arriving. Friends are filling the local hotels. The launch is near. Local businesses are booming. But most of the booming is due to spring break.

Barb and I optioned for a local hotel this week. Tony’s family is gathering here. We wanted to be a part of that. Barb overheard the front desk responding to an inquiry, “We have no rooms available Tuesday through Friday. The shuttle is launching.”

Most of the party arrives this evening. Tomorrow we meet for breakfast then drive to the Kennedy Space Center for a tour. We gather together tomorrow, Tuesday evening, at the center, for a reception hosted by the Antonelli family. Then on Wednesday, we drive to Kennedy to board a NASA bus to see the launch, God willing.

It has been a long journey. But in no way has it been difficult. Finally, we sense completion. God willing.

It Is A Go but First, Caladesi Beach

An interesting day with extending circumstances dominating our thoughts as we, again, experienced a very special part of Creation.

First, Ben had surgery today. Last summer Ben literally landed on his ear as he attempted an in air somersault on his wakeboard at Oconee. The impact broke his eardrum. It has been healing but not completely. Today surgery was done to graft some of his skin over the eardrum to fill a gap that had not healed. The surgery went well and the recovery should be short. Hopefully and thankfully.

Secondly, we received word that the shuttle is now scheduled for lift off on March 11, at 9:20 pm EDT. Barb and I will head over to Canaveral tomorrow.

This week, we couldn’t have planned it better. Today it was 80 degrees and no wind. Our last day here found us at two natural preserves, just 5 miles from our condo. Honeymoon Island was originally named Hog Island until 1935 when a New York developer constructed thatched roof bungalows there and marketed them toward honeymooners. The bungalows are gone. Just beach, natural vegetation, the roads and parking lots remain.

From that island one can take a passenger ferry (actually, just a pontoon boat) to Caladesi Island State Park, which over the years, has been rated as the top state park in the nation. The weather was perfect. However, due to the storms and wind last week, dead sea grass had washed up on the beach giving blemish to the otherwise perfect beach. Thankfully it did not have the odor of the washed up grass we experienced in the Keys a year ago. Shell collection was the main activity while pausing to marvel at the turquoise gulf, white beach, and the antics of pelicans as they, in kamikaze style, dove headlong into the sea for fish.

There are many reasons that we find Florida our favorite state. And there are more reasons that we find this area personally attractive. The weather, the unique communities, the beaches, the baseball and the arts. Our condo this week is located on the outskirts of an unincorporated community where most homes were constructed in the '50's. The houses on the gulf have been purchased, torn down, and replaced with huge homes. A few have for sale signs. But for the most part, the community of Crystal Beach remains what it has been - a close community that supports commerce, the infastructure, the bike trail that runs through it and the arts. The sign above is the community bulletin board and the message, as we drove by it, changed every day. The message today says it all. Florida - what a state.

You can click on pictures to enlarge them.