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?”
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?”
No comments:
Post a Comment