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.