Chrome Thunder

If you couldn’t get an appointment with your M.D, attorney, or dentist, this week, it may be that they are here. Even your pastor may be missing from the pulpit. The vehicle of choice of Franklin Graham and Rod Parsley is on parade in Daytona. It is Bike Week.

We came in with NASCAR. We are leaving during Bike Week. 500,000 bikers attend this largest bike event in the world. Over the last few days, the traffic has increased, most of it being motorcycles. The Daytona Speedway is filled with vendors and displays. The streets are filled with “chrome thunder” which drowns out the noise of the surf.

We drove to the Tampa area today and will stay here a week. Of interest is a NASA meeting on the 6th which will determine if the launch date will be set for the 12th.

Delayed Again Again

The valves are bad. They need more time to inspect/change them. The launch date is now tentatively set for March 12. We may be here awhile.

Official announcement: http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewpr.html?pid=27633

As the announcement came out Wednesday evening, Barb and I gave serious thought to coming home. But we’ve come so far. We are this close. We can wait this out.

We spent Wednesday with Phil and Virginia (the pilot’s in-laws). Currently they are in a RV park in Orlando and have been park hopping for several weeks. They drove over for a visit and we spent the day discussing Puyallup, education, their drive from WA to FL, and this beautiful state. But we spent most of the time discussing STS-119. The stories of the real experiences of their son in law Tony, their daughter Janeen, and their two grandchildren only work to cement our resolve to experience the launch.

We booked another condo for next week, this time near Tampa. It is in an area that Barb and I did not explore on our RV trip last year. It will be a much different setting. Again, George from Raintree was able to use the “instant exchange” (last minute bookings with condo groups that have plenty of openings) to find us a room for few points and little money.

Barb and I will head south Saturday morning, stop in the Canaveral area to check out housing near the launch site, then drive west clear across the state (120 miles) to Clearwater where we can view sunsets rather than sunrises.

We will miss the beach. The locals are complaining of the cool weather (65 two days this week with some wind) but Barb and I have enjoyed this setting. Today it was 75; the beach and the pool were very busy.

This condo hopping is a new experience for us but so far a grand chapter in our lives. We just pray that it ends well. Go Discovery.

Pictures: looking south and west from Daytona. It sits on a sand penninsula between the river and the ocean. Reading in the condo. The nearby lighthouse. And the John Deere bike. It does not "run like a Deere".

The Waiting

I recently sent this as an email to our kids.

I have talked to most of you, including Janie, but thought I should give you an update as to where we are and what our plan is. Barb put it best a few days ago. "Norm, this is not like you. You always want to know what the schedule of events is, where we are going and when." I have changed. It is not necessary to be concerned about next week when this week is so glorious. We are sitting on Daytona Beach and we still have enough condo points to perhaps schedule a few additional weeks. As I wrote in the blog, "Right now the blue Atlantic looks better than our back yard." When the launch was first delayed and we cancelled the condo at Cocoa Beach (near Kennedy) we began to play the "last minute reservation game". This is something that we have learned from this trip and we are trying to milk it to the nth degree. We also know (and we thank you Ben and Penny) if we cannot land a condo, we can always drive the 400 miles north to Oconee.

We are sitting in a fifth floor condo overlooking the beach and the Atlantic. Last week we were in the same situation except the condo was about the same floor space as the RV and each night we lowered a Murphy bed. But it was a clean comfortable place, with a fine pool and the beach. This week we are in a 2 bedroom unit, about the same size as Ben and Penny's Oconee main floor. It is beautiful, just south of the Daytona strip, and there is an IHOP, Italian restaurant and a 7 Eleven across the street. This afternoon I approached a vendor down the beach renting bikes. The two young female teachers who each weekend this time of year and every day during the summer, drive their pickup and trailer out onto the beach and rent bicycles (cruisers they call them, one speed 1950's style). I approached them and asked to rent one for the week. We struck a bargain and now I sit astride a John Deere (yes, it is a bike) one speed down the beach and into the local neighborhood. I certainly appear klutzy and ditsy (although my body style gives no resemblance of Pee Wee Herman and I won't yell, "Ha Ha") but I have my mobility.

On Wednesday, after the next NASA update, we start the third cycle of our present situation. I will call George (psuedonym) at Raintree, somewhere in Indiana. He, who grew up in Titusville, FL, and watched so many launches, is bent on Barb and Norm, whoever they are, to see the launch. He will again work to place us in a "we must try to fill it" condo somewhere in this area. We will use few points. It may be a studio. It may be the luxury of the present situation. But we know one thing, if George lands us in Florida, we will be fine, and we will be comfortable, because it is Florida.

Official notification

Our message from NASA:

NASA managers met yesterday at the Kennedy Space Center to continue the Flight Readiness Review for STS-119. In the end, managers decided to postpone the 27 February launch of Space Shuttle Discovery on mission STS-119 without yet setting another potential launch date. Managers still desire to launch prior to the 13 March launch window cutout for the upcoming Soyuz launch. Space Shuttle Program manager John Shannon will lay out a plan on Wednesday, 25 February to outline whether or not such a plan is feasible.

The crew was in quarantine at the Johnson Space Center crew quarters when the announcement was made last night. We have since returned home and will remain here in Houston pending further announcements. This week, we will continue a moderate level of training on several critical tasks that we will perform during the mission.

Delays can be the nature of the business when it comes to manned space flight. STS-119 is by no means unique with the several delays we have already had. Some missions go off like clockwork on the first attempt; others have had numerous delays. We can rest assured that we have the finest team of engineers and spaceflight managers in the world supporting us here at NASA. All decisions are made, first and foremost, in the interest of safety of flight.

Below, I’ve attached a couple of key points made by the NASA Public Affairs Office on yesterday’s Flight Readiness Review. .

During a thorough review of space shuttle Discovery's readiness for flight, NASA managers decided Friday more data and possible testing are required before proceeding to launch. Engineering teams have been working to identify what caused damage to a flow control valve on shuttle Endeavour during its November 2008 flight.
Managers said that they needed to do more work to have a better understanding of the issue before flying.
The shuttle has three flow control valves that channel gaseous hydrogen from the main engines to the external fuel tank. Teams also have tried to determine the consequences if a valve piece were to break off and strike part of the shuttle and external fuel tank.
The Space Shuttle Program has been asked to develop a plan to inspect additional valves similar to those installed on Discovery. This plan will be reviewed during a meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 25. Afterward, the setting of a new target launch date may be considered.

Delayed again

It is frustrating news. Last night Barb and I sat glancing at the computer from time to time. We were watching NASA TV streamed through the internet. The announcement was scheduled for 5:30 p.m. our time. They didn’t start the news conference until 10:30 p.m.

The launch is delayed. No target date for the launch is set. Both sentences only added more questions to our present status.

We feel really badly for the crew and their families. Then there is the host of family and friends that want to experience this event. Some have already traveled this way. Some continue to change work schedules, airline tickets and hotel reservation at each NASA announcement. Some have cancelled their trip.

We are actually O.K. Our condo group continues to find us these last minute deals for very few points. The Daytona area has a plethora of condos to choose from. Barb and I already had one on hold for this next week. We will take it. Right now the blue Atlantic looks better to us then our back yard.

There are the additional costs of changing our airline tickets and, of course, the continued rental car costs, but this is Florida. We are given another week.

Actually we did generate some positive cash flow last week. We attended two time share presentations, a total of 4 hours to say "no" twice. Our take was $425 of gift cards and shopping vouchers.

There is also the other carrot out there. The NASA directors were quick to point out that the vehicle is on the launch pad and as the valve problem is solved, they will be able to launch in five days.

We’ll tough it out in sunny Florida, on the beach, by the pool. Thanks, NASA.


The view from our condo this next week. This time a spacious 2 bedroom. Want to join us? There is plenty of room.

The Race

It is interesting being here for a major sporting event. On Sunday, after church, we drove down to the Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse (#2 in the U.S in height after Cape Hatteras). The air was cool with a hint of rain. We knew the race was developing just 20 miles away. We explored the area, including the historical race area. We could see a blimp off in the distance. Then the F-15’s flew over in formation. It was at that point we decided to drive out to see the race area.

Speedway Boulevard is a main causeway from the beach to the racetrack, the airport, and beyond. During the race we drove in light traffic. Cars were parked deep on both sides of us 4 miles before we reached the venue. The race had started an hour earlier but still, on two occasions, entrepreneurs held tickets in the air, for sale. We heard the roar of the engines and the stadium loudspeaker as we drove by. The grandiosity of the setting was only rivaled by my Rose Bowl experience.

We did a U turn and headed home. Rain was in the forecast and unfortunately it proved true. Shortly after arriving back to our condo, we tuned the TV in to the rain delay. Then we received the news that it was over. Barb walked out to hallway, a western view, to see the live fireworks that I was watching on TV.

Earlier that Sunday, as we explored the area, we happened upon that site that first hosted the races. Walking down the beach it was noted where, in the early 1900’s, racing enthusiasts gathered to race down this pristine beach. It was an odd mix. NASCAR has its roots in the moonshiners that drove these roads in the 30’s and 40’s (1950’s song – “And there was thunder, thunder over thunder road. Thunder was his engine and white lightning was his load.”). But it was the Brits and the French that set the early speed records here. In 1903 Ransom Olds came down with his brand new car to visit his friend, John D. Rockefeller, who wintered here. Olds came in second at 69 MPH. In 1906 the Stanley Steamer, a US product, won at 121 MPH. During those years, the races of varying distances were one way up the beach. Land speed record events were held here. In 1927 a Brit broke the 200 MPH barrier. Official races continued and in 1941, Lloyd Seay won the race but was killed the next week by a family member over a dispute in the family’s moonshine business.

In the 50’s the race developed into an oval, a 2 mile stretch north up the beach, then a 180 degree turn south onto a paved road (A1A) which is the main street through town. The Daytona Race, mainly with southern drivers, gained international notoriety.

In the mid ‘50’s the organizers met in a hotel here and established NASCAR. Then in 1959 they built the present track just 10 miles out of town.

Monday we enjoyed the sun and the beach. Tuesday found us at the NASCAR Experience (again we are not NASCAR fans but NASCAR is America). The tour was great. I was very critical of Canton and I enjoy the NFL. I don’t watch NASCAR but this presentation was first rate. I now understand how a street-looking vehicle can travel 200 MPH. I also understand why all those vehicles with their flags of colors and numbers passed us as we migrated south. NASCAR has got it right. Pure entertainment. A sport, relatively unspoiled, and truly American. However, its history of running from Gmen and its early technology having European roots, depicts it not as so.

The lighthouse, the track, Barb in the stands and by this year's winning car.

Daytona

It is reported that 185,002 tourists migrated to this area this week. 185,000 came for the Daytona 500. Barb and I are just migrating to the space shuttle launch. Traffic was heavy as we drove south. Cars and pickups, with the colors and numbered flags mounted outside their windows, flew by us, vicariously competing in their own NASCAR race. As we checked into our condo, we were presented a NASCAR welcome packet. It really didn’t compete with the welcome basket at the Oscars but we did accept them. The plastic bags contained the products of NASCAR sponsors. Goody’s pain reliever had the likeness of Richard Petty on the package. There was also toothpaste and even a Harlequin romance novel, Speed Dating by a Nancy Warren. Something for the fans to digest as they sit by the pool and swill their Bud Light (not provided). Good ol' boys from all over the U.S. are numerous here basking in the opportunity to attend what they determine to be a milestone experience in their lives.

Our condo, located on the beach just north of Daytona (Ormond Beach) is a studio complete with a Murphy bed. It is not much bigger than our RV but our condo association found this place for us as we migrate south, hopefully rendezvousing with the space shuttle launch. The Atlantic churns against a white and somewhat red beach just below our balcony and only a modest pool lies between our condo and the beach. It was 84 degrees today. It is 8 p.m. and the door to the balcony is wide open, allowing the sea breezes in. We will be O.K. here. This picture is me grilling a steak by the pool.

We are not NASCAR fans. I have often questioned how one can sit and watch cars go around a 2 mile circle for 2 1/2 hours. But I am not one to judge. In one of my last days in China I sat between a Scot and an Irishman as they both berated American football, offering justification after justification as to why international football (soccer) is far superior in athleticism, skill, endurance, teamwork and entertainment. Who am I to judge?

Anyway, we will travel the 8 miles into Daytona tomorrow. Is there a chance that we will become fans?????

By the way we received news that the space shuttle will not launch before February 27. We don’t know when we are coming home.