We awoke early this morning (well, if you count 7am as early, we do) along Cocoa Beach. We’re parked next to our friends Sean & Louise of OurOdyssey.
Two and a half years ago we met for the first time in nearby Titusville to watch the last night launch of Space Shuttle Endeavor.
This morning, we watched Endeavor’s last 747 ferry ride as it buzzed the Space Coast’s shores on its way to California, where trees are being cleared to bring it to its final display location.
And that’s a wrap for the shuttle program. As a long time space buff who used to live here on the Space Coast, I have to admit – my eyes got a little misty this morning.
With that title and mentioning OurOdyssey, I was thinking they had moved onto a boat.
That would have been fitting, huh? But nope. They did end up following Endeavor out to California however.
I was a little misty, too. The piggyback was beautiful, emerging out of the clouds.
We miss you guys already. But I know we’ll see you again, somewhere!
It was a wonderful visit, Louise.. so glad it worked out! And an appropriate full circle too. Missing our neighbors tho!
I used to surf all the time at playlinda beach in titusville. You could see the launchpads from the ocean with the shuttle all setup and ready to go. Wonder what they are going to do with the VAB now that the program is over? That place is huge.
Oh cool, Sean.. did you live in the area then?
I worked for Ford Aerospace at Johnson Space Center in Houston in the late 70’s as a Communication Tech. My job was to support the Shuttle landing testing prior to initial launch. I remember the first Shuttle landing after being jettisoned off the back of the 747 mother ship. In that first landing, the shuttle was unmanned – the computers controlled the landing. After the sharp descent, the test shuttle leveled off, then touched down flawlessly.
Now the Shuttle aircraft can be seen in museums next to another pioneering transport vehicle – the stagecoach.
How very cool, Jerry – to have been part of the mission! Thank you for sharing.
So long Endeavor, you made us proud. Godspeed to CA.
Indeed.