Growing up in Michigan during the heyday of America’s space program meant I spent a lot of time sitting on the floor in front of our TV, watching the spaceship launches.
I followed the countdown and sat mesmerized as camera shots showed closeups of the spaceship before liftoff and the burst of rocket fire after launch.
While it was great to see the closeup photos, one of my wishes, like many other children at that time, was to see a rocket launch in person.
I didn’t think it would take so long, but I finally saw a launch this month!
Kennedy Space Center
By pure luck, a visit to Florida in mid-December included me visiting Kennedy Space Center at Cape Canaveral on Merritt Island, Florida.
When I visited Merritt Island a few years ago, my focus was birdwatching at the national seashore and wildlife refuge.
No launch was planned while I was on the island.
This month, I had an amazing time birdwatching as I saw almost 40 species, including a Painted Bunting.
But the highlight of the trip was visiting Kennedy Space Center and seeing the launch (delayed twice earlier in the month) of the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft on a Falcon 9 rocket.
Before the launch, we were able to watch the closeup of the rocket before liftoff from a huge screen next to the grandstands.
Too funny when the Kennedy Space Center announcer said,
None of you better be watching this screen during liftoff!
What an incredible experience sitting on the grandstands at Apollo/Saturn V Center across the water from the launch, and watching through my binoculars as the rocket shot through the sky.
Though some morning rain was predicted, it turned out to a perfect day for the launch.
Something I’ll never forget!
