Heading North Again

Today we began our multi-purpose trip north, with the first stop in Cape Canaveral. We stopped at the beach just north of Cocoa Beach to watch the launch of the NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter. In addition to the launch, we planned to meet our former neighbors from Bothell, WA - the Day family.

Driving north on I-95, we started to wonder if the launch would be delayed; a large storm was sitting on the horizon. As we approached, we saw lightning and could tell that the rain was coming down hard up ahead. We turned off the interstate and headed for the beach. The skies to the east were completely clear. We arrived at the beach about an hour and a half before the launch. My goal was to stay clean and dry until after the launch - I didn't want sand and crud on my camera. That goal went out the window when Andrew started playing in the water. I couldn't resist, so in I went. Meanwhile, Susan waited on the beach for progress reports from the Days as they headed east from Orlando.



Launch time came and went without a launch and no sign of the Days. The Days decided to head for Space View Park in Titusville, since they couldn't find our park on the Blackberry version of Google Maps. About 15 minutes after launch time, Andrew and I saw a small speck of light in the northwest sky. After a few seconds, it disappeared in the overcast. The sound soon followed and the rumble continued for about a minute.

The Day family arrived and surprised us about an hour later. By now, it was getting late and Andrew and I were hungry. We walked to the car to grab some snacks while Susan and the Days jumped in the ocean - clothes and all.

By 8:30, the sun was gone and it was starting to get dark. The Days were still playing in the water. It was fun watching them have fun as a family. We made plans to meet again later this week, then went our separate ways.

We continued north to the Rollinitis Bed & Breakfast. It was about 10:30 when we arrived and the lights were out. We found our way in and plan to call the B&B home for a couple days, then continue our journey north.