Last weekend, Rusty and I flew into Florida for a brief visit to say "Howdy" to Rusty's parents. While in Florida, we went to a manatee preserve and enjoyed the slow, methodical rise and fall of about a dozen manatees in the water. Several manatee pups were present. This is not a side to central Florida many families take the time to see as they rush off to the mega-Disney money vaccuum in Orlando. The afternoon was quiet as we observed these gentle sea cows, feeling guilty about the obvious scars from boat propellors.
There really is nothing like liberal guilt for getting Rusty and I motivated to donate money or pick up a cause. The moment was then shattered by the screeching of children rushing to their next activity on their Florida vacation checklist. We wanted to swing by the preserve surrounding Kennedy Space Center. Disappointingly, it was closed in preparation of the shuttle launch. The launch was delayed twice while we were in Florida. July fourth was a beautiful day and the prognosis for a lift off was good. We decided to go to the beach and watch the launch.
The tension was building slowly over the hour as we stood on the pier off the coast of Titusville waiting for the shuttle to launch. The weather? Warm, clear and just about perfect. The radios, all tuned to the shuttle launch coverage, began the countdown right on time. As the count came down to three, two and one, an audible inhalation of breath was not only heard but felt from the thousands of spectators, really a collective prayer to whatever god, goddess or saint rules the heavens and the vehicles bringing us to the heavens. One can't help the multiple emotions present at this moment, tension, fear, signifigance, more importantly feelings of insignifigance, an overwhelming sense of joy and oddly enough accomplishment even though having done nothing but be a spectator. The shuttle lifted off quickly.
The sonic boom startled everyone out of their individual thoughts forcing a sense of jubilation and prompting thunderous applause. The shuttle program will end in 2010 if not sooner. I'm sure there will be a less expensive equally impressive light show to take it's place. I will miss the shuttle and the random emotions it has produced. Happy 4th of July and thanks America for this spectacular fireworks display.
Last weekend, Rusty and I flew into Florida for a brief visit to say "Howdy" to Rusty's parents. While in Florida, we went to a manatee preserve and enjoyed the slow, methodical rise and fall of about a dozen manatees in the water. Several manatee pups were present. This is not a side to central Florida many families take the time to see as they rush off to the mega-Disney money vaccuum in Orlando. The afternoon was quiet as we observed these gentle sea cows, feeling guilty about the obvious scars from boat propellors. 
There really is nothing like liberal guilt for getting Rusty and I motivated to donate money or pick up a cause. The moment was then shattered by the screeching of children rushing to their next activity on their Florida vacation checklist. We wanted to swing by the preserve surrounding Kennedy Space Center. Disappointingly, it was closed in preparation of the shuttle launch. The launch was delayed twice while we were in Florida. July fourth was a beautiful day and the prognosis for a lift off was good. We decided to go to the beach and watch the launch.
The tension was building slowly over the hour as we stood on the pier off the coast of Titusville waiting for the shuttle to launch. The weather? Warm, clear and just about perfect. The radios, all tuned to the shuttle launch coverage, began the countdown right on time. As the count came down to three, two and one, an audible inhalation of breath was not only heard but felt from the thousands of spectators, really a collective prayer to whatever god, goddess or saint rules the heavens and the vehicles bringing us to the heavens. One can't help the multiple emotions present at this moment, tension, fear, signifigance, more importantly feelings of insignifigance, an overwhelming sense of joy and oddly enough accomplishment even though having done nothing but be a spectator. The shuttle lifted off quickly. 
The sonic boom startled everyone out of their individual thoughts forcing a sense of jubilation and prompting thunderous applause. The shuttle program will end in 2010 if not sooner. I'm sure there will be a less expensive equally impressive light show to take it's place. I will miss the shuttle and the random emotions it has produced. Happy 4th of July and thanks America for this spectacular fireworks display.
1 comment:
Walt you should have been a writer. I love reading your stuff it reminds me of the good ol days when I made feeble efforts to keep up with you in verbal sparring. Love the pics! Your friend Di
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