This morning we left the RV at the campground and drove to the North edge of the bay that separates us, across 12 miles of water, from Kennedy Space Center where a Delta IV Medium (4,2) rocket was launched this morning.  We listened to the countdown on the radio as we waited:

And liftoff!  Because the rocket is 12 miles away, it took a bit over a minute for the roar of the engines to reach us.  It was loud enough to set off all the car alarms where we were standing:

Seeing a 20 story-tall, one-million pound rocket claw its way into space is something I’ll never forget:

After the launch, we drove to a nearby park for our first glimpse of Florida beaches:

Next we visited Kennedy Space Center.  The bus tour took us past the crawler-transporter used to move the Space Shuttle:

We also had the chance to walk through a mission control room which recreated an Apollo moon mission:

Next we entered the main display area:

We also saw the VAB, one of the largest buildings in the world, where the Shuttle is mounted on its rocket boosters:

Next we heard a lecture from Jerry Ross, who among other accomplishments flew on seven Shuttle missions:

The right stuff?

The kids are enjoying playing with their camera:

Memorial to astronauts killed in the line of duty:

Also on display was this mars rover, built entirely of legos:

Our last stop before closing was the rocket garden:

Great day at Kennedy Space Center!  Tonight we’re overnighting at a Walmart near West Palm Beach, Florida.