Atlantis - The Last Launch

As I mentioned before, I hesitated on attending the shuttle launch. It was a 70% chance of rain on the coast, so only a 30% chance of a "go". Thursday night I had decided against going. We were sure it was going to be re-scheduled and there would be another chance, another day. I expected to hear when I woke up Friday morning (July 8) it had already been re-scheduled and the shuttle had not been fueled. I prayed all night that would be the case, anyway. It was overcast outside, but not raining. It did start to sprinkle some as Jeremy left for work. The kids and I ate breakfast and watched the news as they showed the astronauts walking out, being strapped in, etc. I tried to field as many questions from the kids as I could (they sure ask a lot!)

Jeremy got to work around 8:10 am and called, he said I could go on if I wanted, it was a 50/50 chance. I took a super-quick shower and Ella Grace made us some sandwiches. I didn't know how long we would be on the coast or stuck in traffic so we were going to be prepared. Our gas tank was full; I was full of excitement!

We only hit a little traffic on 528, got a good park, had to walk a good piece, but pretty much ended up where we were for the previous launch. I did get someone to snap a picture of us!




We only had to wait a little while (approximately an hour/45 minutes) and it was time! Oh, the excitement!!



And as I was snapping pictures, I carefully and cautiously handed our small camera to Ella Grace to try to record the launch. From the first one, look first between the boy in the orange shirt and the girl in the blue shirt (around 12 secs) and then just to the right of the girl in the blue shirt.



And in this one look by the girl sitting on the man's shoulders.





The picture above is actually the picture below cropped in.








Again, I was crying as the shuttle left our view. I tried to explain to a 5 year old little girl and a 3 year old little boy that this was the end of the Shuttle Program, they might not ever see this again, this was special! I remember telling Major specifically "Major, you are three years old and you got to see this!" And then, my little man started crying, too.

They were hungry, then. Ella Grace was snacking on some chips. (I later realized, in packing our lunch Ella Grace took a gallon ziploc bag and filled it less than half full with a handful of plain potato chips, a handful of barbecue and some cheese puffs!).



The last cloud of smoke as the shuttle disappeared.





My plan, next, was to wait about 20 minutes, move to the playground for about 30 and then head to the car and eat our lunch before we left. We made it to the playground on-schedule and then the kids didn't want to play much. From here, we ate and began our journey home, which took about 3 hours and 15 minutes!

So glad we were there!