Having a Blast in Cocoa Beach and the Kennedy Space Center About This Page:

[DrDolphin]

I have lived in Florida for almost 7 years (this time - my 3rd) and I work in central Florida all the time, and I drive up and down I-95 and pass the exit for the Kennedy Space center when I do so. I have said for years I wanted to go - but just never made the time.

Chris and I started dating, and he was telling me about a recent trip he made down to the Space center and it sounded wonderful. I mentioned at some time I wanted to go. Chris said we should go together. We had not traveled together yet - at least not away from home for more than a day trip - so I was not sure how this all would go. A new step in our relationship.

The planner in me kicked in (I get it genetically from mom - the Uber-planner) and found us a FABULOUS rate at the Hilton on the beach for 3 nights - July 3, 4 and 5. Chris got his schedule, and we realized that he had to work on Thursday night - I called Hilton to change the hotel room to July 4 and 5. Well they dropped the great rate and upped it an additional 40 dollars a night. I was SO NOT HAPPY. I got online and found the Doubletree Hotel literally one block north of the Hilton for an even better rate than what I had at the Hilton (you will notice I stay with hotels in the Hilton chain - I am a Hilton HHonors reward program member - and I really try to stay there when I can to benefit my points account).

So - hotel is taken care of, now what are we doing. We knew we wanted to spend the 4th at KSC, and other than that - I was not entirely sure what I wanted to do. Some pool and beach time was also called for (we did have an ocean front hotel after all).

So - we made our plans to get tickets for the KSC and see what happened from there.

Next - we are off!

[lauren-roxy]

Great start Terri!! Can't wait for more!!

[DrDolphin]

Thursday July 3 came quickly, Chris had to work until 1130pm, and I worked late trying to get a report completed, and then I headed to the gym for my last workout with Candy for the next 2 weeks due to all my upcoming travel.

I should note that another reason for this trip was my travel schedule - on July 6 I leave for a week of a conference in Fort Lauderdale, followed by a week in Portland, OR for training - so 2 weeks and we won't get to spend time together. Hence the decision to take a quiet weekend together, away from home. I think the British refer to this as a "mini-break" and frankly I needed it.

Friday, July 4, dawned bright and sunny and we were out the door about 9am. Now the original idea had been an 8am departure, but the best laid plans.... you know. We got breakfast on the road due to being late and I drove since my car has more space than the cab of Chris' truck and my car gets better mileage than the truck.

We drove south and made good time, the roads were basically open and things went well. Chris kept dozing off (remember he worked late) - so I told him to put the seat back and take a nap. I turned up the volume on the Ipod and drove.

We arrived at the KSC about 11am. We pulled into the visitor's center and parked.

Approaching the visitor's center for Kennedy Space Center


We parked in Section 5, lathered up with sunscreen and headed up to get our tickets.

The entrance plaza at KSC. I thought the astronaut on top was cute!

We bought our tickets and decided to upgrade from the regular tickets to one of the tickets with an upclose tour. Chris had done the "Cape Canaveral, then and now" tour last time he was at KSC - so this time we opted for "NASA up close" tour. While Chris bought our tickets - I went to the restroom, and when I returned Chris had our tickets and booked our tour for 11am on July 5.

We entered KSC and went to the Rocket Garden to start our day.




They had model capsules from Mercury and Apollo programs - so Chris had me climb into the Mercury Capsule for a photo shoot. It was a tight fit - I can not imagine a 6ft+ man in a bulky space suit being in there.


Getting out of this thing was a great challenge!!


The Apollo capsule for three grown men!!! You better be CLOSE friends with these guys!

We walked around a bit - and saw that the Astronaut experience Astronaut of the Day was Mike Mullane. I just read his book "Riding Rockets" a few months ago - and really enjoyed it. Plus he is from Albuquerque, NM - which is where I went to high school and my parents still live. So we added Mike Mullane to the days' schedule and decided to try and see his presentation.


Then we went to the Astronaut Memorial. It was a very stark presentation but was touching too. It really made me think of where I was the days I learned of the Challenger disaster and watching the Columbia tragedy.








It was a very touching memorial - esp. since I had once submitted an application with NASA to be a shuttle mission specialist - right before I got cancer - so this really got to me.

After the memorial - we headed for the Shuttle experience simulator and the Shuttle Explorer.



Saw this and thought of Donna (Goofymom)

Chris in the payload bay

Me in the payload Bay

This was interesting, since I never realized how SMALL this vehicle really is. It seems larger than life - but to think of up to 7 people crammed in there living and working together for up to 2 weeks... gee don't know if I could do it.

After finishing the Explorer - we headed to the simulator and after stowing all our stuff in the free (but you need a quarter to operate them) lockers - we headed for the simulator. Now I really don't usually do well in large room simulators. I do fine with Mission Space - But Star Tours and Body Wars at WDW just mess me up. Chris had been on it before and would not tell me what to expect - other than I would like it.

He was right - I did! It is very different from Mission Space - and very realistic. I really enjoyed it - the presentation was very well done.

After the simulator - I started to get a headache - I think it was the heat, dehydration and the shaking from the simulator. I needed some water to help - so we bought me a bottle of water and walked over to think about taking the KSC bus tour.

Me in front of the logo in the plaza

Next - the bus tour

[disneymom9092]

Great start Terri!! More please!

[Colexis Mom]

Great updates Terri! We love KSC More please

[lauren-roxy]

Great update Terri!! WE loved our visit there a few years ago.

[DopeyGirl]

Great start!

It's been a few years since we've been to KSC . . . we're actually thinking about adding it to our plans for the trip in May now.

[emtpej]

I am hoping to use your TR to get my group excited about seeing KSC while we are on our trip. Thank you!

[ariel14]

Great start!!! We love KSC!!!!!

[DrDolphin]

WOOPS!! Forgot that we saw "Magnificent Desolation" the new 3D movie produced by Tom Hanks about walking on the moon. It was very well done and I really enjoyed it. After the movie - we had lunch at Orbit's Oasis. Chris had the hot dog - I had the kids chicken tenders (which by the way was way too much for me - so it would be quite a bit for most kids).

The Kennedy Space Center Tour

We headed over to the tour bus area - and first had our photo taken.


Then we boarded the bus and headed out to the Launch pad 39 gantry area after passing the vehicle assembly building. I swear between Chris and I - we probably took more photos of this building than any other!

Vehicle Assembly Bldg


Space Shuttle Engine

Looking up into the engine

Chris taking pictures of the engine

Launch Pad 39A from a distance

Crawler path to pads 39A and 39B


Me at the gantry site

Chris at the gantry site (my flash worked - his did not)

After the pad 39 area - we headed to the Saturn/Apollo center. I really enjoyed this part - since I had watched "The Right Stuff" and "Apollo 13" and "From the Earth to the Moon" - I knew a fair amount about the programs and history - but it seemed so much more real to me to see all of the displays and that rocket is HUGE!!!!



All the mission patches for the manned Apollo missions from 7-17.

Moon Rover (I think somewhere there is a photo of me standing in front of this as a 7 year old that I need to find next time I am in New Mexico).


Apollo command module

At this point - we realized if we wanted to make it to see Mike Mullane talk at 5pm - we had to leave to head back to the visitor's center. We left the Saturn center and boarded a bus back. We almost didn't make it - but arrived right in time. Col. Mullane was an entertaining speaker - and afterward took photos with guests.


Col Mike Mullane and I

After seeing and talking with Col Mullane - we headed to the car. We were both tired and had not yet checked into the hotel. We drove about 25 minutes into Cocoa Beach and checked in. This is the view from our balcony at the Doubletree.




After getting settled in and relaxing for awhile, we got dressed for dinner and headed out to Florida's seafood (which I realized I had eaten at a few years prior). We had a good meal, came back and fell asleep.

Next - day 2 - More Kennedy Space Center.

[JoanW]

Great report. I wish we had done a tour when we cruised out of Port Canaveral. More please.

And PS. You look fabulous!

[chezp]

It looks like you're having a great time. It's been years since we last went to Kennedy, but we plan on heading back in October, so I'm finding your report really useful.

[lauren-roxy]

Another great update and wonderful photos!!

[Colexis Mom]

More great pictures Terri!! Keep it coming

[MickeyMAC]

Great report Terri. Your pictures are really good.