11/18/2009, Titusville Municipal Marina
Hanging Out in Florida 09 IV
Wednesday, November 18, 2009 - 9 AM
Titusville Municipal Marina
Water temperature 70 F
We made a grocery run yesterday and now the boat is sitting and inch lower in the water. This morning is the Wal-Mart run and that will probably sink her another inch. We may stay in the marina for a few days while we catch up on clean up and maintenance chores.
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11/17/2009, Indian River, 8 miles west of Shuttle Launch Pad A
Hanging Out in Florida 09 III
Tuesday, November 17, 2009 - 8 AM Indian River, 8 miles west of Shuttle Launch Pad A Water temperature 70 F
We were in position to watch Atlantis launch by noon yesterday and after eating lunch, we lounged around watching the action on shore. The Indian River is five miles wide at the latitude of the launch pads and is deep enough for us to work our way far to the side of the marked channel. From our position we could see the nose of the shuttle and the nose of the large orange liquid fuel tank. About ten minutes before launch, the helicopters that had been patrolling the area landed and a white gas stream appeared by the nose of the shuttle.
At 2:28 PM, right on time, Patti, watching with the binoculars, exclaimed "I see smoke!!!!" A large cloud of white smoke shot to the left and to the right of the launch pad. A few seconds later flames from the solid boosters appeared and Atlantis was on its way to space. The sky had cleared before the launch and we had a ringside seat for one of the greatest shows on earth. About 40 seconds after launch, the sound reached us and we could hear and feel the deep rumbling roar of the engines. We watched the shuttle roll over on its back and turn towards the northwest. We could still see it when the solid rocket boosters shut down and separated from the shuttle. We could even see the booster rockets falling towards ground for almost a minute before they disappeared.
All that was left then was a beautiful white contrail in a blue sky that stretched from the ground to the far, far distance.
Even though we were anchored a long way from shore with no protection from wind or waves, conditions were calm enough we decided to stay right where we were for the night. This morning we need to stow the dinghy and then move a short distance to the Titusville City Marina for a few nights. We are seriously in need of groceries and some other supplies. We have an Enterprise car reserved to haul the freight and it will get a workout.
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11/16/2009, Coco, FL - ICW Mile 897
Hanging Out in Florida 09 II
Monday, November 16, 2009 - 8 AM Coco, FL - ICW Mile 897 Water temperature 70 F
After three busy days at the Seven Seas Cruising Association annual Gam (meeting), we headed a ways back north yesterday afternoon. We were glad we finally got to a Melbourne Gam. The days were filled with interesting presentations were we learned a lot. And, we met many interesting cruisers with stories to tell about far away destinations.
This morning, we are going another ten miles north and anchor in the vicinity of Titusville. The Space Shuttle Atlantis is due to launch at 2:28 PM this afternoon and we'll be anchored five miles away in the Indian River. Its overcast this morning so that's disappointing but we're looking forward to seeing that baby fly.
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