How many trips have we made to Titusville or KSC for launches? I dunno, but it's a fairly high number. Given that we are only a few hours away, I have worked in down to almost an art. I have my favorite locations and my routines. I will say that I have driven down for many more scrubs than I have for actual launches, but my comfort and needs are not the priority here! LOL
Ralph was not able to join me on this trip but Katie (our 16 year old sometimes babysitter, sometimes just additional family member) was. I also had friends that were camping about an hour or so away that were planning on meeting us.
Ralph helped Katie and I load up and we left on Easter evening at about 10:30pm. Eliza was already asleep so Ralph just carried her to the car in her jammies. The boys finally went to sleep at some point. Katie kept a close watch of Twitter the entire was down so we could turn around if need be. We arrived after 2:00 am and set up on the side of Indian River Drive, near to the entrance of Space View Park. We set up an area on the side of the road and all the kids, plus Katie, got some sleep. Our friends showed up about 15 minutes before the launch.
It was a breathtaking launch! The ISS passed over just a few minutes before launch and it was as bright as I've ever seen it! WOW, it looked like it crossed right over the launch pad! The launch was fabulous and then the contrails in the breaking dawn...oh my...There was no way to get a good picture of it. It was amazing. There is a picture from Disney that shows the light on the contrails. I will see if I can find it.
Then it was a sleepy drive home. We were back in our driveway by lunchtime. What a fabulous time!
We headed over to Russell Cave Shelter and completed the Junior Ranger Program. One of the rangers took us under her wing and did her entire demo for school groups. She went through all the weapons that had been used in the shelter from 10,000 BC to 1800 AD. The kids got to try out spears, atlatls, blow guns, throwing sticks, bow and arrows. This was all before we ever even took the boardwalk over to the cave shelter! Fascinating day that was enjoyed by all.
I have to say that we spend a lot of time talking about rocks, minerals, volcanos, and geodes in our house. Nathaniel loves rocks...I mean LOVES rocks! The part that's so funny is that we live somewhere with NO rocks. We have plenty of marsh and sand. This 7' tall geode is at the Tellus Science Museum in Cartersville, GA. They have only been open about 18 months but it is the best little science museum. We love it and stop by every time we are up that way.
We went to the FIRST and FLL World Championships in Atlanta. What a fantastic experience! There was so much to do and see, that I can't even begin. What I can say is that each child found the things that they love. A life-size Mindstorm robot, A Lego Cinderella, and a live Stormtrooper! Note the hat that Alexander is wearing. He won it by playing a game with the team from Peru. Awesome experience!
We were in Titusville but a Disney photographer got this shot just after the launch. It really was a beautiful launch!
How many trips have we made to Titusville or KSC for launches? I dunno, but it's a fairly high number. Given that we are only a few hours away, I have worked in down to almost an art. I have my favorite locations and my routines. I will say that I have driven down for many more scrubs than I have for actual launches, but my comfort and needs are not the priority here! LOL 
Funny how there is science even on Easter morning! So, the question was raised, "What happens to a Peep if you put it in the microwave?" Well, that's easy enough to find out. After a couple of tries we got the timing down pat. Then it was time to discuss things like heat expansion and air volume. I couldn't get a shot at it's max but this was close. They did turn into about the size of a good navel orange.
