The Last Space Shuttle Launch

On July 8th, NASA launched the final space shuttle into orbit.  We planned our return from Virginia so that we could be home in time to see the launch in person.  Despite the odds of only a 30% chance of lift off, Atlantis blast off just a couple of minutes behind schedule.  We  got up early that morning and headed south where we watched the launch from down a little dirt road across the causeway .  We arrived with just a few minutes to spare.  It was perfect timing!

The launch was amazing to see and even more amazing to hear and then feel the power of the actual blast off.

Just a few minutes later, it was all over and a little sad too this time since it was the last one.  Emory and Ellie were fortunate enough to live in Florida and see many shuttle launches from the boardwalk in our neighbhorhood and from the playground at school.  It almost became commonplace.   They were even more fortunate to see the last two launches up close and in person.  Hopefully these will be memories that will last a lifetime...