Off to the shuttle launch.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 367
Likes: 0
From: Jackson MO
Off to the shuttle launch.
Well guys, I replaced the weather stripping, trailing arm bushings, shocks and adjusted the windows. I'm leaving in the vette tomorrow morning to see the shuttle launch on Monday. Hope to see some of you dwn there.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 7,353
Likes: 72
From: Graceland in a Not Correctly Restored Stingray
Sounds like fun. 
I've seen three of them, including the first one of Columbia while attending the '81 Eckler's Corvette reunion. The launch had been delayed a couple of times and ended up happening during the event, but the county/state cleared the highway and honored the parade permit anyway. Seemed most people took it as a bonus to see so many Corvettes.
Anyway, wish I could make it to one more before they retire them.
I've seen three of them, including the first one of Columbia while attending the '81 Eckler's Corvette reunion. The launch had been delayed a couple of times and ended up happening during the event, but the county/state cleared the highway and honored the parade permit anyway. Seemed most people took it as a bonus to see so many Corvettes.
Anyway, wish I could make it to one more before they retire them.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 406
Likes: 1
From: Maroochydore QLD
I flew to the states in 2008 especially to see the 50th anniv of Daytona and to see the launch of STS123, the 4 days of racing was fantastic but STS123 was delayed and I had to fly home before they rescheduled, I was and still am soooooo dissapointed but at least the race was good. I doubt I will make make it back now before they scrap the shuttles. I still got to see and experience NASA though, being a child of the Apollo missions I view Kennedy Space Centre as hallowed turf.
Cheers, Dennis.
Cheers, Dennis.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 219
Likes: 0
From: Boiling Springs SC
Heading that way in about 5 hours from Tampa. We too have been trying to catch one, the last time about two months ago, I worked a 12 hour shift on friday night, picked up the wife, and grandkids and drove for ten hours from upstate SC only to get there and have it scrubed 8 minutes before launch for weather (low clouds). Just turned around and drove the 10 hours back to SC so the grands could be at school on Monday morning (which was about 3 hours after it launched that morning). We'll be in the truck instead of the vette, since we don't have a hitch on it for the camper!!!
Pro
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 680
Likes: 3
From: charlotte N.C
Heading that way in about 5 hours from Tampa. We too have been trying to catch one, the last time about two months ago, I worked a 12 hour shift on friday night, picked up the wife, and grandkids and drove for ten hours from upstate SC only to get there and have it scrubed 8 minutes before launch for weather (low clouds). Just turned around and drove the 10 hours back to SC so the grands could be at school on Monday morning (which was about 3 hours after it launched that morning). We'll be in the truck instead of the vette, since we don't have a hitch on it for the camper!!!
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 219
Likes: 0
From: Boiling Springs SC
Just got back, she went off without a hitch. it was as awesome as everyone says. Now I need to try to get to a daytime launch so I can get pics. Didn't have the digital camera set for "twilight" and no zoom so we didn't get too much in the way of pics. Hope everybody had (and still having{Columbia esp.}) a safe trip.
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 367
Likes: 0
From: Jackson MO
I parked in Eckler's lot and walked to the park just to the north. I'm so glad I had the opportunity to do it. The folks at Ecklers said it was one of the best conditions for watching a launch because of no wind and the lack of clouds. The vette made it OK. No puddles on the floor when I woke up this morning under the car. That's always a bonus. I WILL be checking the archives for some heat reduction products for the interior.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,743
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From: Gulf of America
2023 C7 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2018 C3 of Year Finalist
While on vac last year, my boy and I were able to catch a summer launch of the shuttle. I am glad he was able to see one before they go away. Wasn't able to get very close but here's a poor pic with my pocket digital camera.
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Instructor
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 219
Likes: 0
From: Boiling Springs SC
I parked in Eckler's lot and walked to the park just to the north. I'm so glad I had the opportunity to do it. The folks at Ecklers said it was one of the best conditions for watching a launch because of no wind and the lack of clouds. The vette made it OK. No puddles on the floor when I woke up this morning under the car. That's always a bonus. I WILL be checking the archives for some heat reduction products for the interior.
