Vivian's RV Vignettes

I really did try to see a launch from KSC, but it wasn’t meant to be. I used the second half of my ticket to visit again on Thursday, and enjoyed sunny, hot daytime weather. I stayed cool by trying out some of the simulators in the exhibits, including a super-realistic shuttle launch simulation.

The warning signs going into it were a bit dire and made me wonder what I was getting into, but it wasn’t too violent. They did a good job, though, of making you feel like you were pulling multiple G’s!

I tried the video-game style sims, too, including landing the shuttle, and as usual I sucked at them. I feel like they don’t give you enough instructions. But the kid in front of me did succeed in landing the shuttle (after several crashes) so maybe I’m just not bright enough to figure it out. 😉

I also found the memorial exhibit for the Challenger and Columbia crashes, both of which I can remember happening. Hauntingly, they had recovered pieces of the ships on display.

When I came outside again, the weather had changed completely.

I and a lot of other people hung around in hopes of miraculous clearing, but instead the weather just kept getting worse. A tornado warning sent the sensible among us scurrying into the gift shop for cover, which ended up staying open late rather than kicking us out into the storm. It was a bit unnerving to read on my phone that a funnel cloud had been spotted in the town where my RV was parked. Thankfully, the storm passed on and all was well. But that ended my chances of seeing a launch in this part of my trip.

On Friday, I moved on to Thousand Trails Peace River southeast of Tampa. There are boring complicated rules regarding the terms of my Thousand Trails membership that mean I need to stay here a week before I can check into my next campground in the Keys, which will be my main base of operations to see my first three national parks (Everglades, Biscayne, and Dry Tortugas). But it’s kind of nice to have a low-key week to get caught up on consulting work and RV chores. And this park is pretty, right on the Peace River. Today I spent some time just sitting in my lawn chair beside it, enjoying the view. There were a couple of small alligators sunning themselves on the opposite bank.

Yesterday, I did a lot of work on planning out the second half of my trip. For those who are interested, here is my updated map:

Click here for the Google Map.