Home safe and sound

We stayed at Disney World the remainder of the week and went into Epcot, Disney Studios and Magic Kingdom. Our new favorite ride is Soarin in Epcot Center in the Land. We both got somewhat queazy on the space ride at Epcot. We enjoyed the different countrys in the world showcase especially Canada. The band Off Kilter was playing there. Everyone was dancing in the aisles. It was a mix of rock and celtic music with bagpipes. Very interesting.
The cold was constant down there and we were glad to get back to heat. It seems nothing is heated down there so you are always cold.
We tried to watch the rocket go up at the Space Center on Wednesday but it was a no go. We did have breakfast with Rob. It was nice to see him again. The second time in a couple of months.

We Have Lift Off

Despite the cold we enjoyed watching the shuttle go up. We began our trek again to the space center on bus about ten pm. There were about a quarter of the people as the night before. We were able to enjoy walking around the space center and shopping as well as the IMAX. We did not do any of the rides.The Space Center has really changed and I would love to come back just to do that. We were nervous right to the end about the shuttle going up because up until very close to the launch conditions were similar to the previous morning. As liftoff occurred the base of the shuttle ignited and smoke filled the sky and the ground shook and you could feel the vibrations. It was worth the inconveniences for two days.

Shuttle launch

Haven't heard from mom and dad yet but I read that the launch went through last night. Here is a picture from the launch. You can read about it on the following news website.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/science/space/article7019214.ece

shuttle mania

Last evening about 9 we were swept away from our hotel with hundreds of other buses to go view the shuttle launch. Our journey was full of excitement and anticipation by all participants. Once we got to the Space Center we had top wait in line for about an hour to go through security check. Once we were in the center we were allowed to roam around and view things but time was short. Within an hour we had top get in line again for an hour to get back on our bus to go to the causeway. We then sat in the bus waiting for the hundreds of buses to queue up and start our procession. Once we got to the viewing center we had about 2 hours to wait for the launch. Unfortunately the cloud cover continued to diminish the likelihood of launch. As we feared the launch was scrubbed about five minutes before the scheduled launch. Once the announcement was made everyone rushed to their buses to get going. Of course we had to queue up again to leave. This was somewhat reminiscent of the China eclipse and it's convoy. So tonight we get to do this again. Of course now we are like homeless people between hotels and nowhere to sleep. We can't get into our room here at Disney till three.
I felt especially bad for a little 30 month old boy all dressed in his astronaut suit. He was so looking forward to this. Between the late night and shuttle cancel he was having a bad day. His parents said that he literally salivates when watching a launch on TV or computer. So long for now, We would sleep by the pool but the temp is in the fifties.

shopping and wasting time

We checked out of the hotel this morning and took a taxi to the outlet mall. We have bought a few things that we could have done without but we wanted them, I had to buy a bag of course. We just stopped for a look at the Sony store for some cameras and I got a bite at Panera. We are going to walk back to the hotel. It is about a three mile walk but we have nothing else to do till the bus picks us up, The weather is in the upper sixties and pleasant for walking but very windy.

all is warm in Fla

It is 74 here and we are quite toasty. My father would have liked it. We are staying at the Comfort Inn in Lake Buena Vista until tomorrow. A bus is picking us up here tomorrow night to go to the Space Center for the shuttle launch. When we come back we will be staying at the Disney Pop Culture hotel. We talked to Rob today and we are going back for an unmanned rocket launch on Tuesday if it is not canceled. Tonight we went to eat at Kobe Japanese steak house. Very entertaining meal prep at the table. I sent a pic to Ing. Goodnight for now.

Flight Info:
Date Flt Depart Time Arrive Time Stops
Fri 05 Feb 2010 801 Detroit (DTW) 9:00AM Orlando (MCO) 11:32AM 0
Fri 12 Feb 2010 804 Orlando (MCO) 7:00AM Detroit (DTW) 9:41AM 0

Hotel Info:
Comfort Inn, Lake Buena Vista

Shuttle launch:
Sunday AM
Will be picked up tomorrow at 9pm and spend the night at the space center

Arrived in FL this morning

Mom called this morning from the Detroit Airport... way too early to ask that I log into her email and forward her itinerary to everyone from her sent items or drafts folder..... Nada.. nothing in there. Will need to get it from either Veronika or go over to her house and get it I guess.

She sent me a text this morning later on after she arrived in Florida:

"We just landed and are having lunch at Ruby Tuesday. the take off was quite interesting. As we were leaving the terminal, the plane was making the most awful noises. But fortunately within about 10 minutes, the noise stopped and we had an uneventful trip down. Miss you already. Cannot wait till we come down with Liesl"

I guess right now they are getting settled in their hotel.... I think it was in Disney but unsure which one. patiently awaiting her next update