Summer Vacation - JSC

The story of our parents' dawg-less vacation continues . . .

Besides working on her tan (which really isn't the same as it used to be with all the sun block required today), Mommy REALLY wanted to go to the Johnson Space Center in Houston!  It was a little over an hour from the beach.  To understand Mommy's desire to go here, you need to understand why . . . Mommy REALLY wanted to be an astronaut when she was growing up.  All the way through high school.  And then something changed and Mommy became an English teacher instead.  Even Mommy isn't sure when or why her heart changed.  (Her students could probably tell you she just isn't into science!  THAT could be the problem!  Ha!)

Mommy said her breath was literally taken away as Daddy drove around the corner into the parking lot and she spotted the Space Shuttle Independence on top of the Boeing 747!  She was soooo excited!

Once inside the Space Center, she and Daddy walked around and checked out many exhibits.  One of the most interesting displays was the Wall of Astronauts that featured the crew picture from every NASA mission flown including those going to the International Space Station. It took a while, but they found the Challenger crew and the Columbia crew pictures, both marked with a black ribbon.

After walking around for a while, Mommy and Daddy decided to take the tram tour.  They had to decide which tour to take.  One tour took you to Mission Control (at least a 45 minute wait) and the other took you to see the astronaut training center (at least a 30 minute wait).  Mommy asked the young man at the line which he suggested.  He asked, "Are you into history or the future?"  It was such a difficult decision for Mommy.  Daddy didn't care in the least; this was Mommy's choice.  Mommy said in the end history will always win (she minored in history . . . starting to become clear why this astronaut thing didn't pan out for her, huh??).  So they queued up for Mission Control and waited in the hot Texas heat for more than 45 minutes!

Every single Apollo Mission was controlled from this building.  Our parents had to climb 87 steps to see where history was made.  Mommy said it was well worth it . . . Daddy won't give his opinion!

Do you see that speaker sitting on that old computer?  THAT'S where all the famous space phrases were heard here on Earth first!

"That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind." said by Neil Armstrong of Apollo 11 as he set foot on the moon.

"Okay, Houston, we've had a problem here," said first by Jack Swigert and a similar phrase by Jim Lovell as Apollo 13 realizes they have a major issue and may not make it back to Earth.

The shorter, present tense, "Houston, we have a problem" was never actually uttered by the astronauts!

This grove of trees is one of two planted to honor the memory of the astronauts from the Space Shuttles Challenger and Columbia disasters.

At Rocket Park, you can see this rocket above and Saturn V below.  The building Saturn V is located in was actually built AROUND the rocket!  It's HUGE!!!

When walking into the Space Center, Mommy didn't notice anything except the size of the Space Shuttle Independence, but as the tram was pulling away from the main building, she noticed you could go INSIDE both the plane and the shuttle!!!  There were some serious squeals over that discovery with Daddy reminding her she'd been in a 747 before.  She informed him right quick that she could skip the plane, but she was GOING inside the shuttle with or without him!

Going into the shuttle required more step climbing!  The first floor took you to the 747; a second and third floor took you to two different levels of the shuttle.  Our parents ended up going to all three floors just to take a break from the stair climbing!

Wonder what it's like to sleep standing up zipped into a sleeping bag to prevent you from floating all over the shuttle???

Mommy said the inside of the shuttle was much smaller than she expected.

Mommy says the day at Johnson Space Center was hot but wonderful.  Daddy says the day was a love gift to Mommy!  Either way, we think you should check it out if you're ever in the Houston area.  And go early, so hopefully you won't have to wait in a long line for the tram!  

On a personal note, remember there were plenty of dawgs sent into outer space throughout history.  Maybe we can sign up for mission???

Dixie, Jenna & Ruger

Paws Script: Happy birthday, Daddy!  We woof you!

Pooch Paws Script: Have you ever seen a billboard sign warning you against Zika???  This was a first for our parents and there were several signs between the coast and Houston! (Mommy only saw one mosquito on the whole trip and not until the last day.  Whew!)