The reason we were so eager to get to Cape Canaveral, some of you may already know, is to watch the Shuttle Endeavor take off.  As one of only a few launches scheduled before the program is to be decommissioned in 2011 and the last night launch we were eager to catch it if we were going to be in the area.  Making it to Cape Canaveral in just two days put us in a good position to see the launch if indeed it was going to launch on the 7th as predicted.

From the ocean we took the Cape Canaveral barge canal and the lock to get back into the ICW and transited North to Titusville where we’d heard that there was a good anchorage for viewing the launches.  We were amazed to find, when we arrived, that not only was the anchorage a “good” spot to view the launch, it was practically front row seats.  Nothing separated us from the shuttle and NASA except water and only about 4-5 miles of that.

We set the hook (anchored) and settled down to wait.  The kids and I did some extra baking and one day, when it was rough I allowed them to take the day off and play video games and watch cartoons (dvds we have in our on board collection) to their hearts content.  Boyd and I worked on boat projects and he completed beautiful and more importantly functional lazy jacks for the sails.  I was able to wrap up a number of sewing projects and start a few new ones.

The launch was delayed and didn’t happen on the 7th – much to everyone’s dismay.  They actually got to within 9 minutes of the launch in the countdown before they scrubbed it due to weather.  We were, of course, disappointed but decided to give it one more day.  The backup plan was to launch on the 8th at 4:14 AM.

This morning, at 4:14 AM they did!  All I can say is Wowzers!  I know that may sound childish but there was something really awe inspiring about viewing this from so close.

Not knowing exactly what to expect it was incredible how bright and how loud it was from here.  When the shuttle actually lifted off the night (and it had been fully dark) turned to day.  The glow of the rocket boosters as they lit reflected on both the water and the overhead clouds.  In the pictures look closely and you can tell that the sky behind the shuttle is blue!  Moments before and minutes after it was jet black!  And the noise, well it was like a continuous roll of the loudest thunder, once it arrived it went on for several minutes.  We will share all the photos we can but guys, it was so incredible.  You would have to be here to totally get it.  I’m certain that this will be a night to remember for our whole family.