Growing up in Central Florida, I saw dozens of rockets streak across the sky. They became part of the landscape. That’s not to say they weren’t memorable. Especially at dusk while I fished in our lake from a row boat with my father. One of us would spot the trail of fire, and we’d watch until it became a pinprick of light, like an evening star only moving.
Coming across random photos of the latest space shuttle launch, I thought of those evenings — the air hot and damp, the oar locks creaking, birds settling into the reeds.
Even more memorable was seeing the pressure of life on land escape from my father’s every pore. Though I didn’t realize it at the time, the excursions were never about fishing.
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Mike,
Those are great pictures! My husband, Steve, and I watched the latest launch from our central Florida home. We both agreed that it was the most spectacular launch of all the launches we have seen in our lifetimes living here in Florida. It was absolutely awesome and I know you can relate to it having grown up here yourself!
Jo-Ann
Hi Mike,
It has been some time since I read your stories, and I thought I would comment on this one. I had come to visit my mother in Deland and saw a launch. It did bring back memories of seeing launches when we lived in Maitland. I realized how long it had been since I had viwed a launch out the window, and how great it was to see. That was my last trip to see my mother before she passed away and I will remember that launch and our last visit.
Diane WPHS Class of 68