Originally Posted By Mr X I thought this topic was of interest (I'd sure like to know more!), but the fact that it's in the sparsely populated "cruise line" section might have caused it to be off the radar. I know there are tons of Florida gurus who can chime in with tons of useful info, if you would be so kind! <a href="http://mb.laughingplace.com/MsgBoard-T-112264-P-1.asp" target="_blank">http://mb.laughingplace.com/Ms...-P-1.asp</a>
Originally Posted By leobloom If you're looking for touristy stuff, then you're probably limited to KSC and/or Ron Jon in Cocoa Beach. KSC is certainly worth a visit, if only for the bus tour that shows you the shuttle processing facility, the Vehicle-Assembly Building, and the launch pads (from a distance). For those of us who enjoy the outdoors, wildlife, and birds, there are many more reasons to go to that area: Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge is just north of KSC, and there are several other parks around Port Canaveral and Cocoa Beach that offer views of the Atlantic. I suspect the lighthouse you're referring to is the one at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. The Cape Canaveral Lighthouse isn't easy to access: I believe you have to take a certain 'premium' tour at KSC to see it (and even then, I doubt you get to climb it).
Originally Posted By wahooskipper Merritt Island is home to one of the largest populations of the American Bald Eagle. Before 9/11 I had the opportunity to take a tour with the PR Head of NASA. We went in Mission Control, rode the elevator up inside the VAB, went right out to a launch pad and even got to climb on one of the crawlers. The highlight of the day was being taken out to the landing strip to see the Shuttle being returned via modified 747 from California. Seeing that thing land a stone's throw away from me was pretty impressive. When you are in Cocoa/Canaveral you aren't far from Daytona...if you happen to be a fan of racing.
Originally Posted By wahooskipper Oh, and if you have a little extra time a trip to St Augustine would be a nice bonus.
Originally Posted By leobloom >> Before 9/11 I had the opportunity to take a tour with the PR Head of NASA. We went in Mission Control, rode the elevator up inside the VAB, went right out to a launch pad and even got to climb on one of the crawlers. << Color me jealous! What a cool experience. The KSC bus tour doesn't take people all the way to the launch pads, and I think there are certain guided tours that will take people closer, but it sounds like you got the top-of-the-line, A+ tour. Can only imagine how cool it was to go inside the VAB.
Originally Posted By wahooskipper Inside the VAB I was scared out of my mind. I think we only went 1/2 - 3/4 of the way up but man...it was a LONG way up.
Originally Posted By mickey_ring Thanks Mr X! The Disney ship returns to port fairly early in the morning, and we really don't have a specific time to be anywhere else. Might be good to take a look around.
Originally Posted By jkayjs Ron Jons is very close it is fun to check out. There is also a seafood place(there are many I'm sure) that is great but I'll have to ask my daughter the name & get back to you.
Originally Posted By SuperDry wahooskipper, that sounds like an incredible tour you got. I'm jealous!
Originally Posted By wahooskipper It was dumb luck. My roommate on the WDW College Program had a family connection to the PR guy. I didn't mention but at the end of our "day" he took us to a beach just south of the Air Force Base where we watched an air force rocket launched. That was pretty cool too. Then, I had to break every law to rush back over to the Magic Kingdom in time for my late afternoon shift on the Jungle Cruise.
Originally Posted By Mr X X being 10, in this case (don't want it confused with my name, X the Jealous...super jealous, crazy jealous, you bastard you stole all of my childhood dreams and wrapped them up in one fantastic amazing tour! ). How cool was all of THAT Wahoo!? You saw some stuff that very few people on Earth have had the chance to check out.
Originally Posted By wahooskipper I certainly didn't take it for granted. We weren't allowed to take pictures inside the VAB but I did get one just outside with the building behind me and I'm happy to have that. The sad thing for me is that the Columbia was the one that got shuttled back while I was there...and of course it was the 2nd shuttle lost.
Originally Posted By MPierce >> The sad thing for me is that the Columbia was the one that got shuttled back while I was there...and of course it was the 2nd shuttle lost. << I was at WDW when that happened. When I got back home I saw several of the recovery teams looking for pieces in different spots around Texas.
Originally Posted By wahooskipper I will refrain from any rants about our government underfunding NASA and the result that is having on the dreams (or lack thereof) of our youth...not too mention poor test scores in math and science. I was on a beach in Florida waiting to hear the sonic boom of the approaching shuttle that, of course, never happened.
Originally Posted By MPierce >> I will refrain from any rants about our government underfunding NASA and the result that is having on the dreams (or lack thereof) of our youth...not too mention poor test scores in math and science. << Living here in Houston you get the full effect in the local news how devastating these last cuts were.
Originally Posted By wahooskipper Yeah, I have a friend working on the manned Mars mission and there isn't much love for the current Administration on that front. I understand there are a lot of needs in the world and at home but when we are done exploring it is sad indeed.
Originally Posted By MPierce Espeially when you consider the importance of work that was being done. It's sad when you see a program that was implemented more than a half century ago, be so short changed after so many advances, and sacrafices.
