WOW !!!!!!!!!

We witnessed the launching of the Atlas 5 rocket from Cape Canaveral today.  It was awesome!!!  Definitely worth the trip to the backyards of Florida and the Kennedy Space Center.  Yesterday, we were tourists and went to Kennedy Space Center Visitor Center to observe all the history of the Space program and it was amazing.  This a must see if you are in the area.  We were amazed!  But today, today was the only reason you need to come to central Florida and the Space Coast.  We were upfront and personal with a launching!  I am so proud to be an American, just to observe what we can do when we put our minds to it!  We have put this launching up there with witnessing the honor guard at the Tomb of the Unknown, visiting the Arizona at Pearl Harbor, or watching the Mount Rushmore evening lighting ceremonies.  Americans do things right!!!

The Atlas 5 is sitting just to the right of the picture, waiting for launching.

Blast off - we are about 5 miles from the launch pad.

Watch the video- it is amazing!

We are very fortunate to have visited so many awe inspiring events and scenery since we have been traveling the backyards of America.  We have met some very interesting people, we have been allowed to reunite with some wonderful friends, and we have been with our families to share more memories.  But as we look back over our lifetime, we feel very blessed to live the life we have and to enjoy not only our friends and family but to witness some very memorable events .  Today was one of those moments in history that we will not forget ... it last only a few minutes but it is a memory that we will never forget!  America at its best, Americans doing something very few nations can even dream about...we launched a missile, put a satellite into space at a precise orbit, and are able to help mankind with our technology.  Wow!!!!

We normally close with hoping you have enjoyed your backyards today but we can guarantee that we have enjoyed this backyard event more than you today!  Today was one of those days that just can not get any better--at least for us!