Darin and Linsy's 8th Wedding Anniversary - May 31, 2011
Once in a lifetime opportunity. I know, I know. That phrase is kind of a running joke in the Heiner family. My dad uses it to describe many-a-things, but usually a sheep hunt. "Criminy, he drew a once in a lifetime sheep tag."
But this is FOR REALS.
The Shuttle Atlantis is scheduled for liftoff on July 8 (this Friday people!) marking the final flight for NASA's shuttle program. After that, America will send astronauts to space only in Russian spacecraft.
The rollout of the Shuttle Atlantis to the Kennedy Space Center happened on May 31! (our anniversary.) We had the opportunity to be at the rollout and it was a life highlight!
Darin's bro Erik's wife Dawn's sis Laura works for NASA and scored tickets (after much office negotiation). Thank you Laura! And thank you Darin's bro Kevin for letting me go. The Jurgensmeier fam drew straws and Kevin gave me his spot so I could be with Darin on our anniversary. Kevin has always always been so thoughtful and considerate. And this was a big deal. So thank you Kevin!
Here we go.........
From the VAB to the Crawler.......
Pure 'Independence Day' 'Armegeddon' 'Men in Black' action.
Approaching the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB)
The crowds assemble.
Shuttle Atlantis emerges from the VAB.
Turn on the spotlight!
And the Toby Keith music over the loudspeakers.
Laura, Dawn, Erik, Dee, Cory, Linsy
Oh yeah!
The Crawler is functioning office space, equipped with bathrooms and all!
Brotherly Moment
Erik, Darin, Cory, Dee
Astronauts.
Taking this picture goes down as just another moment that I should be embarrassed about but I'm just not. So, yes - I am thirty. And yes - I spotted the astronauts striding quickly down a pathway away from me and I grabbed my camera, chased them down as fast as I could, stopped to take the picture while yelling out something like, "You guys are amazing. True heros! Good job, great job!" I didn't have time to think about it. I just yelled what was in my soul. But come on, in the era of lamo reality television stars, these guys really are cool.
The whole thing, so sci fi. So fantastic.
One happy girl.
3 comments:
What?! You have been holding out on me. Great pics and narration. I never knew that you went and that you are such a sci fi nerd! Jk Happy 8th. Eat your heart out Will and Kate.
Not a moment to be embarrassed by. You are right true heroes and reality worth watching!
I totally didn't know you guys got to do all of these super awesome things! That sounds so incredible, and it would've been terrible if you hadn't grabbed your camera and taken that picture of the astronauts, that was awesome!!! That sounds like such an amazing thing to do, thanks for sharing the pictures!
Post a Comment