Mar 15 - what a show !

Wow. Every shuttle launch is different. Before, I would have said that a night launch is the most spectacular. Yesterday's launch was at dusk, the sun already down over the horizon, a couple of distant clouds too low to catch the sun's rays.

It had been a hot day and the moisture laden air created a dense haze as we looked southward waiting for launch time. The beach was packed with people as far as the eye could see, north and south. Condo balconies and stairs to the beach were occupied. Parking lots close to the beach, even the grassy field by the Food Lion -- were all full of cars. Everyone was waiting for the show, and NASA did not disappoint this time. Some in the waiting audience were electronically equipped with portable TV's and other devices to monitor the countdown.

Ok -- enough drama -- the haze lit up and the bright light of the shuttle lifted free of the haze. Burning brightly, it arched up over the ocean in front of us and then gradually disappeared eastward -- or so it seemed. Since the sky was still lit by the over-the-horizon sun, the shuttle did not light up the sky, but we were able to see the huge smoke trail from the launch site on up. Near ground level, that smoke trail was dark; upwards it was orange -- its own sunset; and higher still, a bright white cloud. As we were walking home afterwards, that smoke still hung high in the air, lit by the sun, looking like, but higher than any cloud.

Overhead, we could see separation occur as the solid propellant boosters finished their task. Now we had three points of light but the shuttle gradually distanced itself from the other two. They burned for a long time after separation but eventually winked out. A distant thunder started, sound traveling much slower than light, washing over us in waves. That sound lasted a long time.

At dusk, the shuttle is the only star in the sky. At night, after a certain point, it is lost in a sea of stars once its motion is hard to detect. In full daylight the smoke trail does not evidence a kaleidescope of colors and depending on the sun's position, can make the shuttle hard to see. I do declare that this was a great time of day to watch NASA's show. Night gives you the effect of the horizon lighting up, providing more initial "wow" factor, but the show lasts longer when there is still light in the sky.

The only other significant event of the day, so to speak, was lunching at the SYC -- the Smyrna Yacht Club. This is the first time that we've been over since we received our temporary membership card. At the entrance to the clubhouse there were many pictures posted of people "wishing to come aboard" as they call it. Club rules provide a close-to 30 day comment period before the Board votes to make applicants full members. That Board Meeting will occur sometime early April.

It was Sunday, so the outdoor Tiki Bar was open. It was not crowded, much to my surprise, but it was also 2pm at that point, a little late for lunch. There were a half dozen people at the bar and three tables occupied. On Sundays they have a brunch, so it might be more of a draw -- we'll have to try that too at some point. The Tiki Bar has a one page menu, consisting of everything from burgers to sandwiches, fish and chips (my order) to steak, appetizers and salads ... it covers the waterfront, no pun intended. Prices are quite reasonable, after all this is a not-for-profit. Sandy had a Philly Cheesesteak; Angelika had ... I forget ... but it was another hot sandwich. Our food was quite good although Angelika did comment that Sandy's sweet potato fries were better. That's not surprising, we eat well.

The clubhouse was quiet, the action being outside. Some kids and their parents were enjoying the pool.

After the shuttle launch we had dinner, which consisted of shrimp on the barbie, salad and baguette. We were all still pretty full from our late and heavy lunch. I've been nagging at Sandy for some time to let me do the shrimp on the barbecue -- she thinks that I overcook them -- but these were perfect. I actually think that this is the first time that I've done them in the wok basket -- which makes it easier to tell when they've moved from limp to crispy. Other times they've been on skewers. Pressed up against each other it's harder to tell when the centers are cooked, which leaves the tips slightly charred. Anyway, that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it.

On the way back from the SYC we stopped at OceanS Seafood to pick up said shrimp, some octopus that I'm going to try and do something with today, and mixed olives and feta cheese from the fish place and Publix for my tapenade.

That's about it -- today I intend to go for a short ride; Sandy and Angelika are going to take Abby to the beach. Tomorrow I head over to DeLand to ride that 200km Permanent which actually turns out to be 138.8 miles -- 224km. The last I checked the rain in the forecast had been dropped so it should be a good ride. I have not decided whether I'll take the Hummer or the Sports Car -- bikes that is. I'll take the new bike today and decide on whether I'm ready for that long on that oh-so-firm saddle. I've mapped out the route with Bike Route Toaster and downloaded it to the Garmin ... I'm ready.