{"id":1265,"date":"2016-03-31T22:35:48","date_gmt":"2016-03-31T22:35:48","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/thewachs.com\/wachsacrossamerica\/?p=1265"},"modified":"2016-04-09T11:04:17","modified_gmt":"2016-04-09T11:04:17","slug":"more-space","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/thewachs.com\/wachsacrossamerica\/2016\/03\/31\/more-space\/","title":{"rendered":"More space"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Almost 12 years ago exactly I had business in Florida and brought Steph and baby Caden with me. \u00a0We stopped by the Kennedy Space Center but given Caden&#8217;s age at the time and the high price of tickets we decided to wait until another visit to explore the facility completely. \u00a0So here we are 12 years and 2 additional kids later. \u00a0Back at the beginning of our adventure we did some space stuff as we gazed out into the heavens\u00a0at a <a href=\"http:\/\/thewachs.com\/wachsacrossamerica\/2016\/01\/29\/theres-diamonds-in-them-thar-hills\/\">star party<\/a> at McDonald Observatory near Fort Davis Texas. \u00a0And now we are going to\u00a0do\u00a0<em>more space<\/em>\u00a0stuff here at Kennedy Space Center. \u00a0Ha&#8230;I bet you thought I was going to write about how we need more space in our house!<\/p>\n<p><!--more--><\/p>\n<p>I think I&#8217;ve watched every documentary on the early space program, many of them more than twice! \u00a0I&#8217;ve read numerous books on the subject as well. \u00a0Never do I tire of the stories. \u00a0Even today, in our high tech world, I think its absolutely audacious to think that its a good idea to strap a person into a pod on top of a bomb and hurl it into space&#8230;but to even dream it up back in the 50s and 60s blows my mind. \u00a0Don&#8217;t get me wrong though&#8230;give me the chance to strap into a pod on top of a bomb and be hurled into space and I won&#8217;t even hesitate.<br \/>\n<a title=\"Atlantis\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/136797225@N05\/26200472135\/in\/album-72157666590435841\/\" data-flickr-embed=\"true\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/farm2.staticflickr.com\/1705\/26200472135_efc612f538_n.jpg\" alt=\"Atlantis\" width=\"240\" height=\"320\" \/><\/a><script src=\"\/\/embedr.flickr.com\/assets\/client-code.js\" async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>We bought our tickets over the phone and showed up early which gave us front row parking and we were number 2 in line. \u00a0We only stopped for a picnic lunch and were one of the last to leave the place. \u00a0I could easily have spent 2 days here. \u00a0If I lived in the area I&#8217;d have an annual pass for sure. \u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The Saturn V exhibit was really well done and walking out underneath the rocket and seeing those ginormous nozzles took my breath away. \u00a0You walk and walk and walk under this bad boy and then at the very tip there is an itty bitty space craft&#8230;its unbelievable.<br \/>\n <a title=\"Huck impressed\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/136797225@N05\/25595723964\/in\/album-72157666590435841\/\" data-flickr-embed=\"true\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/farm2.staticflickr.com\/1712\/25595723964_c7e8e9d377_n.jpg\" alt=\"Huck impressed\" width=\"240\" height=\"320\" \/><\/a><script src=\"\/\/embedr.flickr.com\/assets\/client-code.js\" async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><br \/>\nThe Atlantis exhibit was really great as well. \u00a0This was made even more special because a friend of ours from church, <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Joseph_R._Tanner\">Joe Tanner<\/a>, flew on this bird twice (also once on Endeavor and once on Discovery)! \u00a0I had to keep reminding myself that this was the actual space shuttle&#8230;.not a model. \u00a0This thing carried a guy I know, a guy I&#8217;ve camped with, a guy I&#8217;ve climbed 14ers with, a guy I worship with, into space and brought him home again&#8230;TWICE!!<br \/>\n<a title=\"Atlantis\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/136797225@N05\/25927609050\/in\/album-72157666590435841\/\" data-flickr-embed=\"true\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/farm2.staticflickr.com\/1455\/25927609050_4be2a5532b_n.jpg\" alt=\"Atlantis\" width=\"320\" height=\"240\" \/><\/a><script src=\"\/\/embedr.flickr.com\/assets\/client-code.js\" async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>We missed out on the Meet an Astronaut event while at Kennedy Space Center, but we&#8217;ve enjoyed hearing Joe present 2 different times at our church. I&#8217;m sure it would be cool to hear some other astronaut stories, but we&#8217;re a bit partial to our buddy from Colorado!<br \/>\n <a title=\"IMG_20151129_122527128\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/136797225@N05\/23376619196\/in\/datetaken\/\" data-flickr-embed=\"true\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/farm1.staticflickr.com\/638\/23376619196_17e3a8a803_n.jpg\" alt=\"IMG_20151129_122527128\" width=\"180\" height=\"320\" \/><\/a><script src=\"\/\/embedr.flickr.com\/assets\/client-code.js\" async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>The engineering that goes into space travel is pretty epic. \u00a0To work on something that has\u00a0one chance to work and to work correctly would be super stressful. \u00a0To try to think of every possible way something could fail. \u00a0Its not like you can easily\u00a0test out a lunar orbit insertion maneuver to make sure it works. \u00a0It hurts my head to think about.<\/p>\n<p>And things are getting even more exciting with Musk&#8217;s SpaceX and Bezos&#8217; Blue Origin. \u00a0Space exploration maybe doesn&#8217;t get as much fan fare today as it did during the 1960&#8217;s, but its not for lack of excitement and adventure!<\/p>\n<div id=\"flickr_72157666590435841_7411\"><div class=\"slickr-flickr-slideshow landscape medium \"><div class=\"active\"><img src=\"https:\/\/farm2.static.flickr.com\/1556\/26134167001_73049e27fc.jpg\" title=\"Crazy Wachs\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Crazy Wachs<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm2.static.flickr.com\/1545\/26174556636_6e545d83f1.jpg\" title=\"VAB\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>VAB<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm2.static.flickr.com\/1661\/26108017872_257c7014cb.jpg\" title=\"Gator\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Gator<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm2.static.flickr.com\/1625\/25927609920_e4dfa44f7d.jpg\" title=\"Transporter\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Transporter<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm2.static.flickr.com\/1501\/26108017542_24d5bb8e74.jpg\" title=\"Firing room\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Firing room<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm2.static.flickr.com\/1542\/26200473015_7f95806c89.jpg\" title=\"Wachs under a Saturn V\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Wachs under a Saturn V<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm2.static.flickr.com\/1712\/25595723964_c7e8e9d377.jpg\" title=\"Huck impressed\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Huck impressed<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm2.static.flickr.com\/1482\/25927609630_662de74ff2.jpg\" title=\"Wachs at Apollo 14\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Wachs at Apollo 14<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm2.static.flickr.com\/1469\/26134166141_6bf1915d8c.jpg\" title=\"Apollo 14 CM\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Apollo 14 CM<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm2.static.flickr.com\/1713\/26134164081_9492f85c8a.jpg\" title=\"Touching moon rock\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Touching moon rock<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm2.static.flickr.com\/1561\/25597809933_e2fc48de77.jpg\" title=\"Rocket garden\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Rocket garden<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm2.static.flickr.com\/1456\/26174556996_9156bd15a3.jpg\" title=\"Saturn 1B\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Saturn 1B<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm2.static.flickr.com\/1532\/26349149482_dfcfdc40a9.jpg\" title=\"Cockpit\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Cockpit<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm2.static.flickr.com\/1529\/25595723584_8ba4e51a82.jpg\" title=\"Martian\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Martian<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm2.static.flickr.com\/1705\/26200472135_efc612f538.jpg\" title=\"Atlantis\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Atlantis<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm2.static.flickr.com\/1457\/25597809873_66a250c394.jpg\" title=\"Payload bay\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Payload bay<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm2.static.flickr.com\/1701\/26108016982_ee360ecc52.jpg\" title=\"Astronaut Dacen\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Astronaut Dacen<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm2.static.flickr.com\/1455\/25927609050_4be2a5532b.jpg\" title=\"Atlantis\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Atlantis<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm2.static.flickr.com\/1494\/25595725244_392364e81f.jpg\" title=\"At the controls\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>At the controls<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm2.static.flickr.com\/1674\/25597807543_1cb90e0351.jpg\" title=\"Atlantis\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Atlantis<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm2.static.flickr.com\/1490\/26174557046_d9ba04f7f7.jpg\" title=\"Space kids\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Space kids<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm2.static.flickr.com\/1689\/25597807863_e2fd230d91.jpg\" title=\"Space guy\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Space guy<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm2.static.flickr.com\/1614\/26349149402_ba8c84aa0c.jpg\" title=\"Lego rover\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Lego rover<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm2.static.flickr.com\/1691\/25927609990_fb5da6840d.jpg\" title=\"Nice helmet\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Nice helmet<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm2.static.flickr.com\/1676\/26134164991_f60d6735be.jpg\" title=\"Explore\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Explore<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm2.static.flickr.com\/1716\/26134165221_6226bfb8e3.jpg\" title=\"Holding the meatball\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Holding the meatball<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm2.static.flickr.com\/1564\/25836601034_7a98b6de41.jpg\" title=\"Strike a pose\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Strike a pose<\/p><\/div><\/div><script type=\"text\/javascript\">jQuery(\"#flickr_72157666590435841_7411\").data(\"options\",{\"delay\":3000,\"autoplay\":true,\"transition\":500,\"link\":\"next\",\"target\":\"_self\",\"width\":\"\",\"height\":\"\"});<\/script><div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Almost 12 years ago exactly I had business in Florida and brought Steph and baby Caden with me. \u00a0We stopped by the Kennedy Space Center but given Caden&#8217;s age at the time and the high price of tickets we decided to wait until another visit to explore the facility completely. \u00a0So here we are 12 [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_s2mail":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[13,34],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/thewachs.com\/wachsacrossamerica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1265"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/thewachs.com\/wachsacrossamerica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/thewachs.com\/wachsacrossamerica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/thewachs.com\/wachsacrossamerica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/thewachs.com\/wachsacrossamerica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1265"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"http:\/\/thewachs.com\/wachsacrossamerica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1265\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1311,"href":"http:\/\/thewachs.com\/wachsacrossamerica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1265\/revisions\/1311"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/thewachs.com\/wachsacrossamerica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1265"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/thewachs.com\/wachsacrossamerica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1265"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/thewachs.com\/wachsacrossamerica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1265"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}