Watching an Era End: Discovery Shuttle's New Home

For awhile this morning I couldn't decide if we would drive into DC to try and catch a glimpse of the shuttle Discovery as it made a loop around the capitol. We had heard there was going to be a lot of traffic and traffic is one of my least favorite things. But, the excitement of shuttle flight won out. Watching it on TV wasn't going to be enough for me, especially if I didn't at least try and see it.

We left a little later then I would have liked and there was a few minutes that I was afraid we had missed it!

We were driving along the DC beltway and out of the trees to the left flew, the most gigantic plane have ever seen, very close to the ground. Excitedly, I hollered to the kids in the back to see the plane. I wish I could recreate my excitement for you, it was like seeing a celebrity from far away that you think might be someone important, but then second guess yourself, thinking there is no way that was who you saw, all the while you are freaking out just a little.  At first I wasn't sure that this was the 747 we were hoping to see because it quickly disappeared above the trees to the right of the road. And it was about 9:45, about 15 minutes before the predicted viewing window. All we saw was the underside of the plane, it really flew just over top of us.

As we drove up towards our exit, at the National Harbor, we got a REALLY good look at the shuttle piggy backing on the 747. We were in a nice open space and a little higher up then a few other roads. I pulled the car over to the shoulder behind a line of other spectators with their cameras standing on the side of the beltway.

Now is when my hands were shaking I was so excited. It was an amazing site to see! The kids were still strapped in the back of the van, but had a great view out of the window. The Politician was pointing and exclaiming in delight. It was awesome.

I'm not sure what PT is doing with her tongue out.

After the pair flew over head, we pulled back onto the road and went off the exit. On our way cars lined the exit and when we found a spot we pulled over again, hopping to catch another glance. There were so many people our on their cars with cameras and binoculars. It was so great to be apart of. Felt very American. I reminded me a little of the scene in Armageddon before they fly out and there is the little kid playing with his toy spaceship running around in the grass. The Politician and PT were running around in the grass with two other little boys who were there with their mom. Every so often, a cry would go up "There it is!!" and everyone would turn around frantically until we could find it in the distance. Binoculars in hand, the Politician would stop running and glance up into the blue sky and yell "I see it!" We stayed on the side of the road for awhile with everyone else after the normal flight patterns had resumed and we watched a few flights go in for a landing in DC.

Today was definitely the end of an era and I am happy to say I got to witness it. And so did my kids, though they probably won't remember. The Politician might though, he has one amazing memory for a young guy. PT and the Enforcer will remember the stories for sure. Maybe one day one of them might help get America back in space. Being an astronaut is going to be something different for our kids generation. With so much new, smaller technology just how an astronaut looks will be different. But for now, we'll keep exposing them to new, exciting things as often as we can because who knows what might spark a dream.