Bucket List Rocket Launch!

“If you’re offered a seat on a rocket ship, don’t ask what seat. Just get on.”

Sheryl Sandberg

The last two days blurred together, but we did it!! We made it to watch the rocket launch.  

What an amazing experience for all four of us. SpaceX launched Falcon 9 carrying 60 Starlink satellites. We listened to the countdown on large speakers set up at the park, and then the rocket launched. Hot flames blazed from the rocket as it shot straight up into the sky. Soon after we heard the rumble—we felt the rumble!

I have always dreamed of someday traveling into space, so today was a bucket list moment. I can’t even put into words just how amazing this experience was for us. After the launch, a local radio station interviewed Ariel and Wyatt. They seemed as speechless as I felt. All they seemed to be able to say about the launch was that it was “so cool.” We were all a bit giddy in the truck afterwards.

We continued to our KOA campground in Naples, which was just over four hours away. Those four hours felt very long. Ron was a champ for still driving, and the kids were also super heroes today. They happily attended their school Zoom meetings and worked on all their assignments.  I think we were all still on a high from watching the launch.  

After we checked into our campground, set up camp, and finished school assignments, we headed to the pool. Some heavy rainstorms rolled through, but they stopped as quickly as they started. However it was just enough rain to bring out the no-see-ums. If you have ever been bit by one you know they hurt. They are tiny little insects, but with the bite they have I picture them having giant jaws and they are a nuisance. This was the first time along this trip that we have had to use bug spray.

Exhausted, we ordered pizza for dinner and called it an early night. The pups got to sleep in their kennels in the RV with us because it was too warm outside. They were quite excited to be invited in because normally they are not allowed in the RV. If we did this all the time, it would soon become a crazy circus. But tonight, they’ll sleep well because they are with us and also it is so much cooler. 

Good night from hot muggy Florida!