HUNTSVILLE, AL

Thursday, October 2nd, 2014

Day 59
Miles Traveled: 0
Total Miles Traveled: 1475


  We spent all day visiting two of Huntsville's tourist attractions.  We started out the morning by going to the U.S. Space and Rocket Center.  Huntsville, AL is known as the place where America's Space Program was born. Dr. Wernher von Braun, a German aerospace engineer during World War II, surrendered to the Americans and agreed to work for the U.S. to help develop rockets.  He was very successful and helped to send the first U.S. satellite into orbit and men to the moon.  Dr. von Braun created the concept of this museum and it opened in 1970.

U.S. Space and Rocket Center

  Many rockets and space shuttles are on display at this museum.  Here are some highlights:
Pathfinder:  A 75 ton Orbiter simulator which was used to practice lifting and handling the real Orbiters in late 1970's

Pathfinder

Saturn V:  The largest and most powerful rocket ever built.  It stands 363 feet tall (more than 36 story building) and generates 7.5 million pounds of thrust at lift off (enough to launch 40 Boeing 747s).  The one on display is a replica and built to full scale. 

Saturn V replica

Mercury spacecraft:  Single person, single use space capsule, the seat for each capsule was molded to the astronaut that was going to use it.  The one on display is a life size model.

An Angienaut in a Mercury capsule

For more information about the U.S. Space and Rocket Center go to:http://rocketcenter.com/
Of note - the Mars Grill at this center has a fantastic all you can eat salad bar.  


  
  Since it was such a beautiful day, after seeing the. U.S. Space and Rocket Center, we took a short drive to Huntsville's Botanical Garden.  Although not in full bloom, the gardens were still lovely.  We also enjoyed walking the paths that were nicely landscaped.  Our favorite spot was the Damson Aquatic Garden. 

Damson Aquatic Garden

  No garden would be complete without some caterpillars and gnomes.  Dan found a caterpillar and Angie became a gnome. 

Dan with his caterpillar find

Angie becomes a gnome

  We had an enjoyable evening with a couple we met when we were in Chattanooga, TN.  Rick and Pam had taken a cruise on their boat, "Slice of Life", upriver to Chattanooga and were docked right behind us.  In conversation, we found out that their home port was Ditto Landing.  We had made arrangements to get together once we got here.


  Tomorrow, we are taking our Enterprise rental car (a little Fiat) to southern Illinois for a family reunion.  We will be off the boat for several days and our blogging will be on hold until we get back.