Wednesday

We abandoned our car in Alexandria, took the Metro to Smithsonian, then navigated the "dreaded signs of the day" down to the Tidal Basin to see the long-anticiapted Cherry Blossoms -

They were over!

There was just a brownish rim to the Tidal Basin, and the branches had empty flower centers. There were no petals on the ground.

Not all was lost: a few trees in shady places were still in full bloom- and they were beautiful!

We spent some time in the museum below the Jefferson Memorial learning about the life and interests of one of Jack's heros

Were we disappointed -- of course yes. Did we enjoy ourselves -- of course yes!

We retraced our steps back to the car and headed north again, arriving at the home of "our friends of the most years" in late afternoon. We exchanged news of our total of 9 children + 9 partners and 9 grandchildren, and especially plans for the upcoming Labor Day wedding on a hop farm in Idaho. (Of course we plan to go!) It's always good to get together and talk f2f rather than virtually. It was a full day.

Progressing northeastwards

We had a difficult journey of 8.5 hours today. We saw this sign far too often, and that meant long stretches of crawl.

But we made progress towards the NE as far as:

N 34 deg., 11 min., 14 sec. (i.e., we're 4 deg., 35 min., 11 sec. further north than we were at 8 AM this morning.)

W 79 deg., 50 min., 11 sec, (i.e., we're 7 deg., 46 min., 43 sec. further east than this morning.)

120 ft above sea level, or 50 ft lower in elevation!

Ok, we're in Alexandria VA. Tomorrow first thing we head for the Tidal Basin to see the cherry blossoms. You'll have to make do with this link till I'm able to post photos.

Awesome!

We set off at 2:15 AM and by 4 AM had passed through the various security checkpoints and found a spot in the general viewing area. We discovered how the experienced do it -- the Space Center opened at 9 PM last night and some people pitched tents in a prime viewing spot!

While we waited we watched the NASA TV countdown on a giant screen and a former astronaut provided commentary and answered questions from the crowd -- like "How do you go to the bathroom in space?"

Finally... a picture-perfect launch

At 6:05 the orbiting space shuttle appeared in the south-east and crossed in front of the moon towards the east.

At 6:21:25 the rocket launched the Discovery with a crew of 7 on a mission to rendez-vous with the shuttle

The dawn sunshine illuminated the smoke trails left by the rockets

By 8 Am the sun was up and the crowds (we estimated 10,000) had dispersed.

And in case you are wondering where we are: @ N 34deg 11min 14sec, W 79deg 50min 11sec; 120 ft. elevation.

i.e., Florence, SC

Lift off

Here are our cargo bays as we head north! ... Note improvement over trip down - we can see out of the back window!

All systems are still go for tomorrow morning's launch @0621. Click here to see it yourself: NASA TV link. ... Watch for a blog post as soon as I have a connection I'll let you know how much we saw.

Emotions?

Sad to be leaving, especially because the weather is so beautiful, but looking forward to spring "up north."

Apprehensive about congestion getting to the Space Center tomorrow morning (doors close @ 4AM and we will be about 35 miles away), but eager for the launch experience (wherever we are, we'll be closer than we've ever been before!)

Reading for the journey: "Design Disasters: Great designers, fabulous failures & lessons learned" Edited by Steven Heller.

Sad sights

Preparations for tomorrow's departure . . .

Sarasota Statistics Spring-10

Number of weeks we have been in Sarasota = 10

Number of days till we leave = 1.5

Miles walked on the beach = about 100

Times I have swum in the ocean = 0

Times I have swum in the pool = not enough

Number of pies baked = 8

Pies remaining in alphabet bake-off = 2

Latest we have sat on beach = 5:45 PM

Number of academic papers written, revis

ed, or proofed = 5

Number of Fundamentals of Design assignments competed = 12

Assignments yet to to = 2

Number of academic books read = 3.5

Number of fiction books read= 4

Number of times filled car gas tank = 3

Most chairs-in-waiting on beach = today

Number of days till we come back to Sarasota = ?

Where am I in my re-design?

Time for reflection as I repack various file and book boxes to return to my northern office. I do things "for me" now, instead of at the whim of the boss/organization. It's a good feeling -- I'm still motivated for my own work and it's wonderful not having to fret about unfinished/imperfect tasks. I must remember this feeling. And my blood pressure is way down too!

Checked off the last item on our activities to-do list with a walk along the beach to Siesta Key Village for lunch (about 3 miles) and a bus ride back. The beach was packed like I've never seen it. But then we've never been here Easter week before.