New Year's Eve at Kennedy Space Center

This was Larry's choice. I was excited to see Cocoa Beach and reminisce about Dr. Bellows, Major Heally, Major Nelson and Jeannie. To see those computers that took up entire rooms! But all joking aside- I was interested to learn more about our country's space program. Larry was told that this was a must-do while in Florida and he purchased the tickets online our first week there. We wish we had another day there - the tickets are 2 for 1. But we got to see some ins and outs, learn some new terms used, get close-up and personal with a real space shuttle and see quite a few alligators as well. The Kennedy Space Center is located in the center of an alligator and wildlife preserve. My sisters prepared me by telling me how they walked by one in the parking lot on their trip the previous year! Yikes! We took a bus tour of the entire place and we were able to enter several different buildings. Each tour guide made sure to tell us how we need to not worry about the gators. Just check under your car when you get to the parking lot. Oh yeah, and also you only need to run faster than the person next to you. That got laughs each and every time we heard it! Boeing is actually a contractor for the space program. They have a building on site there. Larry had applied there before - I don't know how I would have felt about living with all those gators! We watched movies on the space program history and future. We were able to walk through an actual shuttle and see an actual astronaut toilet! There were several places that were off-limits, of course; guards at many points along the way. We were warned to not take pictures of them or we would have to deboard the bus and we would probably not be allowed back on! No kidding! We ended our day there by riding the shuttle launch simulator. It was pretty cool! And who can forget the gift shops galore! All in all, I think it is a great way for folks to learn about the space program while recovering some of those well-spent tax dollars. I feel we did our patriotic duty by buying something from all three gift shops on the way!