We Endeavored To Watch

2:00 AM is pretty darn early or late depending on who's counting, but in the wee hours of the day, we stood on the dock and watched as the Space Shuttle Endeavor blasted into orbit embarking on a 16 day mission carrying a large payload created by Japan as their part of the International Space Station.  It was only visible for a few seconds because there was a low (6500 foot) ceiling of clouds that it had to punch through. 

As soon as that happened, all we were able to see was a slight glow in the sky as it continued to rise - eventually fading as it got further away.  By the time we all said, "Oh well ... I guess that's it," and started walking back into the house from the dock, it had already reached a speed of over sixteen thousand miles per hour and was many hundreds of miles off the launchpad.  Even the normal rumble we feel this close was dissipated quickly by the cloud deck.

However, lest you think this is a while, this posting is more about the simply amazing nature of this whole experience.  For a few brief seconds, this whole area is lit up like the sun and as the shuttle rises, the hopes of those who watch go with it.  It is very uplifting and humbling.  It also provides breakfast table discussion for many days thereafter.  I have attached a few pictures from this morning and if you ever get a chance to be here for a launch - don't miss this modern day wonder of the world!  Ask nicely and I'll grant you a dock pass to my dock on the Indian River.