Kennedy Space Center Complex- Florida

Going to the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex was, without a doubt, one of the highlights of not just this road trip, but of all of our road trips.

I am still amazed by space travel, the Apollo program, the ISS, and our Space Shuttles. I have to admit that it makes me a little sad that these things are a bit undervalued these days.

Ask any kid- heck, ask anyone, when the last Shuttle went up. They can't tell you if it was last month, last year, or a decade ago. They can name the American Idol winners in order though I bet.


Space Exploration is still exciting. It is still relevant. It gives me goosebumps!

At the Apollo/Saturn V Center, they showed that great film of JFK talking about going to the moon. They played that great quote about choosing to go to the moon because it is hard.

I thought about a friend recently arguing that there is no reason to go to the moon again. Man, could we use a little Kennedy attitude now!

So, getting the chance to visit the Kennedy Space Center was very exciting for me personally. We bought a ticket that included a bus trip through the launch areas. This was a great value, as our guide pointed out not only the launch pads, but a lot of wildlife. We saw manatees, turtles, and eagles (look at the picture!)! The photo of the alligator was taken from my car while the gator was in a ditch directly across from the main visitor center area.

I could go on and on about this area. I felt a little down on the bus ride back to the visitor center. They showed a video hosted by Gene Cernan (the last man to walk on the moon as of this time). In the video, Gene talks optimistically about the future of space exploration, even after the retirement of the Shuttles. Well, you may know that our space program is a bit in limbo at this time. Its future is uncertain. Not only that, but there are many people working at Kennedy Space Center that, after the Space Shuttles are all retired, will likely be unemployed. The Kennedy Space Center area could be devastated.

For now though (and hopefully in the future) the area is lively. LUCKILY, they were just awarded one of the shuttles, which should draw some visitors and help out.

A cool feature at the Space Center is that they have an actual astronaut at the Center each day! While I was there, Apollo astronaut (APOLLO ASTRONAUT!!!!) Al Worden was there! Seeing Al do his presentation, and getting his autograph was worth the ticket price alone.

Anyway, The Kennedy Space Center is a must visit at least once in a lifetime.