Space & Rocket Center

 Nanna, Laura, & Leah pose as astronauts at the Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama today.

 Nanna in the cockpit.  Now that's a scary thought!!

 Laura in the Manned Maneuvering Unit (MMU).  This was a jet pack used in the early days of the space shuttle program.  It was designed as a single-person spacecraft to allow them to maneuver untethered on space walks.

 Heather, Leah, Nanna, Laura, and Kara play with straws and connectors to build unique "creations".

We drove about an hour-and-a-half to Huntsville today.  It was a beautiful drive.  We have a family membership to the Indiana State Museum that allowed us to get into the US Space & Rocket Center free.  It was a nice museum.  They have the prototype of the Saturn V rocket there.  That was the most interesting part of the whole trip.  It is 363 feet tall.  The five engines on the bottom were massive!  Wow!!  All of the exhibits around the sides of the building that is was stored in explained each part of it.  We learned a lot today and had a great time doing it!

When we got back to Gadsden, we met Pat Barker (bass singer for MTQ) and his family for supper at the park.  The kids had a great time playing, and we enjoyed getting to know Pat's wife, Kesha, better.  We all know Pat very well from the time we've spent with MTQ, but have only met Kesha once before.  

After our long day, we were glad to get back to the camper and relax for a while before going to bed.  Elly was glad to see us too!!  She had spent the day waiting for us in the camper.  She's a good dog and loves to go camping with us.  When we are loading the camper for a trip, she goes and sits by the door as if to say, "Don't forget to pack me!"