CALYPS³O 2007 Journal
Indiana School for the Deaf
Indian Creek High School

Day 3, Friday, June 15, 2007

Kailee (ICHS):

Today was a very nice day outside, even though the weather couldn't make up it's mind. If you were in the direct sun, it was very hot. Sometimes the sun would go behind a cloud, and it would cool off a little bit. At one point, it even started to sprinkle a little bit.

We did many things today and we saw some amazing sites. We started the day off by going to the Patrick Air Force Base at Cape Canaveral. We got a bus and went on a tour around the base to many different places. First, we went to an original block house (this was where they controled the launch of the missiles back awhile ago.) It was really neat because when you were inside them, it felt like you were right in the middle of all the action. We were only about 400 feet away from the actual launch pad, so the building had to be specially built so they wouldn't get destroyed. The walls were 2 and 1/2 feet thick. In this building, they also had a special place dedicated to the monkeynauts (all the monkeys that went up into space.) It was really cool!

Next, we went into another building that was an exhibit hall for the missiles and the different rockets. It showed each missile and had a description next to each one. It showed missiles that were used for destruction and nuclear power, satellites, and for human travel. I never realized how many different missiles there were. Whenever I thought of missiles, I thought of something that was used for destruction, not for travel or satellites. It was really neat to see the differences. Then, we walked out of this hall and went outside to walk around and look at the missiles on display. They had one that they had just got on Saturday, and they are suppose to launch it on August 3rd. It was HUGE!!!!

After this we got to go see an ACTUAL MISSILE LAUNCH of an Atlas Rocket!!!! I had always seen pictures and videos of launches but Ihad never actally seen one in person. They really are just like the pictures and videos. It was the most amazing sight ever. It was beautiful flying throught the sky. I hope that everyone gets a chance to see one someday!

Finally, we went back to the Kennedy Space Center to do the Shuttle Launch Simulation. You got to sit in these seats inside a mock up of the shuttle's orbiter cargo bay. A guy came on the screen and described what was happening as you felt it. It felt like you were actually in a launching space shuttle. It pushed you againist the seat and everything. It really felt real. It wasn't as bad as what I thought it would be, but I think that it would be a lot more nerve-racking if you were really going into space because it would actually be real and your life would be on the line. I don't know how they do it. They are in these tight and confined spaces that would make me sick!

Our experiences have been great so far and I hope that they continue to be this great. I have learned a lot and really enjoyed it! I am looking forward to going down to Key Largo to scuba dive. We have had great weather and I hope that it stays this way. It is supposed to rain tomorrow... I am just hoping that the rain holds off until tomorrow night when we are sleeping ! :)

Talk to you guys soon...

Kailee

Family: I love and miss you guys! Talk to you all very soon~!

        

John Hilliard was our amazing tour guide through the historic parts of Cape Canaveral.


        

Left: A Cape Canaveral lighthouse operated by the US Air Force
Right: The launching of the Atlas rocket that we saw from VIP seats




Lunch at the Cape Canaveral Air Base cafeteria




Group photo with our tour guides, Staff Sergeant Patrick Brown and John Hilliard




NASA's ships, Freedom Star and Liberty Star, the ships that are used to retrieve
the solid rocket boosters after the space shuttle launch




Group photo with SRB divers, Manuel DeLeon and Larry Collins




We have the "Right Stuff!"




On our way to ride the Space Shuttle Launch Simulation




A resident alligator in one of the ponds at the
Kennedy Space Center




Dinner at a Japanese restaurant

Gabriel (ISD) :

I woke up today with no struggle. Breakfast was delicious. I ate French toast sticks. It tasted almost exactly the same as my French toast sticks back home. We zoomed to the badging station where Ms. Huckleberry arranged to meet with two people. One was an Air Force Staff Sergeant and other one was John Hilliard. He retired from the Air Force and volunteered his time to help give our group a tour. We got in a blue Air Force bus and took a long tour inside Patrick Air Force Base where we got the amazing chance to get a closer look at the legendary launch pads.

We started our tour by entering the historical blockhouse where the original Launch Control Center was created for the Explorer I satellite. Back in 50's, they didn't have the kind of technology to operate the mission at long range so the blockhouse is only 400 feet from the launch pad. Today, NASA has a restricted law that people can't be any closer than 3 miles from the launch pad. The blockhouse has three windows which they are two and half feet wide with the 45 regular windows pressed together. It is impossible to break those windows. We saw the original set of computers and it was so ironic! Our pagers have more memory than the entire compter back there in the blockhouse. I had goosebumps because the legendary Wehner Von Braun, world famous rocket scientist had actually set foot in the blockhouse where we were. After the tour in the blockhouse, John Hilliard demonstrated the history and timeline of the missiles and satellites. It was interesting and filled with many facts that we didn't know.

We took the tour bus to see more of the actual missiles at the Patrick Air Force Base. It was the TIME! We drove to the causeway to see the liftoff of the Atlas 5 rocket which carried a satellite into space. It was postponed from yesterday and we got to see the real liftoff. I couldn't explain how inspiring it was and I didn't realize that it was really loud even though we are only 4 miles away from the launch. It was an amazing experience for me. Hey mom and dad, I got to see the real rocket before you did .... ha ha! We ate lunch at the military base food court. It was ordinary, nothing special.

We decided to use up the 2-day ticket from yesterday to learn more enriching information at the KSC Visitor Complex. We went to ride the Space Shuttle Flight Simulation. It was really tame compared to all of the rides at Cedar Point. The ride was about experiencing what it feels like when astronauts are launched into space onboard the space shuttle. After that, we went to the enormous gift shops and of course, I didn't buy anything because I don't shop at gift shops, which are specially for the hardcore tourists. When it came time for the food at dinner, I had to be the first. I wagged my tail when Ms. Huckleberry told us that we were going to a Japanese restaurant. It was amazing to see how the Japanese chefs do their tricks with the knives and cutting the food. The food was delicious. After that, a typical beach swim awaited for me and the waves were so rad!


Emails from home:

Kailee,
Just want you to know that you are in our thoughts and are hoping that you are having a great time. This is an opportunity of a lifetime enjoy every minute. ------ Love you, Sweet Pea, Mamaw Connie

What a pleasure to read Ann's journal on the first day! We will follow what the kids are learning everyday. ---- Leithia

Mrs Huckleberry,
We are the grandparents of Kailee Harlow. We will keeping track of your trip. Seems that it will be very interesting for everyone. We enjoy all the pictures and information. Thanks for all the info and pictures. Tell Kailee we are following the trip and will see her soon. Give her our love.
------ Papaw Steve and Mamaw Joyce