"A Quick Run to the Space Coast, and a Visit with Crazy Horse"

Kim Fri Mar 22, 2024 5:47 am

So, my brother Keith and I rented a van and headed to Florida for a visit with another brother (Jeff), who suffered a stroke two years ago. It devastated him, but he's still hanging in there after losing half of his body to paralysis.

By a fairly fantastic coincidence, my bud Rory was able to get us passes to watch a Falcon resupply launch to the ISS, and we had a big day. Rory works for SpaceX, and is pretty ate up with the whole deal. Before settling in at the viewing area, we got a tour of the base, with Rory pointing out the various facilities, and even the launch site of Alan Shepard's Mercury flight.

We had perfect weather for the launch, which was fantastic, and even though we knew it was coming, all of us jumped at the sonic boom of the booster's reentry and return landing. I had brought my small Sony "Handi-Cam", which is great for backyard birthday parties, but lousy at catching anything aerial, so I missed the later stages of the launch, and all of the booster reentry, but it was a great day anyway.

Today, we're taking Jeff up to Stallion 51 Aviation at Kissimmee's airport to check out Crazy Horse and whatever other cool stuff might be parked in their hangar.

Photos on that to follow!

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rsv1cox Sat Mar 23, 2024 3:22 pm

I sent this to my son Kim. He's a big space fan and was there a couple of weeks ago for one of Elon's launches.

Kim Tue Mar 26, 2024 12:06 pm

rsv1cox wrote:I sent this to my son Kim. He's a big space fan and was there a couple of weeks ago for one of Elon's launches.

That's great, Bob! It IS an experience...the sonic boom from the returning booster about launched Jeff out of his chair!

He was still up to strength enough the next day for us to make a run to Stallion 51 Aviation at Kissimmee for a visit with Crazy Horse and friends.

We had a big time walking around the hangar and admiring the hardware.

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rsv1cox Tue Mar 26, 2024 12:29 pm

Crazy Horse and Lady B. Both beautiful. Crazy Horse in invasion stripes and shining like a silver moon on a clear night. Love it. And........those engines. "Running good but leaks" reminds me of my old MG's. Never owned one that didn't mark it's spot.

Strokes. Good for Jeff hanging in there. Has touched at least two of us here on the Forum - Freddie and Rene.

Kim Tue Mar 26, 2024 1:45 pm

rsv1cox wrote:Crazy Horse and Lady B. Both beautiful. Crazy Horse in invasion stripes and shining like a silver moon on a clear night. Love it. And........those engines. "Running good but leaks" reminds me of my old MG's. Never owned one that didn't mark it's spot.

Strokes. Good for Jeff hanging in there. Has touched at least two of us here on the Forum - Freddie and Rene.

Yeah, we pulled it off better than Keith and I could have hoped for. It was great and heart-breaking at the same time, the whole time.

We're already talking about another trip in the Fall. My nerd buddy, Rory, just got himself a "Big Kahuna" .50BMG rifle, AND found a range that's "BMG Friendly", so I'm gonna pack the Barretts down for some ".50 communing".

Gonna take a "Sled" with me so Jeff may be able to shoot the big rifles.

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