Space Shuttle Endeavour

TV coverage of the Endeavour's trek home

The phone rang at 6AM. It was Karen. We had briefly discussed, last night, the possibility of going to see the space shuttle Endeavour as it left LAX on its final trek to the California Science Center. But then I went to bed. Karen, however, lives within blocks of the airport’s runways and so got up at 2AM to chase the shuttle. She called at 6:00 to tell me that it was parked in a Westchester shopping center and, since the crowds were still relatively small, now would be a good time to see it.

Shuttle on the move (thanks Karen!)

Wing shot

Tail view

In case you don’t know, the Science Center was one of many agencies that vied to house Endeavour after it retired. The shuttle famously flew into town, September 21, on the back of a 747 airplane and buzzed over several Los Angeles landmarks before landing at LAX. For the next two days, Endeavour will slowly make its way to its final destination in Exposition Park.

We had missed the fly-over because we were in Kansas City—I was not about to miss the shuttle driving through the streets of L.A. So, even though I was still half-asleep, I hung-up the phone, threw on yesterday’s clothes, brushed my teeth, and hopped into the car, heading south on Sepulveda. Following Karen’s directions, I turned left on 83^rd and entered a residential neighborhood. Others obviously had the same idea, so I took the first parking spot I could find. I then quietly walked four blocks, alongside several other early-risers. We all had our cameras at the ready.

The shuttle is reportedly five stories tall—I kept my eyes peeled. Then suddenly I saw something rather incongruous.

“There’s the tail!” I whispered to myself, as it peaked above the surrounding buildings.

A good crowd for 6:20AM!

Indeed, the Endeavour was parked across the street from our new favorite breakfast joint, the Coffee Company, in the exact same lot we had parked last Sunday morning! I snapped a bunch of photos and then left because I had an 8:45AM dental appointment downtown. 

I was sorry Tim wasn’t with me, but maybe we’ll get to see it together tomorrow.

I was home by 6:45AM.

Endeavour in Inglewood

Almost close enough to touch

The first thing I did this morning was turn on the TV to see where the space shuttle Endeavour was in its trek to its new home. It had just passed the Inglewood city hall on its way to the Forum, where it was due to stop for an official “public viewing.” Thousands of people were expected. If we left right then, we could probably see it ourselves as it crawled slowly up Manchester Blvd. Tim had, after all, promised that we could see the shuttle in transit when we missed it flying into town while we were in Kansas City. So we threw on some clothes and headed out the door.

Karen used to live in Inglewood, very close to where Endeavour was passing, so we drove up her old street, until it became too congested and then just pulled over and parked. We then walked half-a-mile toward the Forum, glancing at Manchester the whole time to see if we could see signs of the shuttle.

When we arrived, we could see people standing behind barriers in the Forum parking lot, but no Endeavour. It was still en route! People were lining the street about 4-deep. No sign of the shuttle at all, until Tim suddenly yelled, “There’s the tail!” Then its huge black nose appeared.

Heading toward us on Manchester Blvd.

I thought Endeavour looked big yesterday when I saw it parked in Westchester, but it was absolutely ENORMOUS ten feet away! Tim took photos like mad, while I just watched it pass. Everyone was ecstatic. This was way more exciting than when we saw the big rock drive by in Carson back in March! 

On its way past the Forum

There it goes!

“A once in a lifetime experience,” some people were saying. More like “one time only!” I highly doubt anyone will ever see a spacecraft moving down the streets of Los Angeles again. What an amazing sight!

One last peak as we walked back to the car

Endeavour's tail with the Forum in the background—

really puts things into perspective, doesn't it?

Space Shuttle's External Tank

 

Me and ET

 

As I reported here back in October 2012, one of the biggest thrills of my life was seeing the space shuttle Endeavour travel down the streets of Los Angeles as it made its way to Exposition Park, where it now lives.

Well, it's about to be joined by the last remaining external shuttle fuel tank, which arrived in Marina del Rey yesterday, after sailing here from New Orleans. The tanks are typically jettisoned eight minutes into lift-off, so it's highly unusual to see one still in tact. This is one of the few built for flight, but never used. Eventually, it will be attached to the Endeavour, which will be repositioned to stand erect. What a coup for L.A. to get both the shuttle and an external tank.

 Lift-off: Endeavour with external tank

With the Marina only a handful of miles away, Tim and I made a beeline to see the tank before anyone else. We parked at a nearby shopping center and then walked the short distance to the dock. Turns out lots of other people had the same idea, too.

Not as spectacular as the shuttle, the tank, dubbed ET, is nonetheless impressive with its orange foam exterior and massive size. At 154 feet, it is longer than the shuttle and weighs 38 tons without fuel. Getting it from the Marina to Exposition Park will be another engineering marvel. 

 

 Looks like an enormous hot dog (or am I just hungry?)

Top end of the tank

Bottom end (detail)

Hauling crew and equipment

ET Xing

 

At this point, we have no plans to see the tank cruise the streets of L.A. in the wee hours of Saturday morning, but may change our minds come Friday night. Check back with us on Saturday . . .

Happy Holidays, 2012!

Merry Christmas from Cars Land

Season’s greetings from Tim and Cindy!

Things we did this year:

Traveled to Chicago, Kalamazoo, MI, and Kansas City, MO 

           

Visited Cindy’s family in Snohomish, WA

Toured Dodgers Stadium and Wrigley Field

Sneak previewed Disney’s new Cars Land twice (!)

Spent the weekend with famous Disney "Legends” at the Smoke Tree Ranch in Palm Springs 

Sailed to Catalina Island aboard the WWII ship Lane Victory     

Discovered narrow-gauge railroading with friends in Arroyo Grande, CA 

Season tickets to the Hollywood Bowl and Ahmanson theater, including the amazing play War Horse     

Saw the space shuttle Endeavour toodling down the streets of L.A.    

What we’re grateful for:

Family, friends, jobs we still love, and good health

My sister Vicki and me at Cars Land (yes, it was

an all-Disney year!)

Our cats Beanie and Cecil, who continue to bring us much joy

The boys: Beanie and Cecil

Our beautiful home and gardens

The Metro light-rail that takes Tim to work every day 

Four more years of the Obama administration (yay!) 

What we’re looking forward to in 2013:

Baseball spring training in Arizona

Being part of the Theodore Payne Foundation’s native plants garden tour for the 4^th year in a row (!)

American Library Association conference in Chicago

A possible Disney cruise in the fall (fingers crossed)

Celebrating Cindy’s 60^th birthday (yikes!)

Peace and happiness to you all in 2013!

Before: Tim riding in the back of the car 

with our Christmas tree

After: Cecil, the tree and me watching SNL