Discovery: Beginning Day Seven in Space

Exactly 6 days ago, Aussie and I were in front of the computer screen watching Discovery lift off the pad, lighting up the night sky. We've been to the Cape for a daytime launch and Aussie saw a nighttime launch, standing on the beach in Ft. Lauderdale about 200 miles from the Cape. It's quite chancy to catch a launch. Our first try ended in disappointment so we tried again the next year and after a delay of one day, we saw the shuttle lift-off. We weren't close in, but when they lit the candle under the shuttle, the ground shook and the sky roared. It was amazing to be there, but in truth you get a much better view from your TV set.