Launch of the Shuttle Atlantis and other advenures
 

Linda and I took a 5 day trip to Florida last week for the Nebula Awards Weekend at the Cocoa Beach Hilton and the launch of Atlantis, STS-132.

The highlights of the trip were the shuttle launch (duh!), seeing Manatees &other wildlife at Merritt Island NWR and seeing many friends at the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America's annual awards presentation. I was honored with a Service to SFWA Award this year.

The full trip report is at http://www.mightymac.org/10floridatrip01.htm but the best page is http://www.mightymac.org/10floridatrip05.htm with the shuttle launch. We got to watch it at the Banana Creek site only about 2 miles away. It was life changing - if the shuttle program was continuing a few more years, I would find a way to get to another launch.

If you have never seen manatees in the wild, you really should visit the Manatee Observation Deck located on the northeast side of Haulover Canal and the nearby Bairs Cove boat launching ramp on the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. I think it is as cool as going on a whale watching cruise. http://www.mightymac.org/10floridatrip06.htm

Thanks to the folks here for providing restaurant reconditions for the trip!

Keith

Thanks for the trip report, glad you got to witness a shuttle launch. It is a great sight, isn't it?
Any feedback on restaurants you enjoyed? How was your experience at the Hilton?

Rubio’s Cuban Café was the best food of the trip, by a wide margin. The small, year old restaurant is half Cuban, half Spanish.

The Hilton was fine to stay at, but other than a banquet, I didn't try their food. The convention had negotiated a good room rate, despite the launch.

With only two shuttle launches remaining, I'm glad you got to see this one!

I'll have to give Rubio's a try.

Thanks for the additional feedback! We'll add Rubio's Cuban Cafe to our list for the next trip!