To Boldly Go Where Thousands Have Gone Before - Space Shuttle Endeavour
 

What better way to spend Memorial Day 2013 than head down to the California Science Center in Los Angeles to check out the Space Shuttle Endeavour. I’ve been interested in space travel ever since the Mercury astronaut days, so I was excited to be able to see the shuttle up close, not knowing I’d even get a little Mercury fix at the end.

We had purchased our timed tickets on line, and I chose for us to go as early as possible (10 a.m.). The tickets are free, but you have to pay a $2 “convenience” charge to print them out at home. Gee..thanks!

The lot for the California Science Center is located right next to the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, home of USC football, the site of the 1932 and 1984 Olympics and former home of the Los Angeles (now St. Louis) Rams. Parking is $10, which is more than the four tickets (even with the “convenience” charge) combined. Our friends Susan and Lenny accompanied us.

Tracy and I had visited the California Science Center back in 2010, just a few weeks before my long hospitalization, which could have turned ironic if I had died since we had gone to see the Mummies Of The World Exhibition (photo of mummy...the guy on the right wise guy... is from the internet...photos were not allowed).

(the rest of the report with photos is on link below)

http://www.travelswithmaitaitom.com/...7_Entry_1.html

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Thanks for posting this maitaitom. The last couple of times I have been over around Exposition Park I have taken the metro, which is wonderfully convenient for USC and for the Science Center and Natural History Museum.

We watched it fly over on it's way to LA, honoring Capt. Mark Kelly. Sounds like a great addition to your area.

cferrb, good point about the Metro Red Line that stops at Exposition Park. It's funny, from my house to California Science Center by car takes about 20 - 25 minutes. By "Rapid" Transit, it take more than an hour. However, for many the metro would be a good alternative and save that 10 buck parking charge.

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Maitai, just wanted to thank you for your great trip report on Croatia, Slovenis etc. between you and Rick Steve's my husband and I had a great holiday

We live in Culver City, where there is an Expo Line stop, so it's a hop, skip and a jump for us.

Awesome trip report. There is also the new, dinosaur hall at the Natural History Museum that sounds amazing.

Thanks for the very interesting report. How much time did you get in the flight simulator?

5alive - Thanks. The Natural History Museum is high on my list as a future stop.

emalloy - The flight simulator was only about five minutes. I liked the one on the Midway in San Diego a little better, but for five bucks, what the heck.

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