My father was a member of the first group of modern aerospace pioneers (post World War II) so I grew up with this stuff. I remember seeing the first Shuttle launch and land on television while waiting in a jury room. The public can view Shuttle launches from the Bennett Causeway, which crosses the Banana River. The event always winds up looking like a tailgate party, including food, drinks and beach chairs. There are also trailers selling merchandise. I can’t tell you how many Shuttle mission t-shirts I have. While you are watching the Shuttle there are other eyes watching you. No swimming in the river! The causeway is located ten miles from Launch Complex 39 so the Shuttle really is just a thumbnail at this distance. There is a live feed from the control building, which is broadcast through speakers so you can hear the progress of the countdown. Yes, they really do countdown. Sixty seconds until launch, thirty seconds until launch, ten seconds, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two and liftoff. The main engine ignites and fire and smoke billow out from the pad. The Shuttle hesitates and then slowly rises, gaining speed as it ascends. The sound reaches you first and then you look at the water of the Banana River and see small waves starting to form and realize they are shock waves from ten miles away. The shock wave hits the causeway and, as the vibrations pass under you, you are suddenly in the middle of a small earthquake. For me it never gets old. I was going to show you a launch today but, since I cannot remember a Shuttle ever going up on schedule, we will wait until tomorrow for liftoff.