Mission 26

Hello blog friends!

Wow - a two month hiatus!  Perhaps that gives you some indication of how crazy the start of the school year has been for me.  Hardly any time to craft or even check out the blogs of my friends.  The good news is I'm emerging and back today for a very special post.

I got to see the Space Shuttle Endeavour on the streets of LA baby!!!!

And not just see it, I got to get up close and personal.  Amazing experience!  An old friend of mine is an employee of the California Science Center and sent out a request for volunteers to help bring the shuttle to its new home on a journey called "Mission 26" (the 26th mission of the shuttle).  I was so lucky to be able and share the experience with some colleagues and friends whom I had fun making a special card for to commemorate the occasion :)

Our shift was Friday night (as the shuttle was being prepped to travel down a freeway overpass while being towed by a Toyota Tundra).  We had a chance to take a few of our own photos before "getting to work" (acting as a docent to the many spectators that were patiently waiting for a view of the shuttle).

One of my favorite Instagram photos of the buisness end of the shuttle.

A fun sign and view of the rig that the Tundra would tow (the blue components were a part of the amazing "over land transporter" which carried the shuttle on the rest of it's journey).  The Tundra tow rig was necessary to reduce the overall mass as the shuttle as it passed over a freeway overpass.

It was a great evening and wonderful seeing so many excited and happy families.  We got lots of questions, but mostly worked as "papparazi" for the visitors, taking photos for them with their phones and cameras (as we could approach the shuttle for photographs).  

I LOVE this bumper sticker :)  It was attached to the Tundra truck that carried the shuttle over the freeway.  I was a little dissapointed to hear some folks commenting, "how come it's not an American truck", which I feel compelled to explain.  First of all, most of the truck is made domesically, Toyota is a major employer in the state.  In addition, Toyota is a huge, note: HUGE supporter of science education in California.  They are a long-time sponsor of the California Science center (the new home of Endeavour) as well as numerous programs to improve the quality of science education in the state.  In fact, I've personally worked on a grant aimed to improve science teaching of elementary teachers, funded by Toyota.  This was a great choice and a nice nod to Toyota.  

It was an honor to be a part of history :)

My good friend and I, positively *giddy* over the experience!