NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida

Would you like to see the real Space Shuttle Atlantis up close? Or experience what's it like to be on a shuttle launch? How about an experience of having lunch with an Astronaut? There is more to these attractions if you visit NASA's Kennedy Space Center.

Express Ticket Area

When we sold our house in Cocoa, Florida last May, I was so sad knowing that I will be missing this place for good. We live about 10 minutes away from KSC and we have an annual pass therefore, when we live here, I go any day I want.

This express ticket area is convenient and the machine is easy to use.

Ticket Area

It's in the afternoon but, the line is long.

Ticket Area

Entrance to Kennedy Space Center

The Express Ticket Area is on the left if you do not like to wait in line.

NASA's Kennedy Space Center Entrance

Parking lot for Tour Buses and RV's

More Guests on this day.

Parking lot sign marks with numbers and names of Scientist and Astronauts.

Parking lot is full.

This is an old Ticket prices.

Presently, the Annual Pass has two choices:

Explorer Annual Pass - $139.36 for adults and 109.36 for child

Atlantis Annual Pass - $89.00 for adults and $71.00 for child

The Daily Admission and L:unch with an Astronaut - $79.99-Adult and $55.99-Child

The Daily Admission and Up-Close Explore Tour - $75.00-Adult and $59.00-Child

Other admission ticket price, please visit the Kennedy Space Center website.

If you travel to Florida often, you should get the Annual Pass because it is worth it. You will enjoy the visit for the whole year.

Dolphins at Indian River

When my yoga products arrived in the mail the other day, I told hubby that I will take photos of me wearing it. The best location would be down the Indian River. I brought my tripod and hubby was at the picnic table sitting and chatting with someone on the phone. Then, as I was taking pictures, I saw these ...

The tail of a fish ... and hubby saw it too. As I focus the camera, its a school of dolphin on the Indian River heading south bound. Well, that's going off to Merritt Island and to the open Atlantic sea. As I counted, there were 6 of them and they're in good size.

They're just swimming quietly, not wanting to get noticed. I usually saw Dolphins swimming and jumping along NASA Parkway at Indian River Lagoon. Here, this will be my first time and the sight was awesome!

I wish to see them jumping over the water, showing and raising their whole bodies. Well, this sight is good for me at the moment. It was our lucky day.

Short Road Trip Along NASA Parkway

After the mass last Sunday, hubby decided to take the route home towards NASA Parkway which is also known as NASA Causeway. This NASA Parkway begins on the mainland when Columbia Boulevard crosses U.S. Route 1 in Titusville.This is actually just around our neighborhood but, we love to take this route to have a glimpse of the dolphins along the Indian River Lagoon and wild gators along the wet area of NASA/Kennedy Space Center property.

The NASA Parkway West crosses the Indian River Lagoon. A bascule bridge which you see above permits boats on the Intercoastal Waterway to pass through the causeway. Right now, there is a construction so; only one bridge is working both ways for the motorists.

We just passed by the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. I was hoping to see the big gator sunbathing in the right side of the ditch or small canal. I saw a big gator for the first time but, that was a week ago and I did not bring my camera. I took a picture using my blackberry but, the zoom is limited so; I did not get a good shot. The gator is not there anymore.

We took the route along Space Commerce Way  which is also known as Government Road. One time, we saw tourists stopping by to take pictures of wild small gators on the small canal. Big ones? We saw one time and that was it. But, sure they are just here around and they are protected. The photo above is the Indian River Lagoon and there's a boat , they are fishing in there.

When you visit the Kennedy Space Center, you will pass NASA Parkway for sure and see the beautiful view along this area. This is really nice at sunset. You will get a full view and it is gorgeous at sunset with reflections on the waters of Indian River Lagoon.

I really don't know the name of this tiny island. If you look closely, you will see a boat and there were people swimming in that area. I don't know if it is safe though. Gators can come up to this area you know. So far, I don't hear any incident yet.

I took a zoom and now, see the boat?

Here's another boat on the other side of the river.

From the look, I think this is a small fishing boat. It looks like the fishing boat in Biloxi, Mississippi ^_^ . Anyway, from the bridge, the Parkway passes the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex but, the general public is not permitted beyond the area. The NASA security gate permits access to authorized tour buses only. If you wanna visit Kennedy Space Center then, you can go further on this road via the Kennedy Space Center tour bus.

Aside from the bus tour, also allowed are the Kennedy Space Center staff and supply vehicles.The photo above is the Hall of Fame, part of the attractions of the Kennedy Space Center. If you want to take a picture with this as the background, you can do so because this is just along the road. Located right after the draw bridge if you are heading towards US 1.

Thanks for stopping by.

Angry Birds Space Encounter in Kennedy Space Center

I know that my nieces and nephews adore Angry Birds and the game is popular in this generation that is why; I bought my Angry Birds t-shirt (trendy mood) and visited the KSC on the opening day of the Angry Birds Space Encounter. I wished that they are here with me. Anyway, I was looking forward to see what's inside this attraction in the Kennedy Space Center so; I invited hubby that we should check it out.

March 22, 2013 marks the opening of the Angry Birds Space Encounter, an added attraction in Kennedy Space Center in Titusville Florida. It has seven interactive exhibits and all of the computer games are fully occupied by children and teenagers.

I really can see the thrill and excitement of the children's faces while they are playing the puzzle on the screen as well as playing the eggsteriod slingshot.

There is a mirror maze called Danger Zone and the children are very much excited so; I think the Angry Birds attraction is really fun and a big hit for the kids.

They also have Red Planet Lazer Challenge and game zone area.

This is really a fun attraction and though I wanted to explore more, the place is jampacked. I will just come back next time to take photos of the other exhibits. So; if you plan to visit Disney and Universal Studios, come and visit Kennedy Space Center as well. It is only an hour drive away. See you soon.

Sunday Morning Ride Along the Indian River Lagoon

Happy Sunday y'all! How's your day today? Do you have plans? For whatever it is, make sure that you spend your day with your family.

 

We attended an early morning mass at Merritt Island today. On our way home, hubby decided to follow the NASA Causeway route. We have a nice foggy Sunday morning ride and we enjoyed the view of Indian River Lagoon. (check photo above). I was hoping to see a dolphin but, got no luck for today. It is very gloomy today and the water is rough.

There is small island out there and up to now, I don't know if it has a name. This place is beautiful especially at sunset but, I don't see anybody stop by the side of the road. Maybe it is not allowed. Anyway, thank you for checking on me today. Please come back next time and see my other posts and photos. Enjoy your day!

Rocket Garden at Kennedy Space Center

If you are in Florida, you should visit Kennedy Space Center before heading home. I guarantee that you will enjoy it. The Rocket Garden is one of my favorite attractions to visit. If you come early, a whole day is all you need to check out every attractions of KSC.

The rockets in the Rocket Garden are: Mercury-Redstone, Thor, Mercury-Atlas, Gemini-Titan II, and Saturn IB. The rocket garden is located in the Visitor Complex area. This is an outdoor display of the historic rockets that put Americans and satellites in space.

Just an added trivia, Juno II launched the first American probe to escape Earth's gravity and fly past the Moon.

While Thor-Delta was one of the most reliable and frequently-used launch vehicles.

If you are here in the Rocket Garden, you will also see the capsules from the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo programs. You will be amazed to experience of walking on the walkway and be in the white room that Apollo astronauts used to access their capsules from the launch tower of LC-39A.

I will suggest that you should avail the free guided tour in the garden to get the story behind those rockets.

See the rocket below? That is saturn IB and as you can see it, it is mounted on its side.

That's my husband and we just came from the Apollo Command Module or the White Room.

Here's a closer look of the base of the rockets.

The Christmas tree in the Rocket Garden taken on the 3rd of January.

I hope you like the pictures above. Thanks for stopping by and don't forget to check out Kennedy Space Center soon.

Baby Gators Along Space Commerce Way

This baby gator should be hibernating by now but, guess what, baby gator wanders along the corner canal by the NASA Parkway and Space Commerce Way roads. Baby gator looks friendly but, because of their nature of course, getting close is dangerous.

Here's one guy who took a picture of the gator so close and his companions told him to back up because if he lost his footing, he could go down the canal.

Nearby in the water is another gator observing us with the head showing up.

Then, further down the canal, another gator swimming towards us. Well, we were just thrilled to see 3 baby gators along this area. We know that there are gators here but, we didn't expect to see 3 gators trying to go up to the road.

Hubby and I were heading to Merritt Island and we decided to drive the NASA Causeway / NASA Parkway west route. As we turn to Space Commerce Way, we saw 2 cars parked on the grassy area beside the road. I told hubby that they must saw an alligator so; we were curious how big it was. We turn and I took these photos.

From the passenger's seat, I saw that they were looking at the baby gator trailing its way up.

I went there to take pictures as well and hubby took a snap photo of me with them as well.

The commuters of this road are not very many but, when they saw us, they stop, look and take a picture as well.

No one harm the gators and all of us respect their habitat. After taking the photos, we all go back to our cars and leave the gators alone.

The canal in this area looks like the photo above and further is the Kennedy Space Center.

The waters between this NASA Causeway / NASA Parkway West is called Indian River Lagoon. If you are not familiar with Florida waters, let me warn you that when there is water, gators are expected and beware of marsh lands and wet lands. Enjoy your day everyone and thanks for stopping by. Check out my other posts.