Spaced out is what I did when I suggested we to go to Space Center Houston this weekend! Not only did we have to deal with the HEAT and CROWDS, but I also managed to totally embarrass and injure myself as well! This is going to be a long story...Growing up in Houston, I remember visiting NASA once with my girl scout troop and I vaguely remember 
mission control- that's about it. Then, on Steve's first trip to Houston, we went to Space Center Houston but did not take the NASA tour. (I remember thinking that it wasn't all that exciting) Twelve years and 2 kids later, we decided we'd give it another try. My mom and sister came along, too. So...we get down there around 1:30 or so, pay our $75 (after making 2 stops to find our coupon that saved us $30!), and walk in to find a madhouse! It was packed!
mission control- that's about it. Then, on Steve's first trip to Houston, we went to Space Center Houston but did not take the NASA tour. (I remember thinking that it wasn't all that exciting) Twelve years and 2 kids later, we decided we'd give it another try. My mom and sister came along, too. So...we get down there around 1:30 or so, pay our $75 (after making 2 stops to find our coupon that saved us $30!), and walk in to find a madhouse! It was packed! The kids played in the huge play structure for awhile, and then we walked around the shuttle mock-up and tried to "land the shuttle" (which led to much frustration on 
Jared's part). They 
had a special Star Wars "Clone Wars" exhibit, so Jared was interested in that- and the kids got their picture taken with an imperial storm trooper- WOW! Then it was off to the tram tour of NASA. First you have to decide whether you want to see mission control, or the astronaut training center. Steve decided on the training center, and the line was also shorter (or so we thought), so we jump in the red line. The screen says "now boarding" and we're almost out the doors...oh...guess what??? There is a HUGE long line outside that snakes all around like an amusement park ride line. The expected wait is one hour. Ok. We wait. We sweat. It actually moves faster than we expected. We make it on our tram and the tour was actually pretty interesting! (The only part I really enjoyed! Besides the little show where they use a volunteer to show you about living in space.)
Jared's part). They 
had a special Star Wars "Clone Wars" exhibit, so Jared was interested in that- and the kids got their picture taken with an imperial storm trooper- WOW! Then it was off to the tram tour of NASA. First you have to decide whether you want to see mission control, or the astronaut training center. Steve decided on the training center, and the line was also shorter (or so we thought), so we jump in the red line. The screen says "now boarding" and we're almost out the doors...oh...guess what??? There is a HUGE long line outside that snakes all around like an amusement park ride line. The expected wait is one hour. Ok. We wait. We sweat. It actually moves faster than we expected. We make it on our tram and the tour was actually pretty interesting! (The only part I really enjoyed! Besides the little show where they use a volunteer to show you about living in space.)
Did you know that they are retiring the shuttle and going back to space capsules (like o
n the Apollo missions)? (see pic) They are planning more trips to the 
moon, and eventually to Mars! We got to see the new rovers that they hope to use on the moon (the little gold car in the picture). We stopped and paused at the Challenger memorial garden where they planted oak trees for all of the astronauts who died in the Challenger and Columbia accidents. We also got to see the largest rocket in the world! It was interesting! Steve commented that the NASA campus was very 
unassuming- they are definitely putting the money into the space program and not the buildings. So, the tour took about an hour, and at this point we are all hot and sweaty and dying of thirst. We squeeze back on the tram and make it back to the main building, where drinks are $3 each...of course!
moon, and eventually to Mars! We got to see the new rovers that they hope to use on the moon (the little gold car in the picture). We stopped and paused at the Challenger memorial garden where they planted oak trees for all of the astronauts who died in the Challenger and Columbia accidents. We also got to see the largest rocket in the world! It was interesting! Steve commented that the NASA campus was very 
unassuming- they are definitely putting the money into the space program and not the buildings. So, the tour took about an hour, and at this point we are all hot and sweaty and dying of thirst. We squeeze back on the tram and make it back to the main building, where drinks are $3 each...of course!Just our luck, there happens to be a traveling exhibit this summer called "DAREDEVIL ISLAND"! "Nowhere else can you swing high in the air unharnessed on a giant trapeze; test your climbing skills on a 4 story high spider web; bungee jump on bouncy trampolines; or test survival skills through a mystical maze!" Or have to wait in line for 30 minutes or more to do each one of these things! Steve gets in line with Lauren to jump on the trampoline, Jared does the spider climbing thing (which has a fairly short line), and then he and I get in line for the trapeze. (Embarrassing part coming up...)
HOW FUN! I want to do it, too! I meet the height/weight requirements, I read the instructions, I watch everyone in front of me...it looks fun! You climb up this staircase to meet a guy in an astronaut suit who helps you straddle the platform and hands you the bar. You take a little jump, swing out...whee...then drop onto an inflated mat below. I am excited. Then, a kid gets in line behind us...he is trying this for the third time. He says it is not as easy at it looks. You really have to keep your arms straight. He fell off early both times. Ok, 
I am a little nervous. A couple kids go up and then chicken out and come back down the steps. I will not chicken out. I am going first- before Jared. I am hoping Jared will not chicken out. It's my turn. I go up the steps and put one foot on each side of the platform (there is nothing in the middle). I grab the bar, careful to keep my arms straight, do a little jump, bring my feet together, and...SPLAT!!! FACEPLANT!! OUCH!! What happened? Where am I? Embarrassed, I peel myself off the mat. Ouch! I landed awkwardly! My left foot, my back, ow!, my head hurts... I have injured my body as well as my pride! Oh, here goes Jared. Whee! Fun! Perfect landing. I am old and ashamed. And sore, ohhhh so sore... I guess my daredevil days are over!
(click on the picture to see Jared about to fly on the trapeze)
I am a little nervous. A couple kids go up and then chicken out and come back down the steps. I will not chicken out. I am going first- before Jared. I am hoping Jared will not chicken out. It's my turn. I go up the steps and put one foot on each side of the platform (there is nothing in the middle). I grab the bar, careful to keep my arms straight, do a little jump, bring my feet together, and...SPLAT!!! FACEPLANT!! OUCH!! What happened? Where am I? Embarrassed, I peel myself off the mat. Ouch! I landed awkwardly! My left foot, my back, ow!, my head hurts... I have injured my body as well as my pride! Oh, here goes Jared. Whee! Fun! Perfect landing. I am old and ashamed. And sore, ohhhh so sore... I guess my daredevil days are over!
(click on the picture to see Jared about to fly on the trapeze)My saving grace was that my mom didn't time the picture right, and Steve was videoing Lauren jumping on the trampoline at the same time I got up for my turn. He thought he pressed record on the camcorder, but didn't... So, although we won't get our $10,000 from AFV, I am also saved any further embarrassment and there will be no youtube posting to worry about. Ugh! Space Center Houston...as Leslie said, "I can cross that one off my bucket list!"
1 comment:
I always wanted to visit there, but probably on a day that it is not so busy if there really is a day. The visit looks like so much fun even if you had something embarassing happen.
Post a Comment