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John & Connie's Adventures John & Connie Winter Travels 2010

LBJ Space Center, Houston Mar 16, 2010

On Tuesday we visited the Johnson Space Center, better known as the LBJ Space Center. The center was only 9 miles north of our RV Park so arrived shortly prior to the center opening so we could beat the crowds caused by spring break for 1000’s of students in Texas this week. The space center is an active working complex, currently controlling the International Space Station as well as all past and future shuttle and space flights by the USA. We were directed to quickly board the first tram tour of the day which took us to the Mission Control Center and the Saturn V rocket display. In the Mission Control building we were seated above the control room for the Space Shuttle flights. After a brief narrative from one of the workers we then re-boarded the tram to continue our tour with the next stop being an Oak grove where one tree has been planted for each American Astronaut that has died in space or trying to get into space. After this brief stop we stopped at the Saturn V Rocket display. The Saturn V rocket was used to send man to the moon during the late 1960’s and early 1970’s. This rocket is one of three rockets that remain from that manned space program. We then re-boarded the tram and headed back to the main visitor center. We immediately got into line for the next tram tour. It became evident that a large number of people had now shown up as the line up was quite long and due to heightened security, it took nearly an hour before we were able to catch a tram for our next tour. The next tour took us to the main building were the astronauts train for the International Space Station as well as for the Space Shuttle flights. The training facility is quite large as it houses full mock up versions of the space station and the shuttle. The rest of the tour was repetitive as it stopped at the Oak Grove and the Saturn V display again. Trying to get lunch proved a challenge as the food court was packed with kids with either their parents or Grand Parents. The loud lunchtime entertainment, the line-ups for the activities and the crowds helped us decide to call it a day, as the crowds were making the whole experience un-enjoyable. We have learned that it is best to avoid major attractions during US spring break time.

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