Wasn’t nearly everyone’s dream to become an astronaut when they grew up? What is it about space that captures our interest? Perhaps it’s the thrill of unknown or the discovery of something new. Whatever it may be, those dreams seem to rekindle themselves (at leas for me) during shuttle take-offs.
Now, you may never be called up to go on a mission, but there are some places in the South where you can come awfully close to experiencing what it feels like.
At Space Center Houston, the NASA tram tour takes you behind-the-scenes to such places as the historic Mission Control Center or the Space Vehicle Mockup Facility. Ever wonder how astronauts shower while in space? Well, wonder no more because at the Feel of Space exhibit, you’ll find this out and a lot more as further learn about life onboard the shuttle.
Opening in 2009 is INFINITY at NASA Stennis Space Center in Hancock County, Miss., near the Mississippi/Louisiana border. The center will feature a number of learning areas including an Earth Gallery and a Space Gallery. You can even participate in a mission training for a day.
For those who aren’t familiar with the John C. Stennis Space Center, it is home to the nation’s largest rocket engine test complex. They are responsible for testing all of the space shuttle main engine. Much like any thing in the South, it has a unique history worth reading about. At StenniSphere, the official welcome center, you can test a main engine or try your hand at landing the shuttle.
In U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Ala., you can see Saturn V rocket at the Davidson Center for Space Exploration, which opened in January of this year. Be sure to make it over to the Apollo Cockpit Trainer, a simulator that allows you to experience an Apollo mission.
The Kennedy Space Center on Florida’s Space Coast is filled with all types of exhibits and experiences for armchair astronauts. Perhaps the ultimate (that is, to see if you really could handle it), is the Shuttle Launch Experience. Only at Kennedy will you find the Astronaut Experience, which is your opportunity to meet, in person, a real astronaut.
Photo credits: (top left) Space Center Houston’s Main Hall, flickr, creative common blacque_jacques; (mid-lower right) Saturn V, flickr, creative commons by Robert Goodwin; (lower left) Kennedy Space Center Rocket Garden, flickr, creative commons by acaben; (lower right) Kennedy Space Center, flickr, creative commons by stig nygaard
If you are searching for good food and good fun, look no further than at some of the upcoming food and food-related festivals happening around the region. Here’s a sampling to whet your appetite.
Don’t forgot that the 32nd Annual Watermelon Festival is happening August 7-10. The event features entertainment, arts and craft, children’s activities and slices of good, ole Hope watermelons. The festival is also home to some rather large watermelons as well.
If you are in the mood for more watermelon, be sure to check out all of the festivals celebrating this quintessential summer fruit happening in August.
Celebrate the scallop at the 12th Annual Scallop Festival in Port St.Joe. Held on August 2 - 3, the festival includes live entertainment, arts and crafts and the sale of scallops.
Over 30 barbecue teams from around the South will be firing it up on August 1-2 at for prizes and bragging rights at Grilllin’ For Life in Madison, Miss. Sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbeque Society, this competition is the real deal in good barbecue. Enjoy a plate of ‘cue along with arts and crafts and entertainment.
Ever wanted to crush something? How about grapes? Get your feet purple at Pleasant Hill Winery’s (Brenham, Texas) Crush for Fun on July 26-27, August 2-3, and August 9 - 10.
Photo credits: (top left) Watermelons, flickr, creative commons by snoRkel; (mid right) Winter 08, flickr, creative commons by rightas_rain; (bottom left) New Wine on the Vine, flickr, creative commons by mrwalker
Yes, located in Warner Park, Chattanooga Zoo at Warner Park is a seven-acre zoo with a number of exhibits that includes Himalayan Passage in the Asia section where you can see the Red Panda and the Muntjac Deer. Over in the Latin America section, you can spy a Spider Monkey and a Macaw.
Don’t miss out on visiting the Misunderstood Marvels exhibit and try to develop a new opinion on spiders and snakes.
If you visit on the weekends, be sure to make it to the “Keeper Chats” on Saturday and Sunday afternoons for behind-the-scene talks on what’s it like to care for certain animals on the property.
Photo credits: (top left) Chattanooga Zoo, flickr and (top right) Chattanooga Zoo, flickr - creative commons for both by rcastag
If you have been following this particular thread, we have made it to the end!
The Doctor is Always Right: They say that no matter where you are in Florida, you are about 60 miles away from a beach, unless, of course, you’re already on the coast. In fact, the Sunshine State’s beaches account for 1,000 miles of the state’s 1,800 miles of coastline. The beaches themselves are as diverse as the state. What you’ll discover along the Panhandle is quite different from what you’ll find in Cocoa Beach. That beach is different from what’s in the Keys and so on. You know, I don’t think there has been a year where a Florida beach hasn’t been on “Dr. Beach’s” Top Beaches list. And you’ve always been told to listen to a doctor, right?
A World Within Itself: Florida is known for its natural beauty with its many state parks, lakes and rivers. However, there is one of the state’s natural resource that stands out from the others. The Evergladesis fascinating. As one of the largest wetlands in the world, it’s rich in an array of animal and plant life. The ‘Glades are home to the Florida panther, the West Indian manatee, the American crocodile and alligators, just to name a few. On the planet side, there’s orchids, cypress and ferns.
Every year in August, thousands make a pilgrimage to the mid-South in search of undiscovered treasures. They pilfer through various items on the tables, in the booths and on the blankets of over 5,000 vendors, who are set-up in open fields or in their front yard. The bargain hunters are on a mission for pottery, glassware, furniture, farm tools or garden accessories. The more adventurous ones are eyeing the bulldozer, rail car, horse-drawn hearse or the large stuffed moose, wondering how can they get it home.
Welcome to what is considered to be the mother of all yard-sales - the U.S. 127 Corridor Sale (aka the “World’s Largest Yard Sale”), where its a known fact that if you cant find what you are looking for here, you probably don’t need it. In its 21st year, the sale is scheduled for August 7-10.
The four day sale was the brain child of then- Fentress County, Tenn., executive Mike Walker. In 1987, his vision was two-fold: lure people away the interstates travel along the scenic routes of the backroads as well as provide residents with an opportunity to sell crafts and antiques. Through the years, the event has attracted people from all across the country and from around the world. They come by car, truck, motor home or plane (and have their items shipped back) to take a part of this yard sale extravaganza.
Aside from the sale items, the route highlights numerous sights along the way. It was said when the officials first put together a list of attractions accessible from the sale route, there was well over three hundred places.
Here is a sampling of some worth visiting in between bargain hunting and deal making:
In Kentucky, be sure to visit MainStrasse Village, a restored 19th century German neighborhood. This historic village is filled with shops, restaurants and entertainment
Penns Store in Danville is the country store in America, open for business, and still operated by the same family since the late 1800s.
While in Tennessee, there’s Sgt. Alvin York Historic Park located in Pall Mall. The site is the home and museum dedicated to one of World War One’s most decorated hero.
Don’t miss out on all that Chattanooga has to offer, either! Whether it’s the Tennessee Aquarium and their new eco-cruise or exploring Bluff View Arts District, you are sure to find a lot to do.
In Alabama, DeSoto State Park in Ft. Payne, is great for camping, hiking and kayaking. There are also mountain chalets and motel accommodations available. Also in Ft. Payne, the Little River Canyon National Preserve offers breathtaking views of the 700-foot gorge and waterfalls along the 23-mile drive along the rim.
Photo credits: (top left) Used Book Sale, flickr,creative commons by revolutionarygirl; (upper right) Yard Sale Find 1, flickr, creative commons by pigstubs; (mid-right) Diversity, flickr, creative commons by JimmyMac210; (lower left) Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill, Kentucky, flickr, creative commons by janet.powell; (bottom right) DeSoto Fall in DeSoto State Park, flickr, creative commons by Indhslf72
