A Boyhood Dream Fulfilled: Space-Geek Tour of the USA

[Human]

Having yet another dinner at Cracker Barrell didn't even bother me. And it was very easy to resist the temptation to have dessert. After a day like today, I did not feel any need for comfort food!

 

[snabbu]

Wow @Human I like others feel your emotion, what an epic trip. It is only January and the report isn't even complete yet but I'm calling TR of the year.

 

[n7of9]

What a fantastic trip report, thank you! I've never met another person in real life who's been to KSC, which I always refer to as "BEST DAY EVER!".

My VR experience when I was there was a 'walk' on Mars. We were in a room that was calibrated to the headset so as we moved around it was like walking on Mars. Even squatting to look at a rock on the ground was recognised by the device, it was great.

Is the Atlantis Shuttle Launch Experience 'ride' no longer there, or did I miss you taking about it? It's a ride that emulates take-off to separation, it too was amazing.

As you spoke about the Atlantis talk and the wall falling away where you realise you're standing 10m away from the actual shuttle gave me goosebumps..as I said, BEST DAY EVER!

 

[VPS]

I'm not even that interested in space stuff but loving the TR and your enthusiasm

 

[Gladstone Tim]

That is just so cool, and I am so jealous. I am now going to start planning a similar trip, although I'll also have to plan which exotic location I will have to leave MrsK in while I head off on my own.

The bonus for you is, you will be able to keep telling your family and students forever, "... did I tell you about the time I was at a real rocket launch...".

I think we need an AFF trip for interested members and an alternative for the disinterested partners/spouses

 

[Human]

Is the Atlantis Shuttle Launch Experience 'ride' no longer there, or did I miss you taking about it? It's a ride that emulates take-off to separation, it too was amazing.

Oops! Yes, it's still there, I took it, and I agree that it's amazing. It fell through the cracks in my report because (a) it was closed in the morning and I came back and did it later in the day, after my bus tour, (b) you can't take photos once the ride starts, and (c) I was quite weary by the time I wrote Tuesday's posts! Sorry about that.

 

[Human]

Today is moving day. I gave myself a much-needed sleep-in and awoke just in time to grab some of the buffet breakfast before it closed. I also had a look at what will be awaiting me later today:


After breakfast I did some packing and then I attempted a walk. I say “attempted” because I was ultimately thwarted by the lack of footpaths and pedestrian crossings.




I had the option of trying to run across this freeway, but due to the fact that I possess a brain I decided against it.


I’m staying in what could be called a “budget hotel precinct”.




I also started listening to the soundtracks of a couple of Broadway shows that I might be able to catch in NYC. Protip: to get the most out of a musical, listen to its soundtrack at least three times before seeing the show.

Finally, I cancelled one of my trips home. I've had two options booked and I’ve been procrastinating over which one to take. The one I decided to cancel was Qatar Qsuites JFK-DOH-MEL. Time will tell if I made the right choice!

 

[Human]

Reflections on my time in Florida:

• I really have no superlatives to describe my time here. I’ll let my posts speak for themselves. Every time – every time – I reflect on these last two days, I tear up.
• This is the only leg of my trip which has been entirely dedicated to space-related stuff. I haven’t visited any of the surrounding area, haven’t gone to the beach, haven’t spent any time in Orlando -- haven't even gone to Disney World! All I’ve done was Kennedy Space Center. Regrets? Zero!
• NASA is on a roll. The palpable excitement that I felt in Houston over the future of NASA and space travel is even more noticeable here. There’s excitement over Orion, over the Artemis programme, over the James Webb Space Telescope, over future exploration of the outer planets and Europa, over a future mission to Mars which is in the advanced stages of planning.
• The other side of that coin is the genuine relief amongst space people that NASA is getting out of the Low Earth Orbit stuff which they feel has been holding NASA back. There’s genuine excitement and relief that SpaceX has taken up the gauntlet of LEO transport to the ISS, and relief that not only SpaceX but other companies that are a little behind, such as Boeing and Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin, will be handling LEO matters in the future. The feeling is that NASA can now focus on what NASA does best: returning to the Moon and deep space exploration.

Apart from that, I have no words. It's time to head off to Washington, DC!

 

[Human]

AA1170 MCO-DCA First Class. 27,600 Qantas points plus A$5.60.

“American Airrlarnes… Have the prrtiest playynes…”

Come From Away is one of my favourite musicals, and that line kept playing through my head as I walked into the terminal and saw that the American Airlines “Priority” check-in was right in front of me.



After checking in my bag, which has gained 6 kilograms in souvenirs since I arrived in Houston, I walked to the security area. There was no “Priority” security lane for me to make a rookie error at, so I joined Standard Security safe in the knowledge that I was in the right place. It took about 15 minutes to get through.




My flight was scheduled to depart from Gate 58. I followed the signs to find myself at a train stop; it was about a 1-minute wait to Gates 30-58.


The view from the train:



I found the Admirals Club but, like the United Club in Houston, I was not let in. I was informed that access was dependent on Qantas status (I have none) rather than class of travel. Once again this was not a huge surprise, so I walked to the end of the terminal, found gate 58, sat down, and for the second time in 2 days I checked in to my Washington DC accommodation (more on this later).

I had not had lunch, but I was also not sure how much I would be fed on the flight. So I had a light snack. Just as well too, given what we were served onboard.







The view from the gate:

 

[Lynda2475]

I am enjoying this TR, I loved my visit to the KSC in Jul 99 especially as there was a heap of 30th Moon Landing anniversary exhibits (it was the best thing about Orlando by far).

There was supposed to be a day Shuttle launch during my visit too, but it was also delayed and replaced with an awesome night launch the following day which was so fun to watch.

WRT supermarkets, unlike in Australia where majority of Westfields will include a Coles and/or Woolies (plus maybe an Aldi or an IGA), aside from the grocery section at Target you will generally never see an supermarket in the big shopping malls.

The huge supermarkets (much bigger than ours) like Trader Joes, Sprouts, United etc tend to be buried out in the burbs in stand alone lots or strip shops that one needs a car to get to.

In the CBD of big cities like NYC or Chicago you will tend to mostly see smaller independent markets, wholefoods or convenience type stores.

I also started listening to the soundtracks of a couple of Broadway shows that I might be able to catch in NYC. Protip: to get the most out of a musical, listen to its soundtrack at least three times before seeing the show.

I have to strongly disagree with this tip. I go into all first time shows blind. A well crafted play or musical will tell you everything you need to know to follow the story. I love the surprise of not knowing exactly what or how something is going to happen.

There is ime nothing like the joy of seeing a great show for the first time when everything is new to you without spoilers.

If its great I will then listen to the soundtrack again multiple times afterwards and maybe watch the show again watching keenly to pick up different things.

Listening repeatedly to sound track you notice the more subtle lines and some easter eggs which you may miss on first viewing but its also partly out of context of the live action (visuals) and missing the joinindialogue which is not sung (plus soundtracks don't include all of the songs famously Wicked OBC leaves out Wicked Witch of the East).

My pick of the current Broadway season (which is heavy with long time runners and revivals) would be Hamilton, Little Shop of Horrors, Hades Town, Cabaret (saw this version in London) and Wicked. Ive not heard enough about the Gypsy revival but would probably go. The one new show I really want to see is Redwood, Idina is still in the current run.

 

[Human]

I have to strongly disagree with this tip. I go into all first time shows blind. A well crafted play or musical will tell you everything you need to know to follow the story. I love the surprise of not knowing exactly what or how something is going to happen.

Ooh I love a bit of controversy in a Trip Report!

For me, I don't care if I don't know the plot (listening to a soundtrack actually doesn't tell me all that much about the plot anyway), but I love being familiar enough with the music to be able to at least recognise it when it comes up. Just maybe we're all different and we all enjoy musicals in different ways?

When I'm in NYC I'll get my tickets from the last-minute TKTS booth in Times Square, so I won't necessarily be able to choose what I see. I want to give priority to shows that haven't come and/or are not due to come to Australia, so that rules out, for example, Hamilton and Hades Town (and I've seen the stage show of Wicked twice, and the movie once, already). I really would like to see Gypsy, largely because of its current star, Audra McDonald, who is multi-Tony-winning Broadway Royalty. The new version of Sunset Blvd also has received amazing reviews. The exception to my rule is The Lion King, which apparently is just so well done, with (of course) great music. But I'll let you know via this TR what I end up seeing!

 

[Human]

American Airlines domestic First class does not exactly have a stellar reputation, so I had set my expectations low before this flight, which took about 2 hours. We boarded the 737-800 on time, despite the presence of 5 or so burly TSA officers who wanted to see our boarding passes before we boarded. I had selected seat 2F and managed to squeeze my carry-on into the last available free space in the lockers above the five rows of First class. The seats were more-or-less the same as what we’d expect of Qantas or Virgin domestic Business class. In fact I’m pretty sure that these seats are the same as Virgin’s refurbished Business class seats, minus the footrests and leg rests. There were no seat-back entertainment screens but there was a huge — really huge — selection of streaming entertainment, as well as live TV channels.





For the life of me, though, I could not find the one thing that I wanted to find — a moving map.

Internet was available, but expensive: US$26 for the flight. No thanks. However, I was very happy to discover that American’s streaming includes access to the entire Apple Music library. So I finished listening to the Sunset Blvd soundtrack I had started in the morning, and I also listened to one of my other upcoming NYC Broadway options: Gypsy.

The flight attendant came around asking for drink orders, and I asked for a Coke Zero Sugar. A short time later, she delivered a glass of Diet Coke to me (yes, there is a noticeable difference!).


A couple of minutes later she came around with the inflight food options: various packets of nibblies. I chose this one.


All I can say is that it’s just as well that I had low expectations before this flight! At least the seat was comfortable.

What did exceed my expectations were the views. We hugged the USA east coast for a long period of time. I love it when flights hug coastline — and when I’m on the right side of the plane to see it! I found myself very thankful to be sitting on the side I was on.





The land noticeably changed as we flew further north.


As we descended into Washington, things started getting frosty…





But I found myself cursing the fact that I was on the wrong side of the plane to have views of Capitol Hill and The White House.

We landed just after sunset; these were the best photos I could get, given the failing light.

 

[Human]

Reside NoMa by Wyndham, Washington DC. 4 night stay. Cost: A$303.91 plus A$450 AmEx Platinum travel credit.

In case you’re wondering, I booked my Washington accommodation early in 2024 using my 2023/24 AmEx Platinum travel credit, and my Titusville accommodation later in 2024 using my 2024/25 Platinum travel credit. Likewise I booked my Houston accommodation using my 2023/4 Platinum Reserve credit, and NYC using my 2024/5 credit. So I used 4 AmEx travel credits for this trip.

To cut a very long story short, I was originally booked at “Reside Navy Yard by Wyndham”. They sent me online check-in information yesterday, which I duly completed.

This morning I received an email: there had been a storm, the property was without power, and would I like to be accommodated at their sister property, “Reside NOMA”. I really didn’t have much choice but to accept so I am now staying at Reside NOMA”. It’s still a fairly central location so at this stage I don’t have anything to complain about. I was also upgraded to a suite. Here are some pics:




For better or worse, the neighbourhood screams out “inner city”!



But it is in close proximity to an actual, genuine, real supermarket!



Needless to say it’s absolutely freezing outdoors. As I write this it’s minus 5 Celsius, with wind chill making it feel more like minus 15. At least the heating in my room works.

 

[Human]

Dinner tonight was a treat. I asked the lovely people at Reception for advice on somewhere within walking distance and they recommended “Republic Cantina”, which is about a 4-minute walk away.


I walked in to find the hippest, coolest, most with-it, trendiest place I’ve been to in a long, long time. It was packed full of what I was later told was a combination of students and young professionals, all of whom were ridiculously good-looking, dressed casually but classily, and all of whom were having a great deal of fun. I must have been double the age of the next oldest person in the room. The only room for me they had was at the bar, which was fine by me.





Appetiser was a bowl of authentic corn chips plus the most delicious, hand-prepared, beautifully-spiced salsa I’ve had in my life.


I was recommended the non-alcoholic “horchata” – a delicious Mexican cinnamon rice milk drink.


I ordered fajitas and was given these. It tasted as good as it looked. All the while I was thinking to myself, “I am not worthy to be present at this establishment!”.


In the USA it is very common – if not usual – for customers to ask for “a box” to take home un-consumed food. In any case, I wanted to leave room for dessert…


… a “Mexican chilli chocolate crème brulee”. I most definitely did finish it!


After dinner I went to the abovementioned supermarket, purchased some breakfast supplies and walked home … very carefully. The ground is extremely slippery in parts and I did almost slip and fall maybe four or five times.

The Smithsonian Air & Space museum is tomorrow!

 

[OZDUCK]

There have been rave reviews of Audra McDonald as Rose in Gypsy in the NY Times

 

[Bundy Bear]

Absolutely brilliant trip report, setting high standards on AFF on trip reports for 2025.

I went to Kennedy Space Center about 19 years ago, I am not sure if its got bigger or I just missed a part.

Also I visited Houston in 2010 but didn't make it to Mission control, at that time Uber wasn't around so it wasn't so easy to hail a ride and go, I will need to go back.

 

[Lynda2475]

When I'm in NYC I'll get my tickets from the last-minute TKTS booth in Times Square, so I won't necessarily be able to choose what I see.

FYI Lincoln Centre TKTS outlet is superior to Times Square location IME. TS location only sells tickets for same day; and wont sell evening performances until after sales for matinee have ended. Where as Lincoln Centre sells tickets for todays shows (and the next days matinees if there are any), and also tends to have much shorter queues (most of which is inside not out in the elements). Worth the short subway ride if you're not in walking distance, and is next door to the American Ballet who also have some good shows, with Central park and Natural History Museum a couple of blocks away.

In addition, most shows have a ticket lottery which you can now almost always enter online (app or website) for free for same day performances, if you are drawn out you can end up with $25-$35 seats (usually better than TKTS). They email you at a set time with a link if you are a winner, you then have a 1-2 hours window to pay online and can then pick-up your tickets with ID at the box-office before the show. On past visits I've been lucky to get lottery tickets for a number of shows, you usually know by 1pm (or 11am if a matinee) if you have been successful or not, so still have time to head to TKTS booth if you don't get a lottery ticket. If you win multiple lotteries you can just pay the one you want to see most and the unclaimed prize will be offered to a stand-by.

Finally if a show you want to see isnt on TKTS (hot and new shows generally aren't) don't be afraid to swing by the theatre box-office to see if there are any late offers, the beauty of only needing 1 ticket (when most people are in pairs or groups) is you can get some last minute deals.

I want to give priority to shows that haven't come and/or are not due to come to Australia,

That is my usual approach too, unless it is one of my all time top 10 (Little Shop of Horrors is in my top 10, and the current NYC production is fun; and less expensive than a lot of other shows).

I really would like to see Gypsy, largely because of its current star, Audra McDonald, who is multi-Tony-winning Broadway Royalty.

Im very familiar with Audra having seen her in two previous shows in NYC and also in her solo concert tour at the Sydney Opera House last year. Gypsy has a memorable score, Id opt for that (after Redwood of course).

The new version of Sunset Blvd also has received amazing reviews.

It was on Sydney and Melbourne last year got bad reviews; mostly because of the pathetic performance of Sarah Brightman who phoned in the acting, has really poor annunciation such that you couldn't decipher what she was singing and a weak/pitchy voice. It is a show with only one stand out number "As if We Never Said Goodbye", but with a decently cast Norma Desmond would be better.

The exception to my rule is The Lion King, which apparently is just so well done, with (of course) great music.

Not a fan myself, costumes are great, they wow in the opening number then its all downhill from there imo; but others rave over it.

But I'll let you know via this TR what I end up seeing!

Looking forward to it.