Godspeed Endeavor

My painting gang head to the beach this morming to watch the last launch of the Endeavor.  I've lived in Brevard County, Florida for 30 years and the space program has never been old hat with the locals.  No matter where you are the world stops as the countdown approaches T minus 10 seconds.  We stop our cars and hold our breath.

Here's what a tiny part of the beach looked like from Mary's seventh story condo balcony:

It was a crystal clear morning with a coolish breeze so beach goers could not have been happier.  The traffic came to a standstill as cars pulled over and everyone looked northward towards the ocean.  We were indeed rewarded:

This is fairly high into the sky having already passed through some low lying clouds.  The bright yellow burn from the engines is barely visible at this point and everyone is just beginning to take a breath.  About this moment you can hear a loud cheer rise up from the beach (or where ever you are) as no one ever takes this for granted.  We always applaud and cheer when it gets this high.  As the cheer dies down the sound barrier is broken and a loud boom sounds across the water...you can almost feel it.

I know this is not much of an art post....but scientific exploration is an art and it is one I hope this country doesn't give up on.  It was very difficult to settle into painting after witnessing history.  Sigh.