I was planning a road trip ending at NASA a couple years ago, I tentatively called it the “Rocketman Tour”, I was going to go through all the air and space museums I could find and finish with the Yuri’s Night celebration at the Outpost Tavern (OT):
http://www.outpost-tavern.net/PastEvents.shtml
Well, I didn’t quite make it to that extent. Gas money and the time away from work stopped me from doing the road trip. I did manage to get a weekend to hop on a nonstop flight to Houston for their open house April 23, ‘05… That was awesome! I was talking to presenters and walking around enjoying every last bit of it… (don’t forget to bring the sunscreen) I’m sure any day would’ve been great, but having all the technicians there showing off and explaining their projects was just incredible!
I finished that day at the OT during their Chili cookoff, and ended up closing the bar. (I stayed in the hotel right behind OT – within staggering distance) I also left a decorative dinner plate there… judging by the pictures, it was of the Johnson Space Center, either late 70’s or really early 80’s. I got it at a garage sale for a dime years ago. I left the plate (and a little donation for their rebuilding project). I should’ve kept a picture, but I suppose I can get one next time. :)
I met a guy at the OT who told me about an airshow down in Galveston the next day, and since my flight didn’t leave till the afternoon, I hopped a cab down there and spent the morning with the Confederate Air Force. Talk about a great weekend! I still want to do the road trip, though… and I know it’s not in the bottom states, but I hear good things about the museum in Hutchinson, KS, and the Smithsonian… maybe it’s time to start planning “Rocketman North”?
