Spacecamp - Day 2

Day 2 began with us learning about our Lunar Mission.  We were able to practice that morning to have the actual scenario later in the day.  Dave and I were mission specialist, and tasked with going outside the shuttle to build some random contraption (I am sure they gave it a fancy name, but I was just thinking...spacesuit spacesuit spacesuit).  Sam was in the International Space Station where he made some slime during an experiment.  Yuan was in mission control and just happened to have her camera out when Dave and I were smiling for the camera.  :) 

 



We also got to experience the low gravity moon walk where we bounce down first, then bounced sideways, then did our best roadrunner fast speed run in the air, ending with freestyle moon walks...Davis dabbed, I supermaned, and I think Sam pirouetted...

 

We also made parachutes to protect our astronaut (marble) and dropped ours from 2 flights up in the Habitat (our bunk area)...our astronaut survived.  We couldn't get Dave to ride spaceshot, but Sam and I rode it several times.   Our friend Gustavo set the records and rode it 14 times including one ride in every seat. 

 

Supersoaker would often explain rocket history to us while in the open areas of the museum, and one time as he described the Saturn rockets, the Top Gun theme music began, and he was telling the story with what seemed perfect timing with that song.  Sam and I told him about this, and he said that was basically his anthem, and while he did not hear it, he was pretty sure that subliminally it was making his speech more awesome.  It was really cool...and became OUR anthem for the remainder of the week. 

 

We did learn that eating at spacecamp was good, but also often...typically was at 8:30, 11, then at 4:30...so we were full during the day and craving snacks late at night.  We did complete our mission later that night.  Davis and I completing the contraption in full spacegear.  I would get the things started screwing them in, and as I "floated thru space" to get the next piece, he would make sure all was secure.  We finished just in time, and were able to join back to the shuttle and land back on Earth.  Sam stayed up in the ISS working on other experiments. 

 

Late at night, me and the boys found a great hangout on the patio outside the Davidson.  We would sit out and watch the...bats maybe, looked like bats to us...all around the outdoor shuttle.  Superfun way to wind down our day with some late night snacks. 



 

 

 

Spacecamp - Day 1

Yes, I had to take the boys in order for Magan to let me go.  But I am glad I was never allowed to go as a kid, because I wouldn't have wanted to have gone with anyone other than these guys for my first trip.  These guys were great friends, and all three of us had dreams come true.  Truly the best weekend ever with just my boys.  At check-in we went back and forth to the clothing area to get the best fit, and while a little pricey, it was a much better deal than the spacesuit.  And while the spacesuit is SUPER COOL, I would feel more awkward wearing it to Walmart, than all my cool new spacecamp shirts, pants, shorts, and hoodie. 

 

Our room was basically the dorm room for 7 kids during a space camp week, but us three just got to spread out a bit.  Both boys were on top bunks...nope, too old...I stayed on bottom.  Davis is definitely the more social of this rag tag group...repeatedly going up front in front of all to tell jokes.  Our group name was the "Dreamchasers", and we were led by Norvel Reid (Call Sign...Supersoaker...aka blackbeard)

 

So let me introduce you to the other Dreamchasers, altho probably pretty small in the group picture below...Starting from left to right, we had the Velardez family (Cesar, Sandra, Gustavo (14) and Gabriel (12)) from Brazil, then we had the Zhou family (Xian, Yuen, Alex (8)) from Vancouver via China, then Charles and Sadie Chandler (3 time space camp graduates) from Knoxville, TN, and lastly the Phillips family (Nick, Susan, Xavier (9), Phoenix (8)) from Melbourne, Australia.  So I guess we were the locals. 

 

First night was some introductions...some space history in the Davidson center...and our introduction to the cafeteria (Since me and the boys had somehow skipped lunch, we were starving)...where it was all you can eat really good food.  Then after a big meal, we had a late night astronomy lesson.  Any guesses on how long I lasted when the lights went out and ... I don't remember anything after that...probably talked about stars and shapes...Later me and the boys purchased some playing cards and began a nightly routine of playing cards before bed.  Cards were fun but seems to be endless laughter about poots and gas...and Davis always won...both at the card games and poots. 

 

At night the adults starting developing our team patch, and we were lucky that Cesar could draw for us...I'll take credit for using things the kids liked to build our patch.  I knew Cesar and I would hit it off when he said the main reason he always wanted to come to Spacecamp was because of the 1980s movie.  Instant friendship!  I always wanted to be Hideo Takamine pronounced Kevin Donaldson.  :)  And while me and the boys looked, we did not find JINX. 

 

 

Quick Trip to Minneso-tah

Two trips to Minneso-tah in two years...never thought I would be back, but was asked to help out with a self assessment at a Plant about 40 minutes north of Minneapolis, and off I went...What do you do in MN...you go to the Mall of America...act casual shopping thru the American Girl store all by yourself, then grab an Orange Julius to watch the crowds of folks at Nickelodeon universe in the middle of this mall.  That mall really is cool...many many things to do...and I decided I needed to at least ride one ride...the Sponge Bob plunge...definitely the best ride there...

 

And do you see the poop brown car I had as a rental...absolutely, the ugliest rental car I have ever had.  U G L Y, it ain't got no alibi.  And work was over on Wednesday, so I drove back into town to watch the Twins play before leaving the next morning back to home.  Stadium was nice, had a great seat for supper in their club lounge with an awesome steak sandwich.  Then took my seat along third base for the twins to hammer the white sox 11-1.  Great game.  I love the twins symbol of "Minnie" and "Paul" shaking hands representing the twin cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul.  This is Number 11 on my stadium quest.  Going to try for the Marlins next year.