A Magnificent Plume

A group of Harbor-Townies went out on Joe’s boat, a 46’ Morgan “Pixie Dust” to watch the shuttle launch. We went out the barge canal, and anchored on the Banana River adjacent to the Canaveral Locks. The power lines just behind us marked the line to the restricted area, and a USCG boat patrolled the invisable line in the water.

In all, there were 13 of us, but the waterline of Pixie Dust didn’t even flinch under our combined weight. I guess it takes more than that to cause a 40,000 lb boat to dip. We grilled dogs and jalapeno burgers on the aft deck, and downed a few cold ones. Just prior to the 7:43 pm launch, we watched a magnificent sunset over our starboard beam.

The wind was blowing out of the South, just barely under 20 knots. Our concerns that the wind might postpone the launch did not materialize. Right on schedule, a big ball of fire due astern of us lifted off and up into the sky. Once the shuttle rose above the horizon, its smoke plume was painted by the sun, which was too low to view on our side of the world. Of the 13 passengers aboard Pixie Dust, most reside on the space coast and have seen dozens of launches. This one was special though. Even those that have seen lots of launches previously commented on how magnificent this shuttle’s fiery plume was. Picture perfect, in fact.