We got off the ship early, got a rental car, and rushed off to Kennedy Space Center. This was my one MUST-DO touristy activity for the trip, and we didn't even realize just how awesome it would be! It even justified the steep admission fee.
We started with a bus tour for a close up of the launch pads, mover, Saturn Rocket, VAB (Vehicle Assembly Building, iconic and notable because it is the largest building in the country by volume), and more I've already forgotten. At the Apollo/Saturn V building, we were wowed with the real actual rocket on display, and it is HUGE! We bought freeze dried ice cream (my planned purchase of nostalgia). The Atlantis building is interactive and fun. We started by going up a circular ramp around a center lobby and experienced a video entrance at the upper level leading into the interactive exhibits. I thought it was a very clever design using the high and low levels, making your way down as you see and do everything. We were able to do the rocket simulation ride with less than an hour wait in line.
The kids had brought souvenir cash and earned money from journaling so they spent $$ and I bought a few things too. Addisyn & Piper got Barbie astronauts (who wear high heels-haha), Marissa didn't have as much $ to spend, so she got a water rocket, Piper also got a NASA ball point pen that can write upside down (pressurized) since we were joking a few days ago about how she couldn't write in her journal upside down (at first I thought the price was less than I was expecting yet still $16 was an expensive pen for an 9 year old, but after watching her joy in using it today, I think she made a great purchase).
We met the Catlins for one final meal. We walked to a fun restaurant -- Long Doggers (?) just a half mile, then walked to the beach... the whole Coco Beach area is not very wide water's edge to water's edge.
Yay for a direct flight home. We were able to turn on the a/c remotely through our phone app to cool the house down for our arrival. Thanks to my mom who went to house when we were gone so our broken a/c could be repaired in time for the worst of summer (we've been w/o for 3 weeks prior to this trip.)
We got to the airport with time to spare and our flight was delayed 2 hours. Everyone was a good sport about it and were very well behaved both at the airport and on the plane. We each carried our own carry-on bag and were prepared to entertain ourselves. Marissa had her stuffed animals on a "rocket ride" in her seat. Electronics (other than for music only) were not allowed until journals were done. Marissa finished hers right after take off, Piper finished hers mid-flight, and Addisyn had to come sit by me to finish 3 days ago and still had 2 days to go so she never got to watch free Southwest TV or anything.
In the end the girls earned spending money by writing in their journals. The 1 cent/word bribe earned Piper $10.54, and Addisyn and Marissa just over $7 each.
At home, Addisyn said "Our house is so BIG!" We've been sharing tight quarters for so long...
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