Posts: 3218
From: MA, USA
Registered: Sep 2002

posted 01-16-2003 05:04 PM               

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I want to thank everyone who helped make my trip to Houst a success. Thanks for the input on where to go and what to wear. We had a great tram tour to start off the day. My boys lved the movies, moon rocks, simulators,mmu and the other activities at the Space Center Houston. We then had a tour of the Nuetral Bouyancy Lab where were saw Foale and Mcarthur training in the tank and further down Massimino and Nicollier were testing out equipment and procedures. The divers and techinicians were great in answering our questions. We met up with a few othetr astronauts who were there helping out with the training. The tank is awesome. It was really nice to meet Bob Curbeam who was working with Foale/McArthur because I told him that we tried 3 times to see STS 98 land in Florida and that we were bummed that it went to CA. It was also nice that an astronaut that I have corresponded with because he was a big Boston Bruins fan took the time out of his busy schedule to come down to say hi. There are alot of nice astronauts and other people working at NASA. later that night we waited in line to see the STS 113 presenation. I got to meet a few Collect Space fans there. It was also a great experince to meet the STS 113 crew along with Peggy Whitson and have them sign my book along with my boys pictures. They were all in good moods and signing lots of things for people. Saw Bill Readdy, Sean O'Keefe an da few other higher ups as well. We then headed to San Antonio for a day or so and then headed back to Houston. We had afew hours to spare so we went back topace Center Souvenirs at 710 West NASA Rd for more shirts and stuff. Randy had the better selection, prices and others stuff then the store at the Space Center. The store at the space center was undergoing renovation so the selction was sparse. We then headed up to Ellington and lunch at Petee's. the food was good and the memorbilia on the wall was great. Lot sof fun pictures and sayings. We didn't see any astronauts while we were there so as we were leaving I decided to take on more trip around the walls and when we were heading out, two men came in. One looked familiar so I waited a few minutes to try to overhear names but couldn't so I then went up and asked him if he was indeed Charlie Bolden and it was. He is back in Texas. He was very nice and was gracious to sign my space shuttle book for me. The other nice gentlemen also signed my book for me- George Abbey. They are going into business together.

It was a great time and thanks to everyone, my family and I had a trip that will be unforgettable.

Thanks again to all you!

Bryan McKay

Posts: 2113
From: Staffs, UK
Registered: Aug 2002

posted 01-17-2003 01:02 PM            

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Glad I helped you get there Bryan and gfamily

Yer on yer way to space.............