Good Times & Good Company!

The last few days have been great fun! Mom and Linda came up on Wednesday to stay a few days. We've talked, laughed and yes, even cried a little. We've covered a variety of topics from family to books to health to computers to spiritual things to vacations and then back again!

Thursday we went out to the firing of one of Ken's rocket motors. Turley and Casey came down from Idaho to join us for the firing and we caravaned out to the site. Unfortunately, shortly before the appointed time of 1:00 pm, one of the computers went down and the firing was delayed! Since we had some extra time, we drove down the road to the Rocket Garden at the main building for ATK. Outside of their main offices are displays of various rockets and boosters manufactured at that site. It's pretty impressive. When we returned to the test site, we discovered the test had been delayed yet again. Surprisingly, we found plenty to talk about and the time went by pretty quickly.

Firing time turned out to be 5:27 pm. As always, the test was more than impressive and the force and firing thrust of the motor was incredible. Since light travels faster than sound, you can always see the rocket plume for about a minute before the sound hits. The sound is forceful enough to rattle windows as well as the ground you are standing on. I'd forgotten to warn Linda about the sound delay and when it hit, I'm afraid she jumped and gave a little scream! Since the rest of us had seen one before, we were prepared and couldn't help chuckling, as did a few of those that were standing nearby. :-)

We finished the evening with games and this morning we jumped into computer lessons. Linda wanted to learn how to post pictures in her blog. You'll have to check out her new grandbaby as well as the motor firing. She's now an expert at adding pictures! :-) (see Linda's post)

They left with promises to come again and its been pretty quiet since they drove away. Just in case anyone else needs a getaway, the beds are free. Come visit!

Turley, Mom, Linda and myself at the Rocket Garden.

The Shuttle Booster is the big long one in the background!