Satuday, March 29, 2008--Houston to Atlanta

The day began in Houston, with a trip to the Johnson Space Center. It’s the same Houston that’s referred to in the quote “Houston, looks like we’ve got a problem here.” They opened the museum early for us and gave us a private showing of their introductory film about manned space flight. It was really nice of them, but I suspect that they started to regret the decision when Russ Prince, the first into the theater, rushed to the front—just near the screen—and stood behind a lectern emblazoned with the seal of the President of the United States. Acting as if he were delivering a speech, he began shouting and pounding on the lectern—this nearly gave our very kind tour guide a heart attack.

Perhaps the velvet ropes surrounding the lectern should have been a clue to its significance, but the lectern’s status as the museum’s prized possession soon became clear as the film opened with footage of John F. Kennedy—yes, that John F. Kennedy—delivering the well know line, “We choose to go to the moon, and the other thing*, because they are difficult…” In the footage, the lectern was clearly visible and the narrator said, “We are extremely proud to have this very lectern as one of the prized pieces in our collection," while a spotlight highlighted the actual lectern for a brief moment.

So congrats go to Russ Prince—the only man to deliver a speech at that lectern since President Kennedy.

As soon as the guards had taken Russ to a holding area which we have heard is located in a place they called “Gitmo(?),” the rest of the tour was fantastic. The highlight was perhaps the vast geekiness displayed by the usually ultra-cool John Docter. His knowledge of the space program was truly impressive. We are all hoping to add him to a trivial pursuit team some day.

The tour ended in a huge metal hanger that was at least 500 feet long and 100 feet tall. In it was an actual Saturn V rocket—the one that was scheduled to take Apollo 18 to the moon. My earliest memories are of watching men walk on the moon in black and white—I think it’s because the TV was in black and white—but to see that unbelievable machine there was really an awesome experience.

Oh—We did actually play a concert there as well—a noontime performance in the food court area. I don’t think that the assembled crowd of tourists there really knew what hit them, but on the balance, they did seem to enjoy it. We even sold a few CD’s.

Then it was quickly off to the Bush Intercontinental Airport for dinner and a flight to Atlanta. The best part of the flight was flying through a line of thunderstorms. Those of us who have flown frequently were used to this, but the younger ones in the group let out a few shrieks as lightning flashed around the plane.

Upon arrival in Atlanta, we were met by Bernie Dake and several assorted DMD’s. Also meeting us was our bus driver, Carlton. He has the distinct honor of being with us from Saturday evening, all the way through our Thursday morning departure from Charlotte NC.

Please pray for him.

More later.

Jeff Curnow

*Oh—if anyone knows what “the other thing” that Kennedy was talking about in that speech was, let us know…..