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Latest Update: 10/08/99 AM
Skylab 4:
The Trip from Amherst, MA to the Kennedy Space Center
The trip would be made by 2 cars, a VW and a Vega. There were a total of 6 of us, split into 2 groups of 3. Rick and I were now veterans of this sort of adventure, and we decided that we would each be in separate cars. The travel from Amherst, MA to the Kennedy Space Center would be uneventful. We kept stops to a minimum. I recall the signs from the Skylab 3 trip, but didn't stop then. On this trip the signs beaconed again to a location in Dillon, SC, South of the Border. How can anyone forget, with its miles and miles of signs along the highway inviting all to "Fill your trunk with Pedro's junk," or "Forget ze Moon," an obviously dated sign as no further lunar landings would occur this century. I recall the signs vividly, and also noted the coffee shop was open 24 hours. I don't recall stopping on the way down.
Our arrival was late night on the eve of the launch. We parked the cars in a small parking lot just outside space center gate. I got out of the car, just as Rick did from the other, we were both excited! We were going to see this launch! Then another urgency hit, hunger. I don't recall if it was Rick or I who said it first, "Grease Doughnuts!" But 3 of our group just groaned, while I mentioned to Rick that I knew there was an all night shop just back in Titusville.
That was enough, we split up into 2 groups of 3, and half of the crew went off to Titusville. We probably purchased 3-4 dozen, as there were 6 of us, and not everyone was hungry. There were a few of us who were world class doughnut eaters. We returned to the parking lot for the late night arrival feast. Life was good. I don't recall much but I soon dozed off in the passenger side front of the VW, probably 2-3 AM.
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