On The Fly

In this episode - Re-Discovery . . . Dateline March 1989 - Surrounded by a city of motor homes that sprung up overnight in the middle of a normally wind-swept California desert, the question on everyone’s mind was, “How will we know when the space shuttle arrives?” While searching for something to share this week, I was reminded of a significant event 54 years ago. On July 20, 1969, Apollo 11 successfully landed on the Moon. This event reminded me of how much the space program had captivated me. As someone who enjoys reading science fiction, witnessing mankind's greatest achievement was not a fictional experience. Edwards Air Force Base 1989 Twenty years later, Lori, my friend Bill Videto, and I embarked on a two-hour drive from Santa Monica, CA., to Edwards Air Force Base, hoping to witness the Space Shuttle Discovery touched down in California - weather permitting. Otherwise, the landing would be diverted to the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Fortunately, luck was on our...