So, the journey of Space Shuttle Discovery ends.

When I was growing up, my dad worked as an aerospace engineer. He has parts on the moon…that’s all I know about that. I also know he designed some parts for the Space Shuttle program. Dad lent me one of the explosive bolts for the SRBS to take to school for show and tell (obviously no charges were loaded in the charge chamber). No one believed me, except the teacher.

I’ll admit, I was…saddened…to see these shuttles decommissioned. Pictures of the orbiters hung on my wall over my bed, next to pictures of Eddie Van Halen and other rock stars.

A friend picked me up and we went to see the Shuttle coming to Uber-Hazy since we live so close to DC.

Quite the view upon entering the museum….the Orbiter is in the background, in the hanger beyond the Blackbird.

This was my first view walking up to the Orbiter.

The nose piece is carbon fiber. The work crew is currently prepping Discovery for her time at the museum…removing batteries, removing the aerodynamic tailcone (attached for transporting it on the Boeing she piggybacks on), and jacking her up so the tires don’t constantly support all the weight. Otherwise, she will be stored almost exactly in the same condition as she was used.

It is difficult for me to see this ship as a museum piece.

So. Close. I want to touch it.

I’m gonna call this one R2Mail4U

There was also some stunning views of the Enola Gay. I did a lot of research on this plane when I was younger, so this was a treat to see this one as well.

My friend insisted we get a pic of myself with the Orbiter. I’m a little sun-kissed and windblown from riding in my friend’s convertible to go up to the museum, but I’m glad he snapped this.