Image courtesy: NASAUP, UP AND AWAY: I was up before the sun this morning, eagerly awaiting the launch of Endeavour. The dog woke me up at 3:30 and so I used that "opportunity" to check in with the shuttle, which was set to launch at 5:49 a.m. Pacific Coast time. Everything still looked good and the astronauts were being strapped into their seats. I went back to bed for an hour and got up at 5 to watch the last of launch preparations and the countdown.
Endeavour has a many important missions under her belt. Per NASA, "The STS-49 mission in 1992 sent Endeavour to retrieve a stranded communications satellite called Intelsat VI and attach a new engine to it. But when the satellite balked at being caught the way astronauts planned, the crew and ground controllers improvised a spacewalk calling for three astronauts positioned in the cargo bay and actually grabbing the bottom of the satellite with their gloved hands." I remember that dramatic mission. I also remember Endeavour's 1993 mission to repair and service the Hubble Space Telescope. And in 1998, Endeavour carried the first American section of the International Space Station into orbit and conducted the program’s first construction mission. That's a pretty big deal.
This, Endeavour's last mission, is scheduled to last 16 days. The astronauts will rendezvous and dock Endeavour with the International Space Station on Wednesday morning.
Christian headed down the stairs about 5:30. Annabelle came out of her bedroom about 5:45 and CJ followed almost instantly. So, we were all in our places in plenty of time for the 5:56 launch.
After Endeavour took off, CJ said, "Wow, Mom, you sure do have a thing for space shuttles."
Why yes, yes I do!
Why yes, yes I do!
Endeavour has a many important missions under her belt. Per NASA, "The STS-49 mission in 1992 sent Endeavour to retrieve a stranded communications satellite called Intelsat VI and attach a new engine to it. But when the satellite balked at being caught the way astronauts planned, the crew and ground controllers improvised a spacewalk calling for three astronauts positioned in the cargo bay and actually grabbing the bottom of the satellite with their gloved hands." I remember that dramatic mission. I also remember Endeavour's 1993 mission to repair and service the Hubble Space Telescope. And in 1998, Endeavour carried the first American section of the International Space Station into orbit and conducted the program’s first construction mission. That's a pretty big deal.
This, Endeavour's last mission, is scheduled to last 16 days. The astronauts will rendezvous and dock Endeavour with the International Space Station on Wednesday morning.
POINTS SOUTH: By 6:30 we were on the road, heading toward Portland. We had a rather ambitious to do list. First, swing by Grandma and Grandpa's for a quick (30 minute) howdy do. from there it was on to Portland, where Christian and the kids dropped me off to visit with a friend and her new (ADORABLE!) baby, while they headed toward the famous Voodoo Doughnut.
The inventive doughnut hotspot has been featured on everything from the Tonight Show to No Reservations with Anthony Bourdain. Unfortunately their flagship store is under remodel right now, so the kids had to settle for their satellite location at 1501 N.E. Davis.
Though they had exotic menu options include the Bacon Maple Bar, the Voodoo Doll, Captain My Captain (a yeast doughnut topped with Captain Crunch), the Grape Ape, and much, much more, the kids settled for good ol' chocolate bar type doughnuts.
They came to pick me up from my friends, met the (ADORABLE) baby, and from there we were off to Ground Kontrol, a retro arcade in Portland. 
A two-story arcade with some 60 classic video games and 27 pinball machines, Ground Kontrol was founded in 1999 by two record store employees who loved classic video games. In 2003, five lifelong pinball and video game fans joined up and purchased the arcade, moving it to bigger and better digs in Portland’s historic Old Town/Chinatown neighborhood the following year.
CJ and Annabelle were happy to find some of their favorites there, like Double Dragon, Contra and The Simpsons, to name three.
CJ had a good day on Star Wars, blowing up the Death Star multiple times.The four of us squared off in a modern day version of Pac-Man.
Guess who won. (Yes, of course, CJ.)
Guess who won. (Yes, of course, CJ.) We were fortunate, all of our Portland points were close to one another today. As a bonus, the kids even got to see the ornate gateway to Chinatown.
McMENAMINS TIMES TWO: Another stop on our P-Town tour was the newest McMenamins property - the Crystal Hotel.
The Hotel, on the National Register of Historic Places, is located across the street from the Crystal Ballroom (another McMenamins location, and a popular concert venue. The ballroom's music was the inspiration for the hotel's 51 guestrooms, each inspired by a song or performance from the Crystal Ballroom's past 100 years.
We went to Zeus Cafe. It was not your average McMenamins pub food, to be certain. For instance, instead of being heaped into a basket on grease-absorbing paper, the food was served on fancy schmancy plates, with points for presentation.
The restaurant had lots of beautiful woodwork, ornate trims and finishes and unique paintings. There is also lots of beautiful stained glass. 
Afterward, we beat feet for the border, wanting to get out of Stumptown before the horrid commute from Portland to Vancouver.
McMENAMINS TIMES TWO: Another stop on our P-Town tour was the newest McMenamins property - the Crystal Hotel.The Hotel, on the National Register of Historic Places, is located across the street from the Crystal Ballroom (another McMenamins location, and a popular concert venue. The ballroom's music was the inspiration for the hotel's 51 guestrooms, each inspired by a song or performance from the Crystal Ballroom's past 100 years.
We went to Zeus Cafe. It was not your average McMenamins pub food, to be certain. For instance, instead of being heaped into a basket on grease-absorbing paper, the food was served on fancy schmancy plates, with points for presentation.
The restaurant had lots of beautiful woodwork, ornate trims and finishes and unique paintings. There is also lots of beautiful stained glass. 
Afterward, we beat feet for the border, wanting to get out of Stumptown before the horrid commute from Portland to Vancouver. We decided to make one stop on the way home to break up the drive and give us and Kirby a chance to stretch our legs. We decided Olympia would be our break point. 
And as (no coincidence) would have it, one of our very favorite McMenamins is in Olympia - the historic Spar Cafe. So we had a light dinner there (they have pizza for $1.25 a slice on their happy hour menu - score!).
And as (no coincidence) would have it, one of our very favorite McMenamins is in Olympia - the historic Spar Cafe. So we had a light dinner there (they have pizza for $1.25 a slice on their happy hour menu - score!).It was pretty amazing sitting in downtown/old town Olympia watching a parade of logging trucks rolling right through the city street with full loads. Guess there's a reason we're called The Evergreen State, eh?
DRIVE TIME: We arrived home twelve hours after we left (right down to the minute). It was a long day, but a good day. Kirby was a trouper, just happy to be along for the ride.
DRIVE TIME: We arrived home twelve hours after we left (right down to the minute). It was a long day, but a good day. Kirby was a trouper, just happy to be along for the ride.
Boy can you guys squeeze in the events!!
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