April 4, 2010, 4:23 p.m.

Jet lag. There is nothing in the world quite as horrific as jet lag. Today and yesterday are no longer separate, clearly defined days, but one long stretch of endlessness. But we're getting ahead of ourselves. Providing that this is our first address to you, an introduction is in order.

Our names are Anna Herbst, and Amelia Koske-Phillips. We both reside in the small town of Bishop, California. Although the views are fantastic, and the outdoor activities are perpetual, the town lies 4 hours away from anything slightly resembling the 21st century. In the month of February 2010, we were swept away from this miniscule town of ours to observe a shuttle launch. This turned out to be quite the adventure.

Contrary to the beliefs of the author of spaceweather.com, you do not simply just show up, see the launch, be dumbstruck, and make your way back home. No, in fact, it is the opposite.

The space shuttle Endeavor was to launch on February 7, at 4:39 in the morning. Now this alone, is bad enough. However, the bus to leave for the Kennedy Space Center picked us up at 9:45 at night. This was approximately eight hours before the actual launch was scheduled. When we arrived at the Kennedy Space Center, between us and the entrance stood an immovable, mile long line. With 6 and-a-half hours left to the launch time, we finally stepped into the Space Center, only to be visually informed of yet another mile long line. Not only, was the second line threatening to be longer than the first, we still desperately needed to buy sweaters. As quickly as possible, we dashed into the gift shop and purchased two identical blue sweaters. These would later be recognized as the symbols of our adventure.

When yet another mile long line had been conquered, we reached the buses. These vehicles transported us to the Causeway with an unbearably slow pace. As luck would have it, we were unceremoniously kicked off the bus, only to huddle against the its engine to keep warm. At this point in time, the clock had reached 2:45 a.m.

All the while, an ominous black cloud had formed over the launch pad. No amount of wishing would send it away. Although the lights from the launch pad over-exagerated the position of the cloud, the stars were clearly seen everywhere else. At T-8 minutes a.k.a. 4:31 a.m., the launch was scrubbed. Being the lunatics we are, we repeated the process the next night. However, on February 8, 2010, at 4:14 a.m., the shuttle Endeavor launched.

Conviently, we have happened to forsake these previous experiences, and decided to watch as the shuttle Discovery launches at 6:21 in the morning, April 5, 2010. Seeing that we are immensely disoriented, from our good friend jet lag, orientation is necessary to continue blogging to you in later hours. So, we will leave you until launch time.

April 4, 2010, 9:58 p.m.

Beds are most likely the most wonderful invention of all time. They provide stability, and most importantly energy! Energy will most certainly be needed during the next 9 hours. The photo captured by yours truly, Anna Herbst, shows the view from our hotel room. This picture was taken at 7:30 p.m., an entire 11 hours before launch time. Since that time the crowds have largely increased in size, with still 9 hours until launch time.

April 5, 2010, 5:36 a.m.

With less than an hour to launch time, all is a go. The stars are clearly visible above, with hardly any clouds to be seen. Across the water, the launch pad is illuminated by two beams of light. We are at a planned hold at T-9 minutes. The hold is planned to last for 45 minutes.

Unlike our previous trip, the temperature is a pleasant 66 degrees Fahrenheit. 16 minutes before launch time (6:05 a.m.), the International Space Station is scheduled to fly overhead. This will be followed by the launch of the Discovery space shuttle at 6:21 a.m. T-9 minutes and holding.

April 5, 2010, 6:38 a.m.

There are truly no words to justify the magnificence of a shuttle launch. The Discovery space shuttle launched at 6:21 and 25 seconds this morning as was planned. The only way to truly know the beauty of a launch is to witness it. No camera can ever truly do it justice. We have taken some photos of the launch and recorded it as well. That movie and those pictures will be posted later today.

April 5, 2010, 3:19 p.m.

Precisely 8 hours and 58 minutes after the launch of the Discovery space shuttle, we have obtained approximately 7 hours of rest. Writing to you from a more sane perspective, we will attempt to describe a dawn launch. As the last few seconds of the countdown take place, the crowds stand in suspenseful expectancy. For a small moment there is silence. Then, a spectacular glow begins to rapidly light up the sky. This glow becomes a bright light, which travels with immense speed into the early morning sky. This light, resembling small star, crackles and rumbles through the air, causing the very earth to tremble.

As the space craft gradually moves away, it leaves behind a trail of exhaust. Illuminated by the dawning sun, this exhaust cloud morphs and twists into a bright formation of vivid colors. This cloud was captured in the photo taken below. As the Florida sun reveals itself from behind the horizon, the space shuttle is all but a speck in the distance, no bigger than the night stars.

April 6, 2010, 3:34 p.m.

"There's no place like home...." This was said by Judy Garland in her most famous part as Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz. Athough Dorothy may have been far too cheery and was possibly insane, she was quite right .So, homesick for a town that is under the impression it is still in the 18th century, we boarded a plane at 2:15 p.m., tapped our ruby slippers together, and began our journey home.

However, earlier today, we visited the Kennedy Space Center. Due to our constant visitation there, we decided to purchase annual passes. This was quite an endeavor. To receive your yearly passes, you are placed in a relatively long line. When you finally reach the front of it, you are seated in an uncushioned chair. There, a photo is taken of you without your knowledge. Unless you specifically request to be informed of what they are doing, you recieve no explanation. Luckily I (Anna), was thrown into a fit of giggles, while sitting in the chair. Therefore, I have, at the very least, a ridiculous smile on my face. Although Amelia was aware there was a picture being taken of her, due to a malfunction in the technology, she was forced to sit in that horrid chair twice.

Following our adventure with the annual passes, we dashed off to the Astronaut Encounter building. Although the actual name of the building is a bit degrading to the astronaut, it was a very interesting experience. The "special guest" a.k.a the astronaut, was Bob Springer. Spinger had been on two missions to space, one of which was classified, and the other not recalled by our short term memory's. Not only was Springer's presentation quite informative, but entertaining as well.

At the time we land in Houston for our connecting flight, we will post this entry. Until then, just remember what Dorothy said.