Earlier in August I watched the shuttle Endeavor launch from my front yard, 30 miles due west of Kennedy Space Center. The TV was on during the count down and right when they got to 1 I ran outside, like everyone else on my block, and waited the few seconds it would take for the shuttle to emerge over the tree line, the fiery rocket boosters burning so brightly. Space flight continues to spark child-like curiosity in me; I never lose the excitement or misty-eyed nostalgia.
Growing up on the west coast of Florida, the space program has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. I went to space camp when I was 12, I’ve been on numerous class trips to Kennedy Space Center, and I’ve seen more shuttle launches than I can count. If it was a clear day we could always see the launches from our home or school on the west coast. I still remember our entire house shaking from the sonic boom created when the shuttle would come back into the atmosphere for landing. A couple of times I was fortunate enough to see the launches from the viewing site at the space center, 6 miles from the launch pad; and conversely I also, unfortunately, saw the Challenger explosion in 1986. I was in elementary school at the time and our teachers always took us outside to watch the day launches, but this launch was extra special since there was a teacher on board. Even though I was only 6.5 years old, I immediately knew that something had gone terribly wrong.
Now, I live 30 minutes down the road from Kennedy Space Center. Since moving over here I’ve seen 2 launches and they are just as magical and awe-inspiring as they were when I was 10 years old. I never get tired of seeing a launch and still to this day I always shed a few happy tears for what the space program means.
The space program epitomizes everything we, human beings, are capable of.† The desire to always experience new things, to take the path less traveled, to push ourselves for greater things, to never be stagnant, and to never ever stop learning. By nature, human beings are explorers. “For thousands of years, we’ve pushed beyond our boundaries, broadening our minds and imaginations with each new discovery.” - William Parsons, director, Kennedy Space Center
-1MegMeg
:D 
From 2002 to 2006 I lived about 40 miles south of Kennedy Space Center and got to “watch” some lift offs too. It’s pretty neat. I’m glad I never had to see one explode.