There is just enough swing room there for us to put out 75ft of anchor chain which will hold us firmly in winds up to 20-25kts. Any more than that and we have to move somewhere else.
We were able to watch 3 rocket launches from New Smyrna. The first was at about 1700, an afternoon launch. It was a clear day and we could see the flame of the Space-X Falcon 9 rocket rise up and out of the atmosphere.
The next launch was a night shot, again a Falcon 9 rocket. Usually the Falcon 9's go right on schedule but this one was delayed 3 times for short periods so we were awake at 2330, 0030 and finally it lifted off at 0130.
The night launches are more impressive than day launches as the night lights up at the horizon, then around the rising rocket. You can watch the main engine cutoff and second stage lighting off.
The last launch was the Delta IV Heavy. We had been tracking this launch for a couple weeks and several delays as I wanted to watch a "heavy" rocket launch, expecting it to be more impressive than the smaller Falcon 9 rockets.
Carol and Tara drove us down to Titusville where we would be 50miles closer to the launch pad. But even being in Titusville, the launch basically appeared very similar to a Falcon 9. Yes it was larger but still a view of a little rocket, bright flame and long contrail. Of note, my cousin happened to be at Cocoa Beach, further down to the south, and he got great pictures of the rocket itself. That seems a better location to see the rockets closer up.
We did have a great spot to view the launch up at the top of the Titusville bridge. That's the contrail in the background.
No more launches for several days so its time to head on north. Through the New Smyrna bridge and on our way north to St Augustine.
