Last Launch of Discovery

Being the last launch of the space shuttle "Discovery", we traveled to New Smyrna Beach, FL. to gather with friends on the Atlantic Beach to watch the lift off of the shuttle to update and resupply the International Space Station. The lift off was scheduled for 4:50 PM on February 24, 2011, and was a few minutes late due to low level clouds. Once these clouds cleared, the lift off continued with a flawless, spectacular view of the shuttle leaving the launch pad and heading into space. We were located about 20 miles due north of Cape Canaveral to watch the lift off. The launch was exciting and viewed by many folks on the beach. We walked the beach to gather some shells washed up on the shore. The waves left trails in the sand as the tide went out and the shuttle left a contrail in the air following a successful lift off. The contrail remained for us to watch as a reminder that "Discovery" was headed toward the ISS.