May 19, 2022 – The Starliner capsule launches on a do-over uncrewed test flight bound for the ISS where it would dock for the first time (the next day) with the ISS. Watching that bright flaming right rise silently into the sky was crazy. And then it wasn’t silent anymore. Back then (!) we weren’t sure the timing was going to work out and had our fingers crossed. Now-a-days it seems there is a launch everyday. This was so stinking cool.  The exhaust was so bright, photos and video just don’t do it justice.  It’s as if you are looking at the Sun… just a smaller so not as painful.  And the sound!  We were about five miles from the launch site, which was as close as you’re allowed (they literally had caution tape and guards on the beach).  At five miles the sound was about 30 seconds delayed.  But when it arrived… it was loud!  So loud and endlessly rumbles.  Too cool.  They close the roads early and the whole beach park once the parking lot fills up so we just made a day of it and arrived very early.  I know the sacrifice, hanging out at the beach all day, playing in the ocean, the horror.   Somehow we made due.  But it was so worth it.  I’ve seen many a launch on T.V. and it just doesn’t capture the sight or sound.  And then there is the gravity turn, which I have always known was a thing, and the reason, but to see this massive, bright, loud rocket vault up and up and up… then ever so slowly stop going up so much as start going over.  It was somehow suddenly real. That you can see it happen, it doesn’t occur in space.  It’s awesome.  I highly recommend watching a launch if you can, and I would want to get even closer, but the beach is a pretty good way to spend the day.   Jen, the master planner, of course extended our (Isabel’s) Rugby trip and coordinated the dates and hotels for the best chance at catching a launch, while of course making the match.