My weekend in Huntsville, Alabama has been so great, it’s hard to pick just a single thing to share in this road journal. Super-smart citizens . . . great local art . . . amazing food scene . . . fine craft brewing and small batch distilleries . . . vibrant downtown . . . historic architecture . . . hiking and outdoors activities . . . and ROCKETS!
I’ll be writing about different aspects of Huntsville in the weeks to come, but there is one thing that made me nearly cry the first time I saw it last year. I returned to see it two days ago, on Sunday morning.
When I was supposed to be getting on the road this today at 9:00 a.m., instead — I returned to the U.S. Space and Rocket Center because I was having a hard time leaving without another look at the Saturn V Rocket.
It just kind of gets me deep down in some inexplicably visceral place.
So I leave you with a little video of this incredible part of our human history. And remind all of us that we went from the Wright brother’s flight in 1903 to the first human lunar landing in 1969.
We’ve come a long way . . . and I can hardly wait to see where the rocket scientists in Huntsville take us next.
This is my last on-the-road post for my Huntsville, Alabama, trip — where I’ve been doing daily (or nearly daily 
), short posts along the way.
Journal entries are just that — quick, in the moment, on the road posts — rough, barely edited, and on the go. Look for finished articles everywhere else on my blog!
I was in Huntsville last year and I agree with your takeaway! Such an unexpected cool destination and being near the rocket is weirdly fascinating! It’s actually not a far drive for me at all so I hope to return soon!
What an incredible thing to witness and experience. Though I don’t know much about rockets and aeronautics, I feel the same kind of reverence just looking at your pictures and watching your video. We used to live near Moffett Field in California, and I remember touring NASA as a kid and being so amazed by the fact that humans had been to the moon! I’m so curious about Huntsville now, and can’t wait to read your future posts (especially about the breweries and distilleries!).
It’s a truly inspiring place to visit. Love how you’re doing these short video bursts. Nice release considering the latest Hollywood Blockbuster about the moon landing too.
You know we are kind of rocket geeks (Actually I am and Jenn puts up with me). We went to see first man in the 4D theater last weekend and it blew me away. I walked out saying – man, I have to go back to Huntsville. We are looking for travel destinations for next spring and I keep slipping in Huntsville weekend trips. We are going back for sure.
You know, you have to come visit us sometime and watch a launch from the Cape.
Yes, Ed — you are OFFICIALLY a rocket geek 🙂 . I went to see First Man last Friday, and it’s inspired me to binge watch all of the space movies: The Right Stuff, Apollo 13 — and the HBO series From the Earth to the Moon arrived on Monday, and I’m ripping through it.
I would love to visit you guys and see a launch!
I can’t wait to read more of your Huntsville posts! I was born and raised in Alabama (mostly in Birmingham) which is on 1.5 hours from Huntsville. I haven’t been to the Rocket Center since I was a kid. You have caught my interest and I would really like to go back and tour it properly as an adult. I really need to be more aware of what’s in my backyard, but sadly I know much more of what’s going on in other cities, states and countries. Glad you enjoyed your time in Alabama 🙂
This is SO cool. I had that feeling when in Florida at the Space Center. It so incredible to think about huh? Would love to visit Huntsville someday!
NASA is pretty darned amazing — and anyplace you can visit the Space Program is a must as far as I am concerned. Here in Houston, I have the Johnson Space Center of course — along with our own Saturn V. BUT — the Saturn V Hall at the US Space and Rocket Center has the best display of this amazing rocket, at least in my opinion. The ability to walk under it just takes the interaction with this massive creation to a whole other level.
I remember seeing the Saturn V hanging above me in the museum and got chills. It is so impressive! Even better, I knew I was walking among rocket scientists whille I was there and I was so in awe of all the exploration that began in Huntsville, Alabama.
Yes, having the rocket scientists around you — AND giving tours is amazing.
It isn’t until you see one of the marvels of mechanical engineering that you can truly appreciate just how significant the accomplishment of space travel is. While its nice to have a plan, sometimes the best plan is ditching the plan to have plans and truly experience what you are seeing. Space is truly the final frontier.
I do think slowing down and “following your nose” is maybe one of the best parts of travel. Originally, I’d thought to get on the road early and then exploring some in Jackson, MS. But the Space and Rocket Center was calling my name so strongly, that I had to go back.