A Little Getaway, Day Three

Ward and I are on a little 3-day get away to Chincoteague (CH) and Assateague (AS) Islands in Virginia. Here is our third day. 

Black Brant IX.
A sounding rocket still in use.

Today was our last day, so we gathered up our things, had breakfast, and checked out of the hotel. We didn't have much planned except a stop at NASA's Wallops Flight Facility, which was just a few miles from CH at the beginning of our trip home.

Ward was quite excited when we drove by earlier on our way to CH. I, on the other hand, had never heard of Wallops Island or the nearby Wallops Flight Facility, which is a rocket and balloon launch facility. They launch suborbital things, with the focus being on collecting scientific data of all kinds. Unfortunately, there were no launches scheduled while we were there, but since it's only a few hours away, maybe we'll go back for one. 

Of course, the actual launch and research area is off-limits, but they had a very nice visitor's center we browsed. 

Below are a few pictures from our visit.

Across the road, on Wallops Island, was the actual launch facility and labs. 

Ward examined Little Joe Rocket, part of the testing for
Project Mercury, which sent the first men into space.

After NASA, we had peanut butter sandwiches in the car and headed home. Along the way, we finished listening to Misty of Chincoteague. And as often happens on the way home from a trip, we switched into home mode and wondered if we could make it home in time to mow the grass. It was quite tall because of all of the rain we had been having.

We made it home, the suitcases were unpacked, and the yard got mowed. It was a wonderful trip, and I'm so happy we went.

Until next time...