An AMAZING Achievement - 51 Years Ago

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One of the most amazing achievements. Frankly, I think it ought to be saluted with a holiday, but that's just me. Where were you?  

It was a wonderfully unifying event in such a turbulent time. The world was one for a spell.  

Moon Landing (800x597).jpg

My dad worked for JPL in Pasadena at the time, were fully into it (even went to Florida and watched one of the Appolo's launch in person, including the full tour behind the scenes

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I watched at home with my grandmother....

 I was in a coffee shop in Arcata with the first Mr. judit who was way into space exploration. He was thrilled that we got to see it.

I was 18 - watched it at my parents' house on the little b+w tv which was all they had at the time.

<saluted with a holiday, >

^ Great idea... should really be a global holiday.

I was lying on the living room floor in front of the tv with my moon maps from National Geo or WorldBook Encyclopedia or someplace (still have them)

There are two types of countries in this world

 

1. Countries who have sent men to walk on the moon.

and

2. Countries with the sense and discipline to have flattened the coronavirus curve.

how come we never went back?

 

>>>how come we never went back

We beat Russia to the punch which was the real goal.  And we found no evidence of oil, natural gas, minerals or valuable gems to hoard. 

 

I was a little kid on vacation in Spain with my parents. Got woken up in the middle of the night to go down to the hotel restaurant to watch the landing. I was mostly confused why everyone was congratulating us because we were American. Not something that happens often. 

>>>My dad worked for JPL in Pasadena at the time

Have you watched Strange Angels on CBS Streaming. All about the very strange beginnings of JPL. Great show. 

>>>>how come we never went back?

As it turns out, the moon was really boring. There were no restaurants, bars or cafe's. They looked for a grocery store and beer/liquor store to re-stock on supplies but they were closed. When the astronauts tried to check into their ocean front Air B&B it turned out to be a scam, the place didn't even exist. They had tee times for the golf course around Tycho Crater, but the course was one large sand trap and was a real bitch to play. The deal breaker was when they couldn't find a public restroom... not even a port-o-john.  21 hours and 36 minutes after arriving, they decided to leave for home. Word was, there were other amenities available which is why they came back 5 more times. After that, they just gave up. 

shouldn't they put up a new flag or something?