Because we have been so tired in the evening after a ride we decided to do a shorter ride, 35 km, to Titusville and back. Accordingly we drove to the Aurantia Rd Trailhead which had parking (but no washroom). Because of the strong wind coming from the south, we had to stop frequently for water…and rest. Two people who passed us riding e-bikes asked if we were going to the launch. Thinking she said “lunch” I was going to ask her where, but then realized that we might be in time for a rocket launch which had been postponed the last two days.
The Trailhead start is at the green arrow. We were riding on part of the Florida East Central Regional Rail Trail. Because it is quite open it can be quite hot. With a temperature of 25C and the strong winds, heat was not a problem. We rode to the park in Titusville near the bridge going to Merritt Island.
We noticed that a lot of people were arriving by car (and using the one washroom that was open)
So…after lunch in the pavilion we joined others who were all watching the same way,.
Suddenly we could see a flame ascending in the sky.
A little later there was a rumble and then there were the easily visible contrails from the rocket.
A lot of birds were there for the launch as well. Pictured are ibis and wood storks looking for handouts.
On the return to the start of the ride, a gopher tortoise was very cooperative posing for the photo. He probably wanted to continue chewing the grass in his mouth.
This is the East coast Regional Rail Trail. Our ride was just from the Trailhead symbol on the right hand side of the map to Titusville at the bottom... and back.
Trailhead symbol
Comments
Most of our rides were 40+ km (25+ miles). Our ride to Titusville and back was over 30 km. While it was cooler by the Atlantic on Friday, a little inland it reached 30 C (86 F) just 1 degree less than the all time record high for the day.