I've been geeking out to a lot of nerd Rock lately, and now I want to make a road trip to somewhere nerdy that's relatively close. Huntsville, AL is less than 400 miles (640 km) away.
In the late-80's/early-90's I worked at an engineering company as an HVAC draftsman using Intergraph (Unix VAX-based CAD [computer aided design/drafting]). Intergraph is headquartered in Huntsville.
One of the cooler construction projects I worked on was locating laser detection security in the duct work of the Sparkman Missile Center which is also located in Huntsville. In fact, I think it's on the same grounds as NASA.
So I’d also like to visit both Intergraph and Sparkman, at least as far as I can get into these facilities (maybe a building pic from the parking lot? ).
Anyway, Huntsville just seems like a cool place that I've always wanted to visit and can do so over a long weekend. Have any of you been to NASA in Huntsville?
The rusty wire that holds the cork that keeps the anger in Gives way and suddenly it’s day again The sun is in the east Even though the day is done Two suns in the sunset, hmph Could be the human race is run
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#4583056 - 10/20/2104:26 PMRe: Planning a short road trip to Huntsville, Alabama
[Re: MarkG]
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Originally Posted by MarkG
Have any of you been to NASA in Huntsville?
I have not but it's on my bucket list. I would have to find out what else there is to do there though besides the visiting the NASA facility so I could convince my wife to come with me. She has ZERO interest in space exploration or anything else related to NASA.
“Whoever fights monsters should see to it that in the process he does not become a monster. And if you gaze long enough into an abyss, the abyss will gaze back into you.”
#4583057 - 10/20/2104:29 PMRe: Planning a short road trip to Huntsville, Alabama
[Re: PanzerMeyer]
I have not but it's on my bucket list. I would have to find out what else there is to do there though besides the visiting the NASA facility so I could convince my wife to come with me. She has ZERO interest in space exploration or anything else related to NASA.
Hey, I'll drive us out to the middle of nowhere Kansas to find Laura Ingalls' outhouse, so it's a taking-turns kinda thing.
The rusty wire that holds the cork that keeps the anger in Gives way and suddenly it’s day again The sun is in the east Even though the day is done Two suns in the sunset, hmph Could be the human race is run
#4583058 - 10/20/2104:35 PMRe: Planning a short road trip to Huntsville, Alabama
[Re: MarkG]
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Originally Posted by MarkG
Hey, I'll drive us out to the middle of nowhere Kansas to find Laura Ingalls' outhouse, so it's a taking-turns kinda thing.
Come to think of it, my wife still owes me big time for that Celine Dion concert I went to with her in Las Vegas. Thanks for bringing that up!
Last edited by PanzerMeyer; 10/20/2104:36 PM.
“Whoever fights monsters should see to it that in the process he does not become a monster. And if you gaze long enough into an abyss, the abyss will gaze back into you.”
#4583060 - 10/20/2104:44 PMRe: Planning a short road trip to Huntsville, Alabama
[Re: MarkG]
"Space Camp" (1986) is one of her favorite movies and I assume a good portion was shot in Huntsville. That'll be my next 80's movie night suggestion if it's not my turn (she'll bite). "Space Camp" is at least an 80 proof 4-shoter, IIRC.
The rusty wire that holds the cork that keeps the anger in Gives way and suddenly it’s day again The sun is in the east Even though the day is done Two suns in the sunset, hmph Could be the human race is run
#4583114 - 10/21/2112:49 AMRe: Planning a short road trip to Huntsville, Alabama
[Re: MarkG]
Wife is on board, Huntsville it is. NASA Marshall Space Flight Center is doing tours again ($20.00). It's a bus tour with attraction stops but I'm sure we'll get lots of walking in (half the reason for going).
We'll also visit Intergraph (~4 miles [~6.4 km] from NASA...their history begins with developing guidance software for the Saturn V) for the nice walking paths and hopefully be allowed to tour the building...
The rusty wire that holds the cork that keeps the anger in Gives way and suddenly it’s day again The sun is in the east Even though the day is done Two suns in the sunset, hmph Could be the human race is run
#4583116 - 10/21/2112:58 AMRe: Planning a short road trip to Huntsville, Alabama
[Re: MarkG]
Joined: Mar 2001 Posts: 17,301Nixer
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Nice to keep your visit regional and to support your neighbors.
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#4583120 - 10/21/2101:53 AMRe: Planning a short road trip to Huntsville, Alabama
[Re: MarkG]
We did a second NYC trip to finish our itinerary which had been cut a couple of days short due to my kidney stone. We were thinking about a final 3rd trip with no itinerary, just hit the sidewalks with backpacks and see where we wind up. But on second thought...nah. That'll be a big pass.
All the stations up here they don't sign off with Dixie The way they did in sweet home Alabam' And the people here don't sip Jack Daniels whiskey The way they do in the Tennessee mountain land
I'd always heard lots about the big apple So I thought I'd come up here and see But all I've seen so far is one big hassle Wish I was camped out on the Okeechobee
If this is the promised land, I've had all I can stand And I'm headed back below that Dixie line No I just don't fit in, and I'll never come back again But I'm busted here an' I got Dixie on my mind Oh I'm stuck up here an' I got Dixie on my mind
(Yee-ha)
These people never smile or say a word They're all too busy tryin' to make an extra dime Oh I'd love to haul 'em all down around Spartanburg And show 'em how to raise hell in Carolin'
Oh the things you know that I miss most of all Is the freedom of the rivers and the pines They don't do much huntin' and fishin' up here ya know But I have met a few squirrels and one porcupine
Well if this is the promised land, I've had all I can stand Wish I was down in Houston town tonight No I just don't fit in, and I'll never come back again But I'm busted here an' I got Dixie on my mind Oh I'm stuck up here an' got Dixie on my mind
Lol.
However, it was on that first NYC trip in nowhere Alabama (wife was giving me a break) when we saw this Rest Area near Huntsville!...
We were on our way to a Nashville stopover, which looks to be less than 100 miles (161 km) from Huntsville. Tempting (Grand Ole Opry tour, live 70's/80's Rock nightlife), but we need to keep it as close as possible (~6 hr. drive).
The rusty wire that holds the cork that keeps the anger in Gives way and suddenly it’s day again The sun is in the east Even though the day is done Two suns in the sunset, hmph Could be the human race is run
#4583146 - 10/21/2111:32 AMRe: Planning a short road trip to Huntsville, Alabama
[Re: MarkG]
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Originally Posted by MarkG
As the great Bocephus once sang...
That graphic needs to remove South Florida because I can tell you with certainty that there's absolutely nothing "Southern" about that region.
“Whoever fights monsters should see to it that in the process he does not become a monster. And if you gaze long enough into an abyss, the abyss will gaze back into you.”
#4583157 - 10/21/2112:58 PMRe: Planning a short road trip to Huntsville, Alabama
[Re: MarkG]
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You asked: I was a NASA Proj Mgr/Proj Scientist/Lead Architect for some Microgravity Science Space Experiments and their flight Equipment. Those were intended for the Space Shuttle and Space Station.
Huntsville was a "friendly competitor" for such projects with our NASA Glenn Research Center (previously Lewis Research Center). We all worked together.
Moreover, Huntsville got started in Microgravity Science before Glenn did; so, it was considered USA's main location for developing that sort of Experiment.
Thus, several business visits -- a long time ago. I imagine there have been changes.
That graphic needs to remove South Florida because I can tell you with certainty that there's absolutely nothing "Southern" about that region.
Yeah, having lived in Jacksonville for 13 years (1996 - 2009), I know what you mean...only the northern parts of the state feel Southern (extending the pan handle to the Atlantic).
But...the song mentions Okeechobee (~100 m [~160 km] south of Orlando for those not familiar with FL), so the song is as much about the landscape as it is the people (despite the fan-made video graphics). I also wouldn't include a large part of Texas as part of the South, although he mentions Houston.
BTW, my friend in Atlanta is a Boston transplant, said they loved Hank Jr. in concert up there (for real).
Manhattan to us felt like another country, even having lived 8 years in the big city of Atlanta.
Last edited by MarkG; 10/21/2101:13 PM.
The rusty wire that holds the cork that keeps the anger in Gives way and suddenly it’s day again The sun is in the east Even though the day is done Two suns in the sunset, hmph Could be the human race is run
#4583162 - 10/21/2101:17 PMRe: Planning a short road trip to Huntsville, Alabama
[Re: MarkG]
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Originally Posted by MarkG
Manhattan to us felt like another country, even having lived 8 years in the big city of Atlanta.
No surprise there. Going from rural Louisiana to NYC is pure culture shock to say the least!
“Whoever fights monsters should see to it that in the process he does not become a monster. And if you gaze long enough into an abyss, the abyss will gaze back into you.”
#4583171 - 10/21/2102:04 PMRe: Planning a short road trip to Huntsville, Alabama
[Re: PanzerMeyer]
Manhattan to us felt like another country, even having lived 8 years in the big city of Atlanta.
No surprise there. Going from rural Louisiana to NYC is pure culture shock to say the least!
And the opposite is true as well when your friends make a trip home with you from Atlanta to Louisiana...
<I don't think they would mind first names if they somehow saw this (both still living in Atlanta)>...
Ray from Boston. Always some friendly North/South ribbing. We stayed in New Orleans, wife's cousin's apartment next to Superdome. Had tickets to Saints/Falcons and Pearl Jam.
Carl from Detroit (father was an exec. for GM). We stayed at my parent's home. Not only had bayou culture shock, but Carl is black.
Both enjoyed a taste of the bayou. And I feel bad for staying out of touch for so long.
The rusty wire that holds the cork that keeps the anger in Gives way and suddenly it’s day again The sun is in the east Even though the day is done Two suns in the sunset, hmph Could be the human race is run
#4583174 - 10/21/2102:15 PMRe: Planning a short road trip to Huntsville, Alabama
[Re: MarkG]
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Originally Posted by MarkG
Both enjoyed a taste of the bayou. And I feel bad for staying out of touch for so long.
I tell ya, it's impossible to find good shrimp and crawfish etouffee here so I really need to make a trip out to LA some day.
“Whoever fights monsters should see to it that in the process he does not become a monster. And if you gaze long enough into an abyss, the abyss will gaze back into you.”
#4583181 - 10/21/2103:07 PMRe: Planning a short road trip to Huntsville, Alabama
[Re: PanzerMeyer]
Both enjoyed a taste of the bayou. And I feel bad for staying out of touch for so long.
I tell ya, it's impossible to find good shrimp and crawfish etouffee here so I really need to make a trip out to LA some day.
Once my parents are gone (80's but doing well), and before we sell everything and move to the middle of Montana, you and yours are invited for a visit. And I mean that sincerely.
Meanwhile, I need to visit my brother's daughter and husband at their new place (they moved south of Tampa to be closer to his family in Miami) and get another dose of Cuban cuisine...
The rusty wire that holds the cork that keeps the anger in Gives way and suddenly it’s day again The sun is in the east Even though the day is done Two suns in the sunset, hmph Could be the human race is run
#4583182 - 10/21/2103:16 PMRe: Planning a short road trip to Huntsville, Alabama
[Re: MarkG]
And to see mountains again (at least they're mountains to us).
The rusty wire that holds the cork that keeps the anger in Gives way and suddenly it’s day again The sun is in the east Even though the day is done Two suns in the sunset, hmph Could be the human race is run
#4583185 - 10/21/2104:26 PMRe: Planning a short road trip to Huntsville, Alabama
[Re: MarkG]
Joined: Nov 2001 Posts: 24,029oldgrognard Administrator
If you run out of things, a visit to Guntersville is nice. Great Lake there.
Good people sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf.
Someday your life will flash in front of your eyes. Make sure it is worth watching.
#4583187 - 10/21/2104:37 PMRe: Planning a short road trip to Huntsville, Alabama
[Re: MarkG]
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Originally Posted by MarkG
And to see mountains again (at least they're mountains to us).
I didn't see a mountain OR snow until I was 23 years old. True story.
“Whoever fights monsters should see to it that in the process he does not become a monster. And if you gaze long enough into an abyss, the abyss will gaze back into you.”
#4583295 - 10/22/2101:41 PMRe: Planning a short road trip to Huntsville, Alabama
[Re: PanzerMeyer]
And to see mountains again (at least they're mountains to us).
I didn't see a mountain OR snow until I was 23 years old. True story.
Wow!
========== "The Cold wave of January 1977 produced the only known trace of snow in the greater Miami area of Florida ever reported, although the city itself did not report any snow (a trace of snow was documented in Lake Worth)."
I find that incredible as one of the cruises I took out of Miami, upon return, felt pretty darn chilly to me.
++++++++++
Although no mountains or snow from Baton Rouge to Orlando, I wanted to archive in this thread my old first trip to NASA pic (1977[?]...when the upcoming Space Shuttle was all the rage)...
I regret now never attending a Shuttle launch (easy day trip from Jax. to Kennedy, did it several times).
The rusty wire that holds the cork that keeps the anger in Gives way and suddenly it’s day again The sun is in the east Even though the day is done Two suns in the sunset, hmph Could be the human race is run
#4583300 - 10/22/2101:51 PMRe: Planning a short road trip to Huntsville, Alabama
[Re: MarkG]
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Great pic Mark. It almost looks like a promo shot for a spinoff show to "Eight is Enough".
“Whoever fights monsters should see to it that in the process he does not become a monster. And if you gaze long enough into an abyss, the abyss will gaze back into you.”