Pictures from the Columbia launch.

On January 16th my dog and I went down to the lake to watch the launch of the space shuttle Columbia. We try to make it to all the launches and this lake provides the clearest view to the east for us.
Usually we walk, but I was running late that day and before I knew it, it was 10:30 and I didn't want to miss it, so I loaded Baloo up in the car and drove the 5 blocks to the lake. We sat down on the embankment and listened to the public radio station.
T-minus 2 minutes. Always exciting no matter how many times you hear it.

Counting down from ten always gives me a thrill and when I hear the NASA announcer saying "We have liftoff," it is truly moving.
It takes about 20 seconds or so before we can see it rise up (being an hour away from the coast) but watching the horizon has a wonderful anticipation to it.

Below are the pictures in sequence as it went up.
Enjoy,
Terri

Click on any image to see the larger version

Having the camera in my hand and Baloo being so photogenic, I snapped a couple of her.
I didn't realize it until I got home and unloaded the camera that the shuttle is in the reflection of the lake next to her.
Great shots!

As we headed back home I turned around to look at it one last time.

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