Space Shuttle Endeavour- Final Flight

I decided to do something a little different and head up to Sentinel Peak overlooking downtown Tucson and watch history in the making. Former shuttle Commander Mark Kelly who is also the husband of Gabrielle Giffords the former congresswomen who survived an assassination attempt here in Tucson a little over a year ago had requested that his shuttle fly over Tucson on it's way to it's final destination in Los Angeles to honor his wife. It was our good fortune that his request was granted by NASA and we were able to be a small part of history as the shuttle piggybacked on a 747 flew directly towards our position atop Sentinel Peak.

Tucson normally has blue, cloudless skies this time of year but lingering weather patterns made conditions less than ideal for photography but that didn't stop the hundreds of people that made their way to the top of the mountain along with Nan and I.

The shuttle passed over the Rincon Mountains and into view right on schedule at 11:15 A.M. on Friday September 20, 2012. Kelly and wife Gabrielle watched the flyover from the top of a parking garage at the University of Arizona, a leg in the final journey of the last shuttle to take to the sky ever. http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/main/index.html

I remember four tragic events like they were yesterday. First the assassination of JFK, second the assassination of Bobby Kennedy, third the Challenger explosion and last 911 of course. All four of these events changed the course of our country and I for one will never forget.

Please enjoy the photographs and take a moment to visit the NASA website . It is well worth the time and will take those of you who are old enough on a 30 year journey of the shuttle.

Farewell old Friend!