61. Lessons Learned from Space Shuttles and Manatees

We went to Florida on Oct. 30th with the hope of being able to see Discovery's last launch on Nov. 1st.  We booked a hotel for about a week to allow for the almost inevitable delays that happen with Shuttle launches.  After several such delays, Discovery was go for launch on Friday morning, Nov. 5th, our last day there.  Fueling began.  Then a leak was detected.  Launch scrubbed, and postponed at least until Monday.  Then, launch postponed until Nov. 30th at the earliest.

We knew delays were a distinct possibility, so we hadn't made any other reservations for side trips and such, trying to leave the week as open as possible.  Thanks to the wonders of wireless technology we were able to check NASA's site every morning, and plan our day accordingly.

We had to find things to do.  We found out that in Florida there is no shortage of options.  But we had done many of the theme parks around Orlando already, so we chose some more natural attractions that featured wildlife tours and park interpreters.  And we went to an island that, because of its location has some wonderful beaches for shell-hunting, gorgeous water birds and beautiful sunsets.

Surely one of the highlights of our stay was being introduced to the gentle manatees.  We encountered them in two different park sanctuaries where they are protected.  Having never met them in their natural habitat, we were smitten.  And what we learned about them stayed with us.

We learned they are naturally curious about humans, and like to approach people.  They are gentle, docile and seem to have no enemies other than the propellers of motorized water vehicles, and the hunters in some parts of the world who still depend on them for food.  They are vegetarian, so fish swim around them without fear.  They have a digestive system adapted to a purely vegetarian diet, in contrast to our own.  Even though they only eat sea lettuce, they grow to be many hundreds of pounds.  If they don't have to go far to find food or they are fed regularly, they get much bigger.  They take care of their own.  We were told a story in one park about a blind manatee who was regularly escorted by two others to where it could find food.

We took away some food for thought, and here is some of it:

Be gentle, and patient. Do as little harm as possible.

We can gain weight on almost anything if we eat enough of it.  It's all about the exercise.  (Yes, I took note.)

Worrying is overrated.

Observe speed limits on land and in water.  Big, motorized vehicles can maim or kill innocents.

Take care of those who need a little extra guidance.

Clean water is really important.

Be sociable.

Be curious.

Everyone is graceful in water.

Sailors at sea for a long time have really good imaginations. ;-)

So, our trip to Florida was not a loss after all.  We came away with some discoveries of our own.  And we really do want all our astronauts to be as safe as possible, so NASA, take your time; we can be patient.