Stu Jenks' Fezziwig Press

"Harry Potter Land"

"Harry Potter Land, Orlando, Florida" (c) 2010 Stu Jenks

[Merry Christmas everyone, from Harry, Ron & Hermione]

 

"Two Spirals"

"Two Spirals: The Abajo Mountains, Utah & Universal Studios, Florida" (c) 2010 Stu Jenks

 

"STS-133"

“STS-133: Canaveral National Seashore, Florida

    “So, do many people come here to watch the launches of the Space Shuttle?” I ask, as I hand my money to the man at the west gate of Canaveral National Seashore.
    “We close the Park three days before each launch,” he says without emotion.
    “Too many people crowding the beach?” I ask.
    “No,” says the park ranger, “It’s in case, if something goes wrong, no one will get hurt.”
    “Oh,” I say.
    You mean if the Shuttle blows up soon after launch, fire and debris will rain from the sky and kill people. Yikes. But I’d still chance it. Anytime. Day or night. Just have me sign a waiver.
    Thirty minutes later, I’m at a rickety fence on the beach. A tall guard tower sits off to my right, the Atlantic Ocean crashes to my left. Video cameras, here and there. I raise my 5D to my eye, then lower it without taking a shot. I just gaze in awe. A childhood dream come true. There’s the Space Shuttle Discovery right over there! I’m looking right at it! (It’s scheduled for launch on November 1st, the day before All Souls’ Day. Next to last launch of any Space Shuttle, for that matter. They are retiring the program in 2011.) I may or may not ever see a launch but right now, I really don’t care.
    For STS-133 is right over there!
    I wipe the tears from my eyes, raise my camera again and begin shooting.