Travel
The Space Place
Every kid who has watched a rocket launch into space or stared at the moon with wonder has had the same dream: to walk in the footsteps of Neil Armstrong. Well, we know where to make that happen. No, no, no, not the moon, but close. The Kennedy Space Center Visitors Complex in Titusville, Florida, is just one small step from the place where Armstrong — and every other NASA astronaut — got their launch. Literally.
Sitting on the eastern edge of Florida adjacent to Cape Canaveral, the complex offers everything a wannabe astronaut could desire, from bus tours of the historic launch sites to a “garden” of rockets and an 8½-minute simulated space shuttle launch. A collection of space suits, an Apollo spacecraft, and the space shuttle Atlantis are all on display. The Astronaut Hall of Fame offers a glimpse into heroes of the past, and a chance to get a guided tour or eat lunch with one of today’s astronauts.
The complex even has something for those who prefer the comforts of gravity and stability of life on Earth, with 3D movies in an IMAX theater, a moon tree garden to walk through, and a chance to look deep into the universe through a 3D space telescope.
Visitors can time their arrival at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex to witness live rocket launches.
What makes the complex all the more exciting is its welcoming approach to the RV life. The parking lot has a section reserved for RVs, and more than a dozen RV parks and campgrounds stretch up and down the “Space Coast.” A comprehensive list can be found at campingroadtrip.com.
As with every successful space launch, however, a prelaunch checklist is a must, so the Space Center highly recommends going online, buying tickets in advance, and doing some planning. This is especially important if you want to be on hand when a rocket is launched. The visitors complex offers the closest available public viewing opportunities for rocket launches. A launch calendar and countdown clock can be found on the center’s website.
Planning is also important because of the restrictions brought on by the pandemic. Even though the complex is taking efforts to keep its space clean and safe, not all attractions are accommodating to social distancing requirements and thus may not be available.
Daily admission tickets are $57 for adults and $47 for children, with multiday passes at $82 and $67, respectively. Enhancements such as a guided tour, an astronaut training experience, and spacewalk training are available for additional fees. The complex is open 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily. For more information, call (855) 433-4210 or visit kennedyspacecenter.com.
Travel Tip
Dinner For Two
After a long day of driving and sight-seeing, the last thing you might want to do is fix something for supper. We have found this meal easy to put together and healthful; plus, it will be waiting for you when you pull into your campsite in the evening. The equipment needed is inexpensive, and the ingredients are simple to pull together. Preparation time takes about 10 minutes.
Start with a 400-watt inverter and a two-quart slow cooker. In the morning, before hitting the road, place these ingredients in the slow cooker, in order:
2 pork chops
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 8-ounce can green beans, drained
2 large or several small potatoes with skins left on, washed and halved
Plug in the inverter. Place the slow cooker in the kitchen sink to avoid any spills.
Hit the road.
All day, while driving, you’ll have to put up with a delicious aroma coming from your kitchen sink.
When you arrive at the campground, your meal for two will be waiting for you.
This recipe is easy to modify. For example, you can substitute two chicken breasts, topped with a can of cream of chicken soup, cut-up carrots and celery, and halved potatoes.
— Ralph Bartermann, F187805
Mount Prospect, Illinois
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Camping
Winter Sojourn In San Diego
Two waterfront RV resorts invite families to enjoy a Southern California getaway, even in January and February: Campland On The Bay and Mission Bay RV Resort.
Nestled along the shores of Mission Bay in San Diego, California, the resorts offer a respite for RVers seeking to escape the chill. San Diego’s temperate climate boasts warm weather and sunny skies throughout the winter.
Campland On The Bay offers full-hookup sites with views of the waterfront, or nature-preserve views in shady or sunny areas.
Mission Bay RV Resort overlooks the shores of De Anza Cove, where RV sites are steps from the beach. Showers, rest rooms, laundry facilities, and full-hookup sites are available. Guests have complimentary access to additional resort amenities and activities at nearby sister property Campland On The Bay.
Guests at both properties enjoy al fresco dining, a convenience market and coffee counter, a dog park, a playground, a skateboard park, and year-round onshore and aquatic recreation.
The innovative Open Air Study Hall at Campland On The Bay in San Diego, California, enables students whose families are staying at that facility or at the neighboring Mission Bay RV Resort to complete their schoolwork outdoors in a socially distanced manner, with Wi-Fi available.
RV families whose children are learning remotely this year may be especially interested in the Open-Air Study Hall at Campland On The Bay, which furnishes a quiet, shaded area for kids to attend school virtually and complete assignments. The study area’s socially distanced tables are equipped with power supplies and wireless internet access. It’s available to families with school-aged children staying at either resort and is open weekdays from 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
A variety of outdoor recreation opportunities await RVers of all ages. Resort guests can take a stroll or rent a bike to explore the Mission Bay Bike Path, which is adjacent to both properties. Or, at sunset, they can walk along the beach. Watersport equipment rentals are offered year-round, including stand-up paddleboards, kayaks, and pedal boats. Campland On The Bay also features two heated pools and spas.
When RVers wish to take a break from campsite cooking, Campland’s on-site restaurant, the Cantina, is open for lunch and dinner daily; breakfast is served on weekends. Guests dine al fresco, absorbing a view of the bay, or pick up a meal to go.
Visit the facilities’ websites for updated information related to COVID-19.
Details
Campland On The Bay, C4960
(FMCA commercial member)
2211 Pacific Beach Drive
San Diego, CA 92109
(858) 581-4260
Mission Bay RV Resort, C12854
(FMCA commercial member)
2727 De Anza Road
San Diego, CA 92109
(858) 270-4300