If you want details of the science and rocketry (which are really pretty amazing), you should check out the references page on the wiki that I helped to administrate for our tweetup group. NASA does a wonderful job explaining the mission and, frankly, I couldn’t do it better.

The #GRAIL #NASATweetup was scheduled to begin on the morning of September 7, 2011. In order to arrive in time (and pick up my credentials early), I left at 2:30 AM on Tuesday, September 6th.

Gnoome and I headed out in the dark of night, armed with snack food, map, and plenty of coffee for the 10+ hour drive.

Our trip progressed quite well. No other travelers in the car, so we could just keep moving along (read: no extra long rest stops, food stops, etc). Before we knew it, we were in Florida. It's hard to tell from this photo, but it was actually raining. An ironic greeting to the Sunshine State!

Next stop (or at least, next photo) was Cocoa Beach! This is Gnoome checking out the view just outside our condo! We stayed with 5 other tweeps who we met online in through the GRAIL NASATweetup Facebook group. What a great group of people (more about them later)!

Oh boy! Time to pick up our credentials. We weren't actually given Press Accreditation, but the NASA Social Media team did use the Press online registration procedures for the tweetup.

Gnoome was so excited to meet Stephanie (@NASATweetup) that he couldn't hold the camera still enough to take a non-blurry picture. Stephanie organized just about EVERYTHING that had to be organized. I don't think she slept all week.

Gnoome wasn't the only silent attendee. Here he meets up with Bo (from the UK) and a Twitter buddy. Space Tweeps are very into science and geeky things, but they also can be pretty silly. Don't worry, the photos of the behind-the-scenes tours and NASATweetup speakers will be much more serious. Maybe.

We're official!

At registration, we also received the first of many NASA goodies! Thanks, NASA!!!

On to the pre-tweetup dinner at Dixie Crossroads. Eating at Dixie Crossroads has become a kind of tradition for the NASATweetups. Over half of the attendees had arrived in town and were at the dinner. We had a great time meeting each other and figuring out IRL names vs Twitter handles. We also had to learn to recognize each other by something other than an abstract avatar!

Prior to coming to Florida, many of the NASATweetup tweeps worked together on our wiki, created artwork for tshirts & patches, and organized a thank you for our NASA hosts. Here, Gnoome and Neven, sign the poster the group presented later to the NASA Social Media team.

More fuzzy animals alert! Gnoome found some friends at the table next to ours. These were the buddies of two children of a husband/wife team who were fortunate enough to BOTH be attending the GRAIL NASATweetup.

Back at the condo, we took one more walk out on the beach before heading inside to prepare for our very busy day on Wednesday. There was not an outlet in the condo that did not have a charger in it. Phones, computers, cameras, backup power supplies, and iPads were all being made ready to document what was to come when we arrived at Kennedy Space Center.

Stay tuned for Part II…

Great little place found in Uptown New Orleans: Oak St. Café.

Here’s a look at the 2008 festival:

The alarm went off too early (or so it seemed). A quick breakfast (the Prince Conference Center had set out “the works” for us: omelets, biscuits, cereal, fresh fruit on skewers, pastries, juices, yogurt, and of course coffee). We walked over the highway via the enclosed pedestrian walkway which takes you from the Prince Conference Center to the rest of the Calvin campus. The seminary building was amazing. Beautiful lobbies (with mission oak furniture and fine art and artifacts). In the hallway outside our conference room there are two series of fiber art exhibits. You can read about them here, but the photos don’t do justice to the textures and brilliant colors. Classrooms are thoughtfully appointed and equipped with state of the art technology. Hospitality is something that all students, faculty, and staff not only talk about, but actually practice.

Best quote of the day was when a session began, “Lady and gentlemen.” Yes, I am the only female in the group of 20 at the consultation. I’m privileged to be a part of this “thinktank” session about using digital biblical tools in the classroom. Lots of great ideas, creative brainstorming, questions, challenges, and sharing of resources. Hopefully, I will be able to share more details in the future.

Most ridiculous attempts to check items for air travel:
One person was called back to security for trying to check a Gasoline (!) powered leaf blower. The other person was actually perplexed about why they could not check “safe” firecrackers in their luggage.

Greeting upon arrival in Chicago as we entered the terminal from the plane:
“Welcome to Chicago. We want you to be healthy….” This was followed by 2 minutes of telling people how to blow their noses and wash their hands. Yup. This was our welcome to the Windy City.

Different areas of the country have various regulations about requirements for automobiles. For example, California has tough emissions control requirements. Apparently in Chicago, turn signals are optional equipment.

Chicago locals are very generous. If you ask 3 people for directions, you will be given 4 sets of instructions. And even these will require asking another two people for clarification. Likely, this is their form of the Welcome Wagon.

Once actually on the road, the drive from Chicago, through a small part of Indiana (who knew?) and on to Michigan was quite pleasant. I have never been in any of these states (save to change planes in O’Hare). I am definitely feeling it is more “northern” here. The trees have no leaves left at all. The sun sets REALLY early. While not really freezing cold, the nip in the air is enjoyable.

Why listen to an iPod as you travel when you can listen to the local flavor on radio? Most surprising was Smile FM, which plays “Michigan’s positive hits.” Only a few minutes into the playlist and I realized that this is the area’s Christian radio station. Of course, they never actually said that. Other than the music, the dead give-away was the Blessing for the Hunt that was done on the air!! This blessing/prayer for the hunter, his fellowship, his solitude, his safety, etc. just seemed a bit surreal.

Of course, there was wildlife to be seen. You know you are near water when a great blue heron swoops across the highway just over the tops of the cars. And of course there was roadkill (not only deer, but raccoons and a few unidentifiable mammals). After I had turned north and headed up toward Grand Rapids, the terrain became a little more hilly. In fact, it even started to look like Maine. Just as I had that thought, I came upon a sign for the next town: Bangor. I kid you not.

Local businesses often have funky names. I don’t this one was a good choice though: Olde Strange Inn.

I forgot that I would be coming into Dutch country. Hurrah! I hope to find a Dutch bakery at some point.

There seem to be a lot of billboards here. One advertiser must plunk down quite a bit of change. Their ads were ubiquitous (and I could do without them): the Lion’s Den. I didn’t realize you could spell the word “ADULT” with such large letters. I was, however, almost persuaded to detour off my path to track down the Chocolate Garden (which was featuring a new truffle that had coffee in it). In fact, there was yet another billboard tempting chocoholics: the Chocolate Cafe. I like this state.

The Calvin College campus is quite lovely. And the folks who helped this lost soul find her way around the campus were truly friendly and kind.

I thought we would be staying in some kind of dorm-like rooms. Ha! The Prince Conference Center is gorgeous! Even a fireplace in the lobby. Maybe I will update later with some photos.

Now, to go find some coffee…