Cocoa Beach Florida and the Space Coast

What a site this was! The picture hardly does it justice.

STS-126 gave the residents on the Space Coast a double treat. First, it was launched on Nov. 14, 2008 at 7:55 PM against a night sky and a full moon low on the horizon. I had the privilege of being invited to watch the launch from the Viewing area only 3 miles across the Banana River from Launch Pad 39A. It was one spectacular sight to witness.
Then, some 2 weeks later the Shuttle was forced to land at Edwards Air Force base in California. This meant the Shuttle had to be flown to the Cape on the back of a specially modified 747. The pilot was given permission to take the 747 East to the Atlantic Ocean over Patrick AFB to the South. He then headed North just off the beach at a fairly low altitude and slow speed.
I was watching with some neighbors from the 5th floor walkway of our condo building, it was sight every bit as inspiring and beautiful as the night launch earlier.
The picture was taken with my Canon 40D and a 300mm F4.0 L USM IS AF Lens - translation a 300 MM Canon "White" lens with Image Stabilization ( great for old guys).