Our eggs are in SPACE!! We had a fantastic time at the launch yesterday.
The sky cleared up just in time. It was breathtaking to watch. In case you missed it, here is a video from NASA Television. STS-135: Final Launch of Atlantis
I tried to videotape it myself, but was too caught up in the moment to point the camera straight. Plus, I really enjoyed watching it with my own eyes.
After the launch, we headed out with Joe from Blackwater Creek Koi Farm to visit a really cool organic, hydroponic, rooftop farm.
Bibb lettuce grows atop tanks of tilapia. The dirty water from the tank is pumped up to the lettuce, which uses the nutrients and filters the water, which is then pumped back into the fish tank.
Next, we drove up to Joe’s koi farm for a tour and to collect the control samples. The farm is amazing! There are hundreds of thousands of fish, of all different varieties, colors, and sizes. We learned the entire process of raising the fish, from spawning, to hatching, to growing, to selling, and to shipping.
Blackwater Creek Koi Farm Office
Baby fish
Adult Fish
We collect the control sample from the very same batch of eggs that Joe used to collect the sample we sent to space. The fish lay the eggs in this mat, which reminds them of grass. The mat protects the eggs so that the other fish don’t eat them.
The fish eggs are embedded in the mat.
Joe’s farm was tons of fun! In addition to the fish, he has goats, peacocks, kittens, and a dog. There was even a small alligator in one of the ponds when we were there!
After our tour, we went to dinner with Joe and his family. They treated us to some delicious Florida seafood, as well as a local delicacy, deep fried alligator tail. It was delicious!
That capped off our amazing launch day. We finally got back to the hotel at around 11:00 pm, exhausted but energized by this once-in-a-lifetime experience.
