Nature Reserve and Zero-G

The Zero-G company banner at Space Center Regional Airport.

On my first drive from Orlando past Titusville to the Kennedy Space Center, on April 2, I had noticed a sign pointing toward a nature reserve. Its name, "Enchanted Forest" intrigued me. I flagged this in my mind as a place I could visit, although the name suggested some ticky-tacky tourist trap. Later, someone had advised me that it was, indeed, a worthwhile place. It was maintained by Brevard County, and was a nature reserve. So now I headed directly there.

I changed into walking clothes, applied sunscreen, registered at the Park Visitor Center, ate my lunch and then spent several hours walking and enjoying Florida's varied flora.

At one point I heard a large jet flying low overhead. Looking up through the forest canopy I caught a glimpse of an aircraft emblazoned with a giant "Zero G" on its side. This, of course, intrigued me.

After time in the park's visitor's centre display, I followed the direction the plane had flown and eventually found the Space Center Regional Airport. No sign of the jet, though. In a tiny terminal building there were two representatives sorting out T-shirts and other mementos.

Turns out the company which operates the aircraft offers tourist zero-gravity flights. How much? $6500. How long? An hour and a half. When? Booked months in advance. Where was the aircraft? Out flying passengers. When would it return? In about an hour and a half. It was already 2:30 pm so I decided not to await its return.

On the way to the airport I noticed the names of some of the streets: Grissom Parkway, Shepard Drive, Armstrong Drive, Chaffee Drive, White Avenue and Challenger Memorial Parkway.

In nearby Port St John I found a video rental store that was closing down, and was holding a sale of its stock. Bought the IMAX movie "Space Station 3D" DVD, which is not available in Australia.

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