From Fraternity Brother Catch-Up to a Starlink Spectacular


An Unforgettable Campsite Encounter

My fall road trip took an unexpected turn at Anastasia State Park campground near Saint Augustine. While hoping to reconnect with my old fraternity brother Merlin, who was unfortunately out of town, fate intervened. A quick call to Earl, another fraternity brother living nearby, resulted in a warm reunion filled with years of catching up (and meeting his lovely friend Betty!).

Back at the campground, serendipity struck again. My neighbor turned out to be Jeremy, an adventurous soul from Vancouver Island, Canada, traveling the US on his motorcycle with a tent for company. You could tell he loved adventure and was taking advantage of a time in his life for a grand trip. As we chatted, the topic of the evening's SpaceX launch came up. Knowing the beach offered a prime viewing spot, I invited Jeremy to join the celestial spectacle.

That night, under the inky blackness of a Florida sky, the magic unfolded. The launch of the 70th Falcon 9 of 2023, carrying a batch of Starlink satellites, was a sight to behold. The fiery streak ascending towards the heavens, followed by the awe-inspiring booster rocket returning to the offshore barge, left us speechless.

Jeremy, eyes wide with wonder, declared it the highlight of his trip so far. We then learned it was his 50th birthday approaching! His plans for an epic motorcycle adventure continued – meeting friends flying in for a football game in Tampa before conquering Central America on two wheels.

This chance encounter at Anastasia State Park was a powerful reminder that sometimes the best parts of a journey are the unexpected connections you make. From catching up with old friends to sharing a celestial marvel with a fellow adventurer, it was a night etched forever in memory.

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