I’m writing a magazine article for Airstream Life, and another for submission to The New Yorker (are you listening NY?) I recently interviewed one of the van drivers at NASA about being a shuttle driver for the Airstream Astrovan. One of his off handed comments fascinated me and made me think:

They have walked on the moon, walked in space, orbited the earth, touched the universe in ways none of us ever will. They strap themselves onto rockets, endure incredible G-forces, risk their lives, leave their families, risk death each time they undertake a mission.

And when security shuts down the roads, and an armed helicopter and guard pulls into position behind the transport vehicle there is only 10 miles of long flat road to travel. 10 miles to a shuttle that will hurl them into space again as the world watches in awe. Media, scientists, spectators, all waiting. All watching. And on the return trip - there is relief at having lived through another mission.

The most elite, highly trained group of men and women on the planet traverse that 10 miles of concrete. And what do they do, what do they talk about on the way there or the way back?

“Well,” Ronnie King, a transport driver for NASA said.

“Sometimes we looked at alligators. We’ll see one on the road, they get to be about 14 or 15 feet long you know. And we’ll stop the bus and get out and look at it.”

NEVER forget the wonder in the ordinary things around you. You can walk among the stars - but remember that remarkable can be something as simple as a giant lizard.