Thursday, Nasa/Medieval Times

Today was a slower day. We slept in a little, and had doughnuts for breakfast. We got going a little bit late and headed out to the coast again. We got to Kennedy Space Center about 11:30. We first did the tram tour. It took over 2 hours, but it was very interesting. There were 3 stops. One near the launch pad, with the actual control room used for the Apollo series, one about Apollo, with one of the rockets there, and a great movie, and a quick stop about thedifferent capsules. It was interesting, and there was a lot to see. When we got back to the main section we rode a simulator ride about launching, and saw a great IMAX 3D movie about walking on the moon. It was narrated by Tom Hanks. It was really good too. There was another IMAX movie we didn't have a chance to see, and another exhibit. We did what we could, but we needed to get back because of our dinner.

It took a little longer getting back than we thought. The tickets for Medieval Times said to arrive by 6pm, and the show starts at 7:30. We didn't know what happened during that time. Did they take your dinner request? Serve dinner? Pre-dinner show? We ended up getting there about 6:30, and they said we wouldn't be seated until 7:15. So we toured a village they had set up. There was kitchen, basketry, weavers, ironsmith, torture chambers, and other stuff. It was interesting and cool, and the kids liked it. We looked around inside, where Kyler took a picture with the King, and we looked at Armour.

Finally we were lead to our seats. We had red crowns on (think Burger King), and sat in the red section, near the middle. We had good seats. There were 6 sections. There was a huge arena in the middle, and you sat on a long bench with a table in front of you. Down a few steps was the next row, so everyone could see. The first course was soup in a pewter bowl, with no spoon. It was tomato vegetable, and it was pretty tasty. Horses came, and there was a loose plot with the King, his daughter, and a tournament. We were given the Red Night to cheer. They continued to serve dinner throughout the night. We were given half of a roast chicken next, with a half of a baked potato, and a spare rib, still no silverware. Kyler didn't like getting his fingers dirty, but the food was pretty good. Before the men started the tournament the Falconer came out, and had his bird fly around and chase a lead he had. It was flying really low some times! Then the men all came out to compete. They had a lot of different events. They jousted for a ring (about 3 inches wide) hanging on a ribbon from a pole. They also picked up flags as they thundered by, and then did some real jousting at each other. It was amazing. Loud, fun, and I would think painful. They knocked each other off the horses, and then fought a little. There was a final event with 2 rows of rings hanging down, about 15 feet apart, so if you got one ring from the first set, you had to be ready immediately to try for the next set. It was really good. There was also a performance of tricks some horses performed in between. The story continued, and there was a bad guy, and then the all started fighting on foot, using sword, halberd, mace, etc. It was really neat, with great music, lights, and very exciting. The whole show was about 2 1/2 hours long. It was a lot of fun, and something really unique.