NORTHFIELD, MN,  July 8, 2011 – If your bucket list includes seeing a space shuttle launch, you have run out of time. Today ended a thirty year era for NASA space shuttles according to the Washington Times.

When I was a single, young professional four of us went on a spring trip to Florida. While there, I became an ‘accidental space launch spectator.’ Now, more than twenty-five years later, I appreciate that the beach we chose was near the launch site.

When touring the Kennedy Space Center a few years ago, I told my children about observing a shuttle launch. They asked me all sorts of questions, many of which I could not answer.

I am sorry to say that I have forgotten the name of the shuttle.

My on-line research leads me to believe that I observed Challenger launch on April 4, 1983. Or it could have been Discovery on April 12, 1985.

My launch went up the morning it was scheduled. This fact alone should help me pinpoint it.

It was before the horrific Challenger space shuttle accident in 1986. That shuttle launch exploded shortly after lift-off.

That timing leaves me a few options. I narrowed it down knowing that we traveled to Florida in April. We were there during Easter.

Easter was on April 3, 1983 and on April 7, 1985. Both of those dates are within one week of Easter. That makes it possible that I was there.

I recall having a Chinese dinner at Epcot Center in Orlando on Easter. Given my traditional Easter day of church followed by a ham dinner, this fact stayed in my mind.

Space shuttle Atlantis is seen as it launches from pad 39A on Friday, July 8, 2011 at the Kennedy Space Center Friday, July 8, 2011, in Cape Canaveral, Fla. Atlantis is the 135th and final space shuttle launch for NASA. (AP Photo/ NASA, Bill Ingalls)

Unfortunately, I cannot remember if we watched the shuttle launch before or after we were in Orlando. If I was a betting woman I would say I saw the Challenger launch.

During a snowy Minnesota winter, we carefully had mapped out our itinerary for our Florida dream vacation. Once we were enjoying the sunshine, we relaxed. Marlene, Cindy, Cindy and I must have been listening to music rather than the news that day. When we got stuck in traffic  we wondered what was going on.

Once we reached the beach, we discovered others had our answer. It was a space shuttle launch. Wow! This was something not even on our itinerary and free besides.

How was it? The countdown was fun. Then, it was loud, and well, majestic. Overall, it was well worth our stumbling upon.

Perhaps if I Facebook my traveling companions one can tell me what year we saw the launch.

Meanwhile, I have checked that activity off of my bucket list.

And, I have realized that exciting life experiences may be wasted on the young. I never knew how special it was until this era of space shuttle launches has come to an end.

Please Comment: Have you seen a space shuttle launch and how was it? Would you have liked to see one?

Read more from Donna Rae Scheffert at Washington Times Communities and Online-Leadership-Tools. She can also be found on LinkedIn and Twitter.