Rocket Boy

Jackson has been fascinated with rocketry every since we first read Homer Hickam's book called Rocket Boys: A Memoir, and then watched the movie based on it called October Sky. Interestingly, the title of the paperback released at the same time was changed to the movie title, which is an ANAGRAM of Rocket Boys (take the letters of rocket boys and move them around to spell october sky!). Is that cool, or what?

The book and movie are based upon Homer Hickam's life as a young boy growing up in Coalwood, WV and aspiring to be a rocket scientist. For more info about Homer Hickam and his books and movie, click
Rocket Boys.

So, for the past 2 years, Jackson has been studying and reading about rocketry, watching documentaries and science shows about rocketery, and building and launching rockets.
John is thoroughly enjoying Jackson's interest in rockets and they spend each week involved in rocketry.

Usually we launch smaller rockets at our 3 acre ranch, but with all the trees and tall grasses, it's often difficult to find the rockets after being launched.
So, at least once a week, Jackson and John head to the city to launch rockets at the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta Park, off Alamada Rd. The park is open to the pubic and allows model airplanes, kites and model rockets. John and Jackson like the large open expanse of grass which makes it easier to find the rockets after being launched.

Last weekend, they went to the park and John took the following pictures. Click for larger views.