Ive been to see the shuttle take off a couple of times now. As Punkie says the sound is amazing and the way it dissapears into a tiny bright dot in the sky in no time at all is amazing. Its also amazing how many people go out to see it off.

The size of the flames are just huge compared to the Shuttle too!

I remember getting back in the car and switching on NASA radio hearing the guy say "Its in orbit now" such a short time after it took off!!

Couple of my pics.