The Friday Photo: Look, It's a Bird . . .

In a snap, Friday has a arrived, as has our Friday Photo. This week we toss a Travel section tote bag to Richard Gawthrop of Vienna, who captured this bright shining moment during a recent trip to Florida's Kennedy Space Center.

We're big fans of anyone accomplishing a long-term goal, and the story behind the shot is a good one.

Let's let Richard have his say:

Fulfilling a longstanding wish to witness a shuttle launch, we planned a rush trip to Florida during my son's spring break. Our tickets mandated that we arrive at the Kennedy Space Center on or before 9:30 p.m. for the rare night-time launch on March 11. Against the dark and chill, we curled ourselves deep into our camp chairs and watched the giant outdoor monitor for the regular mission updates. At 2:30 a.m. NASA announced "all systems go" and the final countdown began. Then covering us in a light so bright it achieved the "early dawn" effect the NASA literature promised, Endeavor cleared the treetops. Endeavor blazed in the night sky like an artificial sun. Then the low-hanging clouds, which had earlier threatened to delay the launch, obscured Endeavor from view -- but not before this photo was snapped!

Now it's your turn. Some guidelines:

1. Email ONE photo per week to us travel@washpost.com. Put "Friday Photo" in the subject field, and include your name, address and phone number.

2. Write a paragraph like the one above explaining what's going on in the picture, when you took it and why it's significant to you.

3. Photos should be from a recent trip, voyage, getaway . . whatever you want to call. But try to keep it within the last month or two or three.

4. Winners will receive a Travel section trinket (totebag, mousepad, etc.). Winning entries are subject to editing. Employees of The Post and their immediate families are not eligible. No purchase necessary.

By John Deiner |  March 28, 2008; 2:55 PM ET  | Category:  Friday Photos
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