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Sunday Travel Funnies: Someone’s Not Laughing

Not everyone gets to ride to work in a space shuttle (though more and more people are getting to blast off after they die) so it stands to reason that when NASA gets ready to send astronauts into orbit the media comes out in full force.

Recently, though, having all eyes on the launch pad at the Kennedy Space Center proved a bit embarrassing for the space agency. A few days ago the spacecraft Endeavour was moved out on the launch pad amidst pomp, circumstance and a huge banner that read “Go Endeavor.”

A festive touch… only the shuttle’s name is spelled the British way, with a “u.” (It’s named after the first ship commanded by 18th century British explorer James Cook.)

The gigantic banner was reportedly flown for about 90 minutes before someone noticed the flaw. A bit later it was replaced by one with the correct spelling, but not before a gaggle of photographers on hand for the event captured the mistake.

For the record, EndeavoUr’s launch is scheduled for August 7th.

If you think the NASA situation was bad consider this horrific travel tale. It happened to country singer Gene Watson on the day some people don’t even bother getting out of bed—-Friday the 13th.

The 63-year-old country crooner and his band were reportedly on their way from Houston to perform at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee when their bus caught fire just miles from the venue. According to local fire officials, the blaze ignited from a broken axle shaft spewing grease.

And get this… according to witnesses, instead of running for cover, Watson, who used to be a mechanic before he hit it big on the country music scene, tried to extinguish the fire himself. Watson’s publicist says the singer used everything he had on the bus to douse the flames, from sodas to water bottles. Watson and his other band members say they desperately tried to keep the fire from spreading under the floorboard. According to police reports, Watson and crew fought the blaze for about 30 minutes before firemen arrived on the scene and put out the flames.

The singer’s publicist told news reporters that no one was harmed, though Watson did singe his hair. The group ended up renting another bus and finally made it to their Opry gig. (“When we say we were smoldering hot in Nashville, we really mean it,” cracked Watson.) As for Watson’s bus… the engine was reportedly burned to pieces and is currently being repaired.

Related Articles:

Sunday Travel Funnies: Real Embarrassing/Real Deal

Sunday Travel Funnies: “OUCH!”

Sunday Travel Funnies: Why Did the Turtle Cross the Road?

Sunday Travel Funnies- “Don’t Worry, It’s ONLY A Safety Problem.”

Sunday Travel Funnies–Not Everyone Is Smiling

Sunday Travel Funnies–So Weird You Have To Laugh

Sunday Travel Funnies: Snakes, Shoes, and Swiss Cheese

Sunday Travel Funnies-MapQuest: Not All It’s Cracked Up To Be

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About Michele Cheplic

Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism. She spent the next ten years as a television anchor and reporter at various stations throughout the country (from the CBS affiliate in Honolulu to the NBC affiliate in Green Bay). She has won numerous honors including an Emmy Award and multiple Edward R. Murrow awards honoring outstanding achievements in broadcast journalism. In addition, she has received awards from the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association for her reports on air travel and the Wisconsin Education Association Council for her stories on education. Michele has since left television to concentrate on being a mom and freelance writer.