Bruce Ryba

I work at Kennedy Space Center as a Fiber Optic Specialist, getting paid to explore the space center's deepest tunnels, alligator-filled swamps, and tallest launch towers. I duck at the unexpected sonic booms of the SpaceX boosters landing at the cape after a successful launch. "There is a new space race at KSC as Blue Origins and SpaceX assist NASA in establishing the Gateway station for the return to the moon, and NASA readies the launch of the SLS-Artemis-2 for the next launch around the moon!" A new wild west in Florida to rival the Apollo moon landings. But if that is not exciting enough? "I like 24-hour paintball games as well as the space program." Diving? Before KSC, I spent seven years as a USAF Eastern Test Range diver. "Someone had to do it." Those were the sunburned days of traveling to a different island every two weeks for all expense-covered trips, gear, and travel paid for by the United States Air Force, Flint knapping? What? On the wild Volcanic Island known as Ascension, I taught myself the art of Flintknapping and have been making stone tools ever since, allowing myself to sink deep into the history of mankind. The result? An eclectic blending of the current space race, the possible future, and immersion into distant pasts. Toss in 30 years of dedicated stalking through the Florida jungles, mud-smeared, intent on the paintball body count, and laughter of the imitation of the warrior spirit. Not a real warrior, only the imitation. It's all magic, after all. Kayaking racing? Check out the Missouri River 340 mile kayak race (finished it three times so far) Horses? Our family horse stables 'Stonebridge Stables' in eastern Missouri was home until I joined the United States Air Force for a four year jaunt around Florida, the Caribbean and the southwest United States.. Writing? Every now and then I actually have time to write about the blending of life's journeys and the 'once upon a time' in Florida's lost History. Even some space race sci fi that hasn't happened yet, but will. It's all magic, after all.