Tickets to the Kennedy Space Center for a launch are difficult to come by, but other options for viewing these historic events abound

I always knew watching a space-shuttle launch would be an unforgettable experience, but I treated the opportunity as many do their local attractions. I blew it off, never making it a priority. Sure, I could drive a few hours south to Titusville, but... I didn't. And now--after 29 years and 134 missions--only two manned launches remain. So, if watching a shuttle lift-off has been on your to-do list, it's time to plan.

The only place to get tickets is the Kennedy Space Center website. I tried to buy several for the 14 May launch, but lady luck was not on my side. The process is easy: Simply connect to the website and enter a virtual waiting room. Of course, your chances of being called are about equal to winning the lottery. Still, it's worth a try.

There's more to Daytona than racing and sunbathing

Thoughts of Daytona, Florida are usually associated with motorcycles, the beach, and speed. The city roars to life every February for Bike Week. NASCAR fans flock in around the Fourth of July for the Daytona 500 at the International Speedway. Sun worshippers descend year round to stroll the famous hard-packed, wide, sandy beach. On my recent trip, however, I discovered a Daytona that's off the crowded fast track. Let's take a look at the city's slow side.

At the Museum of Arts and Sciences, visitors can enjoy the finest collection of American art in the Southeast, the largest collection of Cuban art outside of Cuba, a significant Chinese art collection... and a really cool prehistoric Giant Ground Sloth. And, of particular interest to automotive enthusiasts, are the rooms devoted to the Root Family Collections. The Roots (who moved to Daytona from Indiana) had earned their fortune designing the shape of the Coca-Cola bottle.

Debi Lander puts the lessons she learned at Porsche Driving School to the test in Daytona

Daytona and Ormond Beaches are synonymous with the titles "Birthplace of Speed" and "The Great American Race"... the Daytona 500. Originally famous as the home turf of 15 world-land-speed records, numbers set on the firm sand between 1905 and 1935, Ormand Beach served as a winter residence for John D. Rockefeller. His wealthy friends flocked to the region to party, enjoy the beaches, and show off their sporty cars. The rich and famous desired to race autos, so a course was demanded. In 1936, Daytona Beach officials asked local racer Sig Haugdahl to organize and promote a race. Haugdahl is credited for designing the track, which started on the pavement of Highway A1A, then went south two miles parallel to the ocean. There, drivers made a left turn onto the hard-packed beach and finished the lap by driving two miles north to the curve onto A1A.

Three-wheeled bicycles, a spotless work environment, and an über-efficient "just-in-time" inventory system

Tuscaloosa, Alabama was honored back in 1993 as the site of the first and only Mercedes-Benz production facility in the United States. M-Class vehicles began rolling off the production lines in 1997, followed by R-Class and GL. The three-million-square-foot plant rests within a 1,000-acre enclave 20 minutes from downtown. And once again, the plant's production lineup is expanding, adding C-Class models by 2014.

At the Visitor's Center, a modern, freeform structure that serves as gift shop, mini museum, and meeting place, I strolled through exhibits that outlined the history and vision of the German company founded by Karl Benz. Visitors get to see some classic early models on display, but the most popular is the M-Class camouflage all-activity vehicle used in The Lost World, the sequel to the 1993 blockbuster Jurassic Park.

Our guide, Terri, explained the Mercedes-Benz philosophy of quality and excellence, which dictates that every process involved in a vehicle's assembly follow six production cornerstones. Cleanliness and safety are emphasized, as are numerous inspections for accuracy and constant visual management. Employees adhere to exacting standards, methods, and procedures and are encouraged to work toward developing improvements in the assembly process.