Find the GOLDEN Easter Eggs

If you are reading on a Smartphone, hold phone sideways (landscape) 

We had our first Family Easter Egg hunt yesterday in Connecticut. 

An Easter egg hunt is a fun, traditional activity (usually for children) where people search for hidden decorated eggs - either real hard-boiled eggs that have been dyed and painted, or plastic eggs filled with candy, small toys, or treats.

How an Easter egg hunt typically works:

Setup: An adult or organizer hides the eggs in a yard, park, house, or designated area. They might place them in easy-to-find spots for younger kids or more challenging locations for older ones.

The hunt: Kids (and sometimes adults) are given baskets or bags and then released to search for and collect as many eggs as possible within a time limit or until all eggs are found.

Rules: Common rules include no pushing, one egg per person at a time, or age-group divisions so younger children aren't outcompeted by older ones.

After the hunt: Everyone gathers to open the eggs, count their haul, and enjoy the goodies inside. Sometimes there are special "golden" or prize eggs that win bigger rewards.

Why it's called an "Easter egg hunt"

It’s tied to the Christian celebration of Easter (commemorating the resurrection of Jesus), but the egg-hunting custom has older pagan roots symbolizing spring, fertility, and new life. Eggs were decorated and given as gifts long before Christianity adopted the symbol. Today, it's mostly a secular family-friendly spring activity in many countries, especially the United States, even for non-religious families.

All are welcome to hunt for Easter Eggs. 

"Look Up to find the Golden Egg"

Yesterday in Connecticut there were around 25 eggs in total, but there was one very special egg - The Golden Egg. It took a few laps around the yard for the kids the find that one. We had to give hints, reminding them to 'look up' as Easter Eggs might not be only on the ground. Easter Eggs might be hiding in plain sight - anywhere. Above the ground. Above the earth. 

Artemis II is NASA's first crewed mission in the Artemis program, sending four astronauts on a roughly 10-day journey around the Moon and back to Earth - the first time humans have traveled beyond low Earth orbit since the Apollo 17 mission in 1972. It launched on April 1, 2026, at 6:35 p.m. EDT from Launch Pad 39B at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, atop the powerful Space Launch System (SLS) rocket with the Orion spacecraft (named Integrity for this flight) carrying the crew.

Mission Objectives

Artemis II serves as a critical test flight. It demonstrates that the SLS rocket, Orion spacecraft, and associated systems (including life support, navigation, communication, and re-entry) can safely carry humans into deep space. The crew will not land on the Moon; instead, they perform a lunar flyby (a "free-return trajectory"), looping around the far side of the Moon before returning home. This builds on the uncrewed Artemis I test in 2022 and paves the way for future moon landings (starting with Artemis III) and eventual long-term lunar presence (base) on the moon, plus future missions to Mars.

Key activities include:

• Testing Orion's systems with a real crew aboard.
• Conducting maneuvers, such as the translunar injection burn (completed successfully shortly after launch).
• Gathering data on human health and performance in deep space.
• Capturing views and photos of Earth and the Moon (including the far side).

The mission is on track as of this Easter Sunday Blog April 5, 2026, with the crew having left Earth orbit, performed the key burn toward the Moon, and reported positive spirits while observing unique views of Earth and approaching the lunar far side.

Broader Context: The Artemis Program

Artemis aims to return humans to the Moon sustainably - this time including women and international partners. The plan is to establish a lunar base (with the Gateway station), and use it as a stepping stone for Mars exploration. It involves collaboration with ESA (European Space Agency, which provides Orion's service module), Canada, Japan, and others.

As of this morning (April 5, 2026), the mission is progressing well in its early days, with live views and updates available right here from NASA. It's a major milestone in humanity's return to deep space exploration.

This is my first Easter Sunday with my grandsons. Born in 1960 I was 9 when Man first landed on the moon. There have been six manned U.S. moon landings (Apollo 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, and 17) between 1969 and 1972, with 12 astronauts walking on the surface. Over 100 robotic spacecraft from various nations have also visited the moon, with over 25 successful soft landings by robotic probes. 

It's 2026 and we live in the age of AI, drones, telemedicine, self-driving cars, and high-speed GLOBAL satellite Internet reaching everyone, anywhere in the world. I remember the feeling of hope and the excitement of living during the Apollo missions. We all had hopes and visions of a future world that will help everyone living anywhere all with a lifetime of peace. An end to all wars. Education for all, healthcare for all, food for everyone. Quality of Life. Technology being shared and used for all mankind. 

"That's one small step for [a] man, one giant leap for mankind" is the historic phrase spoken by Neil Armstrong upon becoming the first human to walk on the Moon on July 20, 1969. While commonly heard without the "a," Armstrong intended to say "a man," which would differentiate "man" (individual) from "mankind" (humanity). 

I remember watching Star Trek with my Dad in our Cedar Grove, NJ living room in 1966. He loved watching Star Trek as much as he loved TV Westerns. And if my Dad loved something, so did I. My first memory of an Easter Egg hunt was when I was 5 years old. That was 60 years ago. Ah yes, Easter Egg Hunting symbolizing spring, fertility, and new life. Maybe the Artemis II can be a Golden Egg for all of us. For my three grandsons. And for your grandchildren, too. 

"Everyone: Look Up to find the Golden Eggs for Mankind. Look UP!"

From the Artemis II - Earth from Orion Capsule