"I love it. I love it!": Wally Funk makes history during Blue Origin's launch to space

At age 82, Wally Funk's energy is infectious and her perseverance is impressive. The aviation pioneer was once denied a chance to become an astronaut because of her gender. But on Tuesday, she achieved her dream of seeing what lies beyond the Earth.

"I have been waiting a long time to finally get it up there," she could be heard saying as she blasted off from West Texas aboard the Blue Origin spacecraft for a 10-minute ride more than 65 miles into the sky. For Funk, the countdown to this day lasted 60 years. She said Tuesday's trip to space was fantastic. "I love it. I love it!" she said.