I Love It!

It’s lunchtime and Brenda opens the (tiny) refrigerator to maneuver out of it a salad.  In doing so, a container of cooked brown rice (which was going to be part of our dinner this evening) topples and its contents are distributed throughout the fridge and floor.  Brenda shuts the refrigerator door to the mess inside and is picking up sticky rice kernels from the floor when Mike appears.  “What’s going on here?” he asks out of curiosity.  Brenda—having learned a new language from the SNL video posted in yesterday’s blog—let's out a fairly low growl, “You should see what the inside of the fridge looks like.”  Then, looking past Mike to avert eye contact, she brightens and adds “I LOVE IT!”

We’re still in the Homeport Marina in Gulf Shores, AL, just 13 minutes from Mike’s folks in Orange Beach, AL.  After researching our options, we’ve decided that Homeport will be our home base until March; it’s conveniently located to family and provisions and the marina is well protected and managed.  We’ll explore the area by taking day cruises and by car.

Yesterday, we were amid more than 150 restored Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard airplanes at the National Navy Aviation Museum. The National Naval Aviation Museum is located in Pensacola, FL and is the world’s largest Naval Aviation museum.  It depicts the evolution and roles of air and space technologies as it relates to the I and II World Wars, as well as the wars in Vietnam and the Middle East.  The museum is free and one of Florida's most visited; it offers hands-on, climb-in-the-cockpit opportunities for the young at heart and honors those who have helped to shape history.  When you're in this part of the country, it is well worth a visit to experience the heritage of aviation as it relates to our country's security and freedom.

This is the entrance onto the Naval Air Station Pensacola, FL.  Each car is stopped for security and proper identification is required. Because Minnesota, Washington and Missouri (and 2 other states) have dragged their feet on issuing enhanced security drivers licenses according to the Real ID Act of 2005, friends and family with non-compliant drivers licenses, bring your passport!!

This is an early version of a float plane.

This NC-4 plane was called a "flying boat" and in 1918, it was the first plane with a crew of 4 aviators to make a trans-Atlantic crossing. Eight years later, Charles Lindberg made the first trans-Atlantic solo crossing.  

See the lettering on this plane?  The "41" is for our 41st president, President George H.W. Bush.  Young George Bush was known to fly this plane on twice in January, 1943 during his flight training at Naval Air Station, Minneapolis, MN.   

This display honors President George H.W. Bush.  Honored in the museums "Hall of Honor",  we learned that President George Bush, Naval Aviator, postponed college to enlist in the Navy shortly after his high school graduation.  He was at the time of his June, 1943 designation the youngest naval aviator in service.

This display of Bush includes  an evaluation report.  Cadet Bush's marks were barely average in all areas!  Despite this, he left our country with a legacy of achievement and leadership. Because of his service to our country, the Navy recognized him by naming the last Nemitz-class aircraft carrier in his name.

To our favorite flying friends, Tom (Santiago) and Renee Rongen...we imagined your ears were abuzz as we thought of you and wished you were with us to witness this amazing airplane historical extravaganza!

The "Ghost Ship" was an early version of the "Blimp."  These were technically called "air ships."

Big planes, small planes, blue angel planes, training planes, space craft, blimps, helicopters, planes with folding wings, plane engines, aircraft specifically for U.S. presidents....it was all here!

One area of the museum featured what a typical navy camp might look like.  We thought the Official Shower Rules might be an interesting poster in our lake home when the demand for the shower room is high!

This is another "navy camp" display.

There is not alot of space in the museum devoted to women in the naval aviation, but there's something.  One of the things mentioned is that when women were accepted into naval aviation, a new blue outfit was designed for them.  Guess what?  The women chose to wear the same clothes their male counterparts wore!  One wonders if anyone ever asked the women what would serve them best. (Me thinks:  NOT!)

Airplanes, airplanes everywhere!

This sculpture recognizes the service given by the families of those serving in the military.  It's amazing how an artist can capture the essence of an event such that it brings tears to those who stop to reflect on the images.

This was a widely recognize aircraft during WWII.  It was referred to as the "Tomahawk" or "Warhawk" or "Kittyhawk."  Whatever its name, it got our attention and imagined it got the attention of our foes in war!