Eisenhower National Historical Site

When Eisenhower was in the army, he spent some time training in Gettysburg.  When he finally got out of the army, he purchased a farm in Gettysburg thinking that he would retire there.  But, he became president and did not get to really stay there until after his term.  However, he did use the farm when dignitaries from the other countries came to the US.  He would make sure they got a two-hour tour of the whole thing before he even took them into the house.  We purchased the tickets for this tour at the Gettysburg visitor’s center.  You must go on a bus to see the farm and the house. 

The puff.

greenhouse

Flight 93 Memorial

Most of us can remember where we were and what we were doing on Sept. 11, 2001.  Flight 93 was the last plane to crash, killing all 40 aboard.  Via phone conversations with family and friends, passengers aboard the flight learned about the other attacks and decided that take over the plane after the 4 terrorists had taken control.

While the memorial is not finished, completion date is Sept 11, we were very moved by the things that we saw.  The building that houses the temporary visitor’s center was in the flight path of flight 93.

One of the things I learned was that a Bible was found 15 feet away from the crash.  It was later returned to the family.

We were able to talk to a volunteer that lived in the woods just to the left of the crash site.  She had left 11 minutes before the crash to spend the day with her girlfriend after hearing of the attacks on the twin towers.  She has since been volunteering her time at the memorial.

chart of flight 93 with timeline of other attacks.  Flight 93 had been delayed for 25 minutes.

Flag is location of where flight 93 went down.  The authorities had the large hole filled in after they dug down 40 feet and determined there was nothing new to be found.

Flight 93 flew over this building before crashing.  This building served as the headquarters for the investigation and now serves as the temporary visitor’s center.

Saint Louis, Mo, Gateway Arch

Enjoyed our visit to the Arch today in Saint Louis.  We took a ride to the top of the arch and viewed both films that were available.  Did not get to take the boat tours because the Mississippi River was too high.

We also spent time inside the museum located under the arch.

This is what 5 people sit in to make a trip to the top of the arch.  4 minutes to the top, 630 feet, 3 minutes down.

beaver trap

Aransas Pass, Texas Great time, Great Birding

What a great time Gary and I experienced in Aransas Pass, Texas, also known as AP.  Gary and I attended 4 music jams with the largest having over 28 players/singers and the smallest 10.  Met a lot of new people and even sold some of our cds.
Gary fished with the guys and I ran around with the girls-what a lot of fun they are.  Went to the beach 3 times and, thanks to Marlene, got to fly a kite on the beach.
Lots of places to bird watch in Rockport, Fulton, Lamar, and Port Aransas, so Jan, Marlene, and I managed to get some good birding in.  Jan and I took a photography class-lots to learn.
I am posting some of my bird photos – for more click here.

National Museum of the Pacific War

Our second visit here was just as great as our first.  The museum has been enlarged and does a great job explaining Japan’s reasoning for starting WWII with us.  One of the thins that impressed me was the way the exhibits were set up.  The uniforms of many soldiers were displayed with the names of the soldiers who wore those uniforms-to me-that makes it more personnel.  If you have never been there, you should really try to go.  The museum is located in Fredericksburg, Texas.  Website: http://www.pacificwarmuseum.org

Worn during battle of Pearl Harbor

Pistol Pete’s cap

Japanese  Val

2 man Japanese sub

Pima Air Museum, hangar planes, 2011

Pima Air Museum, located in Tucson, Arizona, is one of our favorite places to visit.  We arrived around 9:45 am, should have gotten there earlier, and took the 10:30 am guided tour of hangar 1 and then stayed with our tour guide for tours of hangar 2 and 3.  Our tour started at the replica of the Wright brother’s plane with our tour guide providing lots of information about the brothers and the first flight.  The tour was free and only lasted 50 minutes per tour.  Tour was well worth the time-so much information for our minds to process.  Sure wish I could remember it all, oh well, there’s always next year.

Phantom-used by Thunderbirds in aerial shows.  Our tour guide flew phantoms.

Viet Nam era

Tom Cat-  Tom Cruise was in the movie “Top Gun” which featured the Tom Cat.

Black Bird   Huge plane

Pima Air Museum, outside planes, 2011

Wow are these planes huge!!!!!!  Many planes to see outside. Tried to imagine myself sitting in the pilot’s seat trying to land one of those giant planes.  We took the tram tour, $7 each, first.  Our driver gave lots of info about the planes we passed by.  Afterwards, I took a walking tour and tried to take pictures of all the planes; but alas, I ran out of time. Gary called me on the phone 3 times to tell me they were closing the place down.  Oh well, maybe next year I can take pictures of the planes I missed.

NASA astronauts nick-named this plane the “Vomit Comet”.  This was used to get the astronauts used to weightless they would experience in space.

one of the many migs.

 

Ardvark

One of the many B-52s

Blythe Intaglios

Gary and I finally made it to where the Blythe Intaglios are.  Giant figures made in the desert 17 miles outside of Blythe, Ca.  We were left with many questions, why were they made, who made them, why only three, did they serve a spiritual purpose,  and many more questions.

 

 

Salvation Mountain 2010

Salvation Mountain is located 3 miles from Niland, California.  Leonard had a vision to spread the word of God with as many people as possible.  He does so by painting God’s word on a mountain.  He has also used bales of straw to build a cave and has painted the inside of the cave with messages.  (You can view more pictures by clicking on the blue salvation mountain)

The artist, Leonard with Gary in front of salvation Mountain.

Palm Springs Air Museum 2010

We truly love air museums. We have been to the Palm Springs Air Museum 3 times and enjoy it every time we come.  We enjoy talking to all the veterans who give their time to talk about the planes and items on display.

 

This gentleman was 18 when he flew 33 missions in WWII.  He was the gunner under the belly of the b-17.  He is now 85 years old.  His pilot was 20.

 

Entertaining at Bethel Retirement Center

When we stay at Turtle Beach, we always try to entertain at Bethel Retirement Center where Gary’s mother, Lilly, lives.  We had a great time and were glad that other members of our family were able to make it.

Gary singing a song.

Me playing and singing.

Gary, his mother, Lilly, me, my mom, and my dad

Monterey Bay Aquarium

The weather was beautiful so Gary and I decided to take a trip over to Monterey.  We thought we would visit the Aquarium and have lunch on Fisherman’s Wharf.  We were surprised that there were no lines to get into the aquarium and that we were able to park close to the entrance.  Not very many people touring the aquarium.  We were able to take a free 10 minute tour behind the scenes.  Great tour, got to see iddy biddy jelly fish.  The cost has sure gone up since our last visit.  We paid $29 per adult.  Had lunch in the small café inside, $10 for a hamburger and fries.  Maybe the cost has something to do with how few people were touring the aquarium.

On our behind the scenes tour, we were able to see baby scuttle fish and got to watch them feed.  Very interesting.

Feeding the fish in the Kelp forest exhibit.

jelly fish.

jelly fish

sea horses.

jelly fish