November 1, 2009 — Since I last blogged here our trip has taken us to Pensacola, Fla and then on to Athens, Ga. We arrived in Pensacola late afternoon on Thursday. Got settled in the hotel and spent a quite evening resting. The next morning we drove out to NAS Pensacola and the National Naval Air Museum. I was astonished at the size of the museum and it's exhibits. I kept hearing from those that had been there that if takes a few days to really see all that is there. I know now how true that is.
It is an impressive museum if you care about aviation and particularly Naval aviation. It clearly depicts the history of Naval aviation from it's beginnings to the present and includes everything imaginable. The displays are laid out so cleanly and the documentation for each is so complete so that there is no doubt what you are viewing. There are many kiosks and of course an IMAX theater. The museum also has on display over 60 aircraft located externally and you can take a bus tour of those if you like.
I am very proud of my part in Naval aviation and as I viewed the museum I was constantly reminded of the great sacrifices made by so many to make Naval Air what it is today. Oft times you can see a bumper sticker on a car that says "Fly Navy"...there is no better way to go.
My niece and I had lunch at the O'club as it was the only one open for such. There is much history in there also. I marveled at the young men and women that came in for lunch knowing that they are future pilots and NFO's (Naval Flight Officer)...they are the future of Naval Air. We then went to the Chief's club after it opened at 1400. There was not much happening there, but did have a good talk with a Marine GySgt and a few other Marines that came in. Nice bunch of guys. I got caught up somewhat on how things are now in the Navy. It is a different Navy then when I retired over 20-yrs ago and then again some things never change. It was a great day and good to be back aboard a naval sir station.
We were up early on Saturday and headed for Athens, Ga to visit my sister and her husband. Raining just about all of the way, the drive from Pensacola to Athens took us through the heart of southeastern Alabama to Montgomery and then on to Atlanta, Ga and another 50 miles or so to Athens. All of it a very nice drive even with the rain. Of course Daisy Jane was her usual patient dog that she has been this entire trip. She is a very good traveler.
My sister and her husband have a beautiful home here in Athens. Her husband has done most of the landscaping as he is a well known botanist (I believe that is his expertise) here in Georgia. I hope to learn some things about taking care of roses. We look forward to spending a quite Sunday with them and then going to Andersonville, Ga on Monday. This coming Thursday is my sister's birthday so we celebrate it a little early today...it's what really matters!
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