Getting That Old Feeling...

Does anybody out there ever get the feeling that you need to do something? I don't mean, "Man, I feel like baking a cake." Nor am I speaking of, "Did I turn the stove off before we left for the grocery store?" No, this is a deeper, more beating purpose-filled need. Yes, I am speaking of the need to see airplanes. It appears to be a relatively rare malady, and it only affects a surprisingly small percentage of the population, but it is none-the-less debilitating to those afflicted with it.

Now, I have a few options open to me. One is the small Air Museum here in Yakima(not really an option since the coolest thing they have is a main gear to a B-1 bomber). Another option is the Museum of Flight across the Cascades, in Seattle(large collection, but it is all out of reach of the normal museum visitor: no touching or alarms go off). There is also the Olympic Air Museum and the Flying Heritage Museum (these might allow me to get closer to the aircraft. I am certain that I could talk someone in to letting me near an aircraft, especially given my intense feelings for aircraft, and my credentials[which aren't credentials, but people who work in museums like to share with those of similar interests]). If I had military ID I could go to the museums on base at McChord and Fairchild AFBs.

...but I have a deeper need. I am thinking either a re-visitation of Pima Air and Space Museum or a new visit to the Air Force Museum in Ohio or the SAC museum in Nebraska. I don't know. It is difficult to decide. Either way, I would be able to see one of the four remaining B-36s. I have seen two of the four, but my goal is to see all four remaining ships, and hopefully, what remains of the one in Walter Soplata's back yard.

I like B-36s because they are so damned big! I mean BIG! The wings spanned a length of 230 feet! The fuselage was 162 feet long! It had 10 engines! It could remain airborne for a little over 50 hours...without refueling! It could fly at a weight of over 400,000 pounds. It was an awesome aircraft and still is if you get the chance to see one up close.

I am also a big fan of the B-58, one of the fastest bombers ever, and, quite truthfully, most sexy bombers ever.

So, anyone want to take me to an air museum for the sake of my health? It would really make me feel better! So, do any of you live in Ohio or Nebraska?

On a different note, it is snowing outside...something guaranteed to make me feel better.

Saturday Was Fun!

I used my considerable charms and skills of deduction and observation to locate the place where the aircraft to be used for the airshow at the Tri-City Water Follies were being kept when not in use.

Though not a huge number of aircraft, often fewer is better. It allows you more time to appreciate the ones you have. The B-25 was the only one really open for the public to look at. There were supposedly $5 tours, but the aircrew was absent when i was there, so no luck there.

Here are a few photos, though. Below are the F-16s, one of which made a demonstration for the public down by the river, and then flew wing on the P-51 named Val-Halla. From left to right: Soviet Yak-11, P-51, F-16s.

Below you see a better view of Val-Halla, which appears to be dressed in early 1950s colors. Probably as an Air Defence fighter, or as an ANG bird (Air National Guard). Given the buzz numbers, I think the former.

The B-25's bomb bay was open, so I stood there and took this photo looking aft through the plexiglass.

For more aircraft pictures, see my other site.

FFFF-MEEEEEE!!!!!!!

Family Fun Foto Friday:




Me and my sister approximately 1983 at the Yakima Airshow.

As though I need a reason to post about myself, Diana has forced me to go through my photos and find pictures of me. The trouble is, I have, out of necessity had to skip the majority of my life. The theme for this week is "Me." I, personally, can't think of a better theme.

Some things about me:

* I was born in "General Hospital."

* I got my glasses in 3rd grade.

* I began to have others call me Jim, instead of Jimmy, in the 7th grade.

* I have liked airplanes forever...for reasons unknown to me my fifth grade teacher referred to me as "B-17!" in the years afterward...probably because he forgot my real name.

* I also dig navy ships.

* I am actually a genius, but I don't spread it around, and purposely act like an idiot to throw people off my track!

* I am a Substitute teacher, popular with the kids because I refuse to grow up. But History is my main thing!

Enough of that, here are the photos.

My bestfriend and me. 1992

Me and my bestfriend, 1992

A favorite Halloween costume of mine...that was hard work!


My Dad and I crossing to Seattle from Bremerton aboard a ferry.

Look at this hot girl I tricked into going out with me!

She was even in my bedroom!

This is a candid photo my sister took of me during a good friend's wedding. I have always liked it.1998?

Cora and I have travelled...not quite to Paris...Walt Disney World, though.1999.

My love of airplanes has remained a secret, so I will out myself. This is one of only 4 B-36s remaining...I have seen two of them. I am sure this is the first time I have mentioned this.2004.

I have a thing for anchors, this is the 20,000 lb anchor of the USS Tripoli, which was pierside at Mare Island when I visited. 2004.

Although, rarer than anchors, I also have a thing for BOMBS...this is a Mark III atomic bomb shape.2005.

This is me on the beach, near Edmonds, Washington, 2006.

I discovered I like kites in 2006.

This is me attempting to be artistic...note the pear on the wall...I did that in 2004, in California.

New camera, new options...2007.

I like new forms of headwear...

Look, me and a Cactus! 2008.

PIMA AIR MUSEUM, Tucson, AZ. 2008.

McChord AFB airshow! 2008!

Me, in the Co-pilot seat of a C-17 Globemaster III! 2008.

Fourth of July Self-Portrait!

Co-workers, Friends, and an in-law. summer, 2008.

Cora and I, February 29, 2008.

Working with my Dad, 2008.

Thank you Diana! And Thanks to you Eric! I always feel a bit self-conscious posting pictures of me...NOT!!!!

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I started out expecting to be music sub gain, but ended up SPED...at least my kids got out on time...not so the music kids!

Happy Weekend All!!!!!!

Best Blog Award, EVER!

OK, maybe I should have suggested that (Best Blog Award)...but, instead, I have been awarded THIS AWESOME award by Diana! You want to see the REAL THING? Look to the right!

She was giving out a girlie award a few days ago and I suggested it was maybe a little too estrogeny (my exact word was "GIRLIE" I believe.). I even suggested how she might make it a better award (I am always trying to help people improve themselves). I suggested she might make an award more manly...maybe for the "Best Aviation Related Blog," or "Most Historical Content," or "Too Much Testosterone Award." I was being facetious, so I did not expect to find an award for ME on her site this morning, though! And I CERTAINLY did not expect find an award for ALL THREE! I must come across pretty Historical, Aviated, and Testosterony on my site! Diana is awesome, by the way. She has done both Cora's Signature and Grandma's Blog, you should go see her if you want a blog overhaul...I highly recommend her services! I, eventually, intend to ask her about a manly overhaul of my own blog in the next few months...once I have paid for Christmas. So, if you would like to comment on a particularly Aviationy, Historical, and testosterony blog, you might just want to slip on down to the comment bar and leave me some compliments.

So, just to prove my Aviationess I give you this:

and this site.


Oh, you want historical? Did you know that Admiral Halsey, of the famous 5th Fleet of WWII, did not have the best of grades? He made up for that by being so darned charming and good looking...hmmm, reminds me of me! Oh, and check out me being historical in THIS picture! Don't you just love my expression? Looks like I swallowed too much testosterone...

which leads me to:

Testosterony? look at me! Who could be more testosterony!?!?
I make that ARMED GUARD look TINY!

Thank YOU Diana!! I know you meant this in jest, but, truthfully, it is the first blog ward I have ever been given...sniffle sniffle...I will treasure it always! and I will never forget it!!