Saturday, September 13, 2014

Pima Air & Space Museum

  

                    A few months ago a long time buddy of mine came through town to visit for a few days.   We got in a lot of Exploring while he was here.  Hopefully he is moving to Flagstaff in the near future, and our Exploring can continue.  Flagstaff is across the state, but compared to Seattle, much closer to me.  And between Benson and Flagstaff--so many great Exploring sights are waiting to be checked out.   We both lived in the town in the past and many other parts of beautiful Arizona, but the pictures I have from then are old---and I want to keep this blog page as recent as possible.     On this day we made it to the Air and Space Museum in Tucson.    In past blog posts I have ventured close but never have actually went inside the museum. 




Looking back at one of the many hangers to Explore.


Past visits found me outside the great fences.
One of the few places --be it the air force presence or the razor wire fences-that
I stay out of when the signs say "Stay  out!"



                    On this day we actually started out on a hike -nearby and happened to drive by part of the very large plane bone yard.   We were told at the museum that there are nearly 4000 planes here at the moment.   And that is actually a greatly reduced number.   Plane parts are used on other planes, or sold to other countries that still use such -outdated- to our government planes.  And it is actually one of the few aspects of local government that makes a profit. 






I jumped out of the rental car to snap a few pictures of the bone yard.
But these do not do justice of the massive size of this place.
It is much like attempting to take pictures of the Grand Canyon.

Seeing this sparked my buddy's interest in visiting the museum.
We had some time to kill--and he said he would foot the entrance fees.
This is an amazing museum--but tickets are not cheap.
I hope to return very soon with our boys  because they would love it!


This is the amazing greeting visitors see when they first turn into the museum.


The clouds were again amazing on this day.
All day we fought the heat hoping the clouds would bring rain.



Tons to see and learn
Inside and out of the hangers.

The main building also holds a food court and a very large shop to buy souvenirs.
Although  I am not sure how many people would wish to come to a museum to eat.
The old men /workers in the hangers are super informative on all things plane related.   And life related I am sure also.







"Professor Getty" by a missile.



Checking out the cockpit.



All paper air planes and super kool!




Cramped in a cockpit.


Super shiny!

We got to see this amazing team perform a few months back.










Replica of one of the first flyer's.

This is a very hands on museum.  And great for youngsters.


Near the above flyer is also an amazingly large collection of patches worn on flight jackets from around the world.  


I do not believe TWA exists any  more

Time to brave the heat and venture outside. 
If you are willing to pay more--you do not have to walk, and get a guided tour.


Several presidential planes can be found here.
All huge aircraft.
It seems like a huge waste  but welcome to big government I guess.





This planes history is amazing.
Equally amazing is how it can even fly!


It was over 100 outside on this day  and in the middle of the huge air field I found this bench.
I do not know who would want to sit here--and sweat like crazy  but I guess it's nice it's an option. 



Airplane graffiti


We have had many a flat tire on all of our cars.
But I can't imagine changing one on an airplane.






Than it was past time to find some lunch.

This brings us to today's unofficial official business of the blog!
I need to work on the title but basically I pick a local business that gives great service and with
out there knowledge tell about them here.
Today it is Cracker Barrel. 
We received so much food   quickly  for a relatively small price.  And although it was all
very fattening it was super good!
And that is not just because we were both starving. 


Next post   some more great Exploring around Tucson
with "Professor Getty."




Much more Exploring and pictures on my Washington state blog page

And my first blog page  www.wyomingjack.blogspot.com

Please check them out.

And as always

**HAPPY TRAILS!!**

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