The Saturday Happennings

Talofa lava. Welcome back to our exclusive Travel Channel look at the "Top 9,000 Places to Visit in the World (Not Including Natural Wonders or Already World-Famous Landmarks): Places Kind of Out of the Way." Tonight we will see a place of wonder and pure genius in imagination. Where Umpa Loompas roam freely and help make the most delectable chocolate ever tasted by man, woman, or child. That is correct folks, we will be visiting the Naval Air Museum at Pensacola's Naval Air Station. Okay, there is no chocolate; however, instead of chocolate we will see no less than 150 planes from every era of our Navy's aviation history. As we arrived at the NAS, we were greeted by a statue of an F-14 Tomcat in the front of the museum. Just a taste of what is to come inside. Spinning and suspended above the entry way is a replica of the Wright brother's plane that took that short but historic first successful flight at Kittyhawk, North Carolina. There were so many things to see and experience. There were helicopters and planes that were used by the brave men and women of our Navy in every major conflict that the United States has been involved in. Did you know that for a brief span of time, the Navy had a Balloon or Blimp corps? That is something we learned at the museum. It is a very fun and educational (not to mention free) activity that we can do with the children. They also have some cockpits that are separated from the rest of the planes/choppers that you can sit in and have your picture taken in. It was very fun. We all had a good time. Okay, let us talk captions about the pics. From the top: Jarod and Dianna seated in front of the American Flag (that I think is the size of flag they fly on the Navy ships). Just to the right Flight Commander Jarod prepares to take flight in his Sea Cobra helicopter to defend our country. Below, the children and I pose to take a picture on the second level. Behind and below you can see the displays of the airplanes (many of which, are actual planes that have been decommissioned and donated to the museum). Next, who knew you could find something Disney at the NAS, but there was a display about how popular Disney characters have been used by squadrons throughout the years. Do you see Dianna wearing her Mickey Ears? That is my girl!! Next. The family taking a picture with the Blue Angels. Lastly, this is the temperature it was saturday. The right side is the outside temp. We love you all so much and miss you. Have a great week.