Our RV Adventures

Thought today’s blog might be a good time to catch up with our visit to the War Eagle Air Museum a week or so ago since not a lot else happened today.

The first things you see are a Hawk missile battery, and Patriot missile launcher, along with their radar units.

Getting into the building I was happy to find that, unlike some places, the entry fee was very reasonable, $5 for adults, and $4 for seniors. Working our way through the gift shop (there’s always a gift shop) we went out on the hanger floor and found a very nice collection of vintage planes, many in flying condition.

Hint: The way you tell if one is in flying condition is to look for the oil drip pans underneath the engines. As they say, if it’s flying, it’s leaking.

First up was a very nice P-40E Warhawk.

This plane was what the famed Flying Tigers were using against the Japanese in China, operating as the 1st American Volunteer Group.

Later, flying with ‘Pappy’ Boyington of ‘Baa Baa Black Sheep’ fame, many other Flying Tigers veterans flew the F-4U Corsair for the US Marines.

‘Pappy’ Boyington was later awarded a Medal of Honor for his heroics.

Next up was a P-51D Mustang,

and a TBM Avenger bomber.

The next plane in the line is one of my two favorites, the Lockheed P-38L Lightning. (My other favorite is the SR-71 Blackbird)

Note that this one is also in flying condition. Known by the the Germans as the ‘Forked Tail Devil’ and the Japanese as “Two Planes, One Pilot’, it was the only American fighter to be in production from Pearl Harbor through VJ Day.

And of course, what’s a WWII display without nose art . . . well, tail art, anyway.

Wrapping up the prop planes, here’s an A-26C Invader, also flyable.

Finally getting into the early jet age, they’ve got an F-86 Sabre,

a MiG-15,

and a MiG-21.

And a little more modern, here’s a T-38B Talon trainer.

We see a lot of these around Houston because they’re what the astronauts fly to keep current, and travel back and forth to the Cape.

And here’s another favorite of mine, (OK, so I have 3 favorites) the Cessna T-37B trainer.

One reason it’s my favorite is that I actually have a couple of hours of left seat time in both the T-37 and its A-37B big brother. The A-37 is a lot more fun because it has more than twice the thrust of the T-37. This was when I was working as a DOD contractor in the late 60’s – early 70’s.

Last up was a group of H-Bomb mockups showing the amazingly small size of something that can wipe out a city.

If you like planes, the War Eagle Air Museum is a cheap, enjoyable way to spend a couple of hours.

Check it out.

As far as today, not much.

I worked on some projects, Jan read, and about 5:30 we met Nick, Terry, and Nick’s cousin, Bev at the Hot Wok Asian Bistro. After all the recent problems with Luckie’s Thai, I think Hot Wok is our new favorite Asian place in Tucson.

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Thought for the Day:

“He soured on life some seconds after he was born and has made a profession of deteriorating ever since.” – Mission Earth

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Our 480 mile road trip started out about 7am, with our first stop 2 exits down I-10 for a couple of breakfast sandwiches from Jack in the Box. Then it was back on I-10 heading for Yuma 240 miles away. We were driving over to visit Chris and Charles Yust, and also take in the big Flea Market there.

Our next stop was Bowlin’s Picacho Peak Plaza for a potty break, and some earring shopping at the gift shop. Jan loves their selection, and always finds something she likes, as she did this time with two new pair.

For my part I found a snack for the road.

The back of the box says they taste ‘like chicken’. I’ll be the judge of that. But back on the road, I forgot about them, so I’ll have to try them later.

Later, passing through Gila Bend, we checked out the RV park at Holt’s Shell station. I was curious about how full they were, but found 3 or 4 sites open. A Passport America park  at $12 a night, we’ve stayed here a number of times with no problems.

I did see this unusual fuel price sign there.

Not often you see diesel and unleaded for the same price.

Our last stop along the way was Dateland, for our favorite Date Shakes, and another trip through the gift shop for Jan. And another couple of pairs of earrings for her too.

Finally, about 11:30, we pulled into Chris and Charles’ RV lot in the Foothills section of Yuma, and spent next hour or so just catching up. Much needed since we didn’t get to really see them during the Escapade Rally. Then it was off to Famous Dave’s BBQ for a good lunch and more talking.

Jan had the Smoked Brisket Sandwich, while I went with the Burnt Ends Sandwich. Both really good, as is usual from Famous Dave’s.

Next up, it was off to the Arizona Marketplace Flea Market for the rest of the afternoon. Jan had a list of stuff she was looking for, and found good bit of it. In fact I think all of us found something we needed.

After saying our goodbyes, we were back on the road about 4pm, with our first stop the Fry’s right down the road for gas. Nice to see I’m still getting my always $0.10 a gallon discount with my magic Fred Meyer’s card.

Our next stop was the Elk’s Lodge in Gila Bend. My membership expires next month, and since we were passing through, I thought I’d take care of it in person, but I forgot to bring my card with me, and there was a problem with my account, so I’ll have to do it by mail anyway. Oh well.

Then it was Jan’s favorite stop, a place we’ve been eating at since 2008. Who would believe that the best Shrimp Burrito Jan has ever had was to be found in the middle of the Arizona desert. But Sofia’s Mexican Food really does it right. Just simple, but delicious food, well-prepared and well-seasoned.

Jan had her usual Shrimp Burrito, but added a Cheese Chile Relleno for a little change of pace.

She said later that the Relleno was just as good as the Burrito. And by adding the Chile Relleno, she had half of her Burrito to bring home. One thing different about Sofia’s Shrimp Burrito, is that it’s not filled with those little tiny imported shrimp, but it’s stuffed with shrimp the size of a 50 cent piece, along with rice and pico de gallo. Really tasty.

As for me, I had my usual Carnitas Plate with a big mound of refried shredded pork.

There’s a reason I get this over and over here.

We finally got home a little after 9pm, a long, but very fun day.

I had planned to try and finally paint the repaired rig bumper tomorrow, but the forecast says 20 mph winds, gusting to 30. So unless I want to paint my neighbor’s rig too, I’ll probably hold off on that.

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Thought for the Day:

“When a woman behaves like a man why doesn’t she behave like a nice man?” – Dame Edith Evans

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