After evaluating the river predictions and considering some upcoming appointments and meetings, we've decided to drive home again. We'll be leaving Play Dough docked at Dog River Marina in Mobile for another 2-3 weeks. While we were at Dog River we completed our second engine servicing. The service is done every 150 hours. We had a well known boat mechanic do out first service last year. After observing him and taking notes, we were able to do our own service this time. While our first servicing/tune-up costs were $1000.00, we were able to change the oil and both fuel filters for $102.00. Who said you can't make money boating??
We spent one day at the Pensacola Naval Air Station. The Blue Angels winter in California, but stay in Pensacola during show season. Their Tues. and Wed. morning practice sessions are open to the public. We arrived at 8:30 for the first session of the 2009 season. After the practice we spent the remainder of the day there at the Naval Aviation Museum. The museum has so many aircraft on display in their huge building. Even though these are full size actual planes, they appear to be scale models sitting everywhere, some even suspended from the ceiling. Every aircraft ever used by the Navy is on display. We saw everything from balloons and blimps to today's jets. We even witnessed a change of command ceremony and watched an IMAX movie on fighter pilots. This museum is one of the top 10 tourist attractions in the U.S., drawing millons of visitors each year.
"Cargo plane that hauls the Blue Angels' equipment and ground crew"
"The Blue Angels are almost too fast to catch in the air!"
"Jet at Entrance to Museum"
"Aircraft from the World War II Era"
"A Blue Angel jet suspended from the ceiling "
"This propeller from an aircraft carrier weighs 30,000 lbs. It takes 4 of these to power a carrier"
"Rescue aircraft-notice the basket on the side"
"Jet Ranger helicopter, like the one Rodney piloted"
"Change of Command Ceremony"
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