At the Air Force Museum (August 8, 2021)

My wife and I were in the area, and while there, I took a couple of hours and returned to one of my favorite places which is the National Museum of the United States Air Force. All sorts of amazing things to see there, and some of them can be seen below. 

For instance, at left is the prototype C-17 which is at the museum. Directly below is the B-36 which is one incredible aircraft. Speaking of incredible though, I have a photo of the cockpit of the X-15 research plane. Still the fastest plane ever to fly. Among its pilots was Neil Armstrong. Also below is the X-1B research plane, and a moon rock.   

While the museum is now again requiring masks (thanks to the Anti-Vax morons) you can tour the Presidential planes. They have a collection of planes that served as "Air Force Ones" such as "The Independence" which was used by President Harry S. Truman. 

The plane is well preserved and like all of them is protected by plastic panels but is pretty much as the Presidents would remember them. They make for very interesting periods of history and are remarkable to walk though. Thank you for visiting my page!    

 

Charleston Falls and Cave (August 4, 2021)

This was part of a motorcycle ride this fine day, went out to Troy, but due to a detour headed in a different direction. Went as far as Ross Road (and photos from the helicopter I saw there can be seen on my "Racing with the Wind" blog page...as well as more photos from this visit). 

I made a stop at Charleston Falls and Cave. I had never been there, it was an impulse stop. Good thing, because it was very cool. It was a long trail to get to the falls. Unfortunately, due to lack of rain the past few days there was not a very big amount of water falling down the cliff but there was some. The last photo below tells about it and has a photo taken during "wetter days".

Nice park, and as are so many parks in Ohio both beautiful and free. Interesting, different and a great walk on a beautiful day. Thank you for visiting my page.    

 

Greene County Fair (August 2, 2021)

Wonderful day for a visit to the Greene County Fair. It was held at the Fairgrounds just outside of Xenia, Ohio. We got there in the early afternoon, and got to see many of the animals, plus check out some of the food to be found there. The rides (which we did not ride anyhow) did not start until 4pm. 

Got to see the aerial show though which was pretty amazing, and the motorcycles in the "Globe of Death". Going early was a great idea they were lined up to get tickets, and cars were lined up for miles as we left. Had a fantastic time, have missed going to these sort of events during the Pandemic.  

 

Exploring Dayton on Sunday (August 1, 2021)

 

Went into Dayton on this Sunday in the car, having dropped my wife off at one of her favorite places for awhile. Went to see some stops in very interesting Dayton, Ohio. One of my first stops was The Dayton Art Institute. I have the photo at left and the one directly below of this very interesting place. Debbie and me have been to this location to see the art inside and it is well worth a visit. We have also been (two years ago) to the Octoberfest which was held there. There is a lot to see in the immediate area as can be seen below.  

The Dayton Masonic Temple is one impressive building. It is across the street from The Dayton Art Institute. Some of the details of the building can be seen both in the two photos below as well as from the historical marker at right. 

The temple is one massive building, and I believe this is one of the largest Masonic Temples that I have ever seen. It has a number of uses and has had a number of uses in the past. We read that tours can be taken inside the building, and we are looking forward to doing so in the future.  

This is the Greek Orthodox Church which is also near The Dayton Art Institute and the Masonic Temple. All three of these buildings are on the banks of the Great Miami River which is in the photo directly below. 

I have seen the inside of the church during the Greek Festival a couple of years ago, and it is amazingly beautiful. The festival was also a fantastic time.  Sadly due to the lingering effects of the Pandemic they are only going to have a drive through Greek Festival again this year. 
   

Finally a look at the home of Orville Wright built after the creation of the first powered aircraft to fly and later the first practical airplane (The Wright Flyer III). Wilbur had died of typhoid so he did not live in this house with Orville though his sister did. It is a beautiful house in a still very fine neighborhood and is said to have a number of interesting features inside. I am hoping to take a tour of it which is has tough to do again due to the Pandemic. 

Photo below is of an aviation art piece in Downtown Dayton. Had a great time exploring this city and am looking forward to another visit very soon. Thanks for visiting my page and I hope you have enjoyed this look at this very interesting city.   

Rising Sun Overnight (July 22-23, 2021)

Very nice trip to Rising Sun, had a great time and really enjoyed getting this photo while I was there. It was a nice combination of things.  

On the way back stopped at IKEA. My wife had never been to one, I used to go to the IKEA just outside of Charlotte, NC. This one was in West Chester, Ohio. Very nice people working there, as expected a beautiful store. We had lunch there, and I was happy to find the Swedish Meatballs were as good in Ohio as they were in North Carolina. Enjoyed this trip very much.    

 

Barnstorming Carnival (July 18, 2021)

Great time at this event at the Springfield Ohio airport. Got to fly in a 1928 Travel Air biplane. My first open cockpit (and for that matter first biplane) ride. It was fantastic. The plane can be seen directly below, as well as 3 photos from the flight. That is Springfield, Ohio in the fourth photo. They also had a food truck rally and in addition to the biplanes a number of other types of aircraft.

It was a free event (except for the cost of food and other items such as the shirts we got). My wife also was there and we enjoyed the airplanes. Like me, she has an aviation background and she was the one who found this event. It is the 7th Barnstorming Carnival, and we are already making plans to be at #8 next year.     

 

Rising Sun Visit (July 11-15, 2021)

Nice visit to Rising Sun, which is a favorite place of ours. Weather was a bit iffy during much of the visit. Impacted the Car Show (seen in previous post) and also a few days of exploring the city. Still did have some dry times and got to wander the town. We also got out to Lawrenceburg and enjoyed seeing that city which has as does Rising Sun many historical sites. It is always a fun place to visit and has many friendly people there. Looking forward to a return in the near future.