NAS Oceana Air Show (September 17, 2017)

Felt a bit like going home, went to the NAS Oceana Air Show on Sunday September 17. The show was free and among the many visitors was this US Air Force B-52 bomber. Nice to see one outside and got a good look at this massive aircraft. A very rare treat.

The US Navy Blue Angels were there, and did bring out a massive crowd. I got there early as it opened which gave me time to check out some of the sights and many of the display aircraft on the site. It was also fun to talk to many of the sailors on the base who were both working and out to see the show.

Many of the static aircraft were cool to see such as this F4U Corsair. The Corsair was used both in World War II and the Korean War. The type flew from 1942-1954. The plane actually (not this one but one like it) shot down a Mig-15 jet on November 8, 1950. While thousands were made very few are left and fewer still in flying condition. Pilots who flew these aircraft made history and changed the world.  

I also enjoyed seeing this flight of a P-51 Mustang (a legend of World War II) and the USAF F-16. Neat combination of planes.
There were a lot of remarkable planes flying. There was a hang glider, aerobatic aircraft of many types, an early jet (the Vampire), a number of F-18's and even of all things the original "Batcopter" from the original show "Batman". I got a kick out of that and it was pretty cool.    

As I said, a number of F-18's flew during the show such as these as right. The Blue Angels also fly the F-18 and put on a remarkable show. It was a great time with great people in a wonderful place. Spent a lot of years on Navy bases and the hours spent on this one put a smile on my face.  

Forest Hill Art Fair/Kings Dominion (September 16, 2017)

Great Saturday in Richmond, started with the Forest Hill Art Festival. Always a good time and this free show has a lot of interesting works of art. There was also live music and (not so live) food to enjoy.
The festival is held about this time each year. I think this was the 27th year (or there abouts) and I have been going for like the last 6 or 7. It is a don't miss event and is even better because it is very close to my house.

This was taken at King's Dominion from the 1/3 size Eiffel Tower replica there. Very cool to go up and always some remarkable views of the park and the surrounding area from up there.
Nice amusement park, was able to go thanks to work who basically rents it out every year. Will probably be my last year to go for free because I am planning to retire at the first of the year though told by some I will be invited back.

This is The Intimidator 305, which is frankly one hell of a ride. Yeah, I rode it, usually get up the nerve to do so. It is a hell of a drop from that big hell and the ride gets up to 91 miles per hour.
It is a pretty basic ride though fast and has a few heart stopping moments. I like to get out and enjoy this one.
Park has a lot of good coasters, and also even enjoyed the dinosaur exhibits (though they are recreations but many are moving thanks to modern technology).
Just a beautiful place to wander around and to see some amazing sights and to visit with some friends while there as well
It is located just outside of Richmond, not too far from Ashland, VA. After the visit to the park spent a little time in Ashland with my girlfriend from Ohio. She had not seen it and it is a great town to wander around.
She flew up here for the weekend, and following the day here we got out and explored the NAS Oceana Navy Base for the airshow. Some photos of that which took place on Sunday September 17 will be coming up shortly.

The Journey to Virginia (August 26, 2017)

 Finally had to leave but fantastic memories. Drove from Dayton through the south of the state of Ohio. Peaceful and beautiful drive. Of note saw a hot air balloon, a turkey by the side of the road walking around (and suitable for Thanksgiving) and a C-130 (much like the plane at the museum in the previous post). It was a pleasure being there and fun to ride though. Though sad to leave my girlfriend and Ohio I will be back to see both...and soon.  

This is the West Virginia capital. I think it is amazingly beautiful. Nice dome on top and many monuments on the grounds. Has one monument to Abe Lincoln and even some confederate monuments. Interesting combination and a good idea in my book though in this case the reason for it is simple.
During the Civil War West Virginia split off from Virginia which it was part of and became a new state.
Much of that history can be found on a very fine West Virginia History Museum on the grounds. Though I have stopped there before I had not seen it but took the time this time and was amazed. It is well worth a tour if you are ever in the area and the cost (which is free) can't be beat.
Not just buildings though, West Virginia is a beautiful and interesting state. I have been there a few times with Debbie and have explored many of it is roads. I think its about time to get my motorcycle there as some of the roads are built in my opinion just for riding a motorcycle on.      

 At the Virginia border was close to home though about 100 miles to go from there to Richmond. I saw this sign at the rest area and well...just had to share it with you all.
I do love riding in the state. Close to the mountains, the ocean and many interesting places in between. Richmond is a great deal of fun and has many sights and events to enjoy. I love living here and think its one of the best places I have been in my life.

One final shot from Virginia, here is a view of the Blue Ridge Parkway in the background. In a few few weeks it will be ablaze with fall color and that is a remarkable ride.
Nice to ride the Parkway which is one of my favorite roads and a frequent place to visit in my travels. In fact some great sections can be found in North Carolina where I rode many times while I was living there.
 

Aviation Ohio (August 23-26, 2017)

Even a casual visitor to this site would know quickly I am a huge fan of aviation. So it is with pleasure that I show a few highlights of my girlfriend's home town...Dayton, Ohio. An amazing place and one of the cradles of aviation. Here the Wright Brothers designed their planes. While first flown in North Carolina, here the early design was perfected. That was first done with the Wright Flyer III which can be seen in Carillon Historical Park. The park is remarkable.  

One of the most interesting places in Dayton is Wright Patterson Air Force Base. Not just for the C-17's (one at left) that fly along with many other interesting aircraft but also for the many historic sights to be found near it. Dayton was also the home of many aircraft manufacturers and in fact...it still is. With all the aviation names and tributes to the Wright Brothers it was a fun places to just drive around. It was also a very good place from time to time...to look up.    

This is a recreation, but in looking at old photographs very accurate (though the Wright Brothers used wood no doubt). It is a copy of the type of catapult used to launch the Wright Flyer III which was developed at Huffman Prairie. That happens to be on base at Wright Patterson but though an open gate.
There is actually quite a lot to see there, but the big plus is to stand on the actual ground where history was made.    

Also at Wright Patterson Air Force Base is the US Air Force Museum. I went though it on my last visit to Dayton earlier this year and it is nothing short of remarkable. One of the best aviation museums I have been in..and I have been in a few.
This is a C-130 which is one of the outside exhibits. Most of the aircraft are in a closed series of buildings, but a few are outside. I missed them last time, saw them this trip.  

Rising Sun Indiana (August 21-22, 2017)

Went here for two days, beautiful river city with a lot of friendly people and some great things to see. There is a casino there (Rising Star Casino) but spent a lot of time just exploring the very interesting town.
It has a long history and does a really good job of covering it. Lots of blocks in the sidewalk along the river and in signs tell the story of this area and an interesting story it is. It is one of my favorite places to visit.  

Quiet there, and the Ohio River is majestic to watch it roll by. The actual casino is in the riverboat on the left.
It is fun to go into, lots of lights and noise and interesting people. The boat does not move though I think at one time it did. Believe Indiana changed the law. Early in the casino history they did travel the river, but a few years into it they made it not necessary.

Nonetheless, it is fun to watch barges head down the river and to check out some of the sights to be seen there.

Louisville (August 19-20, 2017)

Formerly my hometown (well, I guess it still is) as I was born in Louisville, Kentucky. Interesting place and went there on vacation to see my family. Had some good visits with them and did a lot of things with them, so not a lot of time for sightseeing with my girlfriend Debbie. However we did get out some, and visited some sights such as the George Rogers Clark Homestead. This cabin is a replica but much like what he lived in.

Very pretty at night is the bridges. You can see the old train bridge in the foreground. It has been turned into a "walking bridge" and you can now walk from Indiana to Kentucky (and back) which is pretty cool. It is really popular and has been for the past few years. Its a fairly new addition to the area.
In the background you can see the Abe Lincoln Bridge. There are four bridges that cross the Ohio River...two free and two toll.

This from the Indiana side of the Ohio River is Louisville. Always a beautiful photo by night and fun to see this location. There are many amazing things to see and do. Churchill Downs is in Louisville and Derby time (which this visit was not) is a remarkable time to see the many things Louisville has to offer. Fall is also wonderful in Louisville and in fact there is hardly a bad time to go there (well, maybe in the dead of winter...but thats another story)

Richmond Filipino Festival ( August 12, 2017)

Went to the festial which has been held the past few years (thinking this was the 12th). I enjoy it a lot because I spent some time in the country during my Navy days and it was just a wonderful place to be.
Good to get out to see some familiar sights, taste some very good beer and amazing food It was pretty neat and has been my practice the past few years went there really early. It is a good idea because this event really brings out the people.  

There was some dancing there, and some booths to explore. The big draw for me was the meal and having a bottle (or in the case of me two) of San Miguel Beer. Really brought back some memories. As for the food different than my usual breakfast but very good and I enjoyed it a great deal.
Fun event if you are in the Richmond area around mid-August and some really fine people put it on.