Day 29-30, Tuesday/Wednesday, 16/17 April 2024 - The Gulf Coast and Blue Angels

 Tuesday, We took our time leaving Panama /city Beach. We loaded up laundry and did a walk on the beach while it was in the machine. 

At 8 in the morning you can have the whole beach to yourself, it was in the 70s with a breeze, perfect temperature to walk. 

We worked our way up the coast staying as close to the ocean as the roads would allow. It was slow going even in light traffic but we were not in any hurry. 

The drive along the beach was scenic but based on the number of hotels etc, it must get very busy in the summer. 

We stopped at Henderson Beach State Park in Destin for lunch.  It was a very nice beach with the finest sand I have ever seen, even more fine that Panama City Beach. We had lunch and then walked it off a bit. 

They also have 60 camp sites, it might be on our list of places to try in the future. 

We arrived at June's cousin Debbie's around 5PM, and met her Uncle Randy, his wife Juanita and June's Aunt Mickey.  Debbie and James are very accommodating, we did not plan to be here when they had other company but they are still welcoming us.  Tomorrow morning we plan to go to the Naval Air Station to watch the Blue Angels practice.  

Wednesday, Randy, Juanita, Aunt Mickey, June and I left Debbie's house for the Pensacola Navy Air Station at around 8AM to watch the Blue Angels practice. James had a car appointment and Debbie had to work :-(. Getting in riding a scooter turned out to be a comedy.  The NAS is only 1/2 mile from the house, we got in line and then were told that we can not enter the base until 8:30AM.  June and I were also told we need to have shoes (I had flip flops on) and gloves, so we zipped back to the house for shoes and gloves. At 8:30 we got in line at the gate again, but this time we had to have pants too.  We zipped back to the house and got pants....we are lucky Deb lives so close.  

As we walked to the flight line, the clouds were coming and going, with the low layer hanging at 800 to 1000 ft.  I spoke with one of the service personnel and they said they need 1200 ft minimum to fly any show. The show on Tuesday was canceled due to low clouds. so we were all hoping they cleared. 

We got there pretty early so had front row seats. 

The clouds were still hanging around, the Blue Angels put on an impressive show/practice, it was awesome. They started with an impressive climb and short field landing of Fat Albert, their C130 support plane and crew. 

Currently, the Blue Angels are flying the F18 Super Hornet, it is a beautiful aircraft.

This is the #4 aircraft, Lieutenant Commander Griffin Stangel who flies lead solo. However flying the number 4 aircraft is Lt. Amanda Lee, the first woman to be a Blue Angel. She flies the slot position, which is the back of the diamond....she did a great job. 

The precision of the flying is impressive. 

This is a practice but they have a full PA system with all volunteers doing the commentating and answering any questions people have. I think in many ways it is much more personal than going to an actual air show, and it is all free. 

After the air demonstration, we toured the museums, yes the museum over flows into what they call Hanger Bay One. Both museum buildings are packed with planes from all aviation eras and include Coast Guard aviation and a section on the the Navy role in the Apollo mission. 

This display had a hologram of one of the Astronauts giving a presentation on the moon landing, it was much cooler than this picture.

We found the Navy plane that is the name sake for June's car, the Corsair.  Those of us that grew up watching WWII movies can easily identify a corsair by its signature bent wing design. 

I somehow managed to find my self on an aircraft carrier and almost got squashed by a landing fighter, it was really close!!

We went outside to the Greek food truck for lunch, I had an awesome Gyro, just like Greece. 

The museum is huge, your legs will get tired before you see everything.  And it has lots of simulators, movies and other attractions, many geared towards children, bring your kids. 

We got back to the house in early afternoon, I washed the van...it was filthy. 

June made a nice spaghetti dinner and we had a quiet evening. 

Thursday we are going with Randy, Juanita and Aunt Mickey to see the Alabama Memorial, a battleship in Mobile, Al.