A little R&R today, except in my case it's "rest and reflection"

Some Roses are red, not all Violets are blue, click on the pics, and enjoy the view

A lot of the aircraft at the Pima Air and Space Museum are Fighters, most of which I know nothing about since they were in a different part of the Air Force than I was in. I was in what at the time was called MAC, which stood for Material Air Command, so the bases I was on were full of cargo planes, and very few fighter jets, although my last PCS to Yokoda Air Force Base in Japan had F-4 Phantom's stationed there also.

But most of the jet fighters were in TAC "Tactical Air Command", and the bombers were in SAC, "Strategic Air Command". And for the most part were at separate Air Force bases. All of that has changed now, so I don't know what's going on, which is why they don't want old geezers like me in the military.

Although it would be fun to watch us geezers go through basic training. The only thing we would be able to do right would be wake up early in the morning.

Today was a day of relaxation for me. Spending yesterday morning walking around the Saguaro National Park and then stopping by Walmart to pick up a few groceries is what I consider a busy day. Accordingly, it requires a day of relaxation and reflection on the life I'm fortunate enough to live.

I was considering doing some laundry today after finding several pairs of dirty jeans trying to sneak out the door and find a new home with someone who will take better care of them than I do. But I caught them just in time and stuffed them back in the laundry bag. But that's a clue that I might need to do laundry someday when I get around to it.

It looks like I've got about three more days here at the Fairgrounds, and this time there's no doubt that it's time for me to put on my traveling shoes and find a nu-view. If events were going on here at the Fairgrounds, I could easily stay here for the rest of the month, but as it is two weeks is plenty, so it's time to remind the Arctic Fox why it's got wheels under it and ease on down the road.

                                                 theboondork

Anyone who's spent a little too long in Vietnam will immediately recognize this Medivac chopper. It sure is looking faded and somewhat worse for wear, but I'll bet it could tell some stories that would bring tears to the eyes of the toughest NCO in the Army.

The C124 Globemaster. If you've kept up with my blog, you know it has a special place in my heart. I loaded many of these when I was stationed at Charleston Air Force Base in South Carolina. The regular Air Force was no longer flying them, but they were still being used by the ANG, [Air National Guard]. My Dad flew all over the world in one of these "Shakey's" when he was in the Air Force so I felt fortunate to be associated with what used to be the largest cargo plane in the Air Force.

This CH-54 heavylift helicopter kind of looks like a dragonfly, except weirder. The military doesn't like to leave people behind, and it also doesn't like to leave equipment behind. So during Vietnam this helicopter was used to retrieve high-value equipment that they wanted back, or not to let fall into the wrong hands.

But I have to admit it does look like something you would find splattered on your windshield driving down I-75 through Florida. But I would take that any day before I would drive through a  cloud of Love Bugs

A T38 Talon trainer. This plane has been used to train Air Force pilots for about 50 years and is one of the few supersonic trainers in the world. The plane is so good some countries bought it, and after updating the avionics and outfitting it with weapons, used it as their front-line fighter. This plane was being used when I was in the Air Force, and is still in use today.

Nine cylinder radial aircraft engine. Great design for air cooling the engine, but not very aerodynamic.