TUCSON (part 1)

Final count:
Six "H's", 3 carseats, 3 pullmans suitcases, a diaper bag, one purse, and a double stroller.

Destination:
Tucson, AZ

Itinerary:
Pima Air and Space Museum, Tubac, AZ (artist colony), Senora Desert Museum (think wildlife preserve, but desert creatures exclusively), San Xavior Del Bac mission, Saguaro National park, Lil' Abners steakhouse (yes, it was "scheduled" on our itinerary), Tombstone, and finally the drive through Coronado National Forest as we climbed the Huachuca mountains to a peak at Montezuma pass (our own personal Everest). We didn't make it to Medera Canyon, but I do believe the canyons we saw in the Huachuca mountains more than made up for it.


Okay, so. Just got back from Tucson last night. I spent time there as a kid and Carl and I also went many years ago. It's a wonderful place to vacation if you enjoy American history and/or desert life. I was quickly reminded of how much I LOVE this place in the world, even asking Carl to check out the seniority list to see where he would fall there (#4 out of 6 full timers; not good).

Could I seriously move there? YES! In a heartbeat. Listen, you either immediately fall in love with the desert landscape and unique culture that is Tucson,....or not. Our family absolutely loves it. Perhaps some of my photos will help you to better understand. So, travel with me if you will.

"IT'S AN HONOR, SIR!"
Those words played through my mind like a broken record.
Pima Air and Space Museum.
Retired aircraft of all kinds from every era of flying.
We toured Air Force 1 of the Kennedy/Johnson era. By today's standards it wasn't fancy at all. A leather office chair for the president. Press quarters. Secret service quarters. A single military flight attendant who was responsible for shopping for and purchasing all the ingredients that would be used to prepare the president and flight crew's meals from scratch (the press and others on board ate "airline food").

>>>Where Kennedy and Johnson sat. Notice the framed photo of Kennedy on the desk.<<<

We loved our trip to this museum, but the gem we discovered was NOT the president's airplane. Not the impressive Blackbird spy plane, 1940's TWA commercial plane, NASA aircraft, oversized military planes or even the B-17 bomber we got to peer into.

>>>>>>BLACKBIRD SPY PLANE<<<<<<<<<<
That's Carl under the engine on left side of photo; this aircraft is enormous.


>>>The bombardier and navigator were seated in this area of the B-17.<<<

No, it was him.
Richard.
He was volunteering in the hangar where the B-17 was housed.
And what a complete honor it was to spend time in his presence.

Richard, based on what he shared and our own calculations, must be at least 86 years old. He stands tall and moves well for his age. And Richard is a veteran. A gem. An American treasure. Richard served in WWII as a B-17 bomber pilot. He was trained on 47 different aircraft in his lifetime (67 if you count different versions of similar aircraft). He was offered many commercial jobs but refused all but one. He completed 28 missions in WWII, including two on a ball bearing factory in Berlin and 4 more missions than he was required to complete.

He was candid and spoke with great clarity about that time.
What he was thinking as they flew in tense formation.
How he processed seeing planes go down around him.
How intense the hours in the air were.
What debriefing was like.
How he felt when the flag went up on his barracks, indicating that some (they never knew who until 4am) would be flying the next day.

And to see the hold on the B-17 where the tail gunner "sat" was sobering ("sat", meaning lying on his back in a cramped round hold that extended down from the back of the aircraft, legs above him, for 5 or 6 hours at a time, oxygen mask on, while firing on the enemy).



So, while most WWII vets have passed away, we had the chance to listen to Richard and hear firsthand about his experiences. Incredibly moving!

But there is soooo much more to Richard's story.

Because he didn't only serve in WWII.

Richard, incredible hero that he is, also served in the Korean war AND Vietnam. Whoa! God's plan for Richard's life blows me away. He survived 28 missions in WWII. And he went on to survive the Korean war AND Vietnam. A family back home waiting for him. The chance to leave the military and fly commercially and yet he preferred to continue to serve our great nation. I'm honored to have stood in Richard's presence and we told him so. What a man!

There's more to share about our trip (Caution: Danger ahead) but I'll have to document it in a separate post. I realize all two of you my readers may not be dying to know, but hey, if you've never been to the desert, never seen the Saguaro firsthand, never been up on your own personal Everest, then cowboy up 'til I post part 2.

Toni