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Borrego Springs, CA

Saturday, March 19, 2011

Keesler Air Force Base, Biloxi, MS

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Fonda, myself, and thousands of others went to Keesler Air Force Base today to enjoy their 70th anniversary.  It was also an occasion for me to attend my first ever air show.  Getting into the Base was very similar to getting on an airline flight.  You had to go through a metal detector, and there was a long list of prohibited items for entry.  I watched one man physically break apart his pocket knife and throw it in the garbage rather than let the officials confiscate it.  Cameras and such were allowed along with the suggested chairs in a bag, but you couldn’t bring in any beverages.  Since it was in the eighties, that was a harsh rule for us.  A bottle of water cost $3.  I opted for a lemonade, and that was $5! 

 

We carried our chairs with us, and eventually found a spot to set them up along the runway for the show.  _MG_9839

The Navy’s Blue Angels were scheduled to perform, and I was looking forward to seeing that.

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We were able to see these jets from afar.  Of course, the Blue Angels were scheduled about last in the show.

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The show started off with the Budweiser Beer Clydesdales parading down the runway.  I’m not really sure what that has to do with an air show, but many folks seemed to be enjoying their brews.  Smile

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After baking in the sun for almost an hour, the actual show finally started once all the dignitaries gave their dry speeches.  First up was the Army’s Golden Free Fall Parachute Team.  They jumped out of the airplane at 12,000’.

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I found this the most exciting part of the show for me.

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It’s my guess that I was not alone in that opinion.  Look at the marvel on those kid’s faces!  Do you see any future paratroopers there?

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Next came a myriad of old planes that flew back and forth, and back and forth, and back and forth…  My brother, Carl, volunteers each year at the big air show in Oshkosh, WI.  I think that one goes on for about two weeks.  I must admit that I have found that I do not share his passion for airplanes.  After about two hours, I was beginning to melt into a puddle in the blazing sun.  Fonda and I looked at each other and decided it was time to get out of there.

 

Our escape, of course, was not as easy as we thought it would be.  It took quite some time to work our way off of the airfield, and finally catch the proper shuttle back to the shopping center where we had left the car.  As we tried to make our way to somewhere to have a late lunch, we were trapped in two huge traffic jams.  That took another two hours, and that’s when I noticed that the Blue Angels were finally in the sky.

 

I guess I was just not prepared for this to be a four hour endurance test in order to see them.  Maybe I would have enjoyed it more if there was anywhere with a bit of shade to sit in.  Just getting old, I guess.  Confused smile

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                                                                             THE END!!

 

Thanks for stopping by…. talk to you later,  Judy

26 comments:

  1. Too bad you weren't able to see them up close, come to the Chicago Air Show, get a hotel room on a high floor, and watch from the comfort of an air conditioned room. That's what a lot of folks do.

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  2. We have an airshow here every August and we never miss it. I love the thunder of the huge fighter jets and the purr of the old bombers. I'm like a little kid every year!

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  3. I went to one airs show when I was a teenager. I got to go up in a very small plane,two seater. It was very exciting and I will remember it always.

    Someday i want to go up in a balloon.

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  4. oh, Judy, i got to see the Blue Angels in Pensacola, they were great!!! But it was a LONG wait to see them, they were the last to perform. I also did not know it was such a long procedure!!

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  5. I guess it's a sign of my aging but I won't wait in long lines for anything these days, nor would I sit in the hot sun for hours waiting to see planes doing tricks. I think I saw the Blue Angels perform years ago, and enjoyed it then.

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  6. There was a big air show here this week-end and no, we didn't go. I figured with the 230,000 people they expected that it would not be fun. And hot. And hard for Jim to walk around. I worked on our tax return instead. And how fun is that!

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  7. Looked like a great day with lots of folks having a good time.

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  8. I got to watch the Blue Angels from my backyard once. Our house was right in the flight path for the air show out at the airport. I became so engrossed, I burned the roast I had in the oven! But I don't think I would sit in the hot sun for hours to see them. Guess I'm getting old too.

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  9. Yes, air shows are sometimes an endurance test. Always crowded, always hot, etc, and I guess I didn't realize that they would have stringent security checks just like at the airports. But the Blue Angels, wow--it's fun to see them perform!

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  10. When I was a sales rep-many moons ago, I got to see them practicing near Corpus Christi. I pulled over and watched them for over an hour. It was great but I don't think I would bake for hours in the sun for it. :)

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  11. Air shows were one of my favorite things years ago & I attended many of them. Would drive for miles just to see an air show. However, that was years ago & this is now. I no longer have the patience for hordes of people, hours of standing in the sun & the massive traffic jams after the show. Glad I got to see all those great aerobatic teams when I did......

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  12. I went to my first open house/air show in 1983 at Hill AFB in Utah. No restrictions in those days like they have now, and we were allowed to go inside several aircraft. Getting home afterwards was a miserable affairs with long miles of cars exiting the base. As much as I enjoyed the air show, haven't been back because of the crowds.

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  13. Nope, no shows in hot sun or with lots of people for us anymore, either!

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  14. To bad you missed the blue Angels, they are a really class act. Have fun out there. Sam & Donna...

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  15. I absolutely LOVE military aircraft...Keesler is where Dennis went to electonic's school while in the Air Force age 18...(51 years ago..the planes were biplanes and taildraggers...JUST KIDDING!!) We have an airshow in Oshkosh Wisconsin every summer that has lots of military planes...Actually, McGuyver got his pilot's license at age 40 and had his own Cessna 150...I like riding in a plane about as much as I like labor pains...I just like WATCHING...looks like you had a great show!

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  16. I'm with you about sitting out in the sun on a runway and a lot of people and cars,not my thing any more.

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  17. Being military retirees, we have seen our share of airshows -- now, we try hard to avoid them for the reasons you stated...too many people, too hot on the flightline, too much traffic!! Guess that means we're old too...LOL!

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  18. Even though I am much older than you, I understand the melting in the sun. When I was younger never even gave it a second thought, now it is my first thought. I don't think I would have made it as long as you. You could have just stayed in the car with the air on and still saw the Blue Angels... :)

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  19. The next time you go to an air show, stay back from the flight line in the shade. The show is up in the air and easy to see from a great distance. The only reason to be on the line, is if you are one who must smell the oil or feel the breeze. Sorry to hear that you could not bring in water. Someone was out to make money. Come to Oshkosh, 10,000 aircraft to see (almost) touch or walk through. Also you can bring in anyting, except alcohal.

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  20. Enjoyed the air show pictures. For many years. I was an air show groupie. It took me back a bit to realize that there are folks who have never been.

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  21. We lived in Virginia Beach and saw the Blue Angels peacticing often. It was really amazing.

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  22. Oops...make that "practicing"!

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  23. My Dad was in the Confederate Air Force (as it was then called) & helped restore a B-17. I went to many air shows at Ellington AFB as a younger adult. Later, I joined the CAF and volunteered at the shows. Great fun, unpredictable weather - I remember sheltering under the wing of a vintage plane when a cold front blew through. Awesome, awesome. Added benefit was lots of men in uniform! ;)

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  24. I love watching planes but have yet to see an air show. I really want to go to one. The heat can sometimes take it out of you though. Too bad they wouldn't let you bring in water but such is the world we now live in.

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  25. We went to a 70th Anniversary air show at Luke AFB in Phoenix on Sunday. We were there for 6 hours. Luckily, it was overcast or it would have been way too hot to sit in the sun for all that time. We also saw the Golden Knights and the Air Force Thunderbirds. My pictures aren't as nice as yours because of the clouds, but at least it wasn't hot!

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