Strategic Air and Space Museum

Hello Friends,
I didn't plan this post to coincide with Memorial Day weekend, but the timing worked out well.  I was planning to visit the Strategic Air and Space Museum later this summer, and then I met a new friend who volunteers out there doing restoration work.  I've been fascinated by airplanes since I was little, so it was great to visit with someone else who shares that interest and could give me behind-the-scenes stories about planes in the collection - and a chance to climb into the cockpit of a B-36! 

The museum is located just off of exit 426 on Interstate I-80, about halfway between Omaha and Lincoln.  I missed the entrance on my first visit and almost missed it on my second.  You can't see the building from the highway, but it's the turn immediately west of the main entrance to Mahoney State Park.  Summer hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.  Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for children ages 4-12, and $9 for senior citizens and active duty/retired military.  Guided tours are available at 11:00 daily at no extra cost. 

When you enter the museum, you're instantly in the presence of greatness.  Just behind that glassed-in front sits one of the greatest aircraft ever created, poised as if it's slicing through the air on one last mission.  Ladies and gentleman, I give you the SR-71 Blackbird...

The Blackbird was used for reconnaissance from 1966 to 1990.  It flew at speeds of over Mach 3.2, but it's exact maximum speed is still classified, and it still holds speed and altitude records.  A strange fact that I learned from my friend is that the Blackbird actually leaked jet fuel when it took off.  This was not considered a problem, though.  As it flew, the plane would expand, and this sealed up the leaks. The Blackbird could take surveillance photos of 100,000 square miles in an hour, flying so high and so fast that no one even knew it was there.  Developed by the secretive "Skunk Works" division of Lockheed at the request of the CIA, it was a crucial tool to have during the Cold War.  I'm adding Skunk Works to my summer reading list.  It was written by one of the key developers of both the Blackbird and the Stealth fighter, and the preview on Amazon looks terrific.  

The B-52 Stratofortress has been an integral part of the Air Force since the 1950's, and it's still used today.  This heavy bomber is a true work horse.  It can perform many tasks, including sea surveillance, suppression bombing, precision strikes, and aerial mining.  It can drop bombs by free fall or deliver air to ground missiles.  It was originally designed to carry nuclear weapons, but let's hope it's never used for that purpose. (The museum also has a B-29 Superfortress on display.  B-29's were used to drop the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki during WWII.) 

You might notice that this B-52 isn't in the best shape.  It still shows wear from when the museum was located near Offutt Air Force Base, and the planes were displayed outside.  You might also notice the Strategic Air Command (SAC) emblem just below the cockpit.  It features an iron fist holding both an olive branch and a lightning bolt, and it says a lot about the role SAC has played over the years.  Housed at Offutt Air Force Base in Bellevue, SAC was a crucial hub for reconnaissance gathering/analysis, coordination of long-range bombing missions, and defensive missile control from 1948 until 1992.  When I was a kid, my uncle was stationed at Offutt for awhile.  He told me that if America was ever attacked, Omaha would be the first place wiped off the map, because SAC would be a primary target.  He was right, of course - SAC was tucked in the middle of the country for a reason - but was that really something a 7-year-old needed to know?  Sheesh.

Near the B-52 is the B-36 "Peacemaker."  For some reason, I didn't get a photo of the outside - probably because it's so huge - but you can see it here at the museum's website.  The Peacemaker is the largest production aircraft ever built and the only U.S.  bomber that never dropped a bomb during wartime.  (Ironic, huh?)  It had the ability to fly to another continent, drop its weapons, and come back without re-fueling.  Obviously, it couldn't out-maneuver enemy fighters, and our fighters didn't have the same range.  So the engineers came up with a unique solution...

This photo is of the underside of the B-36, standing in the open bomb bay and facing toward the cockpit.  It was dark inside, but my flash lit it up fairly well.  Notice that contraption at the front?  It was made to carry one of these...

When an enemy challenged the B-36, the tiny Parasite could drop out of its belly to provide protection.  When the enemy was vanquished, the Parasite could hook back up to the B-36 for the ride home.  It didn't work too well in practice, but it was quite an idea. 

The cockpit wasn't technically open during my visit, but with a friend in high places - no pun intended - I got to climb inside.  (The museum does have special days when the planes are open for all visitors.)

 

This was the most amazing part to me.  Check out these controls.  Parking brake at the top, and right below that?  Yeah - you really, really didn't want to hit the wrong switch coming down the runway.

This photo was taken from the "sunroof" in the cockpit looking back toward the tail.  It gives you an idea of how big the plane is, although my camera lens could only capture a small section of the wings.

The wings are actually 7' thick, and crew members could walk back and forth inside of them to service the engines in flight.  The B-36 is unique because it has both propellers and jet engines.  Fires were so common upon takeoff that men were stationed below the plane with fire extinguishers.  How would you like to have that job?!

The F-4 Phantom was the primary fighter used in Vietnam. The model on display here has been outfitted for reconnaissance rather than combat. 

The arch-nemesis of the Phantom was the Soviet-designed MiG-21.  When a MiG was delivered to the museum, the boxes arrived with a simple message - "Don't ask questions."  Museum workers didn't know what they'd gotten until they opened the crates and started putting the pieces back together.  The aircraft, which is currently being restored, carries the insignia of the North Vietnamese Air Force.  The MiG is smaller and more maneuverable than the F-4.  How we acquired enemy aircraft during wartime remains something of a mystery, but it allowed our pilots to find ways of fighting against a plane that had previously outmatched them.

The EC-135 is not currently on display.  In fact, it's not even fully assembled.  This is a shame, because the "Looking Glass" was an important part of SAC's mission from 1961 until 1990.  For almost thirty years, one of these planes was in the air 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  They circled the area on constant alert, ready to take command if the unthinkable happened and the land-based control centers were destroyed.  The plane in this photo was the last one to land when that program ended.  It's now parked behind the restoration hangar.  We still have planes on 24-hour alert, but they are land-based rather than in the air now.  

In 2001, the museum's name was changed from the Strategic Air Command Museum to the Strategic Air and Space Museum.  There are several rockets on display in front of the building, and there is a permanent exhibit on Clayton Anderson - an astronaut from Ashland, Nebraska.  If you have kids, they might enjoy a trip to the "International Play Station."

The museum also offers summer camps and "Top Gun" weekends for kids from 8-13.  (I'm so jealous!  I could pass for 13...maybe....)  Okay, maybe I can't pass for 13 - but kids of all ages can try out the flight simulator for $5.  And a new Star Wars exhibit just opened this weekend.

The museum also has a book store, gift shop, and the Plane Food cafe.  Individual and family memberships are available, which provide free admission to the museum, invitations to special events, and discounts on gift shop purchases and summer camps.  I don't go often enough myself for an individual membership to be worthwhile, but I would be tempted to get a family membership if I had kids.

Well, a picture is supposed to be worth a thousand words, but no picture even begins to convey the experience of standing next to an SR-71 Blackbird.  You'll have to check it out for yourself.  Hope you have a great ride.

Ted and Wally's Premium Homemade Ice Cream

Hello Friends,
It's officially summer time!  And to get this summer started right, I met a couple of good friends at Ted and Wally's ice cream shop at 12th and Jackson in the Old Market.  If you've been in Omaha for any length of time, you're probably familiar with Ted and Wally's already.  But if you've never been there - or you haven't been there for awhile - it's definitely a worthwhile tourist stop. 

We visited on a Thursday afternoon, but the small parking lot was full and there was a line inside even at 1:00.  As we waited to order, one of my friends noted the sign proclaiming that Ted and Wally include more milk fat in their ice cream than any other brand.  Who brags about something like that?!  Another sign warned, "Unattended children will be given a double shot of espresso and a free puppy."  Yikes! 

Flavor offerings vary, so you never know what concoctions you may find.  I sampled a bit of Peanut Butter ice cream.  It was delicious, and I was tempted to get it with some sort of chocolate mixed in.  But Peppermint Oreo won out in the end - a decision I didn't regret for a second.  A regular dish was just under $4.00 with tax. 

A family with a little boy was in the booth next to ours.  The boy was fascinated by the churning ice cream machines, so one of the employees let him come over and peer in when a batch of ice cream was finished.  I have to admit - even as adults, it was fun to watch the colorful barrels and the wheels spin.

Good thing it was a beautiful afternoon!  We walked off a few of the calories with a visit to the park and a little window/sidewalk shopping.  But the extra milk fat really does make a difference in the taste.  It's richer and creamier than store-bought ice cream or even Dairy Queen.  I wouldn't recommend it for daily consumption, but it's an awfully nice treat!

Yam Festival (Sorry - no food involved)

Hello Friends,
I know this is last minute - but if you're looking for something interesting/exciting/unique to do this weekend - think Yam.  Actually, think djembe.  And dancers in colorful, African attire dancing to multi-layered drum beats produced using traditional African instruments.

The Yam Festival is an annual event sponsored by the African Culture Connection.  It brings together professional dancers and drummers from Africa and the United States, who tell a story using African drumming and dance.  This year's performances  are at the Omaha Community Playhouse tonight and tomorrow.  Tickets are $15.

I got to see a preview of the show when the performers visited my school last week.  Unfortunately, I had to be responsible and do the teacher thing, so I didn't get any photos.  (Hey - you try interpreting in sign language an taking pictures at the same time!)  But the performance was enthralling for everyone, including my deaf students. 

Wish I could tell you more about the djembe, but I have to go be responsible and teach again.  Suffice it to say - I started playing it in college, and I know from experience that it's the world's coolest instrument.  When you hear it, you have to move to it.  And if one comes close enough to touch, you can't help but try it yourself.

Off to the races.  Happy Friday!

Omaha the Beautiful

Hello Friends,
Hope you're enjoying this beautiful spring weekend.  I had a wonderful time exploring some of the Old Market with one of my favorite co-tourists today - my sister, Katie.  The sunlight and clouds made it a great day for taking pictures.  You know me - I love a good cloud.  I think they get a bum rap for being gloomy.  Most of the time, they make the day brighter and more interesting than a plain old blue sky does.  So we did a little shopping and a lot of snapping photos. 

We started with white mochas at 13th Street Coffee to keep us warm as we wandered through the Farmer's Market at 12th and Jackson.  We both got some super cute bracelets from "Granny's Baubles" - a vendor from Plattsmouth who makes all of the jewelry herself.  And no - the irony of going to a farmer's market and coming away with jewelry was not lost on us!  (Our mom wanted to know who was growing diamonds...)  In our defense - there isn't a lot of fresh produce available so early in the season.  I did buy several pepper plants for my garden.  I've never tried growing vegetables before, so keep your fingers crossed for me.  Better yet - keep your thumbs crossed, especially if you have a green one.

The Farmer's Market will run every Saturday morning through October.  I'm looking forward to going back later in the summer and writing more about it then. 

After the Farmer's Market, we strolled over to see part of the Heartland of America Park from ConAgra's campus near 10th and Howard.  The path leading up to the campus is lined with trees and American flags.  (This photo was taken from near the ConAgra entrance, looking back down the path.)

A water fountain and clock tower are situated across from the building's entrance.

There were beautiful views of the Heartland of America park from this vantage point.  It was tough to get a good angle on this water feature, though.  Katie got a much better shot last summer than I did today.  Hopefully she'll post it for us...

Can you believe we have scenery like this in downtown Omaha?  I can't wait until the other fountains are turned on in the park and the gondolas are out.  I remember visiting the park with my family when I was young.  It was evening, and the fountains were lit with colored lights.  It was so romantic!

Next, we visited the Gene Leahy Mall at 13th and Farnam.  I hadn't been there for years, but the "downtown slides" were a huge favorite for us as kids.  Take some wax paper to sit on, and these are almost as good as riding a roller coaster.  You'll even get that funny feeling in your stomach - like your stomach is floating while the rest of your body drops.  The chilly breeze may have deterred some folks today, but kids and adults alike form long lines to go down the slides when the weather is warm.

The lagoon provides lots of great photo opportunities.  This fountain is nice.  Not sure I'd use that handrail to descend, though...

I don't usually like metal sculpture, but I love this one.  It's called "Tree House with French Doors," and it sits beside the lagoon.  (I know - you want to climb it, right?)  It's been marred with some graffiti, which is too bad.  But we got a kick out of the note someone wrote on the side: "Toy Story 2 was okay."

Katie got this photo as we made our way around the walk path.  The lower building in front is the W. Dale Clark branch of the Omaha Public Library - 4 stories of delight for the reader/researcher.  The Woodmen Tower in the background is a familiar landmark in the Omaha skyline.

I believe Katie took this photo as well.  You can see part of the walk path around the lagoon and the bridge that spans it.  The island in the center is planted with native flowers and grasses, though nothing is blooming yet.

At the far end of the lagoon, we climbed down the stone steps to sit at the water's edge.

As we relaxed and enjoyed the view, we had a visitor swim straight toward us.  Maybe he was hoping for food, but I think he just wanted to get his picture taken.  Here he comes... 

And there he goes...  (No zoom on these pictures at all.  This is how close he came.)

I hadn't gotten a good photo of his face, so I clucked at him to come back.  He was happy to oblige and turned so I could get his good side.  (I did zoom in for this one.)

It was so restful and beautiful by the water that it was hard to leave.  

As we walked back to the car, I couldn't help but take a few more pictures.  I just love the architecture downtown.

 

 It's easy to find the negatives about my hometown sometimes - especially when I'm stuck in traffic.  But taking a few hours to explore this side of the city gives me a much greater appreciation for it.  

It's good to be a Tourist.

Hot Shops Art Gallery

Hello Friends,
There were so many activities happening in Omaha this weekend, it was hard to pick one - the Cinco de Mayo celebration, the opening day at the Farmer's Market, and the open house at the Hot Shops art gallery.  So I guess oversleeping on Saturday morning was a good thing, as it helped narrow my choices down....  Actually, I'd been planning to visit the Hot Shops open house since I first heard about it a month ago.  It was a great experience - but if you missed it, don't worry.   The gallery is open 7 days a week, and artist receptions are held on a regular basis.  So you'll have other opportunities to explore the work of artists like these...

Gerard Pefung's narrow room on the second floor would have been easy to miss, but a fellow tourist pulled me inside to see one of the most unique exhibits in the gallery.  Pefung is an "aerosol artist."  That's right - he says it with spray paint.  And what an amazing statement he makes.  The painting beside him in this photo is one of two that he did of Michael Jackson.  Both pieces were commissioned shortly after Jackson's death by a man whose girlfriend was in deep mourning for the singer.  (That's love, I guess - to buy your sweetheart a painting of another guy.  Hmmm....)  Anyway, you should definitely visit the gallery and see these before the boyfriend picks them up.  The second painting is of Jackson as a child.  Pefung captured an expression of youthful joy and exuberance beautifully in the young Jackson's eyes - a stark contrast to the wild, pained expression seen here in Jackson as an adult. 

Pefung also showed us selected pieces from his upcoming show, which will feature elephants as its theme.  When asked why he picked elephants, Pefung explained that we all want to be elephants.  Elephants are wise.  They have strong family ties - even mourning for the loss of a loved one.  And no one - not even the king of the jungle - messes with an elephant.  We were lucky enough to get a glimpse inside of Pefung's sketchbook and see how he starts with very realistic drawings and slowly makes them more and more abstract.  The full show will debut at the Nomad lounge.  You can see more photos of Pefung's work on Flickr or send him a message on Facebook to get more information.

 

After admiring Dar Vandevoort's work at the Artists Co-Op Gallery, my sister and I were excited to meet her at the Hot Shops open house.  The painting behind her is of her niece.  You have to see it in person to really appreciate how the use of puzzle pieces - Dar's trademark technique - adds depth and texture to the little girl's braids.  As my sister pointed out, the expression on her face and the detail of her eyelashes are equally impressive. 

The paintings that we both loved at the other show were on display at Hot Shops as well - the one above, and a second painting that appears to be a companion piece.  I had thought about the painting above as the sky, and the second one as the ocean - but Dar explained that the second one is also the sky.  Her husband is a pilot, so they spend a lot of time in the air.  The other painting shows what it looks like when they're over the clouds and getting ready to descend.  Both tissue paper and puzzle pieces add texture to the purple backdrop with swirls of light.  Thinking of it as both ocean and sky makes me love it even more.  (And coincidentally, these would go great with the color scheme in my house - just in case anyone is in a generous mood.  My birthday is coming up in a few months....)

You can't have "hot shops" without a little heat.  During the open house, we got to see glass blowers and blacksmiths work their fiery magic.  Wouldn't this be amazing as decoration for a party?  So beautiful.

Another one of my favorite displays was in the aptly-named Hallway Gallery.  Photographer Joseph Vavak showed selections from his "ninety-three" collection.  He's a kindred spirit, I think - a kind of "Homestate Tourist."  He's been traveling to each of Nebraska's 93 counties to photograph whatever interesting and unique things he finds there.  In his blog, Vavak describes himself as "a photographer from Omaha, Nebraska that has a somewhat puzzling obsession with the mundane and the everyday."  As a writer, I loved the way so many of his photos carry the spark of a story.  The camera man admitted to being more comfortable behind the lens than in front of it, but he graciously posed in front of one my favorite pieces - a shot from a museum in Ainsworth that tells the life story of one of its past residents.

Whew!  I'd meant for this to be a short blog, but I can't sign off without telling you about one more artist - Jacqueline Bequette.  Bequette's paintings also feature rich texture, created by painting her canvas with glue and randomly dropping handfuls of paper scraps over it.  She lets the scraps fall where they may and uses them to add line and texture to her work.   Her inspiration came from this portrait she did of her daughter.  The scraps used here were actually from paper that her daughter journaled on, and her words became incorporated into the portrait.

I'm not an artist myself, but I love seeing the talent and creativity of people here in my hometown and hearing their stories about what inspires them.  Thanks to the artists at Hot Shops for sharing your talents and stories with me.  It was great to meet you.