My Vintage Journeys: VISITING BALBOA PARK WITH A SPECIAL PERSON

Thursday, November 27, 2014

VISITING BALBOA PARK WITH A SPECIAL PERSON

SAN DIEGO AIR & SPACE MUSEUM

This Thanksgiving I am particularly grateful for my family and a new six-month-old granddaughter who has touched our hearts in so many ways. I am looking forward to many Vintage Journeys with her.

I met my daughter, Anna, and baby, Mila, at one of my favorite places, BalboaPark—they arrived late because Mila fell asleep in her crib. That's fine, because she enjoys life more when rested. The San Diego Air &Space Museum is one of many museums located in the park, and is free for residents on this Tuesday before Thanksgiving. Since its full of colorful airplanes, it seemed like a good choice for a six-month-old.

MILA AT AIR & SCIENCE MUSEUM

Mila was her wide-eyed and observant self as I carried her around the museum, and showed her some of the cool airplanes on display. I want to believe that the bright-red airplane flown by Emilia Earhart made an impression on her, but I have to admit that she liked watching the other children and adults more than the planes. I still loved showing her the replica of the red Lockheed Vega 5B that Amelia Earhart flew as the first woman to fly solo nonstop across the Atlantic in 1932.

The San Diego Air and Space Museum is recognized as one of the country's premier aerospace museums. It's located in the historic Ford Building which was built in 1935 as an exposition hall for Ford Motors. In addition to a collection of over 120 aircraft, it is home to the third largest aviation archives and library in America. It's a great museum to visit with its many shiny planes and spacecraft, some of which are hanging from the rafters. It is surrounded by a painted mural which depicts the history of human transportation. The actual Apollo 9 Command Module spacecraft capsule, with the exterior left in its original condition, and a working flying replica of Lindbergh's Spirit of St. Louis are my favorites. We will return someday to visit the fun kid-zone 3D/4D movie theater plus all of the hands-on interactive exhibits. Let us continue to believe that the best generation is still ahead.

I will be ever grateful to readers and the opportunity to write a blog. I get much satisfaction from writing and hope that I can make someones day more enjoyable.