So, where was I? Oh, yes, the joys of wi-fi. I was outside, sitting in the shade and a breeze, because it's really too pretty outside to be inside, but the signal outside is nearly non-existent. The "Mouse" is performing exactly the task I had intended for it, "tucked under the arm," so to speak, to go anywhere. It doesn't have WordPerfect on it, but then you really can't have everything. :-)

We haven't been here in ages. Oh, we've been to the main building, the one that's built like the rectangular Air Force symbol with the bulge in the center, several times. We used to come here when the "museum" was nothing but a few Quonset huts interconnected (with a gift shop; it's a state law...LOL). But the last time we were here was right before building 2 opened. So, after James placed his entries, we looked around this building.

Aside from the aircraft I mentioned before, it has a gallery on either side of the building with showcases of memorabilia (the "feet" of the showcases look like aircraft landing gear—cute!) of Georgia aviation and aviators from all walks of life, from Eugene Bullard, who had to go to France to be able to fly in the first World War because of the color of his skin; to Jacqueline Cochran, "aviatrix" as they used to say in her day, who started out as an unwanted orphan who worked in a cotton mill at age eight for six cents an hour; to Georgia flyers in all wars and Georgia astronauts, to Georgia Aviation Hall of Fame inductees. Cool stuff.

Building 3, next door, is for World War II aircraft. The city of Warner Robins, as it exists today, exists because of World War II; in 1942 the government plunked down an air depot here. Back then it was a sleepy little town called Wellston, a mere "jerkwater" town (the trains stopped for water only unless there was a passenger coming or going), and early on it was called the Wellston Depot before the name of the base, and the town, was changed to Warner Robins after its first commander. It also has a super D-Day exhibit.

"Hangar One," next door to us, has some Vietnam-era aircraft and is right now the home to the Tuskeegee Airmen exhibit which will move into the WWII building eventually. That's where we were when I abruptly broke narration; we realized we hadn't looked through it.

We also had lunch here, but the cafe isn't much and is frankly overpriced. Ah, well, captive audience.

Jen, if you are ever in the area again, let us know if you want to come. It's a nice little museum; you probably would have enjoyed it. Too bad we didn't have another day.

Labels: excursions

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