January 19, 2013 by luckdragontravels

Pensacola Florida – National Naval Aviation Museum – Pensacola Lighthouse

Wow…the museum is a must see. We went to the National Naval Aviation Museum, there are so many planes and helicopters, starting with World War I through the current planes. You have the Blue Angels, you have a Tomcat, to name a few…I do not know the names or types of some of the aircrafts I have posted below, they were all just really cool. They have aircraft from the Coast Guard and the Marines too. You actually get to walk around and up close to most of the aircraft. They have some really good display scenes too. We didn’t get a chance to ride the trolley onto the museum’s flight line……hopefully next time we can. We also didn’t get a chance to go to the Imax theater. We did have lunch in the restaurant at the museum…it is cool because it is full of plaques from different units from the Philippine’s Officer Club which no longer exists due to a volcano….

After the Aviation Museum we went across the street to the still working Pensacola Lighthouse…we did go all the way up 177 steps up the spiral staircase…nice view…it was a wonderful way to spend the day…….plus I got a stamp from the lighthouse in my National Parks Passport…whoo hooo

We didn’t have time to stop in Alabama to see the USS Alabama which is now a museum, but this is a photo while driving by on the highway…look forward to going back and taking the tour.

USS Alabama – retired

Naval Air Station – Pensacola, Florida

National Naval Aviation Museum

One of the many displays

Here are a few photos of the some of the art painted on the aircraft…love them.

Flying Tiger

Bomber Nose Art

Flying Duck

This was on the plane that President Bush used to land on Aircraft Carrier for the Mission Complete

This was on the plane (aka: Navy One) that President Bush used to land on Aircraft Carrier USS Abraham Lincoln for Mission Accomplished

The Turtle

Viper – this is on a helicopter

Blue Angel display – these are real planes

Kelly and the Blue Angels

Blue Angels

Amazing

Old time candy

War Bonds

Tomcat

Pensacola Lighthouse

Pensacola Lighthouse & Museum

Historical Marker

The Lighthouse

The stairs to the top

The view to the Gulf from the lighthouse

Painted Pelican at the base of the lighthouse.

January 12, 2013 by luckdragontravels

New Orleans….my first time

Went to New Orleans for my first time. It is a very interesting place…there are so many places to go see and explore. We took a pedi-cab around town for an overview. We went to the National Park Jazz Museum and the New Orleans Mint…wander through the French Quarter and the French Market and the River Walk. There were two cruise ships in port. We had a nice lunch at a restaurant called SoBou. We watched the day street performers and saw a wedding party go by, complete with the marching band. We didn’t stay to long on Bourbon street as night was falling….and the party crowd was growing and we still had to drive home. It was a great place to visit and we didn’t see it all, so it means we will have to return in the future.

On our way to New Orleans

A local store

One of the pretty balconies

this one is ready for Mardi Gras

this one is plain

New Orleans Mint

Preservation Hall Jazz Band – the beginning of Jazz

Louis Armstrong’s Cornet

The St. Louis Catholic Church was very beautiful.

St. Louis Church – Stained Glass

We were on the river walk and enjoying the views….this pelican flew up behind us. It appeared he was hoping we had something to feed him…we didn’t feed him.

Brown Pelican

River Boat

We watched the day street performers…the women playing the spoons, was missing a few teeth…but she could play the spoons.

Street Performer on the spoons

Street Performer on the washboard

Street lamps

Bourdon Street

January 5, 2013 by luckdragontravels

Exploring Biloxi and Ocean Springs

Today we had a chance to go explore a few spots in the area. Our first stop was at the Mississippi Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Ocean Springs. It is a beautiful park……and we give thanks to all who have served and are serving today and in the future…

Mississippi Vietnam Veterans Memorial

Dedication to the Wives

One of the many Memorials

One of the many Memorials

Final Orders

Memorial Wall

One of the Memorial Walls

Missing in Action

After the Memorial we went to the National Parks Gulf Island. We toured the visitor center, watched a great video on the gulf islands and went out on the fishing pier. Of course I was happy as I got a stamp in my National Parks Passport…whoo hoo…that always makes it a good day. It is a very nice park…hope to be back in warmer weather to go out to the islands.

National Seashore

View from the park

Pelicans in the park

After the park we had lunch at Shaggy’s. We had great food and a good time. The oysters were delicious…we also shared a fresh fish sandwich…amazing…if time allows, we will be back…..yummy.