The Grand Junction Air Show was held last weekend and it would be interesting to know just how many photos and videos were taken by the thousands who attended.
Here are thirteen of mine . . .
The elasped time from the first photo as LT Simonsen #5 and LT Tickle #6 are
approaching from the southeast, passing 'through' the props of an Osprey, flying upside
down, flying center stage, and the last photo heading west is about
EIGHT seconds !
#5 LT C.J. Simonsen, USN, Lead Solo for the Blue Angels is a native of Coon Rapids, Minnesota, and graduated from Coon Rapids High School in 1995, where he lettered in football, track and down-hill skiing. In January, 1996, he enlisted in the Navy and completed Basic Training at Recruit Training Command (RTC) in Great Lakes, Illinois.
C.J. then reported to Naval Nuclear Power Training Command in Orlando, Florida, for Machinist Mate "A" school and Nuclear Power School. He reported to Naval Nuclear Power Training Unit in Charleston, South Carolina, aboard USS Daniel Webster (SNN 626), where he served as a nuclear machinist mate.
He later attended the United States Naval Academy and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering in May 2002, and was comissioned an Ensign in the U.S. Navy. C.J. joined the Blue Angels in September 2009 and he served as the Narrator and VIP pilot in 2010 and as the Opposing Solo pilot in 2011. He has accumlated more than 2,200 hours and 379 carrier arrested landings. His decorations include two Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals and various personal and unit awards.
#6 LT David Tickle, USN, Opposing Solo for the Blue Angels is a native of Birmingham, Alabama, and graduated from Jefferson County International Baccalaureate School in 1998. He attended the United States Naval Academy earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering in 2002, and was commissioned an Ensign in the U.S. Navy.
David joined the Blue Angels in September 2010, and served as the Narrator and VIP pilot in 2011. He has accumulated more than 1,800 flight hours and 261 carriers arrested landings. His decorations include two Strike Flight Air Medals, two Navy and Marine Coprs Achievement Medals, and various personal and unit awards.
Somewhere along the way, someone didn't teach LT Simonsen how to fly right-side-up. Just sayin' .
No matter how many items are on our 'to do' list in preparation for a party honoring our men and women serving our country, the project that's always at the top of that list is The Missing Person Table.
So, before any other photos are posted of The Cattle "Barren" BBQ, this one takes precedence over all of them.
If you have never read what each item on this table symbolizes, may I suggest that you take a couple of minutes to read the following . . .
It has been a very, very, very long time since time was taken to create a post here at The Asylum.
That's because, after returning home from Seattle, I hit the ground running in preparation for our Cattle Baron Barren BBQ held in conjunction with The Grand Junction Air Show.
Now that the event is just a wonderful memory, there are a few photos to peruse through and 'document' those memories here on the blog.
This photo was sent to us by our very good friend, John Carmichael, so it's being used as a preface for more blog posts to come . . . eventually ! (Click John's name above for a much better description of the weekend than I could ever write.)
If you CLICK on THIS LINK and watch the video, you will notice a blue and gold jet with the name, CDR Greg McWherter painted on it. Hint: Turn your speakers up really high to hear feel the full effect !!!!
The pilot in thatF/A-18 Hornet is standing to my left in the following photo:
On that same link, you will find the rest of those Blue Angels in this photo, along with the Events Coordinator, Narrator, and several of the 2013 Demonstration Team.
If it seems that I sound proud, you better betcha I'm proud. Our blood runs red, white, and blue at this place !
There were many more 'cream of the crop' young men and women at our house this weekend, whose photos and stories will be shared in future posts, along with many older dignitaries, including Al Taddeo, Bill Angus, Bryan Hayter, and Bob Brunson.
But for now, there are enough links posted here that if you choose to read them, will keep you busy for awhile.
And then . . .there's this video !
Our two-year-old grandson, Wyatt, is mesmerized with The Blue Angels . I just can't think of better heroes for a child to have ! He walks around with an airplane in each hand most of the time and watches The Blues YouTube videos over and over and over again ! According to Wyatt, the Blues only wear helmets and sunglasses.
Here is one of the many 'conversations' with Wyatt about The Blue Angels.
Be sure to notice where he looks when his mommy asks him if they fly in the sky.
This is Wyatt taking his first helicopter ride. The kid loves to fly !
Video below was taken at the Grand Junction Air Show, Saturday, September 22.
Visiting Seattle without riding a ferry is like having a Tootsie Roll Pop and not eating the ooey-gooey middle.
So, we enjoyed the view while waiting for the boat to motor in from Bainbridge Island.
Da Plane ! Da Plane ! Da Boat ! Da Boat !
That might be the neighborhood of Magnolia in the background, but I'm not sure. Or it could be Queen Anne. For sure, it's not Capitol Hill.
It is just amazing how many people, bicycles, buses, and cars can be loaded onto this vessel.
You might notice that the Space Needle is now orange. It has been painted that color in honor of the Oklahoma State Cowboys. Yeah, that's the reason . . . Uh-huh.
One view from the back of the boat . . .
Same view, just held the camera vertical instead of horizontal giving it a different perspective. Kinda like I do with my videos.
Evidently, they have spotted something . . .
. . .not sure who or what was on that ferry, but it had two machine gun toting escorts for it.
Just past my little girl, you might be able to see something in the distance.
There are very few days that Mt. Rainier is visible from this point of view . . .
. . . but, today was a good day . . . for many reasons.
The view was spectacular as we watched an almost full moon appear over the downtown lights of Seattle. The food was delicious. But most of all, the company was near and dear to my heart . . .
My beautiful girls !!!
....
The baby helping her big sister get her lipstick just right.
(OK. Here's another one of those little pictures. It was taken with the same iPhone, 3 seconds after the one above it. Why does the amount of pixels change?) Drives me bonkers !!!
Waiting on . . .
After dinner pose. Look girls...this will be your hair color someday !
. . .
Um-m-m-m. It appears your drink seems to have sprouted flowers.
. . . .
Can't even begin to describe this dessert. Decadent, maybe !
. . . . .
On the roof. Lights of Lake Washington (scene of the Three Hour Tour) in the background.
