New Year's Resolution

My new year's resolution has been the same for the last several years, eat healthier, exercise more and spend more time with my family and friends. And this year I've added one more thing to my resolution list, update my blog more often!! 

Since my last blog I've spent a week in the Florida Keys with a couple of great friends, finally finished remodeling my Grandmother's house,  and I volunteered to be the gift shop manager at the Airline History Museum.  The week in the Keys was relaxing, the work on my Grandmother's house was exhausting and the giftshop makeover was challenging. 

This year will be no different. I'll relax with friends and family, work until exhausted and meet all challenges head on.  Here's to another great year!!!

July 4th!*!*!*!*

Over the 4th of July weekend my friend Randy and I decided to take a weekend off from our hectic schedules to go camping in Rockport Missouri.  Rockport is  about 9 miles west of  Tarkio,Missouri , where Plane Dames will be on the 12th of July for the Wing Nuts Fly In. 

From the the KOA campground we could see the edge of the  Loess Hills, Wind Farm which produces enough energy  for  town of Rockport , population 1,395.  Just 50 miles east of  Rockport in Gentry County is the Bluegrass Ridge Wind Farm,which is where the  picture to the left was taken .  The view was truly amazing!

Wind turbines vary in sizes of 184  to 328 feet tall and the blades are approximately 100 feet long. Now that's a prop!  One turbine can store up enough energy to provide power to 500 homes. And they are virtually noise free.  The only sound that could be heard when standing at the base of the turbine is the "swoosh" of the the blade as it moves through the air and the humming of the generator.  What a beautiful sound!

First Flight

Most people think of the Wright Brothers when they think of first flight. While it's true that the first flight in an airplane was made by Orville and Wilbur Wright in 1903, the first flight carrying people was actually made in a hot air balloon 120 years earlier. 

The hot air balloon was invented in 1783 by Montgolfier Brothers in Annonay France and it's first flight was in Paris on November 21, 1783.

Until this year the only hot air balloons that I've seen were in photos and on television.  And although airplanes are my passion, the hot air balloons were definitely the highlights of my trip to Sun-n-fun.

Eva on the Air

My  Dad worked in the aviation industry for 40 plus years as a tool designer for various aviation companies. Most of our family outings usually involved some type of aviation related event. We went to countless air shows, flyins and RC fields. My favorite place  to watch airplanes was the parking lot located across the street from the St Louis Airport runway. I remember lying on the hood of our station wagon and reaching up to see if I could touch the planes as they passed over us.  What a rush!!  After I graduated from high school my family moved to New Orleans where Dad was working for Martin Marietta on the Space Shuttle Challenger.  A few weeks after we arrived I went to the Air Force Recruitment office, I was ready to enlist but I didn't pass the physical.  And at 4'10" being a flight attendant was out of the question. 

As the years passed, I continued to go to air shows and flyins whenever I could.  Dad joined the Airline History Museum http://www.airlinehistorymuseum.com/in 1997.  The Airline History Museum is located at the Kansas City Downtown Airport (MKC) and home to a Lockheed L1049 “ Super G” Constellation, a Martin 404 and a DC-3. One morning, ten years ago, he called and asked if I wanted to go with him to the monthly membership meeting, and I said, “Sure” what the heck I like airplanes and it was one museum that I hadn’t been to yet. I had no idea that this one meeting ten years ago would be the beginning of a great adventure.

One of the perks of being a member of the museum was the opportunity to ride on the Constellation and work at the the airshows. I couldn’t sign up fast enough. Finally, my chance to fly! What a deal!! Since then I’ve gone to several air shows, worked in the gift shop and worked in the hanger.  I’ve met people from all over the world and have heard some amazing stories.  In 2004 I met my Plane Dames partner ,Gwyn ,at a membership meeting. We began working together  at the museum, she as a tour guide and I greeted visitors and worked in the gift shop.   Our friendship turned into a partnership and Plane Dames took off.  Stay tuned for more of....

Eva on the Air