College Park, MD - Flyover

‘Ouch’

“Ooh.’

Boy, am I stiff today. I wonder why. After yesterday’s drill, I have some muscles in my legs that haven’t been exercised since we hiked in Yellowstone last summer.

But, we’re off and running into DC to see the WWII Flyover on the National Mall. It’s 70 years today since we declared VE (Victory in Europe) Day. We took the train in as we have every time we’ve headed into DC - it’s cheap, it’s fast, it relieves the hassle of driving the DC roads and we don’t have to find a parking place which are rare in DC. Here’s a sign that we saw on one parking garage. $17 is a special? Ah, at least all taxes are included. In DC it is special: it is downtown, it's covered and it is near everything. Location, location, location.

We knew the flyover was supposed to be special and so did thousands of others - all those others crowded onto the Mall for the noon flyover. These two pictures are taken 30 minutes apart - note how the crowd crowd grows larger.

And, of course, there is a photo line.

It will include 56 vintage planes, all of which flew during WWII. Some are the only ones left flying of their kind so this should be great. But, this is the most restricted airspace in the country, bar none. And, these are not regular aircraft. The FAA, the Secret Service, the Transportation Security Association, the National Park Service, the Police, everyone has inspected these planes. And, the National Airport had to put a hold on all other flights.

Don’t ask me to name all these planes. I just enjoyed the flyover and seeing so many old WWII planes in action.

Afterwards we found a kiosk selling drinks, bought a soda and sat down in the nearby park, in the shade. It was about 85 and as humid as Washington can be.

Near us was a man with his two kids. He’s obviously just from work since he had his tie and hat on with his good pants. He was running and playing with his two kids in the grass. We talked a bit with them and then the young boy came up to me, closer and closer and then flopped belly first onto my lap. What a surprise. I, of course, had a great time playing with him. And, his older sister was only too willing to pose for me with her doll. 

There are new buildings going up everywhere. This will be the new African American Museum.

We stopped by the sculpture museum.

Of course, we had to find the Navy Memorial.

Finally it was time to head on home to the RV in lovely Cherry Hill Park.

‘A friend is someone who thinks you're a good egg even though you're slightly cracked.’

Anonymous