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Interlude
The next site is located on the Pensacola Naval Air Station, south of
Pensacola along the coastline. We arrived at the front gate but Kurt felt
that it might be better to arrive via the Back Gate as per the instructions
we had to the lighthouse. That meant turning around and driving several miles
around to the west and south.
We arrived at the Back Gate were we checked in, the Pensacola Naval Air
Station being an open base we were allowed in with no problems. Within a few
minutes we were at the Lighthouse but tours are only given on Sundays. It was
quickly decided to inquire at the Naval Aviation Museum just down the road.
This museum gives the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum a run for its money.
Mounted outside the front entrance is an F-14 Tomcat. Not a model mind you, a
real F-14 Tomcat. Walk inside and hanging from the ceiling are four Blue
Angel jet aircraft. Model aircraft carriers, several feet long, dot the front
entrance hall. Walk into the main exhibit hall and you'll see various forms
of prop and jet airplanes, along with helicopters. The first airplane to
cross the Atlantic is housed here. A hideously ugly bi-plane, with a wingspan
of 120' commands center stage.
Kurt made the inquiry and its okay to walk around the grounds of the
Lighthouse but not to enter it. We decided to spend a few minutes looking
around the museum and noting how several of our friends would really enjoy
visiting it.
Unfortunately, not being an aviation nut like my friend Greg, I can't even
remember what we saw, other than the displays being impressive.
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