June 2, 2010- Highlights Including First Visit to Auburn Airport

Welcome to the first day of what I hope becomes a daily blog of my adventures and pursuits. I wish I could give you a short bio about me, but it would inevitably become long. I'll give it a try anyway. I am an avid aviation enthusiast and an airshow junkie.

Wednesdays are my day to volunteer at the Aerospace Museum of California. I have begun to make some friends at the museum, most of them older than me. We had our monthly volunteer meeting, which proved interesting, as well as hilarious. On April 29, the museum held a grand opening for the new Star Trek exhibit (that event will be featured in a "Remembering When" post). But back to today. I was able to see a lot of the new exhibit. Photography is not allowed, unfortunately.

After finishing up at the museum, I drove to Auburn Airport (AUN), where I met lots of fascinating and fantastic people! I talked with Ken, a member of the Mach 5 Aviation, a local flying club. He was sitting outside the Wings Cafe. Among other things, we talked about AUN's unique runway layout, airshows, airplanes, and Long Island. Long Island was my favorite topic. I almost talked about the region as if I had been there (but I haven't yet), it's just that I learned a lot about it while doing research for this article I wrote about Elinor Smith. Republic Airport, Islip, and the Cradle of Aviation Museum were topics that we talked about. When I told him that I was seeking employment in an airport environment, he recommended that I visit Sierra Vista Aviation and Mach 5 Aviation.

I wandered over to Sierra Vista Aviation first and had an enjoyable conversation with Greg, an employee there. When I asked about the company's hiring status, he said he was pretty sure Tim, the manager was looking for a receptionist. I am also considering helping Sierra Vista during the Thunder in the Sky Airshow, should they extend an invitation to help. We talked about Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, particularly the Prescott campus, and I showed him my Pilot Logbook. I have signatures from special pilots I've met over the years. I got him to talk about his flight training, and he said he was in the process of earning his CFI.

I still had a couple hours to use before the anticipated meeting with Thunder in the Sky coordinators, and as I stood, contemplating the aircraft washing station, a Mach 5 employee asked if I needed help. I told him I was waiting for the 6 o'clock meeting so that I could talk to Peggy or Darcy. He then told me that Darcy was available to talk to, just inside the building.

Upon entering, I was greeted by Darcy and Peggy and they told me they loved my hat. I automatically assumed it was because it said "Southwest Airlines" on it. I was wrong. They loved it because it was pink. I was also complimented on my Plane Princess shirt, and while not expecting to plug my company, I had the opportunity to do so, and Darcy was certain that the pilot shop would love to carry some of the shirts. She noted that there were a lot of woman pilots here, and that they'd make great gifts for pilots' wives and girl friends. We agreed to talk further about it! Darcy and Peggy also gave me a Powder Puff Pilot patch!

Darcy was very busy putting together two airshows, the other one, at Mather Field. As I watched her in action, I could only be in awe listening as the airshows took shape! That she took the time to talk to me impressed me beyond expectation. I told her that I learned about an opportunity to volunteer for the Thunder in the Sky airshow by one of their student pilots, that I was a volunteer at the Aerospace Museum of California, and that I was a fourth year volunteer at the Sun 'n Fun Fly-In. Her hospitality was genuine. She invited me to be a guest at the monthly Auburn Aviation Association meeting to be held in a few minutes. Before arriving at the meeting, I also had the opportunity to meet Mike and Dennis and another Greg.

Upon arriving at the meeting, I saw a couple familiar faces. It was Maynard, a volunteer from the Aerospace Museum of California. He was going to be the featured speaker following the potluck dinner. The other was a lady pilot who had a special airplane (that's all I feel comfortable saying. Until further notice, I'll call her Pancho). I met her at the Star Trek Exhibit grand opening. I ate dinner with Darcy, Pancho, Dennis, and Mike. They were all very friendly and conversational. There were more than 50 people present, but I didn't count.

The food was delicious. I had some chicken, a strawberry salad, and some pea salad. Those were my favorites. I was asked to introduce myself to the group, which was fun. Once again, I said I was an airshow junkie and was seeking opportunities to help at their airshows. Maynard's talk was fabulous! It lasted about an hour. He talked primarily of his missions as a B-24 bomber pilot, while battling the Germans. I was able to video record his talk, which I hope to create a transcript of it. When I suggested doing so to his wife, Frankie, she supported the idea completely.

Summary: Tonight, I was in the right place at the right time!!!

Also, On This Day in History:

June 2, 1835 P.T. Barnum and his circus start their first tour of the United States. (My grandma told me I'm distantly related to him, I don't have any proof, except that I crave the gypsy lifestyle, Lima Oscar Lima.) -via Wikipedia

June 2, 1995 Sometime while I was at the airport in SLC or while I was flying to California, on the other side of the world, Captain Scott O'Grady's F-16 was shot down over Bosnia while patrolling the NATO no-fly zone. -via Wikipedia

June 2, 1995 was the day after I graduated from high school, and the day my Aunt put me on a plane and sent me to California to "stay there forever" (according to her) and live with parents I hadn't seen for 12+ years. Somewhere between the graduation ceremony and the fake tears at the airport, I attended a graduation party that I have no more memory of.

June 2, 2001 I got married today. I am not now.

June 2, 2004 Ken Jennings begins his 74 game winning streak on Jeopardy. I watched at least half of the episodes. -via Wikipedia