Getting there weather wise....finally some lower humidity and normal (as in 84 for this time of year) temperatures. It was nice. Been one blazing hot and humid Summer. There is still a bit of Summer to go. Do I think this is the end of the blazing hot days. Oh hell no...sure to be some more.
Did enjoy the ride today though, felt good to get out and see some sights.
Last Saturday took the car to the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center at Chantilly, Va. It is the addition to the National Air and Space Center in Washington, DC. Saw some amazing sights and got some photos from that on my Richmond and Me Page.
This was a visit to the old Virginia Aviation Museum at the Richmond International Airport. Wanted to ride and was wondering if the F-14 was still there. They closed the museum a few months ago. The answer is yes...yes it is and I was glad to see it again. Love me some aircraft and this is one of my favorites.
If you have seen the movie "Top Gun" you have seen the F-14 Tomcat. Flew mostly during the 70's-early 80's and is one amazing fighter jet. Later it was also used as a bomber and got the nickname "Bombcat" in that role.
Was a very maintenance intensive jet though and was finally retired due to the number of flight hours needed to get it flying...at least that is the story the Navy told.
Also still at the Virginia Aviation Museum is this A7 which is probably on loan from the Air Force. The A-7 was used both by the USAF and the USN (and that would include the USMC). Subsonic but a very good aircraft. Unlike the Tomcat single engine. It kind of resembles the Crusader which was a fine Vietnam era plane.
Leaving the airport I rode around a bit and came across this movie house not too far from the airport. It is on the National Historic Register and according to the sign near the door was built in 1938. Very cool.
I enjoyed riding around that area, went down some new roads and was heading in the general direction of Richmond. Traffic was pretty light, enjoy riding on Monday's as there is not a lot of cars and this is a new motorcycle for me.
I also rode out to Richmond International Raceway. The big race there was Saturday night, which is it as far as NASCAR for the year. I also went by the A.P. Hill statue (the general is buried under it) and even got in a ride down part of Riverside Drive before heading home. Just before the Riverside Drive ride stopped in Carytown and visited Galaxy Diner there. I like that place a lot. It was a very good ride, Not a lot of miles today (a bit over 50) but some favorite sights with some new ones tossed in.
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