I took Friday off with the intention of going to Hood River for the annual fly-in at WAAAM, camp there in the van and enjoy lots of airplanes flying, and hopefully clear weather like last year. But it was not to be, for this is a bad year for forest fires, including a major one just down the road at Cascade Locks. I haven’t heard anything about the fly-in, whether it may have been cancelled or not, but with I-84 closed and WA-14 restricted and busy, I figure there probably aren’t many people showing up, both in cars and airplanes both. [it turns out they went ahead with their 10th anniversary flyin but not a big turnout]
So I made alternate plans to get my fix of airplanes in Oregon – visit the Evergreen Aviation museum in McMinnville on Friday, then head over to the Tillamook Air Museum on Saturday, then head down to Newport to have dinner at Rogue Brewery and maybe pickup a couple cases of my old favorite brew.
I left home Friday morning at 550 and made a quick bathroom stop at the office as I headed south on I-5. Got to Vancouver around 11am just going 60 the whole way, not much traffic. Topped off the tank so I wouldn’t have to hit a pump in Oregon, should be able to get everywhere and back home hopefully before gassing up again. The day was pleasant but cloudy, threatening showers but not really showering. Comfortably warm but not hot.
Got in to McMinnville, around 12 and found the Motel 6 I booked, then just turned around and headed to the museum. What a nice place, not crowded, in fact, the number of cars indicated quite a few people but really there weren’t many. Its grown since the last time Dad and I were here. 3 buildings now, and lots of airplanes outside on display as well. The middle building had a theater and admission included one movie. Legends of Flight. I’d seen it before at the Museum of Flight. I took lots of pics and videos during a long walk around the grounds.
Some youtube videos here: Inside the main building Helicopters in the Space building A walk around the 747 outside A walk around other outside displays
After 3 hours I was pretty much done, so I headed back to the motel. Got lost because I entered an incorrect address on my phone, ended up making a complete circle almost back to the museum. But who cares, I was in no rush. Checked in at 5, had to complain and switch rooms due to smoky smell(even though they are all non smoking rooms). Got settled then walked around the corner to a Taco Del Mar for supper.