Reaching Lifelong Goals » college

History Major’s Dream Vacation- National Air Space Museum

Redfokker — Sat, 16 Oct 2010 05:07:12 +0000

This was possibly the most exciting day of our whole vacation, my trip to the National Air Space Museum on the National Mall. This was probably the highest item on my History Major “Bucket List”. I have been dreaming of seeing this museum for as long as I can remember, and this is a high point in my process of “Reaching Lifelong Goals” as this blog’s title reflects. Our first trip to the Mall on our own, we trekked to the Metro Station with our “smartpass” tickets in hand. Within about a half an hour, I was standing in downtown Washington DC. Our first task was to hit Starbucks, adjacent to the Navy Memorial Metro stop. As a side note, the East Coast seems to only have Starbucks as coffee options. It is not like the Northwest where there are espresso drive through stores on every corner and coffee shops of all flavors everywhere. This lack of caffeine availability was duly noted. But I digress… My heart was racing as we went through the security checkpoint and I was able to see some Milestones of Flight Exhibits just waiting for me, beckoning somehow… Looking up I was treated to Gen. Chuck Yeager’s Bell X-1 “Glamorous Glennis” in all of its orange glory (definitely a Oregon State Beaver plane…) The huge open hall of the NASM entrance has some extremely historically significant artifacts and my journey began in earnest. John Glenn’s Freedom 7 Mercury Capsule, the Gemini IV capsule ( the first American spacewalk by Ed White ) and the Apollo 11 Capsule “Columbia”. Being a child of the 60s, the NASA race to the moon was a big part of my early interest in all things aviation. Standing in the presence of these space craft was truly moving. I had a hard time keeping my composure while looking inside of the moonshot capsule, thinking, I watched this happen so many years ago, history personified. The aircrafts that are on display at this facility are the most significant examples of aviation history. I’m sure to many folks, my wife included, they are just a bunch of old airplanes. As a historian, I can no longer look at even the smallest artifact without having that “rush of history” come over me.

My primary specialty in history is World War One Aviation. I will be writing on this topic and it is a big part of my life. The WWI gallery was one of the most exciting areas of the NASM. The Fokker DVII shown at left is one of the few remaining original examples of this German fighter. It was brought back to the USA after the war and the Army tested it and used it for training for a few years in the 1920s. The restoration of this aircraft is immaculate and it is one of the best examples anywhere in the world today. Of course, I was really choked up about this one, spent many minutes just being “with” it. Very big event for me. Looking up, I saw one of the other holy grails of my visit the Albatros D.Va “Stropp”. This is another original WWI vintage aircraft. The colorful pattern on the wing fabric is called lozenge camouflage. The restoration of this valuable aircraft is also absolutely flawless. Aside from the dirt and grime of everyday flying, this is how a WWI Albatros fighter would look during its operational career. Colorful, yes, but this is why the German Jastas (Squadrons) were called the “flying circus. I cannot begin to convey the thrill of seeing these aircraft in the WWI Gallery. This is my passion, and to see these original examples of my main aviation historical specialty was the 2nd most important highlight of my trip to this facility. Tomorrow’s posting will continue with my trip to the National Air and Space Museum, the experience cannot be handled in the space available for one blog post. I need to chronicle the ultimate joy of this trip when I have calmed myself down from this posting a wee bit. Stay tuned…

History Major’s Dream Vacation – College Park MD Air Museum

Redfokker — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 23:11:03 +0000

The oldest continuously operating airport in the WORLD is in College, Park Maryland. Founded by Wilbur Wright in 1909 when he came to give flying instruction to the US Army’s first military aviators. The College Park Air Museum is a wonderful facility that is partnered with the National Air Space Museum. They have a great little collection of civil aircraft and some replicas of the first planes that were used for the US Military. Another high point of this museum is its child friendly exhibits. My niece, Natalie who is 3 had a wonderful time there while her Uncle Mike was drooling over the airplanes. She had a great time, they have pilot uniforms and hats for the kids to try on, and a cool exhibit (right) that floated balls in a jet stream. All of the photographs in these posts can be clicked on for a larger look. Be sure and check out my niece, she is a cutie!! Many of the aircraft on display are from the golden age of aviation and have ties to this old airfield. One special exhibit that I found fascinating was an unrestored original experimental Berliner Helicopter from 1924 (above left). The Berliner Helicopter, on loan from the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum, is the culmination of the experiments in vertical flight by Emile Berliner and his son Henry. On February 23, 1924, this helicopter achieved an altitude of 15 feet (at College Park Airport) with a maneuvering radius of 150 feet, while maintaining a speed of about 40 mph. This flight, in front of U.S. Navy officials and media, was acclaimed as the first controlled helicopter flight. The collection also contains some wonderful replicas of early (1909-1911) aircraft that were used to train the first military aviators in the USA.

This 1932 Monocoupe 110 is typical of the popular civil aircraft that frequented the airport during the 30s and 40s. This aircraft is suspended from the ceiling and makes for a colorful display. The museum has a number of these private planes from the mid-century, really a fun time for an aviation buff. I also was very impressed with a small-scale diorama of the College park aerodrome circa 1911, the scale was about 1:87 (HO railroad scale) and the model work was superb! The photo at the right shows a small section of the diorama, click to see the detail!

At the end of our visit to the Air Museum we were treated to a tour of my Brother in Law Joe’s laboratory on the University of Maryland campus. Joe is doing his post doctoral work at the U of M and his field of study is in evolutionary genetics as a Biochemist. Way over my head, he is a brilliant individual. The Terps, for Terrapins have a claim to fame that I found wonderful. Muppet founder Jim Henson was an alumnus of this university. So I would suppose that Kermit the Frog is as well. They have a statue of Kermit and Jim Henson on campus by their memorial union. Natalie likes Kermit, and enjoys visiting this statue when she is on Daddy’s campus.

All in all, Labor Day 2010 was quite wonderful. The whole family had a wonderful time and Aunt Patty was able to get some real quality time with her niece as well. With the “all about me” nature of our vacation schedule of going to museums, ships, trains etc. it was nice to spend a day just having fun and visiting family. This was of course the main purpose of our vacation, family time with Patty’s brother and sister. Tomorrow we will visit my über bucket list item….the National Air and Space Museum on the Capitol Mall of Washington, DC.

History Major’s Dream Vacation – Smithsonian American History Museum

Redfokker — Wed, 13 Oct 2010 02:25:10 +0000

My second installment of the History Major’s Dream Vacation series highlights the Smithsonian American History Museum. Also known as “America’s Attic”, this museum was number 3 on my “Bucket List” following the NASM and the USS Constitution Frigate in Boston Harbor (Old Ironsides will have to wait for our next trip and remains at the top of the list for things to see before I die!) We arrived at my brother in law’s home in Greenbelt, MD on a Saturday and we planned our first trek into Washington DC for the next day. It was designed as a training mission for how to use the Metro System. Step on to the Metro train in Greenbelt and soon you are on the Capitol Mall, worked really great! We decided to do the Smithsonian American History Museum for our first day. The Navy Memorial Metro station is adjacent to the National Archives and a couple of blocks from the Mall proper. We strolled through the Statue Garden of the Smithsonian Art Museum on the way in. One of the most striking exhibits was this bright stainless steel tree. Being a Bonsai Artist, this was a sculpture I could relate to. A couple more blocks and I was in History Major heaven!! The American History Museum really could take more than a short couple of hours to go through effectively, but I took in the experience with my “new eyes” as a Non Traditional Student majoring in History. The first main gallery you encounter after going through security is the “Star Spangled Banner”. The original flag that flew over Ft. McHenry during the War of 1812 is 30X36 feet and is housed in a special environmentally controlled room. Again, I was moved deeply by being near this piece of American history. (Sorry, but this theme will come up a lot, I spent most of my time in these museums with a lump in my throat…) The First Lady exhibit was also very cool, with inaugural gowns going back to Dolly Madison. Of course no trip to the Smithsonian would be complete without seeing the Dorothy’s ruby slippers (Upper left) They are not as sparkly as I remember them from the movie, but really cool anyway! I was excited to visit the Abraham Lincoln collection and to see the top hat he wore to Ford’s Theater was a highlight. The collection of transportation related artifacts was just what I love, planes, trains and automobiles! Being a model railroad nut since 1970, the history of railroads is one of my many historical specialties. The John Bull locomotive was built in 1831 and ran for 35 years between Philadelphia and New York. This is a very significant piece of early railroad history and my heart was full when I walked up to it. The military collection of the museum was not as interesting to the family folks, so we put that off to another date. When I was able to go through this gallery I was again in History Heaven being a military historian. To see George Washington’s actual uniform from the Revolutionary War was extra special. They also had his sword that he carried on a daily basis during the period as well. To go through this museum properly, I would have spent an entire 8 hour day easily. I was able to get the experience of the Smithsonian during my visit. I was like a kid in a candy store, every where I turned was some artifact that was so significant that my heart raced just looking at it. But being the ultimate geek pays off. We came upon a piece of history that my wife was impressed with…C3P0 from Star Wars. The original costume used in the Return of the Jedi was on display. This was way cool, and I have to admit, my Star Wars geekdom was at its peak on this artifact. After spending a couple of hours in the museum my niece, Natalie who is 3 was done for the day, so we made our way back to the Mall and spent some time in the sun playing. The first day in Washington DC was a definite success! Just standing on the grass in the middle of the Mall was special for me, the Washington Monument, the Capitol Building and also the Smithsonian “Castle” was a special time for me. Tomorrow, an installment about the oldest continuously operating airport in the WORLD…in College Park Maryland. A great little air museum as well!

I Held Linus Pauling’s Nobel Peace Prize in My Hands Today!

Redfokker — Sat, 09 Oct 2010 00:53:50 +0000

It has been quite an interesting first two weeks of Fall Term here at Oregon State University. I have been very bad about posting to this Non Traditional Student Blog over the Summer break, I will endeavor to remedy this over the next few days. Oregon State University has a great claim to fame with the collection of Dr. Linus Pauling (1901-1994) Papers. As part of my Historian’s Craft course this term we were given a tour of the collection today. We learned about the life of Linus Pauling, the only recipient in history of TWO individual Nobel Prizes and an alumnus of OSU. To actually hold in my hands the Nobel Peace Prize medal was an experience I will not soon forget. The “rush” of history came over me as I examined this three-inch medallion worth about $20,000 (lots of gold, it was heavy). We then were treated to a backroom tour of the collection where we held a letter to Dr. Pauling signed by Albert Einstein, a box of letters from all of the Kennedy’s and his collection of molecular models he used in teaching. The Oregon State Special Collections also hold the papers of numerous other famous scientists and authors. A real treat was access to the rare book vault with books dating back to 1470! These were hand written manuscripts, Guttenburg had not printed his Bible yet! The holdings also include two 4000 year old clay tablets with early Sumarian writing, Wow!! Needless to say, I was moved by this class session deeply. I have not had to occasion to be brought to tears by a college class session to date as a Non Traditional Student, today was a definite first. This collection is available for research to everyone. Even though this tour was special for our class, anyone has access to these artifacts…they only need to come to Corvallis Oregon to view them. The college course that I am taking is basically, “the history of History”. It is specifically designed to teach new historians about the profession. We are focusing on the American Revolution, my professor’s specialty, but the concepts are universal to Historiography. My next two years in college are all going to be upper division classes such as this. I am in History Heaven!! Granted, the reading load for my Eastern Asia History class and this Historian’s Craft class is HUGE!! I have to keep telling myself, if you didn’t want to do a lot of reading, you should have considered something simple like brain surgery or astrophysics! I am also into my second year of German. By taking an entire year of German during the Summer Term, I have been through the initiation by fire and one term at a time will be a welcome change.

During the Summer Break, my wife and I traveled to the East Coast to visit family. Of course, this was another major event in my life as I was able to click off many “bucket list” items in my “places to see before I die” goals. This blog has always been about Reaching Lifelong Goals, and I did achieve a number of them on this trip. Over the next few blog posts, I will chronicle my History Vacation. I came back with over 1600 digital images of planes, trains and automobiles that I was able to see. This was made possible by my WONDERFUL WIFE, who I owe so much of this experience to. I saw history through my new eyes as a History Major and a future Historian, the experience was grand!! This photo is of me at the wheel of the USS Constellation, in Baltimore harbor, with tears of the joy of reaching a lifelong goal in my eyes. Stay tuned…

Non Trad on Campus Summer Term

Redfokker — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 00:43:30 +0000

It has been a crazy summer!! I am taking 16 credits with a Math class and a full year of German. We just finished our second “term” this Summer. It works out to about a term (GER111, GER112, GER113) every 12 days. I received a B+ for my German 111 and a “shaky” B for my second term. I’ll have to pick up my game and pull an A for the final term if I want to have anything like an acceptable GPA this summer (my standards are a little high, I get upset with anything less than a 4.00) My math class is the final requirement for my baccalaureate core and I will be getting an A in this class. Summer term is kind of relaxed in other ways, lots of open space in the library, no big crowds in the book store, and parking availability! The campus of Oregon State University is quite beautiful with wonderful trees and lots of green areas. It is a pleasure to spend my days just walking around “My” campus. I get a little misty eyed, realizing this experience is a culmination of a life long goal. I do have some free time to walk around and just enjoy the college experience that has been 35 years delayed. Most of my day is spent in the OSU Valley Library. My floor is the 6th, where all of the wonderful collection of history books reside. I will be spending a lot of time digging through the racks, browsing and researching History projects. With the pace of keeping up with German lessons, I have tried to limit myself to only a couple of sessions a week.

The whirlwind pace of German in Summer Term is a real challenge, but I can recommend this type of total committment to a language first year if you can swing it. I am packing a lot of information into this old non traditional student head, it is nearly full, not much more room left! When you start dreaming about conjugating verbs and vocab tests, it must be a sign of information overload… One benefit of this type of class schedule is that you really get to put learning skills to work in a major way. Starting in the fall, I’ll be heading into second year German, only taking one section per term. I will have to shift gears and make sure to study a little German every day and not put the homework off til the night before a class.

One of the buildings on campus that I will be spending many hours in is Kidder Hall, which is located across the Quad from the Valley Library. This facility is one of the older buildings on campus and it has a “vintage college” feel to it. I am taking in all of the experiences of being in college with an appreciation of what I missed so many years ago. Even the creaking floors and windows excite me! Being a non traditional student is more to me than just returning to school. It has become a life changing experience, and I am trying to get every last drop out of it. Older students returning to college is the overall theme of Reaching Lifelong Goals.com, but I’m finding the experience to be so much more than that.