Reaching Lifelong Goals as a Nontraditional Student

My last stop on this History Major’s Dream Vacation journey came on our drive back to Maryland and the Washington DC area.   The National Air & Space Museum has a huge facility in Chantilly VA known as the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center.   Opened in 2003, this state of the art air museum houses some of the larger aircraft that the Mall location does not have room for.   There are some extremely significant aircraft on display and this visit was another major “Bucket List” item.   I have wanted to see this museum since I learned about it as it was being built.    It was added to my bucket list much later than the prior items that I was able to check off on this trip.    This “rush of history” was so grand that I will have to break this post into two parts also.    First,  Pioneer and Great War aircraft.   This is my first love in aviation and there are some very important artifacts on display at Udvar-Hazy.   At left is one of the few remaining Halberstadt CL.IV German 2 seater.   Three of these aircraft were purchased by WWI ace Paul Strähle after WWI for use as a civilian air transport business.   This aircraft was restored in 1991.   I have always wanted to see it in person.   The restoration was flawless, I was again back in my History Major lump in the throat mode!    The colorful wing fabric is called “lozenge” and was applied to many German Great War aircraft.    Along with this famous German aircraft, the NASM has restored a late war Nieuport 28 which was pieced together from a number of parts of original aircraft.   This type was flown by the US Army Air Corps pilots upon our entrance into the war in 1917.  Volunteers from the USA had been fighting in the skies over Europe since the early days of the war in the Lafayette Escadrille (subject for a history post in the future…)   This aircraft is suspended from the ceiling and can be viewed up close from the 2nd floor walkway, and yes, this was a real treat as well.    For my Senior Thesis at Oregon State University, my interests have been channelled toward the pioneers of aviation in the United States and how our country was ill-equipped in the aviation field by the time we entered the war.   My research will look at how Woodrow Wilson’s neutrality policies hampered the development of military aviation in the USA during the years leading up to 1917.   My research into this topic is just beginning and I have been looking at early 1910-1915 aircraft types.   ooh, shiny objects…always seem to make my History Major mind go astray.  The new thesis idea has been rattling around for a while now, and a chapter I read in Harry Woodman’s Early Aircraft Armament highlighted the disparity with European military aircraft development and the US efforts.   Besides, these Pioneer airplanes are really cool!!   Talk about rickety stringbags.   Of course, being so moved by standing before the Wright Flyer at the NASM on the mall got those History Major juices boiling. The early aviation gallery at the Udvar Hazy Center also has some interesting artifacts of the Great War.   I was thrilled to see Capt. Eddie Rickenbacker’s WWI uniform. The collection also has one of the oldest surviving bomber aircraft from WWI.   The Caudron G-4 is in original condition and has not been restored to pristine museum quality status.   This is a real treat in itself as the old  varnish and original markings are still intact.

The Udvar- Hazy  facility is quite huge, with some really impressive aircraft on display.   I was in hog-heaven, and my camera was blazing away.   Patty was a real trooper and followed me around the museum for quite a while.   I think she absorbs history through osmosis by being with me.   I went back to get some final shots of the Enola Gay B-29 (a major event for me…see tomorrow’s posting) and Patty retired to the on-site McDonald’s for a rest.   My main interest in aviation is WWI, but I am a total airplane geek for all other eras.   I will continue my posting about my last Bucket List experience for this History Major’s Dream Vacation tomorrow.   With only hours left on our vacation, I wanted to absorb as much History Major mojo that I could before we boarded a plane for Oregon Tuesday morning.

Alright, up til now, this History Major’s Dream Vacation has kind of been all about ME.   Airplanes, Trains, Ships, History Museums, I will take full responsibility for that content.   Well, on our last day in Oley, Pennsylvania while visiting  Patty’s sister and her family, we spent a day that was all about Patty.   The sweetest place on earth, Hershey Pennsylvania!   Chocolate World!  This attraction is about an hour from Oley and we took our nephew, Rafe and headed out for a chocolate adventure.   Jennifer and her husband Brian were entered in a triathlon in Reading and had left early in the morning.   This day was the only rainy one we encountered on our trip, a leftover storm coming up from Texas.    Not letting weather stand in our way, we decided to enjoy our day.   The Hershey Chocolate World venue is really something to experience.   A very high-tech amusement park is also part of the park.   Weather prohibited going on the rides, but there still is plenty to do at Chocolate World.   I would have to say that this place is major sensory overload.   An informative ride about the manufacturing of chocolate was our first stop.   Lots of animated displays about Hershey’s story, along with singing dairy cows, was really quite fun.   We then took the tour bus all around the Hershey area and learned about the huge chocolate factory, the Milton Hershey School and other sights around the area.   A very informative tour with lots of historical goodies for me to enjoy as well.   After the town tour we came up with a plan of action for the extra special activities at Chocolate World.   One thing I noticed was that all of the amusements at Chocolate World were very high tech and they all seemed to dump you out in the gift shop areas.   The “Really Big 3D Show” was a hoot, with a “host” lecturer and a slick “promoter” as hosts.   With images coming at you, smells of chocolate and mists of “rain” in the auditorium, this was a fantastic experience for us all.   Our nephew, Rafe got a big kick out of this show and wanted to see it again.    We also signed up for a “chocolate tasting” class which was again, very entertaining and informative.   Wish we could have tasted some other styles of chocolate,  but the main types (all Hershey products, of course) were represented.   The tasting room was decorated with some wonderfully colorful murals about chocolate.   I learned  about chocolate and how cocoa beans are processed as well as the different “notes” of flavor that differentiate dark from milk chocolate.    All chocolate is good, but Patty’s favorite is dark chocolate.    We were all on a sugar high and had a great time.    The Hershey Chocolate World is an experience that everyone should have.   The events all cost a pretty penny for admission, individually…   That being said, the shear joy of experiencing this through the eyes of Rafe was, as they say, priceless. This day on our vacation was supposed to be all about Patty, but I had a great time as well.   The gift shop trip was Patty’s chance to bring home a T-shirt to wear, proclaiming her visit to the Sweetest Place on Earth.    My wife was being a saint in trying to make sure that I fulfilled lifelong goals on this trip, and I was overjoyed that she was having so much fun on this day with Rafe.    The photo below was about mid day at Chocolate World, crowds of happy children and haggard adults filling the main hall.

We made it home to Oley by dinner time and spent a wonderful evening of family time with Jennifer and Brian.   We played games, discussed Shakespearean History (Jennifer has her Ph.D in that discipline) and overall had a wonderful visit.   Too short, however, as we had to leave on Monday morning to get back to Maryland for our flight out on Tuesday.    The main event for the trip on Monday….the National Air and Space Museum, Udvar Hazy facility in VA.

Tomorrow’s posting will be back to History Major stuff again, another Bucket List item checked off in a spectacular way!!

You do not have to be a History Major or a Civil War nut to be deeply moved by a visit to Gettysburg National Military Park.   The Civil War is not my specialty in History, but I am a keen observer of all things in military history.    Having just taken HST 202 during Spring Term of last year, I was still interested in this period of our country’s past.   Gettysburg was “on the way” to our visit with Patty’s sister in Oley, Pennsylvania.   We planned on Friday to be a travel day, with a stop at Gettysburg en route.  I was very pleased to see that the visitor center for the National Park had just been rebuilt into one of the most impressive historical interpretive centers I have ever had the pleasure to experience.   Opened in 2008, this huge facility has a wonderful Civil War museum and visitor facilities for the battlefields.   I’m sorry to say, that we did not take the driving tour of the 6000 acre battlefield, but my visit to the museum more than made up for that.  One thing that I noticed in this facility is the cutting edge museum technology that was  evident everywhere, I’m just a geek that way, I guess.   The displays were just spectacular and the artifacts are quite significant as well.   On display was the actual pen the Gen. Grant signed the surrender papers with, the chairs that both Lee and Grant sat in and many other very important items relating to the battle of Gettysburg.   I was proud to see a copy of the Emancipation proclamation actually signed by Lincoln that was donated from a Oregon source.  The everyday life of the soldiers on both sides was displayed in an informative and educational manner.   I was really impressed with the overall feel of the museum.   Patty really enjoyed the hand-made US Flag of the period on display.   The stars were sewn on in a pattern that was unusual and it looked almost like folk-art.  Of course, Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address took an honored spot in the museum.   You enter a room that is specifically designed just to sit and experience these famous words.   The actor presenting Lincoln’s words really gives the feel of the man, it was a very moving experience.   I know, but by now you should have figured I would be having one of my “rush of history” moments.   Yes, it took a while to get over hearing those words again and in such a haunting manner, as if from Lincoln himself.   Somehow, being in Gettysburg, they had much more impact on me.   It was very interesting to see the display with the positive and negative reviews of the address.   Lincoln’s words were not universally admired. Take the time to click on both of the images and read what reactions to the Gettysburg Address appeared in newspapers after the event.   The Battle of Gettysburg was a turning point in the Civil War and the story did not end there.   New historiography shows that the small town of Gettysburg was deeply affected by the battle for many months afterward.   The idea of creating a Military cemetery to take care of the thousands of bodies that were still there is a wonderful story in itself.   The city of Gettysburg was one of our stops on the way out-of-town, I really wanted to see the Train Station where Lincoln arrived.   Being a railroad history nut as well as a History Major this was a double pleasure.   The building is much like it was that day in November 1863 when Lincoln arrived.   It has been restored and had some nice displays in the passenger lobby.   I was happy that we took the time to see it. One of the items in the museum really spoke to me.  The Confederate General Paul Semmes was mortally wounded on July 2 near the Wheatfield, his loss was a blow to the CSA forces.   On display is his General’s frock that still bears the blood stains from his wounds.   The personal nature of this single artifact was extremely poignant as an illustration of the horrible carnage of this major battle.   Like many of these posts, I have left the best for last.

Along with admission to the museum portion of the Visitor’s Center, you also are treated to a very moving and well produced film about the history of the battle, the Civil War and the aftermath.   Narrated by Morgan Freeman, this film was so moving I had a hard time finding my way out of the theater.   The second major treat after the movie was viewing a 360 degree Cyclorama of the battlefield.   On a second level above the theaters, this display is a 377 foot in diameter  by 42 foot high circular image of the entire battlefield.   It is displayed with artifacts of the battle in the foreground and is an experience in itself.   I was thinking all during the presentation how great this computer simulation of Gettysburg was, so colorful and detailed.   Much to my amazement, this cyclorama is actually an artist’s PAINTING first exhibited in 1884.   The entire battle from the third day is depicted with Pickett’s Charge as its main feature.   The French artist came to Gettysburg in 1882 and made sketches from a platform.  He had input from the actual Generals and Officers who took part in the Battle.   It is considered to be accurate based on their input.   The Cyclorama recently reopened after undergoing a five-year conservation effort-the largest conservation effort of its kind ever undertaken on the continent.   I thought it was impressive just as a modern display, little did I know that this work of art was over 100 years old.    Seeing this Cyclorama in this restored condition was the highlight of the visit to Gettysburg.   No photography is allowed or I would have taken a 360 degree panorama of the entire work.   Suffice it to say, my History Major’s Dream Vacation was still in full swing, even on a travel day.   Even though we only had time to do the museum/movie/cyclorama at the visitor’s center, the experience was right up there with my other Bucket List achievements.   This was one of the most moving, gut wrenching and satisfying History Major experiences of my life.   Like so many of the Lifelong Goals this vacation had fulfilled, this day will stay with me for a very long time.

This quote from Maj. General Joshua Chamberlain after the battle is one of the final displays as you leave the museum.   I stood and read it multiple times.   I feel that it completely summed up the feelings one could have about this place in Southern Pennsylvania.   Both in 1863 as well as today, these words still ring true.

Tomorrow, our visit with Family in the quaint little town of Oley, Pennsylvania.

For our Thursday excursion, we again boarded the Metro Green Line and headed for the National Mall.   Our plan was to take one of the tour buses and see the National Mall Monuments.   These sights are obligatory for any visit to Washington DC.   We decided to stop in and see the HOPE DIAMOND at the Smithsonian Natural History Museum.   The added bonus to this tour is the chance to see the collection of dinosaur bones.   Wow, this was really special.   The Smithsonian Natural History Museum is located right on the Mall and is next to the American History Museum.   The display of fossil skeletons of all the great dinosaurs is really something that everyone should see while in Washington DC.   We had a blast in this portion of the museum and took copious photographs.   The collection is not just the famous dinosaurs but also the early mammals including Mammoths and undersea creatures.   This was also very interesting.   I can grasp the idea of 16th century or 19th century dates, but when we are talking millions of years in the past, the mind boggles at the idea of this kind of “history”.   A ramp leading up to the next level of the museum led us, quite by accident as we did not pay attention to maps, to the display of the Hope Diamond.

The Hope Diamond is, of course, really huge.   The thing that I noticed was how dark in color it was.   It was on display as the center piece of a huge mineral and gem collection.   At the present time, the Hope Diamond is not in its original mounting.    It is going to be re-set into a new piece of jewellery for the 75th anniversary.    The mineral collection was quite extensive and we really did not have the time to do it justice.  Patty is a lover of opals and the display of this gem was one of her favorites.   The Natural History Museum also has a wing devoted to the oceans and the great Blue Whale hanging in the great hall was truly impressive.   The special exhibit, David H. Koch Hall of Human Origins is a look into the 6 million years of scientific evidence of human origins.    I am not an Anthropology Major  but it would come in a close second to being a History Major.   I have not kept up with all of the recent finds of this field and I was amazed at some of the new “cavemen” science has identified.   (I know this is not a PC term anymore, sorry…)    Research on the Indonesian island of Flores has uncovered a new species of early human called Homo Floresiensis,  a very, very small human.   The exhibit uses the term “hobbit” and the size of this human reflects this, only about 4′ tall max.   Also, there is a new type of Neanderthal that I was not aware of, Homo Heidelbergensis.   Maybe when I take the 300 level Baccalaureate Core required class in Anthropology I’ll get filled in on what I’ve been missing.   This exhibit was also more than one could absorb in the small time we spent in the Natural History Museum.   The Smithsonian Natural History Museum was a fun diversion to my pure “all about me” choices for museums.   I really enjoyed the time spent there, but we were burning daylight and needed to get onto one of the National Mall Tour buses.   The tours make the rounds of all the sights and one stops right in front of the museum every 1/2 hour or so.    We boarded an almost empty open air bus (we really were lucky, great weather, small crowds, cool breeze….) and started our tour of the National Mall Monuments.   We made plans while on the route for where we would stop and photograph (the Lincoln Memorial) and had a nice guided tour around Washington DC.   We took all of the required pictures, the Washington Monument, the Capitol Bldg, Jefferson Memorial and had a very “touristy” day.   Tomorrow’s post will be specifically about my experiences at the Lincoln Memorial and the Vietnam Memorials (yes, these were more tear filled experiences on my Dream Vacation!)

After leaving the wonderful Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Museum, I changed “history gears” into my love for 17th and 18th century sailing warships.   After finding parking, which was an experience in downtown Baltimore, we had a hike of a few blocks towards the harbor attractions.   This day was working on being quite hot, about 90 degrees.   We deserved a treat, so we found the Cheesecake Factory Restaurant in the shopping area near the water.   An added treat for me was the fact that our table overlooked the item of my bucket list quest….the USS CONSTELLATION!    As we were walking, I could see masts tops in the distance, and my heart was racing.   I think that I picked up my pace a little too much for Patty in anticipation of being on the decks of this ship.    After a wonderful lunch and decadent cheesecake, I was primed for my visit to this historic ship. The urban renewal project that the City of Baltimore undertook to create a destination center for this area is truly wonderful.   The centerpiece of Baltimore Harbor is the restored (or in the ongoing process of actually…) 1854 Sloop of War the USS Constellation.   The original US Frigate Constellation (1797-1853) was part of the fledgling US Navy.   The original Constellation was a contemporary to my all time top bucket list item….”Old Ironsides”, USS Constitution.   The ship that survives today is the second ship of the US Navy to carry the name USS Constellation.   It was built as a Sloop of War in 1854.   The Constellation’s claim to fame is that it is the only remaining sailing ship from the Civil War period.   She served proudly off the coast of Africa intercepting slave trading ships and saved over 700 Africans from a life of slavery.   The USS Constellation served as the midshipmen training vessel for much of her long career.   Officially decommissioned in 1955.   She was restored to resemble the 1797 Frigate configuration.   Through historical detective work, the controversy about her age and claims that she was not the original Constellation found that this ship was actually the one built in the 1850s after the original had been broken up.   By the 1980s, she was in terrible shape with almost a 36″ hogging in her keel (deformation due to structural problems).    She was again drydocked in 1994 and after a costly and extensive rebuilding as a Sloop of War (actual ship from 1854)  was back on permanent display in Baltimore’s inner harbor on July 2, 1999.

Today, this ship is one of the finest examples afloat of the last days of sail powered warships.   I was excited to go and visit my brother-in-law, mostly to see my nieces and family, but the prospect of being near Baltimore and this ship was another high point in our East Coast vacation.   I was very moved by stepping onto the deck of this ship.   All of the rigging and tall masts towering over me, the feel of being “afloat on history” was very exciting.   I had to have my photo at the beautiful wheel of the ship.   Walking aft, it was just like being a midshipman during the 1880s, seeing all of the ropes belayed and the deck fittings shining!    All of the decks of the ship are open for viewing and Patty and I went down the ladder to the gun deck.   Close quarters to be sure.   At the present time, the ship’s guns are not “run out” through the gunports.   There is restoration work being done and they were tied down and not on display as they would have been during wartime.   No worries, the excitement was still there, so our tour went toward the stern galleries and the captain and officer berths.   The stateroom has been restored and display of the officer’s wardroom table and the captain’s quarters were very nice.   The tight quarters of a ship of this era is really something to experience.    In the bow of the gun deck the ship’s sick bay is displayed with artifacts of the ship’s doctor and information about medicine at sea.

The next deck down is where the crew lived at sea.   The hammocks were hung in the same way as during the life of the ship.   Very low ceiling here, while taking pictures and just loving the experience, my attention slipped and I bonked my head on the timbers.    Focus, focus.   The next deck down is the Orlop deck or the hold.   This area is where you can see the old timbers of the original ship still exposed.   The feeling of the age of this floating artifact is really evident down in the deep recesses of the hull.   The working restoration “shop” on board the ship is in the bow of this deck.  All kinds of restored blocks and tackle, huge cables of rope and a good ole’ workbench for the restoration workers is on view here.   The entire ship is still being worked on by volunteers on a regular basis.   The work is ongoing, continually improving the look of the ship into its original condition. At right is a picture of the pumps used to pump the bilge of the ship and they are all original, with lead linings in the pipes and cast iron fittings, this was a look into the past.    This pump station is on the gun deck and you can see the cannons in their stowed positions by the gunports.   (Remember, you can click on all the photos in these postings to see a more detailed, larger view.)   It was another lump in the throat experience being on this ship.   I have built scale models of these old sailing ships over the years, researching  the projects extensively, but there is no comparison to actually step onto one of my original “historical loves”.

I wanted to get some outside pictures of this wonderful ship, so Patty retreated to the air conditioning of the adjacent mall.   I did not tour the other ships that are displayed in the inner harbor but they are special as well.   The WWII Submarine USS Torsk is across the water moored next to the Aquarium (definite must do on our next trip, I am a Tropical Fish nut also…)  and the light house ship Chesapeake is also on display and available to tour.   The Baltimore inner harbor is a beautiful place with much to see.   A whole day could be devoted  to all the sites.   We were eager to get out-of-town before rush hour so I quickly finished some photography and said goodbye to another Bucket List item being checked off.   The next day would be the Washington DC National Mall tour bus.   We made our way back to Joe’s house in Greenbelt, MD to spend an evening with family.   I was still basking the glow of my day at two impressive stops on my History Major’s Dream Vacation.