Reaching Lifelong Goals as a Nontraditional Student

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.

The NASM on the National Mall was too important to me for only one blog posting.   Continuing with the “Legend, Memory and Great War in the Air gallery, we have a SPAD XIII that actually saw service in Europe during WWI.   Many of the SPADs on display are ex-training aircraft and did not see combat.   The Smithsonian’s Smith IV was assigned to the 22nd Aero Pursuit Squadron of the U.S. Army Air Service, which was taking part in the Saint-Mihiel offensive. The aircraft entered combat during this campaign, and by the end of the war six victories had been scored in it by various pilots.   This is significant.  There are still small bullet hole patches on the wings from combat.  The restoration of this aircraft in the 80s retained these battle scars.   I had to move on, as much as I wanted to spend more time with my WWI aircraft, history marches forward. There were some types from WWII that  are not in most Air Museums, of note was the Italian Macchi C.202 fighter.   This one was a treat, built models of them, never seen one in person.  Suspended from the ceiling of the WWII gallery it was in fine company with a Messerschmitt, Spitfire, Zero and Mustang.    The collection of WWII aircraft features some of the more well-known aircraft and they are staples at many air museums around the country.    This is not to say they are “common”, any aircraft from WWII is a significant display.   This museum is kind of sensory overload for a history nut, so I had to focus, focus, focus.   The collection from the Navy was just as enjoyable, with aircraft spanning the periods from the 30s all the way to current jets.   The gallery is set up to resemble a aircraft carrier and it’s interior spaces were used for additional displays.   Important civil aircraft and record breakers are also on display.   Hanging above the main welcome gallery is the Spirit of St. Louis, again a very moving experience for me to behold.  There are two main sections to the NASM, one with aircraft and the other, spacecraft.   I will move on to this side of the museum now and leave the best experience for last.    The artifacts on display from the NASA moon shots was very interesting, from large items like the Saturn V booster engines (extremely huge!!) to space candy, M&Ms that traveled in space as astronaut treats.    Significant artifacts that really hit home with me included John Glenn’s original space suit, Yuri Gagarin’s CCCP spacesuit and the moon suite from Apollo 15 that still had MOON DUST on the boots.   I was reliving my youth by actually seeing the actual items that had traveled into space as I watched on our black and white TV in the 60s.

The Lunar Excursion Module they have on display was actually slated to go into space on Apollo 5, but the success of the LM1 mission cancelled this flight and this spacecraft was used as a training vehicle.   The two astronauts coming down the ladder give the feel of what it was like back in 1969 when Armstrong and Aldrin walked on the moon.   This event in history is burned into my childhood memories as we watched in awe as the first steps on the moon were broadcast in the grainy, black and white video of the day.

I have been an aviation history buff most of my life.   My recent specialization in early aviation (WWI) has been a big part of my research over the past 20 years.   The goal of seeing the National Air Space Museum has been on my list since I was a child.   For the last 40 years I have dreamed of reaching this lifelong goal.   If it not for my wonderful wife, who seems to be quite invested in my dreams and goals, this dream vacation would never have happened.   Although my primary interest is WWI, walking into the Wright Brothers and the Invention of the Aerial Age Gallery hit me in a big way.   To think that I was standing before the actual Wright Flyer, the artifact that meant the most to me in this facility was just too  moving for me to keep my composure.   It all just came over me at once, my new life as a Non Traditional College Student, my goal of becoming a Historian, reaching a lifelong goal of being at the NASM and being in front of the actual origin of my passion.  Patty left me on my own, she was enjoying reading the well presented displays and being a supportive wife.   I tried not to be too obvious, but I just lost it.   I stood before the flyer, weeping, my heart bursting from my chest with emotion.   Of all the sights I was enjoying on this vacation, this one was special, very special.

After gathering myself together, I was able to document this aircraft photographically.   The NASM display of the Wright flyer is really spectacular.   The condition of the aircraft has been maintained since  it was presented to the Smithsonian from the Estate of Orville Wright.   It was recovered in 1927  under supervision by Orville Wright and again in 1985.   The original fabric which covered the wings on that day in December 1903 is on display.   The unbleached muslin was not coated with dope to save weight.

Just a piece of white cloth, folded up in a glass case, it does not seem like a big deal…   Looking at things through my new eyes as an Aviation Historian and a History Major gives new meaning to even the most mundane artifacts on display in museums.   Just some old cloth, to an airplane nut, this is like the Shroud of Turin!   My experience at the National Air and Space Museum was the highpoint of my History Major’s Dream Vacation.   I clicked off the #2 item on the Bucket List of places to go before I die.   Not for the faint  of heart, this museum is truly a life changing experience…if you are an aviation fanatic like me.

Tomorrow’s post changes directions, trains and ships, two more of my passions and bucket list items achieved.

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…

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.