2009 MCAS Yuma Airshow

We spent a warm sunny day at the Marine Corps Air Station Yuma as one of their many guests for the day. This was their 47th annual air show and a celebration of the 50th anniversary of the air station. There were many aircraft on display, some amazing aerial acts and a breathtaking ending. The Commemorative Air Force put on "Tora, Tora, Tora" a live re-enactment of the Dec 7, 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor. At the end of the show a Marine pushed the plunger that started the record breaking Wall of Fire, at 10,173.8 feet. It was 15 stories high and we could feel the heat from it.

A perfectly restored B-17

A Marine Rescue Helicopter doing a demonstration rescue.

Navy F/A-18 Hornet simulating a landing on an aircraft carrier.

Looks like he's trying to land the Piper Cub on top of the pick-up truck.

Got it on the second try. Not any room for error.

Marine Corps AV-8B Harrier demonstrating it's vertical take off capabilities by hovering like a helicopter.

After posing nicely for the photos, he took off almost straight up and disappeared into the sky above. Traveling to over 13,000 feet in a matter of seconds. Very impressive!

A Super Pitts showing off for the crowd.

KC-130 Hercules tanker plane, refueling 2 Harrier Jets. What precision.

B-1 Bombers doing a fly by.

B-1 with it's wings back doing a fast fly by.

Air Force Heritage Flight with a P-51 Mustang from WWII and F-16 Falcon.

The Wall of Fire with replica Japanese Zeros.

This world record should hold for quite a while, as this was possible here because of their very long flight line, more than 13,000 feet. This is an alternate landing site for the space shuttle.

Ocean Beach, California

This is the day our daughter flew out of San Diego airport to head back home. We spent some time at Ocean Beach as it had been quite a few years since she had been to the Pacific Ocean. We wandered around the shops, took a walk on the long pier, and stayed to watch the sunset.

Looking back at Ocean Beach from the pier.

A nice little bus from Hodad's, a now famous eating establishment.

Our daughter enjoying the sand after a winter of snow.

Back up quick or your jeans will get wet!

The Ocean Beach Pier. The longest concrete pier on the west coast at 1971 feet. It was built in 1966 and is now used by many fishermen and tourists.

A colorful end to a wonderful week with our "favorite" daughter.

Mining History near Yuma

This area has numerous abandoned mines which are fun to visit. Most of the ruins have been vandalized over the years and there's not much left as the pictures of the Tumco Gold Mine area show. A nice surprise was the Castle Dome Mines Museum. It is a re-created ghost town with each building being it's own museum. Unlike most museums, the many artifacts are out for visitors to examine and enjoy. A few items are in locked cases, but that is the exception. Castle Dome mined silver galena starting in 1862.

A few of the two dozen buildings in the town with Castle Dome in the background. Along with the church shown here, you can visit the Sheriff's Office and Jail, the Mercantile, a Dentist's Office (ouch), a dress shop, the 2 story Hotel and more.

Our daughter at the hotel saloon.

Inside the gas station and repair shop. Looks like the owner just went out for lunch and did not return.

A card game at one of the smaller saloons. We noticed there are no numbers on the cards.

A pair of Levi's authenticated by Levi Strauss dating back to 1890.

We happened upon these beautiful desert lilies while out for a ride.

Some ruins at the Tumco Gold Mine.

A lizard enjoying the sun. Hope he remembered to put on sun screen.