The USAF's Thunderbirds!

After nearly an hour rain delay, the clouds lifted ever so slightly to give just barely enough safety margin to afford the United States Air Force Thunderbirds a chance to show off their F 18's!

There were a total of 6 planes in the air, but due to the low lying clouds you usually couldn't see them until they were close enough to hear!

The skill it must take to operate with such precision in such a close position absolutely astounds me!

They seemed, at times, close enough to touch them!







It was a pretty awesome first time experience! You can bet your boots I'll go again! Hopefully, the weather will cooperate more!

My First Airshow

On August 23, Auntie Bee and I went on a day trip to an air show at Selfridge Air National Guard Base. It was my first experience of this nature and I wasn't quite sure what to expect. Well...I did NOT expect rain as just prior to leaving I checked on the computer...0% chance of rain, overcast then clearing. Someone seriously got something mixed up because I am not the proud owner of $50 worth of giant umbrellas! But...at least I stayed dry! To the left is an impressive aerobatic performance by 1 stunt pilot zooming upside down in front of us. As you can see..a cloudburst is looming.

Also performing was stunt pilot Gene Soucy and his girlfriend Theresa Stokes performing as a wing walker! YIKES! You can see her on the right between the wings, just out of the cockpit, and below, in a stand on the top wing!

These 4 aircraft were from the Screamin' Rebels...they were a little loud.

Below, an older Russian MIG 17 (from Top Gun fame) with its afterburner on. It was lightning fast.

There was also a KC135 stratotanker in the air with its refueling nozzle at the ready. We didn't actually get to see a refueling, I suppose that would be a risky maneuver simply for entertainment purposes. But interesting nonetheless. I wish it would have been a bright, cloudless, sunny day...but...I suppose sometimes God has to water the flowers...and the people (those without umbrellas of course)!