8/08/2005

Focus on Flying

We saved the new Air Space Museum for Jamie's last day here.


A quick summary of space flight - from Gemini to Shuttle Enterprise.








Jamie with the space shuttle, Enterprise,in the background.






Putting us right in touch with current history - in front of the space shutte Enterprise there was a televison screen playing a "live feed" from the astronauts in space on the current shuttle mission. We walked around the emense expanse of the Enterprise - taking a careful look at the exterior heat shielding tiles. A close-up look like and you really understand what happened and what had to be repaired.


We also stopped by the Enola Gay, the WWII plane that dropped the first atomic bomb on Japan. It was sixty years ago today -

The coincidence of the anniversary made me aware of how important Museums like this are - they keep history before us. Forgetting would further magnify the tragedy of that day.

After we left the Air and Space Museum we took Jamie to Dulles for his flight back to California.

Driving home Jim and I talked about how much we had enjoyed having Jamie; how we had loved the time with the local family together; and we listed all the things we had taken him to see, museums, monuments, movies, etc.etc. We hope something made a lasting impression - and wondered what it will be. What will he remember? What stories will he tell?