Chattanooga

An afternoon visit to the Chattanooga Zoo was a fun. We not only saw, but heard the Kookaburra!

Journey's favorite part was watching these very active Red Pandas move about their enclosure.

So adorable!

I loved the Giant Anteaters! Their feet and face are so interesting, actually every bit of them is pretty fascinating.

And then the adorable monkeys....

....and Meerkats!

Asher took pictures of the animals and added quotes.

Afterwards we stayed a night with our friends, Chris and Kim at their house on Signal Mountain. We enjoyed dinner together downtown and then walked to the Chattanooga Choo Choo, a hotel/ entertainment complex within the historical train terminal that was restored in 1973.

I was really impressed with the restrooms! I mean, come on, FLAMINGO wallpaper!

Farm Fun with Friends

We've been friends with the Fugate family since Asher and Journey were 4! Look how much they've grown since our time together in Alaska. Their two oldest sons are now grown and serving in the military! 

It's always fun to see the animals they have. Asher, Journey and I took turns accompanying the kids as they completed their farm jobs. 

Then it was time to milk the cows.

Straining the milk, then separating the cream. Afterwards I made butter for the first time with Jessica's instruction!

I was able to accompany Jessica at the Farmer's Market where she sells the food her family raises, bakes and grows. Her sourdough bread is delicious and now she makes specialty flavors also. Despite the rain, it was a successful day and we enjoyed our time together. 

Have you ever seen such a beautiful pantry? All the fresh, organic food they've grown and canned, or freeze dried line the shelves. 

I had no idea you could freeze dry avocados or oranges!

And then I spotted this pork leg- aged prosciutto! I was really intrigued by this, so Johnny cut us a slice. It was actually really good! 

Twice we took a trip to the nearby river where the kids had tons of fun!

 

Journey gave everyone an arial acrobatics show!

This may be the last time we get to visit our friends at this beautiful farm. During our time together, they decided to put the farm on the market. That same day the packing and painting began. We're excited for what's ahead for this sweet family.

National Museum of the USAF

After Columbus, we spent a few days with Chrissy and Shaun and made a visit together to the oldest and largest military aviation museum in the world. We were here years ago, but it's so expansive and the displays often change, so it's worth multiple visits. We learned more about the Holocaust and WWII.

During WWI, homing pigeons delivered messages in tiny tubes pictured below (left) between front-line outposts and command centers. To the right, is "John Silver", one of the most active pigeons in the Army. During a firefight, he was shot and lost a leg, but still managed to deliver his message. He was nursed back to health but had to retire from active service. He lived out his days in Hawaii's Scholfield Barracks and died just shy of his 18th birthday.

This F-82G is pretty wild. It looks like two planes connected in the middle!

Learning about the underground missile launch stations was very interesting. Chrissy's dad actually served in one during his time in the military. It was wild to see how large the missiles are (above)!

This space suit weighs 250lbs! The mirror on the left hand allows astronauts to check the panel on the front of the suit while making adjustments with their right hand.  The dial on the left hand side controls the temperature of the internal liquid cooling suit.

Chrissy and I walked thru three Presidential aircrafts!

The Columbine III served as Dwight D. Eisenhower's personal airplane from 1954-1961.

The cockpit of the Columbine III

The Independence was the second aircraft built specifically to transport the President of the United States. President Harry S. Truman used it from 1947-1953.

The control panel

And THEN there was Air Force One!

The Sam 26000 was the first jet aircraft built specifically for use of the President of the United States and key personnel. When the President was on board, the call sign changed to "Air Force One" to avoid any confusion with other aircraft.

Over 36 years, this jet carried eight Presidents: Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon, Ford, Carter, Reagan, George H.W. Bush and Clinton. In 1963 when President Kennedy was assasinated, Vice President Johnson was sworn in as President on board this plane. A section of seats were removed to transport Kennedy's body and President Johnson back to Washington D.C. for the funeral.

I found the old corded phones at every seat pretty amusing. Who were they calling? I assume other passengers within the plane.

Back at Chrissy's, we met their new cows.

They have an exchange student living with them this year. Matu is from Argentina and has much in common with Wade. They make great "brothers". 

All the boys went fishing in the creek togeher.

It's always a great time reconnecting with Chrissy, Shaun and Wade!