Rein's Eagle Project

On the Road Again...

Fort Barrancas

When we left the Aviation Museum we came across this old Fort. It was nestle on top of a hill and had a dry moat surrounding it. When the enemy came in trying to attack, the soldiers at the Fort were able to attack them from both sides. It was impossible to penetrate the walls of this Fort.

National Aviation Museum

I don't think I've ever seen Roger more like a kid in a candy store, then I did at this Museum. He sat in more Pilot seats, and played with more gizmos than I care to count. But, I had so much fun, watching him have so much fun. We watched several films while we were here and he even got into the Blue Angel Simulator. Did I, you ask? Not on your life, I held onto his camera. Isn't that what every good mommy would do? Seriously, I can't believe how much of our nations Aviation History they have stored in this one spot. And 90% of it you can touch. We ate lunch in this little cafe that was a replica from the Vietnam era. Roger will have to tell you more about that.

MILTON, FL

We arrived at the most beautiful campground of all. And can you believe it Bob Elliff beat us here. (Not really, but we found his car.) Our Kabin even has it's own little Gazebo. The people here are so very nice and our mattress is so thick that we almost need a footstool to get into bed. Weather is beautiful and the campers are friendly. They have the cutest little bugs and they're everywhere. The call them Love Bugs because the fly with they're bottoms stuck together. And there are zillions of them. We're off to see Pensacola tomorrow.

NASA SPACE CENTER HOUSTON

After many U-turns we finally ended up at the entrance to NASA Space Center Houston. Upon entering the facility we got to view a film on the History of Houston Space Center. Then it was off on the tram to tour where the Astronaut's train. The first stop: Original Mission Control Center where the words Neil Armstrong said from the Moon "The Eagle has landed" were heard and a roar of cheers went up. "One small step for a man, One giant leap for mankind" was also received in this same Control room. Imagine, there was only 428 megabytes of RAM for the whole control center. How far we're come since then. They even had rotary dials on the equipment instead of digital. Back on the tram and off we went to the actual training center where the Astronauts learn all they will need to know once they are up in space. Everything there is an exact replica of the real thing, so that they can test all types of malfunction scenarios. The only thing missing are the wings on the Shuttle, because they don't need them for training purposes. We also saw the building where all the Moon rocks are kept, where the Astronauts are quartined 7 days before leaving on a mission and the Astronauts Circle of Trees Memorial park. There is a tree planted there for each Astronaut who has died, some during their missions. The final building we went into was where they house the Apollo 18 rocket. The Apollo 18 mission was cancelled prior to the rocket ever be sent into space. And of course, we had to pass McDonald's where the Astronauts snack on McFlying Fries.

CARLSBAD CAVERNS

WOW! I've been dreaming of coming to this place since I can remember. 30+ yrs later and I finally made it. I can't even begin to explain the feelings I felt when we entered the Big Room. From Awe struck to totally amazed, to a child going to Disneyland for the first time, to being honored for having witnessed such a magnificent display of God's handiwork. I can't imagine all those who have come through the Cavern's before us. Or even try to imagine how a young 16 yr. old Jim White felt the first time he entered the cave, alone, climbing on a handmade rope ladder with nothing but a can filled with kerosene to use as a lantern and an axe. Prior to the the crowds arriving, they use to have everyone turn off their lanterns when they came to the ROCK OF AGES (sorry I labeled it Amazing Grace) and sing Amazing Grace. They say that it would echo throughout the entire chamber and was very moving and spiritually filled. Being in that cave made me think of David, hidden in the dark when Saul came in, and David cut a piece of Saul's robe. I kind of felt sorry for those looking at God's work and thinking that science could explain how this magnificent cavern came into being. Knowing that God molded this place and created such an awesome piece of beauty filled my heart with JOY.
If ever you are priveledged to make this journey, I highly recommend it.

Roger and I were amazed and inspired. But, the end of our cave tour wasn't the end of our amazement. At sundown there is an ampitheater you're invited to visit just outside the natural opening to the cave. As we quietly sat anticipating the night flight of the bats from the cave entrance we again were awestruck by the beauty of God's hand. If there was 1 there must have been at least 1,000,000 bats come out of the mouth of that cave. They spiral upward and then off over the desert hills to the valley below for their evening meal of moths and insects. We weren't allowed to take pictures of the bats because it messes with their radar, so you'll just have to believe me, when I say they looked like a big cloud of smoke arising and floating off. We sat there amazed for over an hour when we decided to leave. But the bats were still coming out of the cave by the thousands. They say it can take 2-3 hours for them all to come out.

Thank you Jesus for allowing me this opportunity.

CARLSBAD, NM HERE WE COME!

Just a few of the things we did enroute to the Carlsbad Caverns. We ate at this wonderful BBQ place in El Paso, TX. We thought Travis might like the #8 CAR, but the Texas Rangers who were in front of us in line said no. And bein' that he had the shoulders to match the state of Texas, we decided it would be best to leave the car there. The food was so mouthwateringly (is that a word?) yummy and they let you eat with your fingers, too! They even had a big wash basin to clean up in when you finished eating.

AND AWAY WE GO...

Okay, so we had to go back home.....And get my ring, but in my defense, we weren't even on the freeway yet. We spent the day traveling across the beautiful desert of Arizona. We saw the neatest "God" signs, my favorite being, "Feeling Lost? Read my map book". GOD
We arrived at Benson KOA just before the office closed and were escorted to our Kabin.
All we can say it WOW! This place is really, really clean and homey. We even had comp shampoo and soap in our cabin. The stars are showing off tonight. Gods hand in the night sky always has amazed me, but never more than tonight. We are feeling your prayers and are very grateful to each of you. There are not many campers here so the evening should be quiet. The sound of a distant train is the only noise right now. Roger was so excited to get away that he hogged the driver's seat all day long. Maybe I'll get behind the wheel tomorrow.

How do you spell relief???

V-A-C-A-T-I-O-N! That's how we spell it. It's hard to believe that we will be leaving in just a few hours. You'd think I'd be in bed by now, but when my wonderful daughter offered to set up a BLOG for me, how could I resist?