HIGHLIGHTS:
 

1. Since I missed the two Saturdays at Avenal, December 8th and December 15th, because I went to Chicago to visit family, I thought you'd be interested in a side trip I took to the Air & Space Museum at the Dulles Airport in Washington, DC.

2. The building is so huge it is difficult to get a proper perspective. An Air France Concorde was turned sideways and still didn't take up much room. Inside are some very historic aircraft and you have to see it to appreciate its beauty and size.

3. If you go there, it is easy to take a shuttle bus (50 cents per person) from Dulles airport to the museum, a 10 minute ride. And there is no entry fee at the museum. Acres and acres of aircraft. In addition, there are four flight simulators, one of which is full motion, including inverted. The cost is reasonable. Three of the four are similar to the Back to the Future ride at Universal Studios.

4. You need more than a few hours to appreciate all that's there. Museum shop, restaurants, classrooms, and a control tower. But there is much more and you should access the Internet at http://www.nasm.si.edu/udvarhazy/ for information on what to see when you get there. It is magnificent and we should be proud as Americans that we have built this for all to see. When I was there, groups of Europeans were wandering around in amazement.

5. There won't be much reporting on Avenal activity for the month of December since most of us are spending time and money on other things. But we'll continue to keep you informed as activities develop.