Pensacola Fun Place
15 May 2011 | Santa Rosa Yacht & Boat Club
Warren
Pensacola is a nice town. Again we are staying at the Santa Rosa Yacht Club in David and Deb Williamson's slip. We really wanted to stay out of the bad weather but it hasn't been too bad. Two thunderstorms and 1/2" of rain on Friday. Breezy on Saturday and every night.
Only real problem is Karen's cold. Bad cough and of course she wouldn't go to a walk-in clinic. But we have managed to see downtown Pensacola and the Naval Air Museum. The overall city is pretty with some low hills and many old live oak trees. Makes it feel like much farther north. Think this place is a keeper if the winters aren't too bad.
The downtown is nice and the old buildings have been fixed up to look very good. Not a lot of shops but enough shops and eating places to look occupied. Still need to get shops in from the malls. Went to Seville Quarter where a person has taken a large warehouse and made 7 different fun places to eat, drink, play pool, dance, etc. Great food too.
The big show was the Naval Air Museum. What a place. Not only big and new but very nicely planned. It has two main buildings than interconnect and an atrium The ground floor has planes on display and many of them displayed as if on the deck of an aircraft carrier. In fact much of the place has the feel of a carrier with paint lines, pipes, hoses, and signs to make an impression of a carrier. Planes of all sizes are also hung from the ceiling. Then to better see the hanging planes, there is a balcony than runs around the buildings so you can see the planes at their level. Also on the balcony are displays like the repair shops on a carrier complete with planes undergoing repair. Also there are displays that look like the jungle air strips on the Pacific islands. Additional displays show WWII store fronts of Pensacola, lighter than air craft, naval aviation heroes, aviators in space, simulators, art galleries, and engine displays.
The atrium has four Blue Angel A-4 aircraft hung from the ceiling in a diamond formation. Beneath the aircraft is a hall for meetings.
A third building just opened with more aircraft on display. The quality of the aircraft displayed is excellent, some looking just like new. Many have a long history or have been pulled from the water after spending years underwater. The whole place is fantastic and more than a day's visit. This is a place worth going to. All this from a 26-year Air Force guy.
Finally, next year a new building opens that will host the National Flight Academy which will provide an in-residence learning adventure based on science and flight. The interior of the building is like an aircraft carrier and the kids 7-12th grade will bunk in sea bunks and live in the building while taking classes and simulator rides. The duration of the classes is 2 ½ days or 5 ½ days. With up to 264 students. See www.NationalFlightAcademy.com Should be neat.
Sunday the 15th went to Art in the Park at Seville Square in downtown Pensacola. Lots of good art, jewelry, glass, etc. Did buy something for Brazill's who are looking after our house. Bought it from a friend/artist from Punta Gorda who was showing her work up here. Small world. Then we took some photos of downtown and went out to Pensacola Beach which is just across the water from the yacht club. Very nice beach and loads of fun things for young folks to do. Quite a resort/vacation area.