Space Shuttle Discovery at the Udvar-Hazy Center air and space museum in Washington DC.The Udvar-Hazy Center is a massive air and space museum next to Dulles Airport in Washington DC and is part of the Smithsonian Institution.
It includes both civilian and military aircraft as well as displays from our exploration of space.
The thing that I found most fascinating was the Enola Gay, the Boeing B-29 Superfortress that dropped the first atomic bomb on Japan at the end of World War II.
As of this writing (September 2023) Udvar-Hazy Center is open daily except for Christmas and admission is free (fee for parking).
A Curtis P-40 Flying Tiger outside the hangar at the Military Aviation Museum in Virginia Beach. – photo by Joe AlexanderThe Military Aviation Museum displays military aircraft from World War I and World War II.
There is a lot more to see than what I have here. Many of these planes can still fly. One of them had just come in for a landing when I was visiting. At certain times of the year on the weekend, you can even take a ride on one of the planes. Check their website for the details.
One of the residents at Jerrasic Park next to Military Aviation Museum in Virginia Beach. – photo by Joe AlexanderOn a back road south of the beach at Virginia Beach I found something I didn’t expect.
At the entrance to the Military Aviation Museum I was visiting was a collection of metal dinosaurs. The attraction was started by Jerry Yagen, owner of the museum – thus the name “Jerrasic.”
I wouldn’t have made a special trip to see the dinosaurs, but since I was there, it was a fun addition worth a little wandering around.
Jerrasic Park dinosaurs
Jerrasic Park dinosaurs
Jerrasic Park dinosaurs
Jerrasic Park dinosaurs
Jerrasic Park dinosaurs
Jerrasic Park dinosaurs
Jerrasic Park dinosaurs
Jerrasic Park dinosaurs
Jerrasic Park dinosaurs
Part of the collection at Jerrasic Park next to Military Aviation Museum.
Cape Henry lighthouses at Fort Story in Virginia Beach. – photo by Joe AlexanderWhen you look for Cape Henry Lighthouse, the first thing you learn is that there are actually two.
Both are located at Fort Story, still an active military base, at the north end of Virginia Beach.
The older brick lighthouse was authorized by the United States government and dates to 1792 – just after the American Revolution.
The newer black and white lighthouse was built in 1881.
The older lighthouse is usually open to the public to climb up the stairs. It was closed the very hot September morning I visited because it was considered unsafe to climb the stairs in the extreme heat inside. Bummer.
There is nearby statue honoring French admiral Francois Joseph Paul de Grasse – who engaged the British fleet in 1781 to help the American cause in the Revolutionary War.
Also on the grounds is the First Landing Cross to commemorate site of the first English settlers from the London Company in 1607.
Naval aviation tribute at the Virginia Beach boardwalk. – photo by Joe AlexanderA group of statues and plaques near the boardwalk in Virginia Beach pays tribute to service members involved in United States naval aviation.
Virginia Beach is located a short drive from Norfolk, Virginia, and Naval Station Norfolk – home port of the Navy’s Fleet Forces Command.
Virginia Beach boardwalk
Virginia Beach boardwalk
Virginia Beach boardwalk
Naval aviation tribute at the Virginia Beach boardwalk.
Public art on the back side of a building near the boardwalk in Virginia Beach. – photo by Joe AlexanderVirginia Beach has strong ties to the military, especially with its location not far from Norfolk, Virginia.
A lot of the public art in Virginia Beach reflects that. Some, however, is more whimsical.
View from the boardwalk just after sunrise at Virginia Beach, Virginia. – photo by Joe AlexanderVirginia Beach in southeastern Virginia has a three-mile boardwalk and plenty of tan-colored sand.
King Neptune statue guards the coast at the Virginia Beach boardwalk. – photo by Joe AlexanderKing Neptune makes his home on the boardwalk in Virginia Beach.
The 26-foot-tall bronze statue has his back to the Atlantic Ocean and faces the setting sun in the evening.
King Neptune is located near 31st street and is easy to spot from a long way off, making him a convenient landmark for meeting people or taking selfies.
Outdoor mural near Main Street in Waynesboro, Virginia. – photo by Joe AlexanderThe southern end of Skyline Drive through Shenandoah National Park exits near Waynesboro, Virginia.
When I visit a city for the first time, I usually look for public art, interesting buildings and food – not always in that order. In Waynesboro I found both within walking distance of my hotel.
At The River Burger Bar, I ordered the excellent “The Fun Guy” – an angus burger with sauteed mushrooms, grilled onions, bacon pieces, Swiss cheese and herb mayo. I also had a beer I had never seen before called “Ruby Red,” which went well with the burger.
