The Strip looked a lot different this time around due to all the fencing and seating areas set up for last weekend’s Formula 1 Grand Prix.
Caesars Palace in Las Vegas during Formula 1 race week
Author: Joe
Landing in Las Vegas
Look for the tower at the Stratosphere, which is at the north end of Las Vegas Boulevard, and you’ll see all the big casinos right after that. If this is your first trip to Las Vegas be forewarned – the casinos look smaller and a lot closer together from the air than they do when you’re walking.
Grand Canyon from the air
This time I got a break in the clouds long enough to get a few shots of the Grand Canyon. The light might be better in the middle of the day, but taking these photos shortly after sunrise created some interesting shadows.
Since it was already the third week of November, I kept an eye out for snow but I didn’t see any.
Rad Dance Band in San Antonio
The band plays 80s era dance music.
Dia De Los Muertos art at La Villita
Some of their work is currently on display in the public 2023 Dia de los Muertos art for the Day of the Dead San Antonio celebration.
Dia De Los Muertos skulls at La Villita
Several of those are located close together in La Villita, where there were lively crowds Saturday and Sunday for Day of the Dead San Antonio celebration.
Udvar-Hazy Center in Washington DC
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).
Official site: Udvar-Hazy Center: airandspace.si.edu
Official site: Enola Gay photo gallery: airandspace.si.edu
Military Aviation Museum in Virginia Beach
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.
Official site: Military Aviation Museum: militaryaviationmuseum.org
Jerrasic Park – Metal Dinosaur Park near Virginia Beach
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.
Cape Henry lighthouses in Virginia Beach
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.
National Park Service: Cape Henry Lighthouse: www.nps.gov/came/cape-henry-lighthouses.htm
Visit Virginia Beach: Cape Henry Lighthouse: www.visitvirginiabeach.com
