Monday, November 19, 2007

Flat Stanley visits the Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum, Oct. 28

Our second visit to the Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum started out as a serendipitous stop to take a photo of the vineyard out front because all of the vines had turned golden after the grapes had been picked. As we turned down the entrance road, something caught my eye, over near the front wall of the building.

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"I think I see Stormtroopers!" I hollered. As we got closer to the building, I knew I saw stormtroopers walking towards the museum entrance. Quickly I parked. A speechless Flat Stanley and I barrelled out of the car, camera in hand, the trio of movie icons in our sights. You see the mark of our success in the photo! After thanking them profusely, Flat Stanley looked at me with stars in his eyes and said, "I'll never, ever, ever forget this!"

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We walked over to where I had first noticed the trio and saw this display and banner. Flat Stanley just about couldn't believe it when he got to stand among the masks. I asked about the sheets and found out that they belong to a 30-year-old man. My sons used to have sheets just like those and probably wish that they still had them today. You can read about the 501st Legion, Cloud City Garrison here.

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After calming down a bit, Flat Stanley and I decided that he could stand on this wing for a quick photo and a close-up of a Navy Blue Angels plane from yesteryear.

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All of a sudden, this Hudson automobile, also from yesteryear, distracted us from the flying machines all around us. Flat Stanley and I agreed that the car is just as impressive as the aircraft.

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Both of us like the looks of the camo-colored U. S. Airforce fighter jet. At least we think it is a fighter jet. We'll have to make another visit to the museum to get the facts on it, looks like.

Flat Stanley only rested on the wing of this plane and of the Blue Angels' plane for seconds, mere seconds, and therefore did not leave a mark on either one. He's proud of that fact.

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As we walked back towards the Buick, I took this photo of a portion of the Spruce Goose. I hope that on our next visit we will finally make it inside the museum--I'll check ahead of time to make sure there are not private parties on that date, and Miss Edna, Flat Stanley and I will see this plane--and all of the others--up close and personal. In the meantime, you can read all about the Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum here.

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The beauty of this young gingko tree caught our eye. Beyond it you can see one of the planes that soldiers called Gooney Birds or Goonies during WWII. Even farther back, you see that orange circle? It's on the tip of the nose of a MIG. For more about them and other sights Flat Stanley enjoyed on his first visit to Evergreen, go to Mama and Me from PDX.

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As we left the museum, Flat Stanley asked, "Could you get me a picture of the sign, please? I want to remember everything about this place that I've seen so far!"

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By the way, here's the golden vineyard that caused us to pull off the highway at the museum for our unplanned but swell second visit.

18 comments:

AVCr8teur said...

Flat Stanley was sure brave to get on those jets especially on the Blue Angel's FA-18 Hornet. By the way, I'm part of the 501st Legion so I might know some of those guys/gals under the masks. :)

dot said...

Great pictures and he looks like he's having the time of his life!

Andrea said...

I am so glad Flat Stanley got to see the Blue Angels. We saw them practice in Pensacola back in September. My 4 year old grandson loved them but complained they were too loud. I bet Flat Stanley doesn't complain about where you take him.

• Eliane • said...

I love that car!!! Love it, love it. love it! Did I say I loved it? I think I did. ;)

WendyB said...

First photo is the best Flat Stanley moment so far!!!!!

Keropokman said...

invasion from outer space!

evacuate!!

haha... nice photos from the musuem!

Jim Klenke said...

I bet flat Stanley was pooped. I am glad he had such a good time and wanted us to share what he found.

Gwen said...

Star Wars and Flat Stanley (?!) What a great series of photographs, Lynette, very cute and the narration is fun to read too! I was going to comment yesterday about your meatballs,well your son must be a great sous chef. :)

Olivier said...

très bon, j'aime beaucoup ton petit personnage qui se promène partout. J'avoue que je craque surtout sur la vieille voiture, je la trouve superbe
Very good, I love your little character who walks everywhere. I admit that I especially cracks on the old car, I find it wonderful

Ming the Merciless said...

Flat Stanley is one lucky dude. He traveled to a lot of exciting places.

Mike's Travels said...

Great classic photos there!

Sharon said...

Wow, I'm so jealous of Flat Stanley! He is seeing so many cool things. :)

Mary Stebbins Taitt said...

LOL! What a riot! I love Flat Stanley's adventures! Great vineyard.

Fénix - Bostonscapes said...

Love the first photo! The one holding Flat Stanley has got to be a gal :). Then again, maybe not! >8@

(If you like soup, you will absolutely love pho, that very tasty Vietnamese noodle soup. There has to be a good Vietnamese restaurant in Portland, I'm sure.)

Felicia said...

You and Flat Stanley are so lucky! A moment of a lifetime to get a photo with Stormtroopers!

AVCr8teur said...

Lynette, to answer your question, I might soneone underneath the bucket as everyone calls it, but everyone looks the same. Check out my posting back in June.
http://avcr8teur.blogspot.com/2007/06/im-back-finally.html

NorthBayPhoto said...

WOW!! Very beautiful photos. Glad Flat Stanley had a good time!

Thanks for visiting my NorthBayPhoto blog.

Web-OJ said...

OOOH! Guys on their bikes. Fat Stanley does go places!