JBER Airshow 2012

We finally made it to the Joint Base Elmendorf Richardson air show. It takes place every two years, and this was the first time we've made it.

It began when we were stuck in traffic for 2 hours, and only moved 1/2 a mile. That was slower than our New York City traffic that we were in a month ago. We finally ditched the car on a side street and hoofed it in the last couple of miles. It saved us lots of time, and was well worth the extra walking. But if we had known we were going to do that, we would have brought the stroller. We haven't used the stroller in several months--but this would have been a worthwhile event. Oh well. Next time we'll know.

It was a hot and sunny morning--then turned cool and breezy in the afternoon. Our walk in was very hot, but I love every chance to feel hot that I can get.

Once we were there, we had a great time.

We stopped in the shade of a hangar to cool off. 

 While waiting in line for a bounce toy, he started jammin' to the live band. Good times!

It was an inflatable obstacle course.

 The first time through, he just ran through the place you were supposed to swing on the rope.

The next time we convinced him to grab the rope, and he loved it.

 It was hard to pull him away from this activity, but we knew he would love all the big vehicles, planes and helicopters once we could get him hooked.

 This was a vehicle that is built to withstand mines. I laughed that only kids would go into the cramped quarters, but it is built to haul soldiers and gear in combat zones. A safe way to travel, but certainly not luxurious.

 Lots of levers to pull and twist.

 Sam told David that he could sit down, so he quickly got into place then said, "Are they going to give me a ride?" He thought they were sitting down to go for a quick spin in the troop transport plane.

 Trying to reach the tail of a helicopter.

 And feeling pretty important in the seat of a chinook pilot.

 Speaking of buttons and levers to pull--I'm glad to know these pilots have checklists. They'll need to reset everything David could reach.

 Pure glee.

We ran into some good friends from the ward, and it was nice to take a break from the walking for a few minutes.

 David had fun with all the landing gear he could reach. And thanks to Grampa Chuck's breakfast time visit at the airport last month, David knew lots of words and lingo for what we were seeing--things like the jet engines, landing gear, cockpit, etc.

 Then the F-22's made their appearance. David stood like this for several minutes until we could get to the earplugs. I thought for sure he was going to lose that hot dog--but he hung onto it while he watched the loud airplanes.

 Earplugs  helped a little--at least enough to have a hand or two to eat a hot dog.

 Once the Thunderbirds showed up, David was all about the double duty--earplugs, hands, and often another set of parents' hands over his.

 The boy was doing his best to enjoy the show, but really he was just quivering with fright from the loud noise. (By the way, did you know that the fear of loud noises is the only fear babies are born with? All other fears are learned.)

About half way through the show, David kept telling us he was done watching the loud planes, but I knew the planes would be loud, even if we started walking back to our car--so we decided to stay where we could see the tricks as well as hear the planes.

 Just three words to describe the show:

Loud

 Amazing

 Patriotic.

 We are so glad we went--it was a wonderful family activity!

The walk back to the car was exhausting--David was more than tired, and it was hard to reason with him when he was so contrary.. We got just outside the gates of the base, then Sam ran the mile remaining to our car to come pick us up.

We love the memory of the air show!