Dayton, Ohio

Dayton, OH area was very interesting, of course it is known for aerospace development. 

The Museum is the world's largest and oldest military aviation museum.  Its more than 400 aerospace vehicles and thousands of personal artifacts, photographs and documents tell the story of military aviation from the Wright brothers to the latest in stealth technology.  Nine Presidential aircraft are located in the Presidential Gallery.

Wright Brother's plane.  With bicycle parts how did this get off the ground?

This is an early wind tunnel developed by the Wright's.  They just didn't want to fly but they wanted to understand the whys and hows!

The following pictures and info should explain themselves.  So many planes and history.

New technology, unmaned aircraft. 

F-22

Larry remembers his rides in Vietnam!

The Presidential Gallery has an assortment of the older aircraft.  They seem pretty crude in today's standards but need to remember this was beginning of a new era.

Thurman's plane

B2 - Larry's first job at Hexcel included parts for this aircraft. 

Sikorsky CH53 Heavy Lift - Hexcel's Pottsville, PA plant makes numerous parts for this helicopter.  

Wright Brothers

Wright Brothers development of aircraft and flying was very interesting to view.  They didn't only develop an aircraft they wrote manuals on flying which are the basics to learning to fly today.  During their development years they would not fly until they proved their theory in the shop.  Their bicycle shop was their R&D shop.
This building is one of only two original Wright brothers buildings still standing at their original locations in the West Side neighborhood where Wilbur and Orville lived, worked and invented the airplane.

Sunwatch Indian Village/Archaeological Park - More than 800 years ago a group of early Native American farmers, known as the Fort Ancient Indians, developed a complex system of charting time based on observations of the sun's position.   This was interesting to view their living lifestyle and how they made history.  Like so many of the ancient tribes they just seem to disappear after many years.

Picture of overall village.  They are in the process of digging and constructing.  Village was a big circle which had observation points to monitor the sun's position i.e. time throughout the day and year. 

Cheryl liked the living quarters and wanted to stay here rather than the RV!!

Wegerzyn Gardens Metro Park

Park contains formal gardens,woodlands walks, sun and shade, and a Children's Garden.  This was very picturquest and relaxing