April 10, 1997
My left eye popped open at 0530 this morning and refused to let me sleep. So I hopped out of the sack, started coffee, and washed up. I didn't expect Bill, Ray or Higbee for hours. I took advantage of the time at hand and wrote Day 9 update.
What a beautiful morning. The sky has cleared of all the darkness of yesterday, the barometer is at 29.75 and rising, and traffic is nil...
Drove over to the Billeting Office, unplugged the telephone in the lounge, and patched into the net. Within minutes, E-mail home and to others, as well as the update, had all been sent. While uploading a flight officer stepped up to the unplugged telephone. I told him I was using the phone. He glanced at the idle telephone, then back at me. He frowned arrogantly then snatched up the receiver. I just watched him out of the corner of my eye. He tapped on the receiver, the disconnect buttons, and tried the operator many times.
"Damn phone is dead." He muttered, set the receiver on the hook, and stormed off.
After finishing my business, I unplugged the laptop, plugged the courtesy phone back into the wall and left.
On the way back to my room, I happened by the National Atomic Museum on the base. Man, what neat toys these guys have. I parked and looked about at historic aircraft that have played important roles in the nuclear era. There was a BUFF (B-52), a Beast (B-29), and the Bomb ("A" Bomb, 1950's version). Oh, boy!
I met two individuals inside the museum, Hal B. and James W. James was delighted to help out. He said he would open the gates for Oscar to meet the hardware personally. James then told me the museum focuses on military history regarding the "Atomic Age". He added the museum runs on donations from the public and is a non-profit organization.
I told him I would put their name and address up on the net as a gesture of good will; this is the least we can do.
National Atomic Museum
P.O. Box 5800
Albuquerque, NM 87185-1490
Drove back to our billeting to check on the others. Bill and Higbee were up and about. Ray was still unconscious with a multilingual sign on his door "Do Not Disturb". I liked the German best, "Bitte Nicht Storen".
Higbee beat on his door only to hear a quasi-human response. A few minutes later, Ray emerged with sleep swollen eyes and puffy cheeks. Off we went for the museum.
We had fun with the big toys. At the Beast, we met a man that was stationed at Tinian during WWII. Hal O., the man that painted the nose art (pinup girls) on the aircraft in the Pacific. He said he remembers the Enola Gay as clear as if he had painted it yesterday. I didn't realize it, but the Enola Gay and Bach's Car (the second B-29 over Japan in formation with the Enola Gay) received their nose art after the bombing of Hiroshima.
Hal sat in Oscar when we introduced him to the Beast; a venerable old WWII Warhorse. Ray, Higbee, and I shot all kinds of photos and video.
Next, we moved into the BUFF's pen. Inside Oscar drove up next to the Bomb, a 1950's model of the Atomic weapon. He had his portrait taken then moved to nuzzle next to the BUFF. James sat in Oscar for this photo session.
WOW! The BUFF, BEAST, and BOMB in one hour...
We all headed over to the New Mexico Air National Guard on base. I found the CO's (Commanding Officer) office. T.SGT. Cory C. of Los Lunas greeted me and brought me to the "Old Man". I met Col. Jack M., Commander of the 150th Fighter wing. I introduced myself and told him of our mission.
He broke into a broad smile and said he was a "Dickel Diehard". Further, he said he was retiring too; in twenty days. I asked him if he'd like to come along with us, but he said he has mules to tend.
Yes, mules! Col. Jack is retiring to continue his "Quality Pack-In Wilderness Elk Hunts and Summer Pack Trip" business. An outfitter and guide service. His E-mail address is "bmccorm101@aol.com". Need an elk, give him an E-mail...
We left him with a special shot glass.
We took Oscar out to the A-7 Corsair on display out front. The aircraft is displayed a good ten feet off the ground, wheels up, and in a climbing configuration. Oscar was stationed right under the nose of the aircraft and heading the same direction. Ray hopped in Oscar and we took photos from ground level to give the impression the aircraft had just taken off over them.
We dropped by the base bowling alley and ate lunch. Oooooo, more chili beans! After lunch, Bill, Ray and Higbee went off to the Base Exchange to restock vittles and find a new CB radio for the Dickel Trickle Truck. I headed off for the room to prepare for the TV shoot at Old Town in Albuquerque at 1400 (2:00 pm).
Off to the Old Town shoot. We got lost but found our way via gas station directions.
Albuquerque Old Town is a neat place. Adobe walls on the buildings, a central plaza with a gazebo, and lots of milling tourists. The TV folks were called on the cell phone and given our location, 411 Romeo, in front of "Southern Cotton T-Shirt and Gift Shop".
Oscar had fun. All kinds of folks took his picture and smiled and pointed. A cameraman from KRQE-TV came out and rode about the central square. He got out and stood on the corner for Oscar to take a couple of tours about the square.
On the first pass, an infant in her mother's arms smiled really big and reached out to Oscar as he puttered passed. On the second pass, the infant reached out again. I stopped and motioned to the mother to approach. They got in and took a trip around the gazebo. Eva Harrison and her daughter Vasil were delighted.
The cameraman and I returned to the Southern Cotton only to come up behind three mounted police officers. They looked over their shoulders to see Oscar come to a stop at the curb. All three did an about face to get a closer look.
These officers were amused and curious. We met them and their mounts. Seems these horses are special animals trained to be around people and activity. Officer Chris Marquez and Diablo, Officer Gene M. and Rio, and Officer Ernie S. and Eclipse made our day. Ray had me posed between Oscar and the three mounted Officers with my hands in the air.
Off to refuel and hit the rain locker. Higbee found a restaurant for us to visit in town. He says it's dedicated to the preservation of Owls.
Bill went with Higbee in the Dickel Trickle Truck and Ray with me in the Chase Truck. We followed Higbee for miles down San Mateo Avenue to the 4600 block. Bill sang a "Sow Baby Ballard" over the new CB on the way for a radio check. It worked fine.
The Trickle Truck turned into the parking lot and we followed... Owls nothing, this place was a "Hooters". What a hoot...
The Assistant Manager, Lisa M. traded stickers for a brochure and a key fob. She also stepped outside to meet Oscar in the back of the Chase Truck.
Back to the base to E-mail and sack out...