Happy Father's Day 2012

So, what to do here? I've written years ago some memories of my Dad, a simple link to that old post here shall suffice, if you want to read, or re-read what I wrote. That was focused and personal, fond and happy memories.

Father's day can be many other things though. I'm a father of four great kids, and the three local ones helped me celebrate this evening with vanilla ice cream and hot fudge sauce in waffle bowls. I also had a wonderful conversation with my eldest daughter in California; I always enjoy it when she calls.

There's also the realization of other men, perhaps friends at church, or uncles, cousins, brothers-in-law, and other relatives, and seeing their relationships with their families (I thought of going family-tree-style, and posting photos of several of my male relatives with other family members. I'm thinking I'll still do that, but getting those photos organized will take longer and go later than I want tonight). So there may be a part two to this.

On my way here to post, I happened to notice on my Blogger Dashboard that my Cousin Mike had posted some neat memories and photos of his Dad, my Uncle P. J., on his blog "Central Standard". Mike also posed a question that was raised by one of his friends...

 "If you could spend one day again with your Dad, which day would it be"?

That's a great question, and my first thought was of an afternoon when I was sitting in the radio room (now the computer room), in fact, within a foot of where I'm sitting now. Dad was telling stories of when he was a boy and watched an air show in, I think, Detroit. I don't quite remember all the details, so I might well want to revisit that time and get Dad's stories on my tape recorder. And maybe ask a few more questions.

Or, I might want to go back to a quiet family moment in Poppy's living room, which I've written about here. Not a word was spoken for a while but I was young, we were all in reasonably good health, it was so peaceful, and I had not a care in the world.

Then again...there was the time we had traveled down to the farm to visit Poppy (my Mom's Dad, if you're new here and wish to keep score). On this trip we had brought along some floor tiles as the old linoleum was getting really worn out. I was in my Uncle Bud's room reading comic books for quite a while, so the project was already under way when I walked into the hallway. Dad had started to glue down the new tiles in the living room, which surprised me. I said, "Oh, so you don't scrape up the old linoleum first"? With a straight face Dad replied, "No, we'll just add a new layer every time, and eventually we'll have to scuttle around like this"! He then demonstrated the "scuttle" by hunching his back over and taking a few steps at about half running speed. That was, far and away, the funniest thing I ever saw and heard him do, it totally cracked me up!

Dad's good humor was of the dry sort, delivered unexpectedly. I didn't hear him laugh often. But...there was the one time when I brought my (then) girlfriend home and announced to Mom and Dad that we were engaged. Dad's face just lit up, and that was a laugh of joy. That might be the day I'd re-visit, for a number of good reasons.

Boy, it would sure be hard to pick just one.

The Airline History Museum

I suspect a lot of people don't realize how many great museums there are in the Kansas City metro area. The Nelson Gallery - Atkins Museum of Art is first class. The Steamboat Arabia Museum is a unique experience. The Truman Library and Museum in Independence is among the most well known presidential museums. We also have the Kansas City Museum and Science City at the Union Station. Another place I've heard about but not yet seen, is the Toy and Miniature Museum.

One place I've been meaning to see for years now is the Airline History Museum at the Wheeler Downtown Airport; it opened years ago as "Save A Connie". I should have gone long ago, as my dad was a TWA pilot for 27 years and flew the DC-3 and the L1049G Super-Constellation. Between Christmas and New Year's while my daughter and son-in-law were in from California, we drove there one afternoon to see what was on display.

What a treat. I took several photos, here are a few of the better ones to give you an idea.



A couple of displays in the small room before you enter the hangar.






Martin 404 cockpit


DC-3


I made a note of the license number of this DC-3, and when I returned home I got out my dad's pilot log books. I'm happy to report that he flew this plane.





The Lockheed 1049G Super-Constellation.


While my dad did pilot the Connies, this particular plane wasn't based in Kansas City at that time. I'm not even sure that it was ever owned by TWA, though it's been nicely restored with the TWA logo.


Inside...


The cockpit of the Connie

The first plane I ever flew on was the Super-Connie. While I do appreciate the speed of jet travel, the Connie is still a sentimental favorite of mine. I look forward to seeing and hearing this one fly again, perhaps this summer.

For those of you who have interest in airplanes or airline history, this museum is a must. Well worth your time.