My first trip this year (2016)

Short and not exactly pretty, although, as all trips go, it had its moments.

 
Leaving Travis AFB, CA, to Joint Base McChord, Wash, on an empty C-17 cargo aircraft. This is how we poor veterans roll, when traveling the world.

 

At McChord, a great base to walk in near perfect weather at this time of the year, this massive vent to the subduction zone, in fact, a creation of that subduction zone, Mt Rainier, is the dominant feature. Someday, it too will erupt most likely in similar spectacular fashion as Mt St Helena, south of here, did on July 10, 2008.

 

Not eveyone walks, however, and motorcycles seem a great way to get around, when the weather is good. This elegant creation is a US-made Victory

 

But wait, there's more. A playground for the fit (there are two of these). I know that Doni, ex-Olympian gymnast, friend and workout partner of mine, would love to have one of these in her backyard. Heck, who wouldn't? Chin-up racks, on the left, obstacle walls, and lots of abs platforms. This is made to survive some rugged winters.

 

My hopes for Spain were completely dashed when those aircraft were prioritized away. Lucky for me, just as the rain moved in, early one morning, there was one going to Joint Base Hickam, Hawaii. It was packed to the max. Being an old aircrew man myself, all I can say is that aircrew never looked this good. It seems women are all over the aircrew jobs these days.

 

Ever since my aircrew days on the P-3 Orion, to me, at least, Hawaii was always represented by this sweet smelling bloom, plumeria. I love the scent of it.

 

When stopping over at Hickam AB, I usually head over to Pearl Harbor and stay in one of these towers. You're looking at the Arizona Lodge and I stayed in an identical tower called the Utah lodge next to it. They're named after two of the battleships lost during the Japanese raid on Pearl Harbor, Dec 7, 1941

 

Rooms at the Navy Lodge

 

From the top of the lodge one also has a great but distant view of Honolulu

 

And speaking of battleships, there is one on display here, moored at 'battleship row' where white markets display the names of the ships that were sunk here. This one is the battleship Missouri. I've been on one of the remaining four or five battleships, years ago, in the 80s I think, when it was visiting Long Beach Harbor. The name Iowa comes to mind. It's now on display in San Francisco.

 

Back on the USAF side, the terminal is being renovated. The restaurant and base exchange minimart are closed, and my favorite Hawaiin picture that graced those walls is gone (hopefully just temporarily). Until they reopen the remodeled sections, travelers lose a lot of convenience.

 

Wandering around near the Hickam AFB terminal, I noticed the root system of one of these very common trees, over there. It is spectacular.

 

Nearby, there is a F-4 and this F-15 Eagle with its eye-catching nose art on display. Had to snap a shot of that one. Finally, late at night, I caught a flight back to Travis AFB and home. A little journey behind me that unfortunately didn't get me where I had planned to go. I'm packed and will try again in a week or so, flight schedule permitting.

From Travis AFB, CA, to Joint Base McChord, Wash, to Joint Base Hickam, HI, and home to Travis AFB