Air Fest 09

[98 softtail]

The winds were gusting at 40mph, the sky was clear with only a few balls of cotton fluff floating by and the sun was cooking SPF 30 like oil dripping from an Italian sausage sandwich, with mushrooms, peppers and onions, and provolone cheese.

The line to get through security was slow but I was glad to see no one was profiled, except me.

Just as in an airport security line, I removed the contents of my pockets, opened up the camera bag, removed my hat and sunglasses as we approached the security table. I raised my shirt to show the security agent my belt, which had a metal buckle, and asked if I should remove it? "Negative" he replied and escorted me off to the side where I was given the high-tec wand treatment. This was not your everyday metal detector wand, as I was told by the soldier slowly snaking the wand around my head and arms, then around my chest and torso, then slowly up and down my legs, inside and out. And I must admit, if I wasn't a married man I would have asked her for her phone number.

I am not sure what the hi-tech wand was measuring but apparently I passed, and the metal tent pole they had me standing a foot away from was the culprit.

If I had a gripe about that, I would suggest placing personnel at security checkpoints that are at least old enough to buy a beer.

But forget about that... we had a great time.

The Sound of Freedom was blasting through my body from the supersonic roar of the F-18's to the high pitched whine of the R/C 'copters.

The wind gave the pilots a full test of their abilities. During the day I watched the wind rip at the hundreds of American flags tied to every tent pole and tower line. Not a single flag ripped and every single aircraft performed an excellent show. Congrats the the pilots.

The entire day moved smoothly and without a hitch. Plenty of Porta-Potties, plenty of food, and the usual vendors scalping the parents for the kid toys. I swear this is true...

I watched the guys at the "Airshow Toys" tent open up boxes of the same toys that we see at Wal-Mart, that have 3 or 4 planes in the box, and sell the individual toys for $10 or $20 EACH !!! Holy Crap... Now I know where all the bank exec's retired to.

My 9yr old took all these pics...