Green Flag was great to do first because it was just our fighter squadron from Lakenheath, and it gave me a chance to get to know all the aircrews and squadron leadership better. At Red Flag, I am doing mass briefs every day to an auditorium of over 100 people, as well as fielding questions and support requests from every aircraft and mission type going out. It’s busy and exciting and like a firehose of learning. I’ve gone to every planning meeting and debriefing I can to pick up on every aspect of what is going on out there on the ranges.
With only minimal work commitments the first weekend, I was able to enjoy my parents’ visit and do some sightseeing. On Saturday, we went to Red Rock Canyon, one thing I was desperate to do while I was here. We got there in the later afternoon, so we didn’t have time to do a hike before the sun set, but we drove around the 13-mile “scenic drive” from the visitor center and got out at all of the overlook points to take pictures. Here is one:
Other highlights of “Parents’ Weekend” included the live stage show “The Lion King” at Mandalay Bay, watching circus acts and playing Skeeball at Circus Circus, enjoying the view from the top of the Stratosphere, and the music-synchronized fountains at the Bellagio.
This past weekend, I expected to be somewhat more relaxed with maybe a little more sleep… but I guess you don’t come to Las Vegas to sleep, do you? On Saturday, a group of us embarked on a mission to conquer the rides and roller coasters of the Strip. We began around noon with the Manhattan Express roller coaster at New York New York. CeCe and I sat in front and enjoyed the amazing views while hurtling through loops and corkscrews above the Strip. After a long lunch at the Hard Rock Café, we took a photo-op break at the famous “Welcome To Las Vegas” sign. Next up was “Speed: The Ride” at the Sahara, a roller coaster famous for launching you from 0 to 100-something in a matter of seconds… then at the end of the track (yes, the track ends), you do the whole thing in reverse.
It was dark by the time we headed for the Stratosphere, which meant another gorgeous view from above of the city all lit up. You know, they call Paris the “City of Lights”, but I would think Vegas must be somewhere in the running. Thanks to a military discount, we got unlimited ride bracelets for the 3 thrill rides on the top of the Stratosphere (1152 ft high). Try Googling “Stratosphere rides” if you want more detail, but basically the 3 rides include 1) dangling you off the side of the building while spinning, 2) a bobsled dive over the edge of the building, and 3) launching you skyward from the top of the building. Pretty awesome. We spent a good couple hours re-riding and just enjoying the view.
On Sunday, I was determined to explore some of the more outdoors-y sights of the area. My friend Martin from intel was the only one brave enough to attempt this venture with me, but he was an excellent travel buddy, especially since he grew up in the Vegas area. We first headed southeast to the Hoover Dam. The scenery on the drive was spectacular… massive rock formations, sheer cliffs, spiky Joshua trees, bright blue Lake Mead – I was lucky Martin was nice enough to take pictures on my camera while I drove, or I might have driven off the road. We parked on the Nevada side of the dam and walked across the lake side to Arizona, then back across the other side. Pictures do not really do the size of the dam justice (you can’t possibly get the depth perception of standing at the top and looking over the edge), but here is a pic from the lake side:
We ate lunch at a tiny diner in historic Boulder City – so much fun to find small-town experiences so close to a city as big as Las Vegas. Then we set out for Mount Charleston, an 11,918ft peak in the mountains northwest of Vegas. As we climbed higher, we stopped at several overlooks to take pictures. The snow along the side of the road got deeper and deeper, and by the time we reached 7000ft elevation, it was plowed several feet high on the road shoulders. It was late afternoon and the sun was on its way down, but we were determined to attempt a hike, even in the deep snow. Here is a picture of the trailhead sign (which I would assume is normally at eye level), and Martin next to a No Parking sign (which I would assume is normally taller than he is):
The hike was quite an adventure, and could have easily made it onto America’s Funniest Home Videos if recorded. Any misstep from the narrow packed trail resulted in sinking or tumbling into the several feet of snow below our feet. On the way back, dark was quickly overtaking us, but walking faster only caused more slips and falls. I wiped out pretty hard at one point and came up covered in snow, then Martin slipped and performed a hilarious juggling act trying not to drop a couple pinecones he was holding (while falling). So much fun… who needs casinos? ;-)
/
And so we have now entered the second and final week of Red Flag, which is bittersweet. I will miss the excitement of the large-scale exercise and being around so many aircrews and airframes, but I am also looking forward to going back to England. I miss my weather flight, my Bible study group, my house, and my cars, to name a few. This has been an amazing trip so far, and I am looking forward to making the most of the next 3 days.
No comments:
Post a Comment