KOA, Lincoln City, OR:
When we first opened our
eyes this morning, the sun was out. But
by the time we actually got up it was drizzling and cool. So, we headed to McMinville, OR, where the “Spruce Goose”
now resides in the Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum. This immense flying boat was designed and
built by Hughes Aircraft Co. Howard
Hughes was involved in every aspect of its design and construction. The government contract was for $18
million. Even so, Howard Hughes spent $7
million of his own money to finish this one-of-a-kind flying boat. The fact that Howard spent so much of his own
money didn’t deter Congress to drag him to a hearing implying misappropriation
of funds. Howard was so incensed that in
1947 when he took this huge craft out for a taxiing test in Long Beach, he in
fact took off and flew it for about a mile at 70 feet over the water. Ya gotta love him! I guess members of Congress didn’t think it
would fly. Take that Congress! The drive over there was quite pretty. Went through a beautiful national forest with
huge, old-growth pines and a pretty mountain stream right along the road. This opened up to a beautiful valley of
neatly planted crops creating a patchwork of color. Also a lot of vineyards in this valley. Reminded me a little of Napa Valley in California. Also passed a couple of amazing
galleries—amazing because of the elaborate landscaping surrounding them; a work
of art in themselves. Stopped to check
out a historic covered bridge and then continued back to our park. Made chili for dinner. 81 in McMinville. 69 on the coast.
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Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum
McMinville, OR |
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The Spruce Goose has eight Pratt & Whitney 3000 HP engines.
It's made out of wood. |
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| We took a tour of the cockpit area. Mike is in Howard's seat. Our Docent, Vivian, is in the foreground. |
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| Looking aft behind the cockpit. There was room for 16 passengers in this area. We even got to look down the wing section. |
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| The SR-71 Blackbird--probably the fastest plane in the world. |
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| My favorite--a drone. Looks like a big grey whale. |
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| Both of us in the cockpit. |
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| Historic Drift Creek Covered Bridge--1914. |
