Into the Wild Blue Yonder in Pensacola

Sometimes when we are traveling a negative turns into a positive. A day at the beach ruined by rain while vacationing on the Alabama Gulf Coast led to a discovery of the National Aviation Museum by Madame M and her crew. It is an excellent museum and the aviator and history lover will enjoy it thoroughly. One of Madame's favorite parts was Home Front U.S.A. (she is such a housewife) featuring little vignettes of typical American life during WWII. If you have boys that have been restless on other museum outings, this is one you may not be able to get them out of easily. Riding with the Blue Angels through the magic of IMAX is exciting enough to impress even the surliest teenager.

Don't miss eating at the Cubi Bar Cafe! Here's the history according to the site:

"For nearly 40 years, the NAS Cubi Point Officers' Club, in the Republic of the Philippines, was a marvelous mix of American efficiency and Filipino hospitality. The club was especially famous for its Plaque Bar, where transiting squadrons retired old plaques and commissioned new ones to commemorate each WestPac tour. The tradition of placing plaques in the O' Club bar was started during the Vietnam Conflict and endured until the closing of the base in 1992.

When the original officers' club was closed in 1992, the thousands of plaques that adorned the walls of the club as tokens of thanks were packed up and sent to the Museum to be placed as they were when the Cubi Club was closed. The legacy of this Cubi Bar brings back many memories to aviators whose squadron plaques decorate the walls."

Before you head to the cafe for lunch you may want to experience the flight simulators. The museum is located aboard the Pensacola Naval Air Station and you will be required to present ID upon entrance to the base. This is also the home of the Blue Angels Flight Demonstration Squadron and from March to November you can watch them practice free of charge behind the museum. Check here for practice times: Blue Angels Practices.

Visit the official website of the Blue Angels here.

Don't miss Flight Deck, the gift shop at the museum. You know how Madame Owner loves a good gift shop.

This would be an excellent museum to visit with the kids before or after the WWII museum in New Orleans and the Smithsonians's Air and Space Museum. 

Happy travels and flying y'all!