Drron's Do Disney.

[drron]

So to continue Christmas sunset Las vegas style.

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At this point the room was being serviced and I went and got Starbucks frappucinos for dinner along with the fruit we had.When I got back the sun had set but the colours were better.

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[drron]

Once again the helicopters returning.Must have been little else on offer as they were returning in groups of 10 tonight.

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Even the contrails are red-

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And so that was Christmas.The hotel had another little surprise.When the room was serviced the woman took the bottle of mouth wash I was using plus a new one and left nothing.Also removed a new soap.How are we meant to collect stuff.

 

[drron]

Up early for boxing day and down to check out at 0515.Still a line to check out and people still drinking at the bar.Mrsdrron kept an eye on a working girl.
Agent seemed surprised when I said I hadn't enjoyed the hotel.She had another surprise-2-3 pages of minibar charges.Apparently putting food on top of the items makes it register as taken.Any evidence of new supplies to the room?No.Well we didn't use them so taken off.Off in the car and have to fill up.Arco at the northern end of LAS on Paradise just off E Tropicana was the cheapest and an easy drive to the rental car return from there.
Arrived at checkin at 0600.A very officious agent wanted us to use the kiosks.Mrsdrron was having none of that and went to the F line agent and checked in with no problems.Got Pre check and I asked for body scanner but had to wait a few minutes.Then a stop at Starbucks for a cappucino and scone.The sun was just rising.

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AA2411. LAS-MIA. ETD-0830. Push back-0837. Take off-0846. Seats 1A,C A321S
ETA-1607. Landed-1543. At gate-1550.
An average flight with no particular problems though the family behind us in 2A,C,D did not have their seat belts on when landing.Unfastened after FA sat down.They were up first and young boy took off.The adults had no chance of getting past me!.
It was a breakfast flight and I had a Bob Carr brekkie-

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Steel cut oats.The dried fruit and brown sugar made it a little palatable.Not so for mrsdrron's omelette.

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We were first off and first to the baggage carousel.It was a long hike and took us 10 minutes.Had to wait another 25 minutes for bags to come out.One of ours was first but a wait for the second.Then another long hike to get to the people mover to the rental car station.
Avis gave us an upgrade which 20 years ago I would have loved.Sadly no longer a good idea.The luggage wouldn't fit in the boot and so difficult to get in and out so swapped for a sedate Malibu.

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[drron]

Bringing this TR up to the minute.We drove from MIA to the Sheraton suites,Plantation.We have stayed here a few times because it is the closest SPG hotel to Sawgrass Mills.It has been a dive but has had a refurb and even added an Exec lounge.Also now have a free shuttle to Sawgrass Mills 3 times a day.
An Indian fellow at checkin so very quickly got talking about the Ashes tests.Given a room on exec floor and unlike the Cosmopolitan waters and letter.As well the Internet is a lot better.So to some pics.

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Checked out the lounge but only some fried chicken and small dishes of salads so off to Red Lobster again.This was because it is only 2 blocks from hotel and it is Florida and they have these-

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Florida stone crab claws.They also have a Marlborough SB.

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The other reason for going there is the adjacent building is a Kohls store-one of mrsdrron's favourites.An interesting coffee taste-

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After brekkie we are off to Sawgrass Mills and another Outlet mall on our way to the Westin Sarasota.

 

[drron]

After checking out of the Sheraton suites it was just a short 6 mile drive to Sawgrass Mills.Mrsdrron still not feeling well and only managed 2 shops before getting back in the car.Then it was off to I 75 and the drive across Alligator Alley.
Pretty featureless but a lot of bird life.Even saw an eagle and a roseate spoonbill.A bit hard to get pics at 70mph.We have traversed this before so no detours for airboat rides etc.If you haven't had an airboat ride it is worth doing it once.Our next stop though was the Miromar Premium outlets.Mrsdrron had improved a little and we nearly got around them.picked up some macarons at a French patisserie there.
At these outlets there was a water feature which had been populated by tortoises.

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From there another hour up I 75 to Sarasota and the Westin.Tonight brings up my 500th SPG night and on the 31st check out for my 50th night this year so retaining platinum for another year so that even without any nights I should be LRP by the end of the year but hoping earlier.
We had been preassigned a suite using an SNA.We checked in at 1615 but the assigned suite was not ready.Asked if I would take a 10th floor suite instead of 16th floor.No problem for us.

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That is the view out of the sitting room window.

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[drron]

There is a balcony off the bedroom and the view is better from there.Downtown Sarasota and the marina-

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They have stolen some street art from San Diego-

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On the wrong side of the building for sunset but did get a reflection-

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I had had an itchy right calf for a couple of days.Tonight I looked and a large red area of skin.Hopefully just a contact dermatitis and I do carry a cortisone cream.Some hours later it is much improved.However with all this we decided to eat at the Westin's restaurant.It wasn't too bad.Mrsdrron started with the lamb ribs and then a seared salmon salad.The lamb was very fatty and the salad was spicy-it was taken off the bill.The salmon was cooked perfectly.

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That is kale chips on top of the salmon.Obviously an acquired taste.
I had a cerviche-really good.Then beef tenderloin with brussel sprouts,parsnip cream and candied shallots.Beef cooked perfectly,tender and tasty.A good dish.

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With a glass of a South African SB and a glass of MacMurray ranch,Russian River 2013 pinot noir the cost was $84.

 

[drron]

Thursday and unfortunately mrsdrron awoke feeling worse.I went to breakfast alone whilst she laughed at the porcelain.Some symptomatic medication and a change of antibiotics and feeling a little better as the day wears on.hopefully improving tomorrow or we may have to test America's healthcare system.
It was a pity as breakfast was very good with bowls of fresh blueberries,raspberries,strawberries and blackberries.The complete breakfast for plats without using points.
Left just before 1000 and made a stop at a Nordstrom Rack.nothing again alas.As a measure of how mrsdrron was feeling she didn't want to stop at the premium outlets we passed.We drove north on I 75 as the plan was to stop at the outlets.Turned off onto SR 98W.About 10 miles before we turned off a semi had overturned on the southbound 75 with it's load scattered everywhere.The traffic was still stationary when we turned off and for as far north as we could see.

We passed through a couple of small towns on 98.Typical small town America and obviously fallen on hard times.98 then merged with 19N and slowly the road improved.However civilisation became more intermittent.As well the further north we got the more grey clouds there were.By the time we got to Crystal River which was by north western Florida standards a large place mrsdrron started to feel hungry.Basically only the cheap fast food options and some seedy old local food places so it was a Macca's lunch.A big mac meal.Mrsdrron ate the fries and I the big mac.An eye opening place.Lots of numerically large families.Those ordering at Maccas really didn't seem to be able to read as most kept asking what else was on the menu even with the displays right in front of them.The server had to count out the money for one fellow.

So off again northwards.After Crystal river it was quite a long time before we saw another Maccas.Passed closed gas stations and old motels.Sad.It then started to rain by the time we reached Perry where we left 98 and continued on 19/27 before finally 27 for the last 20+ miles into Tallahassee.Rain steadily got heavier and we reached the Four Points around 1630.
Very friendly and efficient checkin.Told that as a Senior(over 62-she looked at my driver's licence)breakfast was free anyway so I didn't have to use my points for the SPG breakfast benefit.See not all is bad about getting old.

Again pre upgraded to a suite.-

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Not well thought out.The computer desk was in the bedroom.As well so was the coffee maker rather than by the sink and microwave.They will find it there in the morning.

 

[drron]

Naturally once we got to our room the rain eased.Good views over Tallahassee.

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The building with the dome is the State Capitol building.

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Mrsdrron wanted to eat though not very hungry.Once again especially becauseof the conditions we ate at the hotel restaurant.They have a 3 hour Happy hour.I had 2 of their Happy hour specials.each cost $7.

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Pork rib tips with BBQ sauce and quesadilla.Both good comfort food.
Mrsdrron had a Cobb salad with chicken from the menu.It was huge-

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So with a glass of pinot grigio and a large glass of Founders Favourite IPA the bill was $38.
Back to the room and mrsdrron is asleep before 8pm.Hopefully feeling a lot better in the morning

 

[GarrettM]

At these outlets there was a water feature which had been populated by tortoises.

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That is one optimistic tortoise.

 

[Denali]

U....
Avis gave us an upgrade which 20 years ago I would have loved.Sadly no longer a good idea.The luggage wouldn't fit in the boot and so difficult to get in and out so swapped for a sedate Malibu.

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Had so show my husband this, the luggage comment made him laugh as thats why we cant have a small car (all his stuff, not mine).

 

[drron]

Back again after a busy birthday.It started off in Tallahassee at the Four Points.Our destination was Warner Robbins for a very good reason.We travelled via the less used roads and crossed over into Georgia.Past some old Plantation properties,pecan and peach orchards,cotton fields and some quaint small settlements until we reached I 75 and proceeded north to Warner Robbins.This was my birthday so I picked to go here-

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It is the second largest museum run by the Air Force and the 4th most visited museum run by the Department of Defence,It opened in 1984.Many aircraft in the grounds and 4 large hangars with many more.At the entrance you are greeted by these-

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An A10-A.On the other side a B1-B.

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Then inside to a F-15A.

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[drron]

I had always wondered who Carl Vinson was after seeing the aircraft carrier named after him.here I found out.He was a politician from Macon who obviously had a bit of sense.

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This part of the museum was about WW2 and the Korean war.So one of the main planes in Korea was the F-84E

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And of course in WW2 the P-51D or Mustang.

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Then there was this-

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More of this next post.

 

[drron]

Robert Lee Scott ended up a general in the air Force.He headed a squadron in China when the Flying Tigers were integrated into the American Forces.He was obviously a skilled or lucky pilot and ended up having to do Publicity tours for the Armed Forces during WW2.However he was able to be transferred back to China.And saw active service in Okinawa.
He flew one of the P-40s on Armistice day flying over the Missouri.He carried 2 mementos.One was a letter to his old Boy Scouts troop.The other a Confederate flag signed by General Chennault who had been forced back to the USA 6 days before the surrender.Chennault's father was John Stonewall Jackson Chennault.No wonder the 2 got on well.

The letter to his Boy Scouts group became the reason for this exhibition on the Flying Tigers and China.A scout leader got in touch with the museum in the mid 80s asking if they had any displays on Robert Scott.They didn't know who he was but on researching and finding out he was a local they contacted him.He had kept a lot of his stuff so there is a whole section on his life.
He wasn't just a flier.In 1980 at the age of 72 he walked 1900Km of the Great Wall of China.He was also a big game hunter.
In 1984 he flew an F-16 and at 86 flew an F-15.He carried the torch for a section for the 1996 Atlanta Olympics and on his 89th birthday flew in a B1-B.
For more on him-
Robert Lee Scott Jr. - Wikipedia.
And General Chennault-
Claire Lee Chennault - Wikipedia

An interesting pic in this section.A DC3 converted to amphibian use-

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The Robbins Air Force base has been involved in many repair and conversion operations.One was the Starlifter program.They kept a few of the plane insignias.

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For info on the museum-
Museum of Aviation: A U.S. Air Force Museum
There is a lot more to come though.

 

[drron]

On the top floor of the Entrance gallery and there is a mix of stuff including rearly early flight-

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In 1993 the Clinton Administration tried to close Robins AFB.The local objected and obviously won.

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But it was good to look down on things.

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The original glider developed for air borne troops in WW2.Not a success.

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Then out the back a large area of planes.The F-100D.Super Sabre.

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And the F-4D.Phantom 11.

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[drron]

There is a Mig 17 donated by the Bulgarian Air Force-

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A few helicopters.Sikorsky HH 3E.

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A Kaman HH 43B

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And a much more recognisable Iroquois-

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Then various aircraft including a couple of Cessnas.

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[GarrettM]

A few helicopters.Sikorsky HH 3E.

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A Kaman HH 43B

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And a much more recognisable Iroquois-

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Now we are talking!

 

[drron]

Continue with a F-105D.You can even sit in a coughpit.

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Then a walk outside.

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[drron]

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Right out the back another from the VIP fleet but obviously not an AF1 or 2.Tried to search the tail number but came up blank as to it;s usage.

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[drron]

And the last of those outside.

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The Flying Boxcar.

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[drron]

Back into the second hangar.A few older aircraft.First a Stinson L-5.The US got 3500 of them between Feb 42 and 1945.

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The next should be recognisable-

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Firstly a B-29 and then a Vultee BT-13.Next the C-46D.
A Lockheed shooting star-

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And some more helicopters.First a Sikorsky H-19D.

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The second a Vertol CH-21B.This one's significance is that it was used by Bobby Kennedy to get from the Pentagon to Andrews AFB to meet the plane bringing JFK's body back from Dallas.
Then a B-25.

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Another from the VIP fleet.Again couldn't find any details of this plane.

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