The Sky's the Limit! Part 3

This whole thing would make more sense if you scroll down and read Parts 1&2 before reading Part 3

Saturday morning, the weather was still pretty gloomy, it was raining off and on, misting when it was not raining and even though temperature in the 40's does'nt sound so cold, when accompanied by wind, it can be pretty brutal. The hotel had filled up by then and the areas outside were getting populated too. The appropriat dress for the occasion was hats with earmuffs, gloves, scarves, heavy jackets, preferably hooded, heavy sox, boots or warm footwear. I personally had a plethora of hand and toe warmers. We whiled away our time visiting some of the shops, notice I did not say 'we shopped' because the merchandise was beautiful but the prices were prohibitive.(For me anyway.) We went to the Command Center and marveled at the synergy taking place in the confines of the Center. Everyone was doing his/her job and the camraderie was outstanding. A mini-crisis would crop up and it would be handled quickly and they would all go on with their work. The media had arrived on the scene and their demands were met promptly and professionally.

I was so impressed with the resilience of each and every member of the Thunder Team. They don't try to out-do one another, nor claim individual credit, they are a true team. If one sees that another member needs help they jump in and help. All the time maintaining a jovial attitude.

By noon Gregg had upgraded his room reservation, that he made last year, and we now had a room with a partial view. It overlooked the front entrance of the GH West. The view that we had was good, we could look to the left and see the river and the bridge where most of the activity would take place. We would see the barge to the east of the bridge and could get a good view of the planes. All the aircraft came in from the east.

The schedule called for the airshow to begin at 3:12 PM. The weather outside was still miserable. Cold, windy and wet. We had already chosen the spot that Linda's group had used in the past for viewing and a blanket had been placed there to save the place. Another person who had used the spot adjacent to Linda's spot had established her 'camp' and was planning to stay in it for the duration! She told Linda she would hold down not only her fort but Linda's too. We were free to roam. We spent some of our time outside watching the spectacular air show, the Jets, the refulers, the Super Stallion copter, Falcon F16's, a rescue maneuver by a copter that fished a man out of the water, the Starjammer, one after another the planes came in order, performing for the crowd. The river banks were crowded with people and the hotel balconies were full, it was awesome with a capital A and Invigerating with a capital I. I loved every minute of it despite the numbing cold. I would run inside the door behind the pool and try to warm my purple hands for a few minutes but come back out because I didn't want to miss any of it. The F-22 Raptor, the star of the show, was still iffy. He needed that 1000 ft. ceiling and it was not looking like it would happen. About 5:40PM there was clear air space. The Raptor was scheduled to demo at 5:55PM but the ominous sky looked too forboding. I, and some of the others were feeling the cold so we retreated to the Hotel rooms. Gregg and I were in our room watching the TV account of what was going on but still able to look out our window to see any in-coming planes. When they finally announced that the Heritage flight: P-51, F-4 and the F-22 were going to fly, Gregg bundled up, took his camera and headed out. I crawled up on the window seat and waited. The TV was still on and I could hear them discussing the fact that it was probably too late for the Raptor (F-22) to do his demo because it was getting late. After the Heritage Flight, which made me happy because I did get to see the Raptor at least, the TV and everyone else, including the Thunder planners, were stunned because the pilot decided he had his ceiling and he would thrill us all by doing his demo!!! Jubilation!! That's what I'm talking about! I was all alone and had a perfect veiw out the window of the room and rejoiced aloud. The sound of the jet flying over reverberates in your chest, You tremble inside. The Raptor is capable of slowing down to look as if it is standing still, almost, and then suddenly the afterburners kick in and it flies straight up in the air with the afterburners spewing fiery contrails. Oh, what a beautiful scene. My cup runneth over! However "it ain't over till it's over!"

I was so energized by the fact that I got to see the Raptor, I was willing to pile on the clothes and go outside to watch the 'real deal'. Gregg came back in and joined Linda and I getting ready, Courtney got her crew together and grabbed a few blankets and we went off to our own private veiwing site, which Linda's friend had saved for us. Brian joined us by that time also, camera in hand, and it was on with the show. Colder than blue blazes but right on time, 9:30 Boom! Fireworks!

With the first Boom of the cannons, the cockles of my heart were warmed and I forgot about the temperature and reveled in the beauty of the display! We had blankets to help warm us and as one of the members of the family remarked, we looked like the 'family in Bethleham' but by jove we were warm, delighted, and awed. It is an experience that I'll never forget! After the spectacular finale, the 'waterfall' from the bridge, the crowd was not ready for it to be over so they had another finale. they still hung around regretting the fact that we would have to wait till next year to see it again!

We headed for the Command Center to help celebrate another successful and glorius Thunder Over Louisville. Champayne corks popped, congratulations were in abundance and even an emotional tear or two was shed at the joy of it all. What an adventure!!!

I will end this account for now but there is more to come. I'll confront the human interest aspects of the week-end in a separate entry in a day or so. It was all great! We had so much fun and I'll gladly share it with you soon. Ciao