Sometimes our goals or new events that pop up keep us from staying on track for our trip. In this case, it was both.

We came back to Dayton, OH today because we didn’t feel like we had seen enough. Plus Aunica had heard they were doing a really fun activity for young women at church.  So, here we are.

Today we toured the National Museum of the US Air Force. Deon was really excited about this one, as he was in the Air Force (and, planes). The boys were over the moon excited all day (because, planes). Us three girls enjoyed it, too. It really covered the history of military flight, which spans most of aviation history, as the first order of business for Orville and Wilbur wright was to sell their flying machine to the US government. This museum (being hosted by a branch of the military) was organized by war era. 

It was very interesting, and engaging for the kids with scavenger hunts for them to learn with. What struck me was the sheer vastness of the number of types of military airplanes. Multiply that times the number of each plane and I realized the overwhelming percentage of airplanes are made for fighting. This was sobering to me.

There were a number of sobering exhibits: WWII holocaust, Cold War Berlin Wall, etc. But the one that truly gripped my heart was this one: the actual airplane that carried Fat Man to Nagasaki, and a replica of both Fat Man and Little Boy. Having toured the Harry Truman museum, we know some of the history behind the pulling of the trigger on this one.

And here is a picture of the activity Aunica wanted to attend. It’s hungry hippos in the gym on furniture movers. She had a great time (although she isn’t in the picture). They held activity days and cub scouts at the same time, so Sidda and Dimitri were happy to participate, with Sidda showing off her sewing skills and Dimitri learning flag folding (but really loving dodgeball in the gym afterwards). It is so nice to feel part of a community, and to be so welcomed wherever we go. The people we had met Sunday were so excited to see our rv back in the parking lot tonight!