Soaring Like Eagles!

Like good company, the Blue Angels never seem to stick around long enough, so I set out to see them one last time.

On the way to higher ground, an eagle flew into view. It wasn't exactly soaring at the time because it was being chased by two smaller birds..., but, oh, the freedom to be able to fly.... !The words to Steve Miller's song came to mind:

"...I want to fly like an eagle
To the sea
Fly like an eagle
Let my spirit carry me
I want to fly like an eagle
Till I'm free... ."

The Angels did circle around my destination (a lofty parking garage), and even soared directly above me, a few times. But it just wasn't quite the same as being at the show. Don't get me wrong, I was absolutely thrilled to see them any way I could!This audience endured two brief thunderstorms, but most of the show was under partly cloudy skies and thankfully otherwise dry.

I hope the Blue Angels will be free to fly here, again, in the very near future!!! --LKR

Chippewa Valley Air Show

The Chippewa Valley Air Show was, as expected, awesome!

Thanks to the Boy Scouts for undertaking such an enormous event!The Golden Knights started off the show while the Star Spangled Banner was sung.

Comedy and aerobaticsFat Albert--he is one big bird!

Viper West taking off--way cool!The Blue Angels finished off the show!We sat--and stood--in almost four hours of cold, drizzling rain. Thankfully, we donned rain gear and, um, chair covers! (Someone left their umbrella in the van!) At least we weren't rained out like the first show was two years ago!

We're already looking forward to the next time this show's in town! --LKR

Air Show Reception

It was a real pleasure meeting the men and women who put on the air show!

Thanks to the Blue Angels, Golden Knights, Vipers (West), the very important "No Names" (as they called themselves), Chippewa Valley area Boy Scouts, Chippewa Valley Regional Airport, and many others who helped get this show back to Western Wisconsin! You all rock!!! --LKR

They're Here!!!

For two years, I've patiently waited for the return of my beloved blue and gold birds. So imagine my frustration when I could hear them loudly calling to me, but not being able to see them!

Okay, so I'm not talking about my brightly colored bluebirds or goldfinches. I'm referring to the Navy's awesome Blue Angels that are once again gracing us with their presence here in the Chippewa Valley.

My hubby, not trusting me to keep my eyes on the road if I were searching for them on my own, offered to take me into town to see them flying overhead. The above are the Blue Angels flying over the west side of Eau Claire.We were also rewarded with a sighting of Fat Albert on the northeast side of Eau Claire. The Airshow is this Saturday and Sunday at the Chippewa Valley Regional Airport. Tickets can still be purchased at the gate for $25. We can't wait to see them!!! --LKR

"It's a Bird! It's a Plane!"

I was positively ecstatic, this past weekend! Rare bird sightings in town were responsible for this elation. But as much as I would have loved to have seen them closer to home, they would have been quite difficult to attract to our yard, as they have a rather peculiar diet and don't perch too well. And just as ducks look ridiculously odd sitting up on rooftops, so would one of these birds sitting on our acre lot. Yes, I'm talking about the seven Blue Angel military jets that came to put on a spectacular airshow at the Chippewa Valley Regional Airport in spite of cloudy conditions.

We started hearing them Thursday afternoon as strange sounding thunder permeating through the walls of our home. Outside, from a distance, they sounded more like the cars on a roller coaster zooming along on tracks. But it was all music to my ears!

My fascination with aviation began when I was a toddler. Living a mile from La Guardia Airport's runway brought ample opportunities to hear, see, and even feel the presence of planes. Later in life, driving along the NJ Turnpike, as well as various roads in Chicago and Minneapolis, gave many chances for us to ride along side as they taxied down the runways. And it was always thrilling to have them roar above us as they came in for landing as we waited in long lines to pay the tolls.

I wasn't the only one in my family who found airplanes fascinating. My dog Shep would intently watch them high in the sky when I lived in a valley not too far from Newark International Airport. And while living in the Chicagoland area, my dog Charlie would gleefully chase them across our yard as they flew overhead. A former neighbor mused at the idea of him actually catching one! One thing is certain: these canines would have applauded our attempts to chase the the Blue Angels clear across town. And had they been with my youngest daughter and me, they, too, would have been elated as one flew a few hundred feet directly above our van!

Saturday's show was rained out, but we got to see the Blue Angels (Navy) on Sunday, along with a C-130 affectionately dubbed "Fat Albert" (Marine), a few acrobatic planes, and the Golden Knight (Army) parachuters.

I had seen the Golden Knights perform years ago during my senior year in high school when a classmate scheduled them to come land on our football field. I was delighted my children were now able to see them. Clouds prevented them from doing their whole show, but it was still awesome!

We had one last exciting moment after the performance when a jet flew over our house on its way out of town. My children all joyfully pointed it out and asked when we could see them, again. They're not alone. According to many comments heard from others and the media, these military aircrafts were very welcomed guests to the Chippewa Valley. --LKR