The mounted jets at the entrances were an A4 and an A7. They were the two jets that I helped maintain the avionics systems on during the Vietnam War.
I got to the race location really early on Saturday morning because I had to check in and you never know what the traffic will be like between the Valley and the Bay Area. I spent more than an hour walking or jogging all around the area. The base felt like a ghost town from another time. It brought back an amazing amount of memories from my four years in the navy. In addition to nostalgia I felt sad seeing so many abandoned buildings empty and deteriorating. Just another reality check that nothing stays the same.
Other than humidity the weather was outstanding both days and the courses were all flat. The only negative on the course was the fact that the roads were so broken up from age and lack of maintenance.
After the race on Saturday I visited both the Naval Air Museum and the USS Hornet. Both were interesting but the museum in particular could be much better. The Hornet was the same class as the Oriskany; the first carrier that I served on with VA 23. I didn't take a tour because I just wanted to wonder and explore at my own pace and wanted to be able to leave at anytime if being below deck started bothering me. I did fine but it brought back a lot of memories and most of them conflicted.
Race start was a lot earlier on Sunday so I went to check in at the motel, had a rice bowl at Jack in the Box, bought some stuff at Walgreens to have for dinner and then spent the evening reading Twain and watching some college football. As usual I was up before the alarm and got to the race early.
It was good to get out of the Valley and a fun weekend.
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