Saturday, November 30, 2013

National Museum of Nuclear Science and History


Rough start to the day today.  26 degrees and icy fog.  Not a big deal for me, but others seemed to have issues.  Highway was closed about 30 miles after I left Farmington in the morning.  Waited almost 45 minutes before someone took pity on me and told me about a back road loop that would get me around the wreck site.  20 minutes later I was back on the highway and heading toward Albuquerque.  I visited the Nuclear Science and History Museum.  Very interesting museum and worth a visit.  Then I had a late lunch with my old supervisor and friend from when I worked at Drift River.  Great seeing him again.  
Tomorrow is Lincoln, Roswell, and Carlsbad.







 Mock up of the two bombs dropped in WWII


 Mock up of the "Gadget"which was the first device to set off a nuclear explosion.


 Submarine launched nuclear missile.
 The cases from two "Broken Arrows".  Broken arrow refers to an accidental loss and damage to a nuclear bomb.  These were dropped when a B-52 hit a KC-135 when mid-air refueling.  They were all recovered and these are the actual cases from the two that didn't have the conventional charges go off.
 Backpack nuclear weapon.
 Nose off a minute man missile that was launched to test the heat shielding.













 Atomic cannon. Heard of them, but had never seen one.









 Titan II missile







 No info on this truck, but pretty cool.
 Get your feet X-rayed to get your shoe size.




Friday, November 29, 2013

Glen Canyon Dam and drive from Phoenix to Farmington, NM


Interesting drive today.  Left on time, but a bit sad to say good-bye to family.  Headed north through Phoenix to go to Glen Canyon Dam.  Found out I-17 was closed so got routed through Payson.  Pretty drive, but about a hour longer.  Then the road was closed about 20 miles from the Dam. No warning or detour signs.  Had to back track about 30 miles and then take a longer route.  Added around 80 miles on to my drive.  So I missed the tour of the dam, which isn't a huge loss since I've toured Hoover and Grand Coulee Dam.  I headed to 4 corners and due to the delays I got there 5 minutes after the closed the gates.  Saw the spot from the road but was unable to actually stand there.  Maybe next time!


Drove through some snow and 28 degree weather.  Not what I was really wanting, but still pretty drive.


 Cool bridge along the way.



 Glen Canyon Dam and bridge.















 Looks like Devils Tower!