Matti and I had planned to take a flight up the Columbia Gorge to Hood River (4S2) and back, but found a fogged in airport.After an hour drinking coffee at the South End Cafe, we came to the conclusion that the fog was to going to clear, and we'd head over to the Evergreen Aviation Museum in McMinnville.
Among the many airplanes at the museum is the Hughes HK-1 Hercules (Spruce Goose). A small extra fee will get access to the flight deck, and a picture of yourself at the controls. Matti and I couldn't pass that up. It was something to sit at the controls and imagine. 
The flight deck had been preserved with test instruments in place as it was during HK-1's only flight, November 2, 1947. Just over one mile at an altitude of 70 feet.The large windows in side of the flight deck were added by the Disney Company to allow viewing of the flight deck.
It's difficult to get a sense of how big this from pictures. It's not possible to get the whole thing into a single shot from inside the building, but dwarfs the DC3 and other aircraft that can be seen around it.
Wingspan: 319 feet, 11 inches
Wing Area: 11,430 square feet
Length: 218 feet 6 inches
Power: Eight Pratt & Whitney R-4360, 3,000 radial enginesPropellers: 17 feet, 2 inch diameter
Empty Weight: 300,000 pounds
Loaded Weight: 400,000 poundsCrew: 18
After it's flight, Hughes place the HK-1 in a custom built hanger and ordered that it be kept in flight-ready condition for the next 33 years until his death, at a cost of approx $1,000,000 per year.
Also at Evergreen is the space museum that has exhibits coving the history of space exploration. There is the possibility that Evergreen will one day display one of the Space Shuttles, soon to be retired.
After nearly 5hrs at the museum, there wa still more to see for another visit.
Good time.
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