Trying to Fly

As the big holiday was approaching, we wanted to get to somewhere quiet and remote as we have a dog that does not deal well with fireworks. The place we had found was a little further than we’d like to travel in a day and Minot was beyond the halfway point. An overnight there gave us the opportunity to explore the area. While not especially interested in aircraft, the Dakota Territory Air Museum offered a free night of stay through Harvest Host, so we booked the stay. It was actually very quiet and peaceful at the end of the runway.

This was one of those days when it seemed harder to get going, something I tend to have a problem with more and more. I lack drive, inspiration, motivation. I am lazy and leave too many things for someone else to do, and since TJ is the only someone else, it falls to him, therefore we arrived later than planned. He suggested I tour the museum while he set up the motorhome, that if I found it interesting he may tour it himself later.

History is full of lessons if we only pay attention to them. There is the replica of the Wright Brothers plane: The Spirit of America, the first plane. Their determination was amazing. Planes and artifacts from their first flight through modern times are on display here at the museum. Much of the museum is dedicated to remembrances of the planes, the pilots, airmen, and soldiers. Seeing the planes and reading the stories of the men flying them can fill you with respect and a feeling of pride in the service men, like my father, who willingly took on the evil of the world. I could learn many lessons from them, like thinking of others before myself, not avoiding problems, not letting fear stop me from being myself or doing things, leaving the world a better place than I find it.

Several planes from the civilian side of air travel are also here. Some more battered and worn, while others have paint and finish better than new. Even though they are older than me, they have aged better. I know full well that the bright, shiny finish can just be polish on a broken inside. I put on a facade that life is good and happy, while covering up sadness, self doubt, feelings of being worthless and lazy, thoughtless, and often times sitting silent when I know I shouldn’t be that way. Worse yet, I know they are the evil destroying me and my relationship, and feel powerless to fix them.

But each new day is a chance to be better myself, make someone else better, not forgeting the past, but learning from it and making it better. Besides the special planes, this museum is a place to respect the past and learn to put your best out there each day. I should have offered to watch the dogs so that TJ could have gone in himself. He insures I have an enjoyable and fulfilling life. I wish I didn’t hold back so much and could do the same in return. I must strive to make each new day better than the last. TJ keeps telling me that if you don’t believe that dreams can come true, they never will.

TJ caught up on resizing photos while I went to do laundry. The night ended with a fiery sunset and burgers from Culvers, because really, who doesn’t like fried cheese curds.

We’ve had a great 4th of July holiday. The campground where we’ve stayed is on a large lake. Many displays of fireworks could be seen in the far distance, but not so much as a pop to be heard made for a less anxious dog. We also met some great new people: Joe, Jen & Rolanda made us feel welcome at their usual place of escape. We hope our paths cross again in the future!

Share your comments on Facebook or email us at roadfronts@gmail.com

The yellow plane above is a 1943 Beechcraft Staggerwing D17S. It was a popular racing plane and was used extensively in WW2 as transport planes. It's bright yellow color and the curviness of the lines make it stand out from the others.

The plane on the right is a 1910 Curtiss Pusher.

FM-2P Wildcat

The first plane above is a 1944 Supermarine Spitfire MK IXc. This was a British fighter plane from WW2.

The second plane is Lope's Hope 3RD. Was the first P51 Mustang from the China Theater in WW@ to be restored.

The plane above is a 1984 Christen Eagle II was frequently flown for the airshow acts. TJ noticed that the emblems on the sides are slightly different. One has an open mouth and the other is closed.