One small step...

Forty-five years ago today, July 20, 1969, I watched astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin land and walk on the moon, as astronaut Michael Collins orbited the space capsule above. My family, with my grandmother, all crowded into the family room to watch the astounding historic images on TV. My grandmother, who at the time was 87 years old, was perhaps the most stunned of all of us watching the event. She noted that in her lifetime, as a little girl, she read by candlelight, as did Julius Caesar, but she also lived long enough to see Americans walk on the moon. That has stayed with me ever since. A day to remember and celebrate American engineering and technology, and use our vision and innovation for the quests and challenges to come.

Aerial Acrobats!

I know, I know, it is already July 19! The summer is zooming, but not so fast as to miss out on some great aerial entertainment. I refer, of course, to "The Flying Circus Airshow", at The Flying Circus Aerodrome, in Bealeton, Va. Held every Sunday from 2:30 to 4:00 p.m., the show features skilled feats and stunts with Stearman open cockpit aircraft, and more. The events recall the Barnstormers of a century ago, and offer viewers a lively way to step back into history and experience the thrills of that then-new technology, aviation. For those who want a close up and personal adventure, open cockpit rides are also available. Happily, the Airshow continues through October, so for those of you who may miss it this summer, September and October provide great flying, and viewing, weather. Blue skies!