Hill Aerospace Museum

All the times we have been in Clinton, even when we lived in Utah, I have never been to the Hill Aerospace Museum. Having previously had all girls when we visited, it was never something that was top on our priority list. This time was different though. This time on our way into the Salt Lake area, the way we kept Colby occupied and happy was to point out all the airplanes flying overhead. He was crazy excited about all the airplanes he saw, which reminded me about the museum since it is just up the road from Shanna’s house. The morning we were leaving Shanna’s we decided to hit the museum on our way out. As we pulled up to the museum property there were planes everywhere. Colby kept exclaiming “planes, planes, planes”! He was so excited he could hardly stand it! It was so fun to watch him light up! As soon as they were out of the car the kids all took off running for the planes that were on the outside grounds. It was crazy to see how huge some of these planes were. The kids were barely taller than the small tires of the Military Air Transport plane. It was a monster!

Inside Colby thought it was just as cool to see the miniature airplanes on display. I guess he likes them regardless of their size. The tour started out with the history of planes and the Wright Flyer. I enjoyed reading the history, while Shanna gave the kids a brief overview, just long enough to keep their attention. We saw some of the first fighter planes and the engines and how they have evolved. It was really fascinating! It is amazing how far they have come. We saw missiles, machine guns, bombers, and even a full-scale replica of the first Atomic Bomb. It’s crazy to think that there were people flying and fighting with these machines in the air. It makes you appreciate a little more the things people went through to protect our freedoms and our country. None of the planes looked like they were a very comfortable ride.

There was a sample training chair that the kids got to sit in. Definitely not too plush. Two of the coolest most current planes were the F-16 and the SR-71. The history of air flight is unbelievable. From a man sitting in the middle of a set of wings to a plane that thins out in flight and cannot even be detected by radar. WOW! I look forward to going again when all the kids are old enough to understand and appreciate the amazing history that goes along with the airplanes. I think Jade and Cambrie were getting it, but due to our time restraint and the short attention span of the little ones we kind of hurried. Luckily Shanna had been before and gave us some of the abbreviated versions of the tour. Thanks Aunt Shanna. I can’t wait to go again.