Tillamook Air Museum

Some of you may have visited the Tillamook Creamery and noticed that there is another creamery right there, Blue Heron French Cheese Company.

I mention that because we recently visited the Tillamook Air Museum, which may not be quite as well known as the Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum.

There isn't nearly the same proximity, with Evergreen being in McMinnville, but it got a lot of publicity when it first opened in 2001.

As a museum, Tillamook is only seven years older, established in 1994.

However, its history goes back much further, with the U.S. Navy building two blimp hangars in 1942.

Hangar A was destroyed in a fire in 1992.

https://www.tillamookheadlightherald.com/news/blimp-base-devouring-inferno-reaches-25-year-anniversary/article_f676a39a-8cf7-11e7-a97f-bf02e56b217c.html  

There are other remnants of the base, like the old officers' mess, but Hangar B remains as a really interesting museum.

Obviously, you can learn a lot about blimps. And helium.

There is also a lot about World War II, including impressive model rooms.

I heard some conversations with people very intrigued about specific battles or vessels, and I know this was a great place for them.

There are also many options to get a feel for various craft, where you can sit in the seats or go through the cockpit.

Perhaps that was most effective in feeling the cramped quality of an air raid shelter.

My big disappointment was that even though the slide was set up for the old TWA Convair 880, it was blocked off so you could not go down it. 

Probably some sort of liability issue.

They make good use of film as well. 

In addition to a short introductory film in a tent near the entrance, they have a theater with multiple informational films relating to museum exhibits.

I was also pleased to see a play area for children in the hangar, as well as a coloring table in the gift shop.

While some children will be thrilled with the planes, some won't, and it should be possible to balance those needs.

I felt like it was easier to learn more here than in many other museums.

For example, these signs are with every craft.

In addition to general facts about the model and specific history about the one in front of you, there are specifications on things like size and the engine manufacturer.

You will always notice that some are bigger than others, but sometimes the size difference is not as obvious.

I think some of this will be very interesting for the mechanically inclined.

I really liked the Western Antique Aeroplane & Automobile Museum, but the Tillamook Air Museum may be my favorite of the air museums.

It does frequently make Best Museum lists:

https://www.oregonlive.com/travel/2018/03/the_20_best_museums_in_oregon.html

Some of that may be the local connections. It was a functioning base on that site, so a part of the local landscape.

Information on its history includes information and debris from a local crash.

The seats in the theater came from the Fox in Portland.

There is some imported glamor, too, with planes featured in movies, including an F-14 Tomcat from Top Gun.

For all there is to see, the museum does need help.

There is new work going on. I will be interested to see the exhibit on homing pigeons when it is completed. They fly too. 

Many of the individual planes could use funding for additional restoration.

In addition, Hangar B itself needs repair.

It is very interesting that there are owls residing in the hangar, but does that relate to some of the gaps?

Your visit could be just what they need, and pretty good for you too!

The dining concession is currently for lease, but you can still sit and rest there. The gift shop sells some snacks, and there are picnic tables available outside. 

COVID: I did wear my mask inside, but I have to admit that it was spacious enough and with enough air flow in the main hangar that I might have been okay without it. That might be different in the various exhibit rooms.

 Accessibility: For the most part, overall navigation should be easy, though there are some rough spots on the hangar floor.

Wheelchairs can also fit in the theater, and there are some available for visitors who arrived without their own.

There are also benches here and there.

However, there are various specific things, like when there are steps to enter a craft or try a seat, that would not be accommodating. 

Staff was pretty knowledgeable, so ask if you have questions.

https://www.tillamookair.com/

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Seaside Aquarium

This was my first time at the Seaside Aquarium.

This is largely because our father hated Seaside when we were younger, apparently because it had more people than the parts of the coast we did go to.

There was one part of the aquarium that reminded me a lot of Depoe Bay, though, so it was not completely unfamiliar.

One thing I really appreciated is that the setup did not have a lot of light reflection off of the glass of the tanks.

I am not a great photographer, and reflection has ruined a lot of pictures. Yes, fish still move a lot, but these were some of the best aquarium pictures I have taken.

(Even if that is not saying that much.)

The part that reminded me of Depoe Bay is that you can feed harbor seals. 

They had a similar option, though I believe it was sea lions there. I loved doing it, but later realized it was probably not a great situation for the animals, and that one no longer exists.

Years later, things are better. These sea lions were bred in captivity, and have been there too long to do well if released. However, they are no longer breeding, and they do have a larger, private area they can get to. It seems like a reasonable adaptation. Also, with the railing you can't get that close.

There are other things you can touch, but most of the exhibit are living things where you look and do not touch and they have some options for hiding.

I feel better about that.

You might even say that's a moray!

There is signage warning you that these are local sea life, and often not very active, especially the rock fish. 

That is true. Our non-tropical waters do not have some of the popular Finding Nemo cast members.

There are bigger aquariums, with more residents, and often livelier ones.

This is a small aquarium, but it has its place.

COVID: It's a fairly small space, and pretty popular. Social distancing may be difficult, making a mask more important.

Accessibility: It is mostly flat, and there is a ramp to get to the seal tank, though there is also a bench in front of it that you would stand on for a better view, so that is not the most accessible part. (Actually, I nearly lost my balance when I stepped off the bench.)

In addition, I did not see any other options but steps to get into the gift shop area. I am sure they would assist, but that part could use improvement. That is unfortunately not surprising for an older attraction. 

The path for getting to the aquarium itself is wide and smooth so getting there itself is very easy.

I think it can be worth taking a look.

https://www.seasideaquarium.com/

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