Wednesday, April 22 - Bakersfield, Sequoia Middle School

(Bud's the one with the hat - the Webmaster)

We arrived at Bakersfield Air Park at approximately 6:30 pm Tuesday, April 21. There we were met by Oliver Brennan, Principal, who directed the truck team totheir parking spots.  Then we were invited into some nearby hangars to see various EAA planes being built.  The drivers planned to stay with their trucks, and they were given access to one of  the hangars which had shower facilities available.  Dinner was at the Airport Cafe where we also returned for breakfast the next morning, prior to our presentation at Sequoia Middle School.  I think it was here that a waitress asked us about our uniforms.  We told her in a nutshell about our trip and because of everyone's interest, asked them "Do you want to see the airplane?!"  That was it!  We emptied out the restaurant -- even the cook!!  Customers and employees alike followed us out to the trucks, where the drivers opened up, and we gave an impromptu presentation and provided handouts to everyone in the airport restaurant parking lot!  About 30 people were very glad we stopped in to eat.

Wednesday, April 22, the team climbed into the van as usual at 6:00 am, and went to the airport to pick up the truck team. We arrived at the school at 8:00 am and had approximately 30 minutes set up time. We set up in the auditorium where approximately 400 kids heard about the genius of the Wright brothers. The trucks had a new experience here. For display purposes, they were brought into the school grounds - and onto and around the school track.

At approximately 3:30 pm, the team departed and headed for Fresno. We arrived in Fresno at 5:00 pm at the Fresno Airport where we were met by Airport Security. Gene Couch and Capt. Marquez directed the trucks to their secured parking area. However, at this location, the drivers were not permitted to stay with the trucks, so they came back with us and checked into our hotel for the next three nights. After an hour or so to relax, the team reassembled at 6:30 pm for dinner.