Titan Missile Museum | Green Valley | Arizona

 

This facility is the only one left of the Titan ICBM (Intercontinental Ballistic Missile) facilities around the States during the Cold War.  All the other ones were deactivated by 1981.  I guess we're not going to know what is in the Titan Time Capsule until a few years from now, quite a few.

 

These stairs going down into the earth lead to a set of stairways (or a slow elevator) to the command center, as shown in the next few photos.  Far underground and well insulated with thick cement walls, if the missile had been launched, you would not have heard a thing in this command center.  Above ground, the noise would be unbelievable.

  

 

The doors are incredibly thick, as shown in the photo below.

 

 

 

Hazardous material was avoided by these suits, but this emergency shower was available just in case. 

 

Following are photos of parts of the ICBM that is the only one left standing, others are in storage.  This is one of the most powerful built in the States.  It had a range of 6,000 miles, with a 9 megaton warhead.  It could travel at 16,000 MPH and when it touched down, it would destroy 900 square miles.  It is too massive to get in one photo.  And, of course, this is all behind Plexiglas.

 

In order to get a bird's-eye view, this was taken through plexiglass from the outside.

This engine is the Stage 1, and has 430,000 pounds of thrust.

 

 

This is the second stage.

 

 

This is an antenna, even though it may look like it's from outer space. 

 

 

Another antenna is for Amateur Radio Operators, and the second photo shows an invitation to operators to bring their equipment in to use the antenna.

 

 

 

Two Years of RVing

This week I am celebrating the fact that I have been traveling in my 5th wheel for two years now.  It was a big learning curve in the beginning and I still find challenges, such as finding the perfect boondocking areas!

After my trek from San Carlos, Mexico, I landed in the first casino after the border.  Easy to find and get into and about midway between Tucson and Green Valley so that I can get to either place in a few minutes.  I got here on Monday and will be leaving on Sunday, which should be a great time to get through the Tucson area.

This casino is not as large as the one where I stayed for the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta last year and the food isn't as good, but it was great to be able to stay here for the week. 

I was able to do some errands,  get my computer in to get serviced because it refused to let me install the latest antivirus, and to get a few things I couldn't find in San Carlos.

These are a few of the plants that are around my parking area.  Not much is blooming yet except for the Palo Verde, the tree with the yellow flowers above, and the ocotillo below.  The Palo Verde has green trunks and branches, very unique.

I've had mostly great times, but some frustrating times also - for the most part, it has been well worth it!  And I've met some great people along the way!