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| Jim Mendrinos and I defending The Alaskan Pipeline |
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The Crew: National Mom Carole Montgomery, Felisha Micheals, Jim Mendrinos and Myself Mark Riccadonna at The Alaskan Pipe Line with the amazing Col. Jay Aanrud taking the photo |
As amazing as Alaska was and all its amazing sights, the thing I will remember most is hanging with Col. Jay Aanrud. He is someone who I know I will stay friends for life with. I’ve met his family, who was awesome, he met mine and since we have seen each other in New York. He has a beautiful wife and amazing daughter, and I’m glad they are part of my life now.
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| Col. Jay Aanrud |
The Lady in the Lake is a scuba dream! I pulled this from the internet because I was too lazy to type the story I read on the plaque thing next to the lake.
A B-29 in a shallow lake on Eielson Air Force Base (Fairbanks) Alaska. F-16 and A-10 aircraft, Heritage Park, “The Lady of the Lake,” a World War II-era bomber, and a presentation on the base’s mission.
Eielson Air Force Base’s “Lady of the Lake” is what remains of a WB-29 weather reconnaissance aircraft that rests in a water-filled gravel pit just off Transmitter Road here. In 1957 the B-29s were replaced by B-50s, a larger version of the B-29. Although the two airplane models looked alike, most parts were not interchangeable. After World War II, most B-29s were cut up and scrapped, so the parts supply was rapidly dwindling. By the time the B-50s arrived, parts cannibalization on B-29s was standard practice, just to keep the remaining planes flying.
The “Lady of the Lake” was one such aircraft. With all the useful parts removed, and with no chance of replacement, the plane was removed from the active aircraft inventory. At that time, almost all of the flights originating out of Eielson AFB were reconnaissance flights traveling over open water, either over the Arctic Ocean, or the North Pacific Ocean. Someone thought of using the grounded WB-29 for free water extraction practice. The plane was hauled out to its present location via the railroad and set up in a shallow pond for training purposes. Unfortunately, either because of rising water or because the plane sank into the bottom of the lake. The water level became too high to continue the extraction training, and the aircraft was abandoned in this place. 
Over the years, a certain mystic rose around the plane. Many different theories came about as to its origins, but the case of the “Lady in the Lake” has been closed. The “Lady” is one of many interesting sites on Eielson Air Force Base. Retirees frequently visit the site when in the area, and people on temporary duty here often stop by for a look.
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| We went Moose spotting, Col. Jay said they have been hanging out at the base- no luck finding one this trip, but we really enjoyed the morning! |
