We checked out of the Trailriders inn bright & early, to arrive on time for our missile museum tour.
We just had time for a Burger King brunch en route, guess which greedy so and so opted for the "Impossible" burger? Not realizing it's a Veggie option..Ha ha.

Our tour was scheduled for 11.00 but some nifty driving for our latest Veggie recruit, got us on the 10.30.

We waited in the museum area & realized that part of Star Trek "First contact" was filmed here.

The script was displayed as well.

After a safety video, we met our guide " Murray", he escorted us down the 55 steps into the silo.

Murray made the whole experience very entertaining, his jokes made him laugh...a lot.

Behind Murray are some of the enormous springs, which cushion most of the systems in the silo, to dampen the effect of shock  waves, should the area be bombed in a war.

We went through a simulated missile launch. Very well done, in the control room with its 8 ft thick walls & 6000 lb doors.

Next the missile, 103 ft tall totally harmless.

The launch doors are set half open, in order that the Soviet satelites can see that there is not a live missile inside.

Back up top we see the "Tipsies" security system, these weird things created a radar beam around the 4 corners of the blast doors, when tripped, a security team would arrive...Usually to arrest a large bird!

The Titan Intercontinental Ballistic Missile, ensured the safety of the USA for a 20 year period, including the cold war & the Cuban missile crisis.
54 of these insanely accurate & powerful beasts were situated in 3 sites across the US, until they were decommisioned in the 1980's.

Is there anybody there?

Off to see some more cactus, we passed the aircraft bone yard.

Junked aircraft, domestic & military as far as the eye can see.. sadly closed to the public today.

Now we head for the east side if the national park for more short hikes, and snaps of our favourite cactus.

The skies showed us some unexpected rain, dispite the temperature not dipping much below 100 degrees.

A deadly teddy bear Cholla, it's barbed spikes take many by surprise.

Ian has forbidden me from stopping for hitchhikers, after this alarming notification on the 101.

Last stop, The lake shore hotel Fountain Hills for a well deserved laundry moment & dinner at the Hao Asian Cuisine, very nice.

Another busy day tomorrow, Goodnight faithful reader xx