Headed home

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On our last morning, we had one more stop planned. We headed over to the Titan Missile Museum right in Green Valley. This is the last missile silo still in existance (minus the warhead of course) and when it was decommissioned, it was turned into a museum. It was interesting to learn that the glass lid over the missile was more the let the Soviets verify that it was still in place than to protect it from visitors.

We went on the guided tour down into the control room and into the actual silo. Samantha got to play the part of the captain, turning the key in a simulated launch. The old technology was fascinating and the checklist of things the crew had to do every shift to ensure that nothing was off was enormous.

It was interesting having the kids there. They have no recollection of the Cold War so there was no context as to why these were built and why they were taken down. The video they showed helped but didn't go into too much detail about the history.

After a few hours, we piled back in the car and started our very long drive home.

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Photos

Outside of the silo
The guide said that this was pretty much how it looked most of the time - minus the equipment. Very unassuming for the power it contained.

Entering the silo
Gabe and I just hit the height requirement for hard hats. Yeah.

Down the silo
From the top

6 foot doors
The doors, and many other areas, were reinforced and 6-8 feet thick.

Captain Sam
Sam in the control room seat just before pushing the button.

Corridor
This is the corridor between the silo and the control room. It's all on springs and built for flex - both natural and unnatural.

Cacti
I liked these cacti found throughout Arizona