First, the fun …
Boeing has a HUGE aircraft assembly facility in Everett. Their main assembly building is 11 stories high, is 1/3 of a mile long, has 6 assembly lines and is the largest in the world by volume. We went to their Future of Flight Exhibit and took the Boeing Tour. We saw 747s, 777s and 787s being assembled. Their 737s are built just down the road in Renton (south of Seattle).
Carol checks out the main assembly building
30,000 people work here, three shifts a day. The traffic and parking requirements are such that people report to work in staggered 6 minute start times. It takes about 2 hours for a complete shift change to occur. Wow!
The Dream Lifter aircraft shown below is something very special. It’s a modified 747. Only four exist and three were here today. They’re used exclusively by Boeing to transport various assemblies built around the world to this final assembly point. One of the Dream Lifters took off while we were waiting for the tour to begin. Ooh ... what a quiet monster!
Dream Lifter
At well over $100 million each, this field of planes in final checkout is worth a bundle.
Almost ready for pickup
This 727 cockpit sure is more complicated than a Cessna 152.
Hmm, are these tires too big for the trailer?
Boeing has done a great job of presenting their story and the history of flight. We highly recommend this experience if you’re in the area.
The challenges …
The drive down I-5 from Everett went through Seattle, Tacoma and Olympia. Traffic slowed to a crawl at each city. It took about 1 ½ hours to go 10 miles through Seattle. We were able to take a few pictures while travelling at that speed.
The Space Needle
Lake Union in Seattle
Mount Rainier in the distance from I-5 at Seattle
The surprise …
We stopped for the night at Rest-A-While RV Resort located on the Hood Canal about 50 miles north of Olympia. Carol picked it sight unseen from our Woodall’s Guide and it’s great. We have a full hookup, cable TV, internet access and a view of the water from our front window.
It’s about 40 feet from our front window to the water
The shoreline walk is lit and decorated with flower baskets
We didn’t see rules like this in New Mexico parks
Did you know?
Pratt & Whitney and United Airlines were born when the original Boeing Company was carved-up because of anti-trust regulations.
Map Tracks
Start: Everett, Washington
South on I-5 to US-101 at Olympia, Washington
North on US-101 to Hoodsport, Washington
End: 150 miles @ Hoodsport, Washington
You are now in very familiar country to us. Beth's son and his family live in Seattle, so many trips are made there. Jeff and Susie were married ON Mt. Rainier. Of course, that mountain is gorgeous, and we always look for it when we fly in or out of Seattle. We've never done the Boeing tour, but your description sounds like it would be something I'd like to see.
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