The Enterprise.

These are the voyages of the star ship Enterprise.

Its five year mission... to boldly go where no man has gone before.

There is something interesting about Vulcan that few realize. During World War II the town of Vulcan housed the BCAPT Base that provided flight training to British Commonwealth members and the United States. At it's peak the base had 163 aircraft on site. But that's a story in itself and best told by those who are much more knowledgeable than I am. What I wanted to to show you was the an aerial view of the Vulcan Aerodrome. Check out the shape of the runways!

Now, look at the Vulcan Idic symbol on the plaque below. Coincidence, I'm sure, but I wanted to point this out. It leads me to ask a very strange question. Did Gene Roddenberry know about this little town and it's war time history when he chose to name Spock's home world Vulcan? As a commercial airline pilot he may have known the air strip existed and possibly even been aware of its purpose. We will never know.

We tried to enunciate the Vulcan Welcome but failed miserably. My daughter literally fell onto the grass laughing hysterically at me. She and her new pet Tribble, sprawled on the grass and laughing so hard I think they came from her toes. I was glad to have been the source of her amusement and I'm sure everyone who knows myself and my family would gladly point out exactly where she learned to be so twisted.

It really was a sight to see and the pictures don't do it any justice. It's huge, much bigger than I expected it to be, yet strangely small. Next time I hope the skies are brighter and the temperatures a bit warmer.

I also hope to see that they have updated the face board, or added a new one with all the new faces of Star Trek. The faces on this one kept falling backward and I finally gave up trying to get a picture with all the faces.

I have only a few more pictures to post and then my trip is done. The little town of Vulcan has the biggest spirit and happily welcomes everyone who wanders in, either by design or mistake. If you go, take the time and wander around the town as there are several Star Trek themed buildings, parks and murals to see.

These Are A Few Of My Favorite Things!

We could have spent hours and hours just looking at all the memorabilia inside the Vulcan tourism Centre. They had things that I didn't know existed! Like a cereal box with the Enterprise and her crew pictured on the front. Phasers that cost the earth and very reasonably priced cute plastic Vulcan ears one could purchase. There were Federation, Starfleet and Vulcan Idic pins. Even a deck of cards with the original series major characters' faces.

There were water bottles, coffee cups, T-shirts, jackets, hoodies. Replicas of the Enterprise. Most intriguing was the chocolate Klingon Bird of Prey. I really wanted that, but I knew it would melt before I got it home.

This is Spock's beloved I-Chaya, a Vulcan Sehlat, who was quite old and had once belonged to Spock's father, Sarek. I-Chaya was killed when it followed Spock and they were attacked by a fierce beast. I-Chaya saved Spock's life and thus inspired him to live the Vulcan Way (remember that Spock was conflicted by his half Vulcan-half Human nature). This particular representation of I-Chaya is encased glass.

Now this is my all time favorite piece of memorabilia housed at the Vulcan tourism Centre. Click on the photo for a full size version as Spock's ears perk up after he's had a drink of Heineken! I so wanted a copy of that, but alas, it was a one of a kind.

Next time, we see the giant Enterprise, the welcome plaques on it's base and the really fun walls.