Pacific Airshow, Long Beach Marathon Expo, Ubuntu Cafe

Pacific Airshow

plus Long Beach Marathon pre-race

Where is everyone?

For the Top Gun afficiandos?

Where is everyone, part 2.

Ah, got it. The cheap seats are packed.

Photographers who have a little extra coin pay for pier access.

Goodyear Blimp.

Dumping ballast as part of the show?

Goodyear Blimp, N3A, Wingfoot Three.

Luke Czepiela doing low passes in his Carbon Cub.

Luke Czepiela STOL landing.

TBM Avenger "Pacific Predator."

North American Rockwell OV-10 Bronco.

North American B-25 Mitchell "Guardian of Freedom."

Poki on the Pier's tuna spring rolls were okay. Good innovation at least.

California roll with salmon atop was okay.

Royal Air Force Falcons.

Lockheed T-33 Shooting Star "Ace Maker III."

Grumman HU-16 Albatross.

Grumman HU-16 Albatross doing low passes. Got close to landing but did not.

Pelicans heading south.

North American T-6 Texan "Wardog."

Royal Canadian Air Force Snowbirds.

Flying 9x Canadair CT-114 Tutors.

Royal Canadian Air Force Snowbirds.

Belly shot.

Long Beach Marathon pre-race expo.

10 years of loyalty has a quite a few of us now.

Wall of names for this year.

Golden State Challenge medal for 2024 looked cool.

Swag as a Beach Bum.

Swag as a Beach Bum. Expo.

Expo.

Walmart?

Ubuntu Cafe for dinner.

Happy Hour menu.

Pork belly was very good.

Zucchini was actually not bad. Well-presented.

Happy hour burger was good, too.

Side by side.

Semi-outdoor.

Bathroom.

Press for champagne??

Pacific Airshow was pretty lame this year for reasons we won't get into, however the rest of the British empire saved the day-- from the United Kingdom, the Royal Air Force Falcons Parachute Team did a good show, and the headline act, the Canadian Air Force Snowbirds were excellent as always, although their little CT-114 Tutors lack the raw power of the supersonic fighters that the US military tends to bring to airshows.

With the shortened schedule, was able to make it up PCH to the Long Beach Marathon race expo before they closed to pick up my bib. The last few expos have been on the Marina Green, which is actually pretty nice, especially on a beautiful sunny afternoon. With rush hour traffic in full force, did dinner in Long Beach as well; Ubuntu Cafe is quite a bit more fancy than I expected, with live music and clear effort put into both the interior and the presentation. Cheeseburger at happy hour was quite good (especially for the price vs. the regular menu), zucchini was well-presented, and the pork belly (atop a bed of beans) was nice, although not as good as the best.