If you're thinking Gulf Coast beaches, think Georgia. Georgia may not have a long coast, but what it has is absolutely beautiful. And one of the very best beaches is the 10-mile stretch of beach on Jekyll Island, a barrier island off Georgia's Gulf Coast.

Historically Jekyll Island was a winter resort and playground for the rich and famous, but now "Georgia's Jewel" is open to everyone. The 240 acres that encompassed the old resort is a National Historic Landmark, and is the largest such landmark undergoing restoration. But, the Historic District isn't all construction; it has shops and restaurants, and it's decorated in a 19th century style. Guides are dressed accordingly.

If lying on the beach and soaking up the sun isn't enough, put on your walking shoes and take a nature walk. You can go solo, or you can take a tour with an experienced guide from the Tidelands Nature Center. You may see some of the island's loggerhead turtles, who bury their eggs on the beaches and dunes from May through August. They're a protected species, and their nests are flagged by the Georgia Sea Turtle Center. If you see a disturbed nest, or an unflagged one, let the Georgia Sea Turtle Center know.

Another great way to see the island and its many specimens of wildlife is by canoe or kayak. You can rent one and slide through the protected salt marshes and estuaries, and see birds, fish, dolphins and more. Be sure to bring a jacket in fall or winter, as it can get cool out on the water, and don't forget a good-sized tote to carry your camera, notebooks, water and snacks.

Jekyll Island's beach is divided into three named parts: north, middle, and south. You can park at the middle beach, and public restrooms are also available there. The north beach has an access ramp, but no parking or amenities and access to the south beach is a long boardwalk over the fragile and scenic oat grass covered dunes. Whichever you choose, you'll be able to enjoy the soft white sand and the Georgia Coast sunshine.

Skiing is one of those sports that most people can enjoy, even if they have to stay on the "bunny slopes" for most of their trip. While you are waiting for some good powder, slip your headphones on over your beanie and get into the groove with these skiing songs:

"Bend in His Knees" (Sung by Bob Gibson)
Located on his album Ski Songs, Bob Gibson sings the sad tale of a young man who forgets that good skiers need to bend their knees to be low to the ground. Other cuts on Gibson's album include "In this White World "and "Skiin' in the Mornin." Although Gibson's album is 50 years old, you can still download the tracks and see the original cover art, featuring Gibson resting by the fire with his foot in a cast.

"Terrified Skiers on the Bunny Slopes" (Performed by Faust & Lewis)
The comedy duo of Faust & Lewis came up with Powder Party, a whole album of humorous skiing songs, including one about novice skiers who freeze up when they try their skills on the beginner slopes. "Psycho Skier" and "I Like Da Snow" are other offbeat tracks on this unusual album.

"U.B.R (Unwanted Binding Release)" (Sung by Eric T. & the Skis)
In 1984, the group Eric T. & the Skis released Ski Patrol, a novelty record containing some insightful skiing songs. "U.B.R." talks about the problems that occur when your boots come loose from your skis at the wrong moment. Decades later, this group also released a follow-up called Ski Patrol Revisited that contained a few more tunes.

"Super Skier" (Performed by The Chad Mitchell Trio)
A cautionary tale for anyone who spends more time at the lodge than on the slopes, "Super Skier" talks about a "Sundeck Charlie" who brags a little too much. When he finally gets on his skis, he literally goes to pieces while going on a downhill run. Bob Gibson originally performed this song on his 1959 album, but the Chad Mitchell Trio did a notable cover version of the tune.

Resources:
http://bobgibsonlegacy.com/SkiSongs.asp

Fall is a great time to play sports because it's not too hot and in many places it's not too cold either. Softball is a common fall sport and it can be enjoyed in a variety of ways. Exercise your whole body by playing softball and have fun while doing it. Softball is a sport that can be enjoyed with teammates, family, and friends of varied ages.

One way to enjoy softball is to play it with family and friends. Outdoor recreation is excellent for bonding. Plus it gets everyone moving instead of sitting in front of the television, computer, or video games. Don't worry about having exactly enough players to make an official team size. Make do with who you have and have some fun. Bases are pretty affordable at most sporting goods stores, as are gloves, softballs, and bats. When gearing everyone up, don't forget about the softball cleats.

Another way to enjoy softball is by joining the school or office softball league. Kids and adults alike can benefit from the teamwork, dedication, enjoyment, and fitness of being on a softball league. If the school or employer doesn't have a team, you could even volunteer to organize one or provide them with information on how to get one started.

Various sports organizations also have leagues for both kids and adults. Can't find any? Try contacting your local parks and recreational department. Many of them offer fall sports such as softball. Be sure to choose a league whose practice schedule works with your other responsibilities. This way, you don't have to miss out on softball games due to those responsibilities.

If you just cannot find that perfect method that suits your needs, why not create your own softball league? Many individuals and organizations do this. This makes it so that, for the most part, you can determine the scheduling of practices, games, and get-togethers. Softball can be enjoyed in a variety of ways, as evidenced above. The method is not the most important aspect. Rather, if this is something you're interested in, the fact that you get outdoors and enjoy softball in some way is the most important part.

If you were planning to head to the Jersey shore or Cape Cod on August 22 and 23, you probably changed your plans. Beaches were closed along the east coast as Hurricane Bill, downgraded by then to a Class I tropical storm, kicked up riptides as it passed.

Riptides, more properly rip currents, are narrow but long bands of water that can pull anything in them quickly out to sea, and they're potentially deadly. The average swimmer or boarder might not recognize a rip current, but lifeguards do. They look for an area of a lighter green color that may be swirling like a washer, or may look like a flat rippling river. Like a river, the rip current's fastest flow is in the middle.

Obviously, the easiest way to avoid a riptide is to stay out of the water. But where's the fun in that? Don't assume you're safe if you're close to shore; rip currents can happen in water that's knee deep. They can also occur when there aren't high wave warnings or beach closures, so you need to know what to do if you're caught in one.

First, don't panic. That's easier said than done, but if you stay calm, you're more likely to survive. Second, don't try to swim against the current. Doing that will wear you out and exhaustion is the cause of most riptide drownings. Relax, tread water and get your bearings. If you can, swim sideways to the edge of the riptide, where the flow lessens and you can probably get to shore. If you see a large wave coming at you, take a deep breath and go under it. If there's an undertow, a frequent companion to riptides, do the same thing: take a quick deep breath before you're pulled under, and relax; you'll pop up again quickly.

Whether the ocean is calm or choppy, be cool in trunks like these Ryan Spooner Hybrid board shorts. Avoid a rash with an Oakley rashguard shirt, and keep your feet from getting too sandy with these sweet Beachcomber Flip Flops by Ed Hardy.

Months before Tom Cruise felt the need for speed in Top Gun, Louis Gossett, Jr. and Jason Gedrick starred in Iron Eagle, an ultra-patriotic film that flew into theaters in early 1986. Gedrick plays Doug Masters, the son of a well-respected Air Force Colonel. After his father is captured by a power-mad, Middle Eastern dictator, Doug hatches a wild plan to fly into this foreign country and rescue his dad.

With the help of his friends, Doug gathers enough Air Force Intelligence and secures the use of two fighter jets to make the trip. Doug then seeks out Colonel Charles "Chappy" Sinclair, a good friend of his father who is played by Gossett. Chappy has been mapping out his own rescue plan, but he can't believe this cocky teenager would be able to fly a jet, much less mount a rescue mission.

Definitely a movie from the 1980's, Iron Eagle is both ultra-cool and highly unbelievable. If, for instance, the security on that Air Force Base was so lax that teenagers had the run of the place, Russian MiG fighters could have easily flown in and bombed the whole place out of existence.

As played by Jason Gedrick, Doug Masters is a hotshot kid who thinks he knows everything about flying. Doug spends quite a bit of the movie wearing a flight jacket, but when he's in the cockpit, he has to listen to hard rock music. In those pre-iPod days, however, Doug has to settle for a cassette player strapped to the leg of his flight suit, and, in one funny sequence, Chappy reminds Doug to make sure that he's playing the right music when he's firing missiles.

Fresh off his Academy Award-winning performance in An Officer and a Gentleman, Louis Gossett, Jr. brings Sergeant Foley's bad attitude to Colonel Chappy Sinclair. Even with Gossett in the pilot's seat, it's hard to believe that two unauthorized American fighter jets could have left United States airspace as easily as they did in this movie.

Still, Iron Eagle has some excellent flying sequences, such as when Doug starts dropping bombs on an oil refinery. Iron Eagle definitely is a wild ride, especially if you, like Doug, remember to play the right music.

Fall is the perfect time to get out and collect a piece of nature. Leaves are turning colors and can be found just about anywhere in any shape or size. Leaves can be used in many crafts and fall decorations. It's a great way to decorate with nature without taking too much from it. Be sure to take only leaves that have already fallen from the trees.

Your own backyard is one great place to find leaves. But if you haven't any trees or just want some variety you can try local parks and nature reserves. Even a stroll around the block could net you some interesting leaves to add to your collection.

Be sure to collect leaves that are both big and small and in a variety of colors. Be diverse in your selection. To make the activity the most eco-friendly, be sure you are not wasting plastic bags to collect the leaves. Instead, use your reusable shopping bag. Don't have one? Why not? Go pick one up before heading out to collect your leaves. Nature will thank you when you reuse it again and again for many other things.

Now back to the leaf collecting. If you plan to use the leaves to make a fall garland or some other similar fall decor, be sure to collect a good amount of each desired shape and color. That way, the decoration can match throughout. On the other hand, if you just plan to spread them across a fall table, variety is key.

Benefits to leaf collecting are endless. For one thing, it gets you out into nature. When was the last time you did that? Looking up cool nature videos and pictures online does not count, by the way. It also is great for exercise. Once you get started, you may not want to stop. It also can save you money, as well as help save the Earth. Don't even think about buying another strand of those plastic and cloth things they call fall garlands in the craft store. Yours will look more authentic, it's free, and it's even naturally biodegradable.

South Beach is not the only hoppin' beach in town: Florida's Gulf Coast responds with its own up and coming party on Clearwater Beach.

After a beautiful Gulf Coast sunset, the lights turn on and the music turns up at Clearwater Beach bars and clubs. And as day turns to night, party-goers trade in their flip-flops for stilettos and bikinis for a short summer dress. But don't wear yourself out dancing, because you'll want to be ready to rise and shine the next day.

If you prefer a more low-key celebration, don't worry, you can keep your flip-flops and head to one of many small bars and family-run restaurants on Clearwater Beach to eat, drink, and wait for the sun to come back up.

And when the sun does come up, Clearwater Beach doesn't disappoint. Sure, Clearwater Beach doesn't have the glitz or glam of South Beach...at least not yet, but it does have sand. Miles of wide, white sandy beaches stretch into the soft warm, waves of the Gulf. Visitors to the beach can lie back and soak in the sun, take a swim in the sandy-bottom waters, or go shopping. Mandalay Avenue is filled with boutique shops, gift shops, and plenty of restaurants.

But as the day comes to an end, you really have to head to the Pier for the nightly Sunsets at the Pier 60 Festival celebration. This can't-miss family event features artisans, crafters, street performers and live musical entertainment. And after the sun goes down, it's back to party time at this beautiful beach.

The Arkansas River in Colorado is one of the best rivers for whitewater rafting in the U.S., and the most challenging stretch is the Royal Gorge, running through a narrow canyon with 1000 foot walls. The Arkansas is also the most popular river, and is crowded from May through September. The folks who aren't actually on the river are usually watching it from the suspension bridge over 1000 feet above.

With its long stretch of class III to V rapids, the Royal Gorge has unbeatable whitewaters. There are plenty of named rapids, like the Sledgehammer, Boateater, and Wall Slammer, giving you an idea of what the unnamed ones are like. Besides rapids, you'll hit narrows, big holes, high waves, and lots of steep drops into pools. The highest, coldest flows are in May, when the snow-melt from the Rockies heads down the Arkansas River from the Continental Divide. If the flow is higher than 3200 cfs, rafting is prohibited through the Royal Gorge, and you'll be rerouted to a safer run.

Dozens of rafting adventure companies are happy to provide rafts and guides if you're flying in and can't bring your own gear. They all provide helmets, wetsuits and life-jackets, but some charge extra for use of their gear, so be sure to read the fine print. Most won't accept anyone who doesn't have at least Class III experience for the Royal Gorge whitewater run, so if you have beginners or kids in your party, plan on an easier route like Bighorn Sheep Canyon.

If you want to raft on your own, be aware that recreational use of the Gorge is regulated by the Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area, and if you put in at any of the possible sites upstream, you'll have to pay a fee for daily use.

After May, it gets really hot in the area, so wear something cool like this Topanga tank from Columbia, that's fast-drying and has UV protection, and these comfy shorts from Cloudveil. Make your feet happy with Salomon's Techamphibian 2 shoes that convert to sandals. And don't forget the sunscreen.

If you're hiking in areas that are part of a wolf pack's territory, will you be attacked by wolves? You're more likely to be attacked by bears or cougars, or even struck by lightning. But a wolf attack isn't impossible, so be prepared.

A group of Norwegian scientists researched wolf attacks in Europe, Asia and North America in 2002, and found that most attacks occurred before the 20th century, and in the past 50 years, there have been only 17 people killed in Europe, and at that time, none in North America. In 2005, a Canadian, walking alone where food dumps from energy development were common, was killed and eaten by four wolves.

There are four possible reasons for wolf attacks. The first, and the probable cause of the Canadian death, is habituation: wolves become accustomed to humans, begin to associate them with food, and lose their fear of humans. Rabies is the second reason, but rabies is rare in North American wolves. The third reason is predation. While a rabid wolf will bite savagely and then move on, a healthy wolf kills and eats its prey. Typically the victims of predation are children and women, and it's more common in Asia than here. The fourth reason is defense. A cornered wolf may bite, but rarely kills.

Stay safe by remaining in a group. Avoid being prey by making lots of noise while hiking and setting up camp. Carry a large backpack to make yourself look larger, and spread out your arms and jacket, if you happen to see a wolf, to look even larger and scarier. Make sure your tent has a lantern because wolves don't like light - but don't shine it directly into their eyes, as that can trigger an attack. For worst case scenarios, carry a mountaineering axe for self defense. Finally, make a fire in front of your tent (if the area isn't under a burn ban) and keep it going all night. Wolves fear fire. Don't feed wolves, or leave food out, and report anyone who does to park or forest rangers.

(Sources: Linnell, J. D. C., R. Andersen, Z. Andersone, L. Balciauskas, J. C. Blanco, L. Boitani, S. Brainerd, U. Breitenmoser, I. Kojola, L. Liberg, J. Løe, H.Okarma, H. C. Pedersen, C. Promberger, K. Sand, E. J. Solberg, H. Valdmann, and P. Wabakken. 2002. The fear of wolves: A review of wolf attacks on humans. Norsk Intitutt for NaturforskningOppdragsmelding: 731:1-65; http://www.wolftrust.org.uk/a-wkp5-linnell-results.html; http://www.wolf.org/wolves/news/2005releases/123005_wolfattack.asp ; http://www.wolftrust.org.uk/faqpeople.html )

Decades after his untimely death, Bruce Lee's movies continue to inspire other filmmakers to make contemporary martial arts films. In 1985, Motown legend Berry Gordon put his seal of approval on The Last Dragon, a tongue-in-cheek adventure with plenty of high-kicking action.

Real-life martial arts expert Taimak Guarriello plays Leroy Green, a New York City kid who is a huge fan of Bruce Lee's movies, so much so that people start calling him "Bruce Leroy." To honor the memory of his fallen idol, Leroy studies karate and other martial arts, but before he can achieve the final level of his training, he must seek out the proper master to teach him. While seeking his advanced training, a rival named Sho'nuff (Julius Carry) wants to fight Leroy. Calling himself the "Shogun of Harlem," Sho'nuff needs to beat Leroy to become the undisputed champion of New York City, but Leroy doesn't believe in fighting unless it is absolutely necessary.

Leroy also catches the eye of Laura Charles (Vanity), the host of a popular television dance show. When ruthless businessman Eddie Arkadian (Christopher Murney) kidnaps Laura, Leroy uses his fighting skills to rescue her. Laura definitely is attracted to Leroy, but Arkadian hires Sho'nuff to take care of Leroy once and for all.

With great martial arts action and a soundtrack featuring songs from Debarge and Stevie Wonder, The Last Dragon definitely is a 1980's classic. Taimak Guarriello gives the Leroy Green character an eagerness that makes him a likable, if somewhat goofy, hero. Leroy identifies so much with Bruce Lee that he even eats his popcorn at the movies with chopsticks.

Vanity, who was once romantically and professionally linked to Prince, also turns in a nice performance, but it is Julius Carry who steals the show. Built like a brick wall, Carry makes the Shogun of Harlem a definite force to be reckoned with. The Last Dragon is considered such a classic, in fact, that singer Rihanna is being considered for the Laura Charles role in a remake starring Samuel L. Jackson. If all goes well, Bruce Leroy and Sho'nuff might be coming back to theaters in the near future.

On the long-running outdoor series "*M*A*S*H*," Father Francis John Patrick Mulcahy was arguably the most courageous and adventurous character in the whole show. As played by actor William Christopher, Father Mulcahy was the Army Chaplain for the 4077th Mobile Army Surgical Hospital, providing spiritual guidance to the patients, doctors and support staff. That didn't mean, however, that he couldn't kick butt when he needed to.

Because he was amateur boxer in his civilian life, the pressures of working with broken bodies and young, dying soldiers sometimes made Father Mulcahy want to take a swing at someone. In fact, during one episode, after a wounded soldier hits him squarely on the jaw, the Chaplain reacts instinctively, flattening his attacker with one punch.

At other times, Father Mulcahy is called upon to perform an emergency tracheotomy in an area where no doctors are available. When supplies run low, he often negotiates with black market traders, attempting to get boxes of penicillin in exchange for booze, chocolate and other hard-to-get items. Father Mulcahy even lends a hand in the operating room, but he does have to perform the Last Rites after a soldier dies on the table.

Father Mulcahy's greatest act of bravery occurs in the episode entitled "An Eye for a Tooth." While his friends at the 4077th play practical jokes on each other, the Chaplain fights off the frustration of being passed over for promotion yet again. Despite his anger, when a helicopter pilot has to go retrieve a wounded soldier, Father Mulcahy volunteers to act as a human counterweight on the trip. This means he has to lie on a stretcher on the struts of the helicopter to keep the ship balanced in the air. Mulcahy survives the flight, but his lunch ends up in the latrine.

Originally portrayed as a gentle character, this two-fisted priest shows time and again that he has the right stuff. Father Mulcahy never has a shortage of kind words or bravery during his years in Korea, and that easily makes him the toughest character on "M*A*S*H."

Resources:
http://aftermash.blogspot.com/2009/09/episode-157-eye-for-tooth.html

Whether you live in the San Diego area or are just visiting, make sure to head for Mission Beach, this week's best beach. Just be sure to head there early, because parking can be a problem later in the day.

There's a lot more to Mission Beach than just sand, although there's 2 miles of that. There's a family amusement park, Belmont Park, that has rides, food, and games, including a simulated wave that lets young and old surfers practice or try out the sport. Another big draw is the Big Dipper, a roller coaster whose relatively small size and height disguise a wild ride of drops, hills, curves, and speed that will delight the most ardent roller coaster fan. In addition to those features, the Big Dipper Roller Coaster was built in 1925 (no worries, it's been restored since then!) and is one of the two original roller coasters built along the Pacific Coast that's still in operation.

The south end of Mission Beach park is the place for beach volleyball; there are games going on from morning to dark. So wear a pair of shorts that will let you play and surf in style, top them with a cool tank and carry a sturdy bag that has room for a towel, water, shades, cell phone, and a volleyball.

You may want to include walking, jogging, or biking shoes in that bag, too. Another great feature of Mission Beach is the boardwalk. It extends for miles, all the way around Mission Beach and down the coast, and has lanes for walking and biking. There are plenty of places along Mission Beach where you can rent a bike or board, too. The boardwalk itself ends at the north point of Pacific Beach, but a bike path continues all the way to downtown La Jolla, for serious bikers.

So pack your bag for your choice of activities, even if it's just soaking up the sun, and head for Mission Beach. You'll have a great day in the southern California sun!

Discover nature in a whole new way by going canoeing or paddling. Whether you've done it before or it's your first time, there always is a new adventure. Keep safety in mind, wear comfortable boat shoes, and have fun on this great outdoor adventure. The United States has many places that are perfect for canoeing and paddling with a friend or two. Here are a few unique and interesting locations to get you started on your outdoor journey.

Blackstone Valley, RI
Tour the waters on an unforgettable family adventure or let a few friends tag along instead. Blackstone valley has plenty of flexibility in options when it comes to canoeing and paddling tours. Become one with nature while boating through the waters of Blackstone Valley. The plentiful plants and animals you'll see along the way are a beautiful sight. Fishing and birdwatching are just a couple of the options to explore.

St. Lawrence River in Clayton, NY
Have you ever thought of building and sailing your own canoe on St Lawrence River? Regardless of your answer, you may be interested to find out there's a place that takes you through it step-by step. The Antique Boat Museum in Clayton, NY offers the plans to do so. There are also boat-building classes available. Not quite ready to build, but still want to ride the waters? They still have you covered. You can even take a guided tour of the museum's artifacts to get in a history lesson before or after sailing.

Keweenaw Water Trail, MI
Canoeing and paddling the waters of Lake Superior along Michigan's Keweenaw Water Trail offers breathtaking scenery. Winds can be unpredictable here, so it's probably not best for beginners. Those lucky enough to embark on this adventure will not soon forget it. Wildlife is abundant and fishing can provide a great meal. Camping is available around the Keweenaw Peninsula. Check with area parks and recreation departments in advance, as some land around the peninsula is privately owned. A note to remember is that because this is a naturally beautiful ecosystem, "No Trace Camping" is most appreciated and preferred.

Sources:
http://kwta.org/
http://www.paddleblackstone.com/
http://www.abm.org/canoe-sailing.asp

Although it's still summer in the U.S., there are plenty of places where you can go glacier-trekking, including Glacier National Park in Montana, Mount Hood in Oregon, and Denali Peak in Alaska. If you've got the money to spend, you can head down under where it's winter, and explore the South Island of New Zealand, or even Antarctica.

There's no doubt that glacier-trekking is one of the most exhilarating extreme sports, but it's also very dangerous, especially for beginners, and potentially deadly, even for experienced trekkers. If you plan to try it out, and come back home in one piece, you need to learn how to use crampons, carabiners, ice axes, and rope, how to find crevasses so you can avoid them, and how to get yourself or someone else out of a crevasse. If a class is available, take it before you go. It might just save your life.

Crevasses and ice falls are the greatest hazards when ice trekking, although stupidity and ego may rank first. If a park service or a sign warns you to avoid a particular area, then avoid it. Just because you've been up Denali Peak doesn't mean you can trek on crumbling ice that's just a thin layer over water. Never, ever, ever, go alone. I cannot stress this enough. Always use the buddy system. It's best to go with a minimum of two roped teams of two people, or two teams of three, depending on the terrain and the degree of difficulty. Make sure you have all the necessary gear, including boots with crampon compatibility, gaiters for dry legs, and goggles to prevent snow blindness. More important than these are the gear mentioned above, along with a snow probe and a satellite phone (most cell phones can't get reception on glaciers) and knowing how to use them.

Obvious space limitations prevent me from describing how to get out of a crevasse; the best way is to avoid them by using your snow probe, avoiding blue ice, and avoiding sagging trenches that may be snow bridges. Take a guide, stay safe, and have fun out there.

Everyone would like at least one second chance in life, but what if fate gave you the opportunity to prevent one of the most horrific events of the 20th Century? That's the question facing the crew of the U.S.S. Nimitz during the 1980 time travel adventure The Final Countdown.

Kirk Douglas plays Captain Matthew Yelland, the commander of the U.S.S. Nimitz. While on maneuvers, an unusual storm moves in and totally engulfs the aircraft carrier. The ship survives the storm, but the Captain and his crew pick up strange radio broadcasts as they get closer to Hawaii. The music is from the late 1930's and attempts to contact nearby naval bases are met with hostile reactions.

As strange as it seems, Captain Yelland and his senior staff determine that the U.S.S. Nimitz has somehow been transported back to December 1941, a few days before the Japanese attacked the naval base at Pearl Harbor. They even locate Samuel Chapman (Charles Durning), a Congressman who had originally been killed before the attack.

Captain Yelland never had to make a command decision such as this one. The attack on Pearl Harbor took the lives of hundreds of American sailors, and the U.S.S. Nimitz, with its modern jet fighters and weapons, could attack the Japanese fleet and save American lives. Pearl Harbor also was the event that prompted the United States to enter World War II, and by interfering with history, Captain Yelland could cause more harm than good.

Unlike the more explosive 2001 epic Pearl Harbor, The Final Countdown looks at the events of December 7, 1941 from an entirely different perspective. The senior crew members on the U.S.S. Nimitz know exactly where and when the Japanese will strike, but they don't know if they have the right to stop them.

Pearl Harbor was still fresh in the minds of some viewers as they watched The Final Countdown in theaters back in 1980. It definitely was cool to watch the then state-of-the-art jets fly circles around the Japanese planes from 1941, knowing that a few well-placed missiles could have forced the enemy fleet to retreat.