We got all caught up in the visit with family in Ventura and then the reunion and the three day drivefest back home. Thus, I have to play catchup with this blog.
We had a great time in Ventura! Dann and Jodi Plum were such great hosts ... freeloaded at their place ... and the visits with Roger, a brother-in-law, were special. I noted the high gas prices in California and was advised, by a native Californian at that, that it was "better" gas and that's why it was so high. Is that true? I had forgotten how cool it can get in Ventura and, of course, we didn't bring any sweaters or jackets. A trip to Target took care of that!. Deeds, AKA Micah, who is the Plum's grandson, was his usual adorable self. Lots of laughs and tales of family stuff ... all in all it was worth the three day drive.
There is a story going around that I had brushed my teeth with shampoo ... sadly, it is true. My beloved had filled a bottle of Crest Mouth Wash with shampoo for unknown reasons ... I ran out of toothpaste and thought (erroneously) a bottle containing Crest somethingorother would suffice until I could get some TP. The soapy taste didn't last too long; only a day or so. The good side is: now my teeth have lots of body and luster.
We motored down to Irvine via the 101 and 405 and found that Californians were sooo friendly. While screaming down the freeway at 55 mph, they waved, honked their horns and even flashed their lights in greeting. It was really something!
The 14th reunion of the Flying Jennies, 815 Troop Carrier Squadron, from Ashiya, Japan in the 50's was such a great success. There were 36 folks there ... squadron mates, their spouses and some kids and their spouses. We told all of the old stories ... maybe embellished a bit ... caught up on our families and their circumstances ... visited the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Knott's Berry Farm ... all in all, it was a really wonderful time. It looks like the next one will be in Colorado Springs in 2013.
We were able to get away early on Sunday so we retraced out trip via Tucson, Fort Stockton and home. Actually, we stayed in the same motels.
Our daughter, Jean, and her son Trip, took care of the dogs while we were gone. They did such a great job; we can't thank them enough.
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Monday, October 3, 2011
Ventura, CA
Left Tucson bright and early this morning ... beautiful weather almost all of the way ... wasn't there a song to the effect that is never rains in Southern California? OK ... it was just ONE shower ... nothing spectacular occured along the way. California speed limits need some work ... truck limit of 55 mph on the interstate is ridiculous with cars at 70. One moves from 80 in West Texas to 75 till you hit California and the quality of the road seems the same.
We arrived in Ventura about 4:30 ... went to dinner with our niece and brother-in-law ... and we are winding down and getting ready for bed.
We arrived in Ventura about 4:30 ... went to dinner with our niece and brother-in-law ... and we are winding down and getting ready for bed.
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Tucson, Arizona
Got away early from Fort Stockton ... very nice hot breakfast at the motel ... and "on the road" again ... lots of beautiful scenery on the way ... lots of shades of brown .... reflects the lack of rain although the folks in Tucson say they have had lots (?) of rain. The Penske racing team and their three BIG 18 wheelers passed us like a shot at 75mph ... very impressive looking set of wheels; ran into them at a rest stop and they are all decked out in matching duds ... very professional looking. Took a picture of them at the stop and also a very beautiful parrot with his equally attractive "pet". Maybe I'll figure out how to get some of these pics into the blog. Enroute we were entertained by the Lions beating the "Boys" (heh heh heh) and later we found out our team, the magnificant and spectacular, Houston Texans, had won. Obviously, they are well on their way to the Super Bowl.
We called an old friend, Vi King, who was in the phone book. Hadn't talked to her in a while; last saw her in '59 while her husband and Gene was in Squadron Officer's School at Maxwell AFB in Montgomery, AL. Herk was an old "Jenny" flying C-119's in Japan in '55 - 58; he passed away a number of years ago. Vi has three girls and 10 grandchildren. It was so good to talk to her and hopefully we can do a better job of keeping touch.
The Riverpark Inn in Tucson is very nice, clean, reasonable, has cable and WiFi and a complimentary breakfast. It is almost downtown ON the interstate! Bennigan's restaurant on site is closed on the weekends so we ordered carryout ... had a cold one and watched a little TV. Ventura is 575 miles away and we hope for another early start.
We called an old friend, Vi King, who was in the phone book. Hadn't talked to her in a while; last saw her in '59 while her husband and Gene was in Squadron Officer's School at Maxwell AFB in Montgomery, AL. Herk was an old "Jenny" flying C-119's in Japan in '55 - 58; he passed away a number of years ago. Vi has three girls and 10 grandchildren. It was so good to talk to her and hopefully we can do a better job of keeping touch.
The Riverpark Inn in Tucson is very nice, clean, reasonable, has cable and WiFi and a complimentary breakfast. It is almost downtown ON the interstate! Bennigan's restaurant on site is closed on the weekends so we ordered carryout ... had a cold one and watched a little TV. Ventura is 575 miles away and we hope for another early start.
Saturday, October 1, 2011
Fort Stockton, Texas
Left home about 8:30 this morning .... beautiful weather all of the way ... the only excitement was the crash of a lovely boat on I-10 north of New Braunfels - it must have been the result of the boat leaving its trailer for some unknown reason and spreading debris all over the place. It didn't look like anyone was hurt; but, I'm sure the owner is just sick! We bought gas near Comfort - yikes, it was $.30 higher than at home! I'm sure that will only get worse as we head west. We arrived about 5 pm and are staying at the Swiss Clock Inn ... not too fancy ...clean ... has a complementary breakfast in the morning... lots of TV channels and, of course, free WiFi. We had dinner at K-Bob's Steakhouse nearby ... our next stop is Tucson, about 550 miles west of here.
Monday, September 26, 2011
California Bound
This time we are travelin by car! Miss having all our "stuff" ... the dogs ... a bathroom on wheels ... a "fridge" full of goodies... a bedbug free bed. Don't miss buying diesel for my 9 MPG money pit. We are headed for California on October 1st ... Ventura to be exact, to visit family followed by a reunion of the 815th Troop Carrier Squadron (Ashiya, Japan) in Irvine on October 6th to the 9th. The plan is to return on October 12th after a stay in San Antonio to visit a granddaughter and her husband. Stops should also include Fort Stockton, Tucson, Phoenix, and Van Horn (TX). Our daughter, Jean, will take care of Maxie and Beckett (God bless her) and stay here at the house in the evenings - sorry, Jim!
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Back Home
Great grandson Nathan
Jan, Bill and Gene in Charlotte
Great grand daughter, Kayla
The Carlsons
The cake
Obviously, Gene and Donna
Wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown SoldierArlington Cemetery
I didn't do anything on this blog after leaving Ohio; but, so much has happened. I failed to address the Donaldson Reunion on July 31st .... there was so much catching up to do, there just wasn't enough time. There were about 60 folks there .... so much good food! Kudos to Jennifer and Larry Baylor for pulling it all together.
The trip to Northern Virginia was the usual winding, white knuckle journey called the Pennsylvania Turnpike ... about 40 big ones ($$$) from Ohio to Breezewood. We arrived at Bull Run Regional Park in Manassas, Virginia just before a big storm. While there we were able to visit some old friends -- Dewey and Alice Carlson -- who lived across the street from us on Reynard Drive in West Springfield. Hard to believe it was almost 40 years! They were well ... enjoying retirement ... doing lots of traveling. Also caught up with an old neighborhood friend, Jackie Lauria, who sadly lost her spouse a few years back.
The highlight of our visit was the Laying of the Wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on August 5th. Such an honor! The whole family was there down to two great-grandkids. We had such a great time the entire weekend. Deb had pulled the whole thing together and we had such a wonderful weekend.
Our next stop was in Virginia Beach to visit John and his family ... stayed at the Oceana NAS famcamp ... very nice ... the sweet sound of shrill jet engines most of the time. For you retired military types, don't pass this one up. We had a annual crab feast thanks to the Pongo Fish House... a bushel of those yummy blue crabs were hungrily devoured by the Taylor clan. Add baked potatoes and fresh sweet corn and life can't get much better. By the way, when in VB, be certain to visit their aquarium ... it's a keeper!
August 15th found us in Gene's sister's driveway in Charlotte. Funny thing happened --- the hood latch jammed on the Saturn tow car. You have to pull the ignition fuse (precluded engine start) under the hood when towing, sooooooo what do you do when you can't get the hood up? You call Good Sam and have your car towed to a dealer that can replace the hood latch mechanism and cable. After a nice visit, we headed for home via stops at Birmingham and Shreveport. Our car battery died upon arrival and was subsequently replaced.
It was a wonderful 3500 mile trip despite the few glitches.
The highlight of our visit was the Laying of the Wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on August 5th. Such an honor! The whole family was there down to two great-grandkids. We had such a great time the entire weekend. Deb had pulled the whole thing together and we had such a wonderful weekend.
Our next stop was in Virginia Beach to visit John and his family ... stayed at the Oceana NAS famcamp ... very nice ... the sweet sound of shrill jet engines most of the time. For you retired military types, don't pass this one up. We had a annual crab feast thanks to the Pongo Fish House... a bushel of those yummy blue crabs were hungrily devoured by the Taylor clan. Add baked potatoes and fresh sweet corn and life can't get much better. By the way, when in VB, be certain to visit their aquarium ... it's a keeper!
August 15th found us in Gene's sister's driveway in Charlotte. Funny thing happened --- the hood latch jammed on the Saturn tow car. You have to pull the ignition fuse (precluded engine start) under the hood when towing, sooooooo what do you do when you can't get the hood up? You call Good Sam and have your car towed to a dealer that can replace the hood latch mechanism and cable. After a nice visit, we headed for home via stops at Birmingham and Shreveport. Our car battery died upon arrival and was subsequently replaced.
It was a wonderful 3500 mile trip despite the few glitches.
Friday, July 29, 2011
More Louisville
Nice weather here in Ohio ... temperatures in the 80's. The big thing going on here is in nearby Canton, President McKinley's home and resting place and, oh yes, the Football Hall of Fame! They have all of these events going on leading up to the induction of this year's nominees, capped by the Hall of Fame Game which sadly has been cancelled because of the NFL lockout. Nevertheless, they pressed on with the parades, style shows, cook-offs and balloon events with fireworks. It is a very big deal here!
Our little Beckett is at it again. Attempts to keep him from the counter in the kitchen have failed miserably ... last night while we were at dinner with an old friend, he got onto the counter and ate a whole container of dog snacks (he actually unscrewed the top to get in it?????), Maxie's leftover dinner and two ant baits. Luckily, he was still alive this morning. He looks and feels heavier.
Also, yesterday we had lunch at Bob Evans with another old friend, Mary Lou Baker. It is so good to meet with friends of old ... the one from dinner was Donna Jean Ermlick, a college mate in the 1950's .... gulp! The dinner last night was at an old college watering hole (Polinori's) which was renouned for its Italian food and 3/2 beer .... was pretty good and the place hadn't changed much since we went to school.
They have such a great market here in nearby Hartville ... lots of Amish farms that grow terrific produce. Bought some great looking pork chops that we grilled tonight with baked potatos, salad and sweet corn. Ahhh, the good life!
Not much of a plan for tomorrow ... probably head over to University of Mount Union ... hit the book store ... and scope out the newest additions to the school. It has changed so much since 1948. Fortunately Donna and I have not changed much since then? Maybe a hair line that's beginning to recede.
Our little Beckett is at it again. Attempts to keep him from the counter in the kitchen have failed miserably ... last night while we were at dinner with an old friend, he got onto the counter and ate a whole container of dog snacks (he actually unscrewed the top to get in it?????), Maxie's leftover dinner and two ant baits. Luckily, he was still alive this morning. He looks and feels heavier.
Also, yesterday we had lunch at Bob Evans with another old friend, Mary Lou Baker. It is so good to meet with friends of old ... the one from dinner was Donna Jean Ermlick, a college mate in the 1950's .... gulp! The dinner last night was at an old college watering hole (Polinori's) which was renouned for its Italian food and 3/2 beer .... was pretty good and the place hadn't changed much since we went to school.
They have such a great market here in nearby Hartville ... lots of Amish farms that grow terrific produce. Bought some great looking pork chops that we grilled tonight with baked potatos, salad and sweet corn. Ahhh, the good life!
Not much of a plan for tomorrow ... probably head over to University of Mount Union ... hit the book store ... and scope out the newest additions to the school. It has changed so much since 1948. Fortunately Donna and I have not changed much since then? Maybe a hair line that's beginning to recede.
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