FIRST AIRPLANE FLIGHT - MINOLTA 7000i - DAD AND THE CORVETTE

I have blogged about my first airplane flight, but when I wrote that, I had not found a picture of that day. Looking back this morning for that post finds that I apparently have not put that information in one of the main blog headings so, a little re-write here.

My wife and I have officially started a full home clean-out, starting with the office closet. We have 20 years of stored documents and photos. At the end of the day yesterday, another hand full of sorting old photos found one of the ones I have been looking for that day of my first airplane ride. 

The fellow in the above photo was a good friend of my parents and was on his way to Alaska. He planned a refueling stop at Bowerman Field and a quick visit with my folks. 

We drove to the airport for that visit and my parents tried squelching my excitement that just maybe I might get an airplane ride. He was, of course, on a long cross-country flight and most likely would have the time to take me up. "Do not be disappointed if he does not have the time to take you for a flight."

Well, he did and from the look on his face, was also as pleased to give a first airplane ride to a youngster who was overly excited and who have never been in an airplane. 

It was that ride that cemented my love of flying. From that moment forward, my childhood dream was to find some way to become a pilot and fly. 

In 1965, I joined the Army with a signed guarantee for helicopter flight school. I never ever looked back. 

I have stared at this photo quite awhile here.

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ANOTHER GREAT FIND WAY BACK ON THE TOP CLOSET SHELF 

I have disliked my current camera bag since I purchased it years ago. Hard to get into, close back up and it always fall over and down on the camera/lens access pockets. 

In the back of my memory was this old camera bag, not remembering the older camera stored in the bag. To my surprise was finding this old Minolta SLR film camera that I picked up over 20 years ago inside. I remember that I got a good deal on this camera  and, at the time, it was an upgrade. 

As I sort through a myriad of old photos, it occurs to me that this was most likely the camera I was using for many of the photos I am coming across. The bag contained 6 fresh rolls of color film and a new camera battery.

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DAD AND THE CORVETTE

I have come across many photos of my dad driving the 1963 Corvette I left behind in 1967 when I went to Vietnam. I had purchased the car during my final months of training in Alabama, drove it home after graduation from flight school and told my dad to drive it and take care of it in my absence. 

I remember he was hesitant to drive it, at least that was what he had told me. "Yes" he would take care of and watch over it; maybe "drive it a little." 

The old photos I have come across this past weekend tells me mom and dad had a lot of fun traveling the Oregon/Washington Coast and inland drives to Eastern Washington in that 1963 Corvette. 

The smile on my dads face tells it all. It is the same smile I had every time I drove that car. Top down and cruising in a classic sports car.

 

This photo to the left was most likely taken on the road from Grayland/Tokeland to Raymond, Washington.

There are photos of dad washing the car and proudly standing next to the "vette" while friends stopped over to visit. 

There are also a few photos of mom in the car and standing next to it and those photos tell me she also enjoyed riding and traveling in that sports car while I was over seas. Does my heart good. Yep, dad and mom truly loved the car in my absence that year.

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Short post this week. Probably more old photos and a few memories in the posts ahead. Thanks for the visit.

VETERANS DAY - TORNADO STORM SHELTER - SHOOTING SKEET -

Over 50 years now and I have told many of the old stories, maybe too often. I find now that looking at some of the old slides and photos bring back instances and memories. 

As I write this morning, in memory of a few of these years in my early 20's and in respect/honor for all Veteran's this coming Veterans' day, I find the visiting of these times as honorable as the days flying in support of our ground troops during 1967.

 A free-fire mission in the An Loa Valley, Central Highlands, Vietnam, early 1967.

One of our helicopters picking up to a hover at the "Golf Course" at the 1st Air Cav's base in An Khe. The helicopters were flying at max gross weight and would actually sink down into the lower grass field in front of this helicopter on take off before forward flight aerodynamics efficiency would kick in and the helicopter would rise in a take off climb. I was flying with the 2nd of the 20th Aerial Rocket Artillery, 1967.

Tail rotor failure at a hover the night before. Three complete fuselage rotations before the pilot and I lowered the collective, hitting the ground level and spreading the skids. Crew chief had a minor back injury. We considered this a successful landing with full tail rotor failure at night. Come to find out, the  bearings had been installed backwards inside the tail rotor assembly.

To add insult to injury, we were put into another helicopter that night to finish our night flight rotation. 

This was one of two tail rotor failures while flying combat in Vietnam. 

The second was in a Cobra and on that one I made a run on landing at an Air Force base w/o incident. No sooner had the blades stopped rotating, an air force pick up truck pulled up and handed the co-pilot me an ice cold Coca Cola with cap removed. 

We did our damnedest to try to stay there on the Air Force base with the Cobra for a few days, but we were transported back "home" later that day.   

To all Veterans: A heartfelt thank you for your service to our country.

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TORNADO STORM SHELTER EXAMPLE

Last weeks post about getting in an underground storm shelter for protection against a possible direct hit from the passing tornado in Dallas a few weeks ago, prompts a couple photos from a standing shelter we saw during our visit.

The 4 photos taped to the outside of the metal standing storm shelter we were shown shows how this particular model has proven itself in passing tornadoes. Still standing! The photo to the right shows how the all steel shelter is bolted to the inside garage floor. The inside of this particular shelter was lit by 12 Volt lights.

This would be my preference as opposed to being underground. 

SHOOTING SKEET 

Final Dallas story is about shooting skeet. I can't. 

Brother-in-law and his closest friend invited me along for a Sunday skeet shoot about 45 miles north of Dallas proper. I was just happy to go along and play with the boys. Getting a round of skeet shooting would be a bonus.

The range was set up for serious shooters. Most all of the fellows shooting there were also bird hunters. A day of shooting sports along with maintaining hunting skill sets. 

I watched a group of 5 shoot around the half-circle shooting stations between a high house and a low house that throws the skeets. Brother-in-law took me aside to load and shoot the 20 gauge shotgun. Any new shooter is always brought into the unfamiliar fold of shooters with safety lessons and practice.  

Our group of threes turn came up and we assumed the course. Individually, we took the shooting stand. Loaded 2 shells into the shotguns and assumed our stance. Yelling "pull" brought the high skeet first and then a second "pull" would bring the low skeet from across the circle towards us. 

I hit the first skeet like a pro. I should have up and quit observing how easy this was going to be. Save my shoulders and all of that. Of course this is not a real  option. Just for story telling. 

Twenty-two out of twenty-four of my skeet lived. Yep, I only hit two. Easy to count. And of course I had excuses. Several.  I made all of the common mistakes a newcomer does and was most likely better at making those mistakes than most. The birds of Texas are forever safe near my blind. 

One round was enough for me. Shoulders, you know! I watched brother- in-law and friend each kill their next 48 skeets without issue.

All in all, it was a boys' day out telling stories, playing with guns, running a hunting dog and grabbing BBQ on the way home.

I want more.

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 Thanks for the visit this week.

HONOR FLIGHT - DALLAS TORNADO - THE PINEY WOODS - ADMITTING DEFEAT

A week and a half in Texas visiting family and friends was the first vacation for my wife and me in several years.

Our first layover in Baltimore, after a quick hour and half flight, found us walking the terminal looking for breakfast. Off in the distance, I heard a bell ring to what appeared for each passenger getting off another flight arrival. The distance down the corridor was too far to know, though.

Soon, older fellows dressed in the same color shirts started to pass our locations. Most were wearing veterans hats and shirts. I learned the arrival of these men was an honor flight of older veterans coming to the memorials in Washington DC. I was reminded of my wife's father, a WWII veteran, and the honor flights of a few years back when these men were treated to free flights and all of the services to get to the war memorial for a visit along with other planned activities.

Volunteers clapped as each older man passed by our location and each were thanked for their service. The long corridor had many volunteers helping these men move along and all proudly applauded each and every one. "Thank you for your service" Many other airport travelers also joined in. 

 

I thought I was again watching WWII veterans but realized that there were not many of these men still alive and able to make a trip like this. And like a brick it hit me, these were my boys.  My men, my brothers, my war. They were the ones all of this was about and all were being so highly recognized by everyday folks. It has been over 50 years now. A great big lump in my throat and tears in my eyes. It was a most wonderful surprise for the beginning of this vacation. 

Several other honor flights were also arriving. I learned that some of these groups get a police escort all the way to the Wall and Korean Memorial.

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A few hours later we arrived in Dallas and shirt sleeve weather. After gathering our luggage, we were quickly whisked away by brother in law and his wife

Within a few minutes we were parked in front of Sonny Bryan's Smokehouse Barbecue. One of Dallas's landmark restaurants  dating back to 1910.  

We have eaten here before and always look forward to this as one of our restaurant stops when visiting family in Dallas. 

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Dallas Tornado

It was reported that the tornado that passed through Sunday evening (10-20-19) had touched down 9 to 10 times. The pictures below were taken a few days later when we drove by edges of some of the damage. 

We had taken a family drive into eastern Texas that day visiting family friends and sightseeing. On the drive home at sunset, we could see the storm building but gave it no more thought than any other thunderstorm passing over the city. We arrived back home in Dallas just as the first rain and wind from the storm hit. 

I was exhausted from jet lag, little sleep and welcomed an early bed time. No sooner had I fallen deep asleep I was quickly awakened by my wife shaking me, telling me that I need to get up and get with the family in the tornado storm shelter. Sirens and tornado warning phone apps indicated that immediate urgency in our location. 

Brother-in-law was adamant that we get into the shelter as he herded us into the garage and down inside the shelter. It was the first time I had ever seen him so concerned in voice and action.

A few minutes later, we were settled, sirens screaming outside, cell phones in hand monitoring other family and vice versa. When he started to slide the metal lid shutting us in, I spoke up. "Do not lock me inside this underground box." I was not mad, but this is one of my fears in life. Always has been. I would rather take the consequences of a storm like that, than being locked in a metal box underground. Simple as that. 

He did accommodate my fears, leaving the lid open enough to see up and out. Had the storm hit his house, he would have closed that lid regardless. 

For 15 minutes, I bit my lower lip, holding my fears inside, watching, listening and trying to be a good guest whom he was protecting with every inch of his being. I appreciated his position protecting the family while accommodating my fears.  I was sorry to put that added pressure on him, but the moment and my fear won out. 

The all-clear was given, the tornado had passed us moving north east. The metal lid was full opened and we individually climbed out of the shelter. 

The aftermaths of the storm were eye-opening for me in the damage caused through much of the town of Dallas. All family members were accounted for along with close friends. For the next hour, cell phone calling and texting found everyone in brother-in-laws circle of life safe as well. 

The storm had come within 2 blocks of his home. Close enough to warrant the actions and behaviors of getting everyone into a shelter. 

For me a first. I appreciated it then and more so now as I look back having seen some of the damage. In all honesty, I had no clue to the quickness of a passing tornado and the immediate urgency with which folks need to act.  I also did not fully realize the severity of a tornado touching down.

These late afternoon photos show just some of the damage.

Driving through portions of these neighborhoods showed homes covered with tarps and trees down on both sides of the streets. 

These photos were taken a week after the storm passed and it was apparent that the neighborhoods, families and city of Dallas had their work cut out getting debris removed and a handle on repairs. A few homes we saw were unlivable. 

I took this photo below as we toured around the local area on the day of our arrival. The neighborhoods where my brother-in-law and sister (my wife) grew up. 

I asked him specifically to stop as I rarely see construction sites like this and especially at the standing completion of the framing build.

Brother-in-law just sent these photos of that same home. The houses on either side of this new home being built received very little damage.

  
I cannot imagine what the new homeowner and builder must have thought at arriving and seeing this destruction after the storm.

Surprisingly, no deaths or injuries have been reported.

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FROM THE PINEY WOODS

Two pictures above taken earlier the day of the tornado in the Piney Woods about 90 miles east of Dallas.  

An older tractor nearly obscured by overgrowth and a late afternoon reflection of trees on a large pond.

ADMITTING DEFEAT

Close friends and I often describe the ups and downs of daily living as "sometimes you eat the bears and sometimes the bear eats you." I am not sure who started that saying so many years ago. 

In the case now, back on the hill in New Hampshire, the bear flat out wins every battle when it comes to my long term wanting to feed the birds. 

From now on, I am just going to throw seed and feed on the old picnic table near by and am also throwing in the towel.

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Winter is coming once again. Time for wood fires and a pot of soup on the simmer. First snows forecasted the end of next week.

Thanks for another visit this week. 

SMASH BURGERS - REMOVE ALL HAM RADIO INFASTRUCTURE - ELEVEN YEARS AGO - WATCH "LIGHT LINE"

I found a few videos on "smash burgers" recently and thought I would give it a try. Not much of a stretch from just frying a hamburger patty.

The process seems be the same from the several different videos I watched.

Smash the patty on a grill or, in my case, the cast iron skillet. Most suggest a patty smashed fairly thin which I tried the first time. 

The juices do indeed stay inside the burger and both surfaces are sufficiently crusted. Salt and pepper only suggested in the videos and just fine. We always use 85% ground chuck from Sam's. Also smashed on to a puddle of melted butter as suggested. 

Second attempt for breakfast this past week was much more favorable leaving the patties a little thicker.  Six to seven minutes for medium. First side three minutes before turning. Start at medium heat and work from there.

Cheese melts perfectly after the first flip. And don't monkey with the burger. Smash it, time it, flip it, cheese it and plate it.

Using a piece of parchment paper between your press and the burger works too.

I will probably stay with this process for ease and flavor. From a quick hamburger steak to a full-blown burger, the process works fine. 

Do not do this in your kitchen. Splatter is noticeable. Outside cooking station works fine and clean-up easy. 

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 CALIFORNIA OFFICIALS...

ripped from the headlines

"California Officials declare Ham Radio no longer a benefit; Demands Ham radio repeater infrastructure to be Removed"

Just another story stuck in the muck and mud of media this week. The headline screams --- officials demands.  One more freedom on the chopping block. This one is another good example that "they" are coming for all of us in every nook and cranny of our lives. 

The article is short and to the point. 

HAM operators can talk all over the world. In my last post, I shared a brief story of attending a hillside ham shack set up with several HAM operators trying to make contacts across the pond. And we did. 

It was as easy as setting up an antenna, hooking up a high frequency ham radio to a portable battery power supply. With a proper ham license, operators search frequencies for others talking and make contact bouncing radio waves off the atmosphere. It is as easy and as complicated as that. 

What all of this means is that ham operators can talk to other ham operators anywhere around the world and get exact, up-to-date information sharing. No middle man/woman official editing information. Freedom of speech seems to be a major problem and many think it should be eliminated. 

Good quick video 1  https://youtu.be/2Mgd06UAHbU

Good quick video 2  https://youtu.be/3uCh8NrkmAo

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Eight hours of steady rain followed by light rain showers and wind gusts. A couple inches for most of the state.

Fall's leaves covering most of the yard and driveway this morning. Color, although at the end of peak, still holding on. Can see further into and through the woods now and some of this beauty now needs to be mulched with the mower or raked and tossed. 

Regardless, this has been a wonderful season of color that has been appreciated.  

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Eleven years ago, my wife and I were using a small, power-driven snow blower to clear our 900' driveway from the house down to the main road. My wife is making the first pass down the hill and the driveway is defined by the high snow banks on either side. We did not plow at this point that winter because there was no more room for pushing snow.

We were younger then. 

  

Second pass back up the hill. 

We would take turns and the dog went with us on every pass. Yea, we were younger then!!

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Confined area landing near Eagle Alaska 1986, Temsco Helicopters.

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Watch "Light Line - Jean-Baptiste Chandelier"

 Another good video from Jean-Baptiste Chandelier

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 Thanks again for the visit this week.

 

 

RIB EYE REPEATS - ELVIS AND ANN MARGARET - HAM CONTESTING

That time of the year again when we find a good cut of rib eye roast and cut our own steaks. 

We have been doing this for the past few years and have shared this before with pics. What has changed?

The price. And it appears these treats will keep trending higher. 

These steaks priced out at $9.78 each and, in my book, that is expensive. Seems not too long ago this price was in the seven dollar each range. But always always much less cost than buying a steak or two cut and packaged by the butcher. The quality of meat and size of each steak is also much better. 

I priced two similar steaks packaged at the same large chain store earlier this past week and two rib eye steaks like these were selling for $40. 

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SHUFFLE DANCING AND MUSIC that is fun to watch and listen to.  INTERPRETING THROUGH DANCE. 

Most all of the dancing I see these days in the selling for products or an attempt to share, falls way short of intent. But these youngsters shuffle dancing.....well sound up and full screen. Enjoy. 

 Elvis and Ann Margaret remix to shuffle dancing. (stay with the video)

Watching Ann Margaret dance to the same song. My Goodness!! 

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BLACK AND WHITE

A make-shift yard debris compost site out back that is worthy of photographing in black and white. This would look like a junk pile in color.

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 PEAK FOLIAGE 2006.

OCTOBER 2019

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LEOPARD PHOTO TAKEN 2007 KRUGER NATIONAL PARK 

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HAM ON A HILL

 Friends, tents, HF radios, portable HF antennas, coffee, doughnuts and talking with folks half a world away.

Spent yesterday morning in a small HAM amateur radio shack in eastern New Hampshire during a contesting field exercise.

A very poor black and white of one of the folks I was watching and working radios with, tuning the 20 meter high frequency band for contacts in Scandinavia during their contact contest this weekend. 

This was my first opportunity to work my recent ham license upgrade on the high frequency bands. My first contacts were in Denmark and Finland. 

So what? Well, it was a first. I was learning more using amateur radios and how challenging this can be to a new comer. AND it was fun and I want more experience.

This winter is going to be spent learning before buying equipment and building antennas. 

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Appreciate the visit again this week.