Iowa - who knew?

OK, I admit, I've been poking around, not getting anywhere fast, and just kind of enjoying not having an agenda.

With lots of time on my hands I've spent some time trolling the net looking for various things to explore or keep me busy.  (Idle hands and all that)

One of my favorite haunts on the net has turned out to be the Roadside America website.  It's full of fun and unusal places to visit. http://www.roadsideamerica.com/

That said, while I was traveling between Elkhart and Iowa I decided to stop and visit the site of Captain James T Kirk's (future) birthplace in Riverside, Iowa.   Who knew?

My timing kind of sucked, because the entire town is shut down in prepartion for this weekend (the last Saturday of each June) TrekFest.  Apparently the entire town is run amok with people in all kinds of Star Trek regalia.

So, my entire trip took 20 minutes, three photo's, and back on the road.

Perhaps the next stop will bear more fruit?

Main street in Riverside...quite the hopping place!

I tried to get close enough to get me, Bandersnatch, and the Segway into the photo...alas, there were workman everywhere prepping the place for the weekend.  No one was willing to help out a traveler in real need of some entertainment!

Elkhart Indiana

One of the driving forces for route planning during the initial phase of this trip was knowing that I had to take the Hula Hut back to where she had been born for some needed factory repairs.  I had no idea where Elkhart, Indiana was located, much less anything about the place.  After being there a week, exploring everyday for 6-9 hours (while the Hut was inside the shop), gave me an opportunity to get a new view on all things "Yankee" and a better appreciation for my neighbors to the North.

I admit, I really enjoyed the time. 

A rare opportunity presented itself while I was visiting the area.  One of the other survivors of our Iraq suicide bombing incident lives very close by Elkhart.  In addition to my previous visit with Donovan, I knew in my heart I wanted to visit with my friend, Rebecca Payne, to see how she was doing, and get caught up since last we had last seen each other (like Donovan, we hadn’t seen each other since being at Walter Reed in early 2006) in Washington.  Our visit was emotional, yet we enjoyed every single minute of it.

Also within driving distance was an aviation museum called "Air Zoo" in Kalamazoo, Michigan, who my friend, Crissie Murphy (http://www.cmurphydesign.com/) recently told me about, and an added bonus was the fact that she has award winning aviation related art work displayed there, and further, that it was within 40 minutes drive time. The decision to visit was a no brainer.   (http://www.airzoo.org/)

The museum is smaller of course than Wright Patterson, but the same level of dedication and courtesy of the staff was impressive.  Upon my arrival I had asked where I could find the art work, and not only did the volunteer know exactly where the two pieces where located, but walked with me to make sure I found them.  Along the way, winding our way through aircraft of all shapes and sizes, I got a running commentary on the history of aircraft, the people behind them, and the back story on the museum and the work that they do within the community.

Because I was once again on the Segway, I got a lot of questions relating to these ease of use, cost, and what, if any, limitations they may have.  Interestingly, the manager approached about 1/2 way through my tour and asked if there was a Segway convention in town.  When I told her no and asked why the question, she informed me that mine was the second one in two days that had come into the museum for the tour.  (I guess I'll just have to settle for being number 2 this time!).

She did however, arrange for me to go to another building that was the original museum building, and where they do the extensive restoration work on aircraft, for a behind the ropes guided tour.  THAT part was simply breathtaking to experience.

Over the next few days I roamed all around the northern Indiana, southern Michigan area visiting little out of the way places.  Crissie again came up with a splendid suggestion for a car museum (website) and upon arrival; I found the place was hosting its annual tractor convention.  So in addition to seeing automobiles that would take hours to describe in artistic terms, I was entertained by tractors of all shapes, sizes, and colors.   As I said to a friend, I've never seen so many men in overalls gathered in one place in all my life!  (http://gilmorecarmuseum.org/)

I have another friend, Jim Wright, from down Texas way, who has an interest in trains, and all things related to trains.   I found out that Elkhart has a railroad museum and decided that I would swing by for a short visit, take some photos for Jim, and be on my way down the road to another location (the Super Hero's Museum of all things).  It didn't quite work out that way.

The museum itself sits on the edge of downtown, and at the head of a huge switching yard that is still active to this day.  It's quite impressive to a novice who knows little or nothing about these things, and I ended up wandering around for over 3 hours inside and outside the grounds, it was fascinating, educational, and well worth the time (website).

There is also the RV Museum in Elkhart (who knew?), but I have to admit I wasn't very turned on by the experience.  I'm in love with my Outlaw so why bother about all those thin skinned yesteryear models, eh?    My parking lot neighbors however, loved the place and went back three days in a row to make sure they didn't miss anything.  Yeah, well, they’re from Canada so I doubt they get out much!

Elkhart has some of the largest city parks I've seen in a long time.  They are literally everywhere you turn, with bike (Segway) trails, small streams and rivers, and paved and lighted pathways.  It was addictive and I rode a lot through various old town areas and downtown.

Once the Hula Hut was complete, I had planned to strike out for MN and WI but, with a last minute change of plans, I decided to spend the weekend in Elkhart to attend an annual Jazz Festival that was the talk of the town.  It was spectacular!  Open air Jazz on the city streets well into the night.  I even, much to my surprise, got up early on Sunday morning to attend a jazz themed church service on Main Street which I really enjoyed.  If church was like this when I was growing up I'd probably be more respectful.

The next few stops, now that the Hula Hut is sporting a new top and improved attitude, is westbound...Iowa City and Riverside, Iowa (the future birth site of James T Kirk), Des Moines (and a little place south of there, the birthplace of John Wayne), and to take part in the annual 4th of July celebration as only a small town can throw.

I'll add more as the story, and the journey, continues. . .

An example of Crissie's award winning work at the Air Zoo.

Least you forget, the Mini (Bandersnatch) and the (as yet unnamed) Segway are on vacation too.

Yes, I took advantage of the Segway and rode around the various buildings and grounds.

The colors and detail on some of these cars was breathtaking

One of my favorites!

Jim would be able to tell us what kind of locomotive this is...me?  I don't have a clue.

I did, occasionally, get caught up in rush hour traffic traveling through the back roads of Indiana.

Downtown Elkhart version of a traffic jam.

Elkhart's riverwalk

Sunday morning church service...jazz fest style!

Dayton Ohio and Wright Patterson AFB

On my trip to Indiana, the route took me close enough to Wright-Pat to make a stop and visit the US Air Force Museum.  It was more than worth the time and effort to do so as not only is the place huge - you literally can't see it all in a day - the people that volunteer there was super and the exhibits first class.  I highly recommend it to anyone who has any interest in aviation.  Down the street is the Wright Brothers park and former aviation field and it too is a great little spot for a history buff.

As a side note, I rode my Segway in the museum.  I was surprised to learn, from several of the staff, that it was apparently the first time anyone had seen a Segway indoors and I have to admit, they made a real effort to make me feel welcome as I was riding slowly through the place for almost 5 hours.

Among the exhibits are two things within the GWOT exhibits that really touched me, one is a combination visual and display of the fight and heroics on "Roberts Ridge" and the other is the last USAF Pave Low helicopter to serve on active duty.  They sit side by side and seem to capture the essence of what the USAF is all about. . . not the high speed, high altitude fighter jock of movies, but the real world, down to earth, day to day operations of our Brothers in blue - the guys who take us in, pull us out, or come to get our butts when it all goes to hell.

(*)  As warning to others, let me confess why there are no photos for this postng.  I was happily snapping pictures for the 1st two hours wandering through the museum with an on again, off again, escort.   I never bothered to check how the photos were coming out and it wasn't until far into it that I noticed I had no flash card in my camera!   argggggggggg.....

Asheville & Spartanburg

I had family in Asheville once upon a time and have spent considerable amount of time in and around the mountains there.  Yet, each time I return I am reminded anew how much there is left to see.  On this trip, I spent some time in quite reflection at the graveside of my relatives before setting off.  I found it strangely comforting.

The ride to Mt Mitchell, highest point east of the Mississippi, was incredible.  Although the temperature was a moderate 74 degrees in Asheville, the further I climbed up the Blue Ridge trail to the mountaintop the more fog, rain, and drop in temperature.  By the time I reached the parking lot on the top, than rode the Segway up to the top of the overlook, the temp had dropped to 51 degrees.  Doesn't matter; the 360 degree view was worth the effort.

I have to add a note about the following.  This is the first time I can recall that I've not been on 2 wheels while on the parkway.  I miss not having the bike on this trip, and the Segway, although a great alternative to walking just doesn't cut it on something like that for obvious reasons.  Yet, my little Mini Cooper Turbo 6 speed, gave me enough thrills with its low stance, awesome cornering, and mountain climbing boost, that it was almost, almost, as good as being on two wheels.  :-)  I hate to admit, I might have been just a tab above the posted speed limit of 45 MPH on occasion.

Spartanburg is home to my OIF buddy Donovan, and his wife, Cassandra, and the kids.  We haven't seen each other since early 2007 and it was incredible to take the time to get caught up and find out how each other has been coping with this "after-the-Army" retirement gig.  He and the family look great!  I missed seeing his Mom, but I hear she's doing well.

Just one of the many views along the Blue Ridge Parkway on the way to Mount Mitchell.

Foggy & chilly, but enjoyable indeed!

My brother from another mother...Donovan looks great!

One of my neighbors at the RV park caught me in an unguarded moment one morning..killing time.

Spring Travel 2012

I woke up this morning thinking, wow this trip is taking a long time.   Then I realized I've been on the road less than two weeks.  And, with weeks more to come.

Perhaps it's all the stuff that's been cramped into that time frame that has me slow, sore, and reaching for the Advil.  Late nights and early mornings are not for us retired guys and I'm learning the wisdom of that adage that getting old is not for wimps.

From the beaches of Florida's Gulf Coast, the coastal plains of Savannah, the tourist packed Mecca of Virginia Beach, the piney woods of Fayetteville, and the mountain majesty of Asheville all in ten days.  Jeez.

Along the way my wayward friends have tortured me with handshakes and hugs, reunions with old friends, early morning off road bicycle tours, late night prop blast ceremonies, strippers and lap dances, far too much rich food and drink, zip lines (into a 66 degree ocean - what was I thinking?), and taunts of retirement.  My gosh how have I survived the madness?  Experience perhaps?

I'd like to think that this short period has been the "breaking in" period of the road trip and that things will become more sedate as I move away from the evil influences of my old military fraternity.  But I doubt it.  Some of my even more robust friends are further North and West on this journey.  OMG.

The good news is that I've actually gotten to do this.  It was put off far too long and the beauty of having a loose agenda is being able to do some things that have been on the shelf for a long time.  I've visited (finally) the new county hideaway of an old friend and seen and heard the joy in his voice, and pride he displays over his homestead. Made the time to visit two historical parks, a couple of museums, and rode my Segway through the bike trails of the piney woods.  Nothing however tops being able to reconnect with some people, friends, who I had touched while on my last duty assignment and finding that their lives have recovered fully, and I was welcomed into the circle of their community, retired or not.  It's difficult to describe how that makes you feel.

Moving on from here, Asheville at the moment, means a brief dinner reunion with one of the wounded from OIF and our joint stint as patients at Walter Reed.  I've not seen him since 2007 and we're both anxious to get caught up in person.  It should be one of the highlights of the trip.

In the short term, beyond that is Dayton, Ohio, and Elkhart, IN where the Hula Hut will have some factory repairs done while I explore parts of Ohio and Michigan for few days.

This quick update is just to let you know I'm still among the living (despite all the evil intent listed above) and that at some point I'll have to post a few (surviving) photos (a series of photos was deleted due to a security breach on my part, which is a story onto itself).  I can only blame it on innocent ignorance of Naval regulations and protocol.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it!

More soon.

 Where I'm going, Where I'm at, Where I've been...

MacDill AFB RV Park....not bad.

Sunsets in Florida.

Savannah, Hunter AAF RV Park

One of the numerous off road bike trails in Fayetteville / Ft Bragg.

Lakeside view, from the hilltop overlooking the lake from the Ft. Bragg RV park.

Phase one of the journey is almost over.  I'm wrapping up in Tampa and headed North on Sunday morning.  Next stop, Hunter Army Airfield in Savannah for an overnight stay, than arrive in Fayetteville on Monday for a week long stay.

The repairs to the Hula Hut were complete with no drama; the dash A/C simply needed a new temp control valve and it was done.  Sweet.

The Campground at MacDill was a little surprising.  This is the first time I've stayed at a military installation campground (although it won't be the last during this trip), and I have to say I was impressed with the cleanliness, the quiet, and the nice beach that was close to where I parked.  The rate wasn't bad either.  About 1/3 the cost for three nights what it usually cost me for one (1) night in a civilian campground.  Yeah, go figure.

On another positive note I ran into a bunch of people I did not expect to see who were in town for a Military Conference.  My old Sergeant Major was down from DC, and a whole bunch of SEALS, SF, and Ranger buddies were here taking part.  I walked into the conference center expecting to stay for just a few minutes and ended up there for 3 hours just getting caught up.  I'm so proud of having been a part of that group and it's comforting to know that the new generation of troops is continuing to support our Wounded, ill, and Injured Service Members.

The only (brief) downside to this phase of the trip was a day long storm yesterday which kind of put a damper on getting some of my local tasks out of the way.  In the end however, the sunset was well worth the wait and it's a fitting tribute to setting the tone for the rest of this journey.

I'm trying out a new motto - "no drama, take your time, and remember, it's not like you have a schedule to keep"

I'll keep you advised as I go on down the road!