And We Hit the Road

Freeda and I hit the road which by the way I will refer to us as a we instead of using proper names.  At my age anything that makes my life easier is something I will do.

So where was I before I started rambling.  Oh yeah, we hit the road with our fist stop being Wildwood, Fl. for some Mexican food. The margaritas there are REALLY GOOD!!!!!!! And so is the food…..

with a short pause in Oxford, Fl.  After that the travel got serious and we headed for Spring, Tex.

There is a nice Bed & Breakfast there.  Well there used to be.  It has since relocated...  Maybe the breakfast part ain’t so great, but the coffee is good in the morning and the MARGARITA’S AND WINE are definitely at the top of the list!!!

There is also a great restaurant there called Bubba T’s which serves the closest thing to real Cajun Food that side of Louisiana!!!! 

After a few days of R & I, that would be relaxation and intoxication, but only in moderation. It was time to continue our adventure and so we put Spring, Tex. in the rear view mirror and headed west. 

We hoped for an interesting and fun filled adventure, but really had no idea of all the people we would meet and the sites we would see!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Saxy Flamingo

This first story is just an introduction to FREEDA. That is much easier than her actual name which was FREEDOM the FLAMINGO. She is a member the Deland Naval Air Station Museum and on the DNASM FACEBOOK page.

It was a dark and dreary stormy wind blown rainy night when our eyes met, and we just knew that even under the most trying circumstances we were meant to be together!!!!!

Now that is the way to start a story.  OHHHHH if only it were true. I actually met Freeda at the Deland Naval Air Station Museum yard sale.  She was at the money table and I was selling hot dogs. I cannot say it was love at first sight because that would border on being really strange.  I have been told that I am strange, but even I gotta draw the line someplace……… But somehow when I saw her I just knew that she should be my traveling companion.

The sale was on Friday and Saturday. I just kept an eye on her all day Friday, I know that sounds just a little creepy, since we had shared a hot dog, well I sorta ate the hot dog and we discussed her escape from the museum, well maybe not an escape, but more like let’s hit the road and have some fun. 

Saturday morning, I got there early to set up for the hot dog sales and met Freeda in the restoration building.  It is like an airplane hangar because of the doors, but that is where most of the old plane restoration work is done.

I explained to Freeda that she would have to stay out of sight behind the truck seat all day.  I gave her new batteries, so she would be OK.  All day long people searched high and low, mostly low cause she ain’t very tall, but I also told her no blowing the sax until we were gone.  The sale ended, and I drove off with my horn blowing buddy for who knows what we might encounter???

Freeda was the ideal traveling partner. Always listened to me when I said something, always seemed to enjoy looking out the window.  Never complain

ed, never required a REST AREA break.  Did not take up much space.  Did not require much in the way of food. Just a couple of C batteries every now and then. We spent quite some time, a few months actually. 

After we got back in 2016 from our road trip I dropped her off at the museum and have not seen her since. Every so often I wonder where she is and what she is doing. I keep listening for the sound of the saxophone……. I am guessing that would be a NOSTALGIA type thing???????

😉

There is a P S to this.  I actually just met up with Freeda the day this picture was taken.  We were both at a Veterans Day dance for the museum in Deland!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Here We Go Again

A few years ago, I started writing or typing or whatever you would like to call it.  I am not sure since it is all done on a lap top?????  I am not sure if anybody ever read what I wrote, but it was fun creating the stories, so I think maybe it is time to do it again?? Or maybe not depending on who/whom???? {not sure about the grammar???} you may talk to…. To me this is a form of therapy.  Originally, I started out looking for the meaning of life and then started writing road stories and about people of the road stories.  There were also some about a submarine.  But the break has been long enough and suddenly, I feel the urge, so I am going to start DOING THIS AGAIN. 

The last time I wrote anything was in 2015 and since then my life has taken some strange twists and turns, but somebody once said that when life gives you lemons, make lemonade and so I guess this will be my lemonade. 

The stories that come after this will hopefully not be so long that they are boring, but long enough and enjoyable to the point that if you are reading one of them, you will read to completion. I will also add visual aids, that would be pictures.  I do not have a large vocabulary so a lot of the time you may notice word repetition. I will make all the necessary apologies now and then after this just kwitchurbellyakin!!!!!!!!!!!

I am including a picture with this short BLURB just so there is a visual aid!!!!!!!!!!!  The picture is of me all dressed up.  Actually, this was the only time I ever wore one of these so not only is this a first publication of this picture.  It also gives you the choice of reading further or not, based simply on my dress code….. 

Of course, none of this makes any sense, but if you do continue to read what I post you will suddenly realize that not making any sense does make sense???????????

😉

My Bedroom & the Gas Pump

I bet you are wondering what my bedroom has to do with a gas pump.  Funny that you should ask because I was going to tell you anyway.  Well not really tell you more like I am writing this since you are not where I am and there is no other form of communication for me that allows me to enlighten you as to what my bedroom and a gas pump have in common.

Since I am pulling a trailer now, I do not have to crawl into the back of the truck I actually have a place to get into (MY BEDROOM) that I do not have to drop the tailgate and lengthen my arms by about 5 or 6 inches!!!!! 

But with a new bedroom also comes more weight towing the trailer and so while the gas pump giveth, it also taketh away since I have to stop more and give more to get more!!!!!!!!!!!!

I gassed up in Wildwood, Fl. And paid $2.42 (I am not going to use the .9.  I will just round up. Anyway as I said $2.42 in Wildwood, Fl., $2.54 in Quincy, fl., and then $2.39 in Loxley, Al, and $2.26 in Spring, Tex.

I am in Spring, Tex. as I write this.  I spent the night on the road in a Mississippi rest area and the new bedroom was actually quite comfortable and not having to lift the tailgate is definitely an improvement.  The only problem was a diesel (pusher) motor home was right next to me and they ran the generator ALL NIGHT LONG!!!!!!!!!!!!!

{;-)

My Survival Kit & Questions

Well greetings to one and all…..  I have had requests to start writing again and since I have been suffering from a severe case of writers block????? Actually I think it was more of an age thing???? I cannot remember what I want to write when I sit down and so I just sit and watch my screen saver change and enjoy the scenery….

It has been sometime since I put pen to paper or actually fingers to the keys.  I have never quite figured out why the letter buttons are called keys?????  I have lived in the keys.  I use keys to open doors; I use a key to start my truck.  So my question is who decided to call letter buttons on a board keys on a key board???

It is getting near to the time when I will be heading west and I must say, well I really don’t have to say, it is more like I write it, well I don’t really write it, I tap the keys???? And the words magically appear on the screen in front of me????

Which brings me to my next question?  Why is it called a screen??  I have a screen porch where the screen keeps the bugs out, I have a screen door to allow the breezes to blow through.  I have used a screen to sift through sand.  So how is it that I type words on a screen and I watch television on a screen, neither of which have any sort of perforations!!!!!!

But I waver from my appointed task…… Now what was that???? Oh yes, I am getting ready to WESTWARD HO my truck and the new trailer Carla & I recently purchased.  It is a 20 foot car hauler that will carry the HUMMER in the back and make a camper out of the front portion.  This will be explained in future writings so for now you will just have to take my word for it.

Actually this was supposed to be about my survival kit!!!!! And I strayed from that to ask some very important questions and now that the questions have been asked I will tell you about my survival kit.

Every year when I leave my sister-in-law makes me a survival kit which is made up of small cups of fruit, crackers, fruit bars, and various and sundry other items.  {I am not sure what sundry means, but I have seen it used like this} I have a couple pictures of my survival kit which will be posted with this BLERB.  Also I will include a picture of the truck and trailer which together makes me right at 50 feet long!!!!!!!!!!!  When I first tried to hook the truck to the trailer I knew there was a problem, but I finally climbed MT. IGNORANCE AND FIGURED OUT THAT I HAD TO TURN THE TRUCK AROUND SO THE LIGHTS WOULD WORK!!!!!!!!!!

Now that I have explained my survival kit I will end this with an;

“I am on the road somewhere and who knows when you will hear from me again???????

{;-)

The Gas Pump Taketh Away

When one leaves one place and goes to another one must buy gas to get there…. Now that is not only a statement of fact, but also sort of like heading out into the unknown since one (especially this one never knows what the price of gas will be in any given state or actually any given town within that state and since most of the time I am not sure what state or state of mind I am in or for that matter I could be in the state of confusion???????


And so it was or maybe it wasn’t?????? One can never be sure for it could be two or maybe even three, but I am sure that when I left Oak Hill there was only one so it is safe to assume that the one was me??????? At least I think it was me????? I know it was me when I got to where I was going so I can only assume that it was me all along????? Aaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhh but I dally, not dilly or maybe I dilly dally but I know for sure that I don’t dilly dally daily, but I did leave Oak Hill heading west and this time I kept track of gas prices so that whomever/whoever (not sure which is right so it is always safe to use both) reads this will have an idea of what gas costs coming across the U.S.

My route was up I-75 in Florida to I-10 and then I-10 all the way to Arizona where I took 70 to 60 to apache junction and then on to Kingman, AZ. On up to Las Vegas and then on to Tonopah, NV. And then on to Sparks, NV. And then Susanville, CA to McCloud, CA. and then on to Grants Pass, Ore.

Below are listed all my stops for gas so you can see the difference in prices from state to state. I try and avoid buying gas in California and if I need to, I only buy what will get me into the next state…..

California has the highest prices and their pumps are a pain in the A@#!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And so here are the prices listed by date, city & state, and price per gallon….

4/12    Deland, Fl     $3.56.9                      4/17 Lordsburg, NM       3.45.9

4/15 Ocala, Fl            3.44.9                       4/18 Apache Jct., AZ     3.55.9

4/15 Marianna, Fl      3.37.9                       4/21 Mesa, AZ               3.49.9

4/15 Biloxi, MS         3.29.9                       4/22 Kingman, AZ        3.39.9

4/15 Vinton, LA         3.29.9                       4/22 Beatty, NV            3.69.9

4/16 Seguin, TX         3.29.9                       4/23 Fallon, NV            3.75.9

4/16 Comfort, TX      3.34.9                       4/23 Sparks, NV            3.69.9

4/16 Ft. Stockton, TX 3.49.9                      4/23 Susanville, CA        3.91.9

4/17 Van Horn, TX     3.55.9                      4/23 Central Point, OR  3.55.9

And so if you are contemplating a drive across the country at least this will give you an idea of what gas prices are…… I took I-10 because of the weather. I do not like snow and everything above I-10 had weather problems and so the prudent thing to do was stay south until it was time to turn north!!!!!!!!
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The Happy Camp Candy Parade--2

Since Happy Camp is a small town, the parade is obviously not that big, but it is one of those fun parades where everybody knows everybody even if you don't live there!!!!!!! The staging for the whole parade actually takes place on one of the 2 main streets in town and takes about 15 minutes and that included staging us 3 times. The parade route is probably a ½ mile long, but it is packed with people and everybody has a camera. They have there own website and if I could remember or find it I would put it in the blog because some lady came up and took a picture of the hummer for the website showing the parade.

After the parade every one drives down to a park that is alongside the Klamath River where we had a picnic and the parade awards were handed out. The Old Volks and Folks took second place in the overall category???? Anyway we won something and we were asked to come back this year/next year (since it happened last year, but I am writing this year I used both) and that the last I heard was the intent.

The pictures I have of the staging are limited as we were staged and then restaged and then moved once more before the parade started. But a good time was had by all and then it was on to Cave Junction for a parade there!!!!!!!!
{;-)

The Happy Camp Candy Parade

When the term/saying/euphemism/or whatever other word that you feel can be used to describe the following statement “over the river and through the woods” when used it is normally associated with going to “Grandmother’s house”.

But it can also be used literally to describe the road from Grants Pass, Ore. To Happy Camp, Calif. The town that sits right in the middle of the woods!!!!!!!! Yes folks there really is place called Happy Camp!!!!!!! I have no idea how the town  got it's name but I googled the town and your home work assignment after reading this story is to read about HAPPY CAMP, CA.………

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Happy_Camp,_California

The road as you can see by the map pictures (find CAVE JUNCTION) at the top of the map (picture #3/upper left) the one without the bullet hole and as you can see the road really does go through the woods to the Klamath River. It is a fun and challenging road for those who like to see how fast they can go over a mountain road with a lot of curves and hairpin turns!!!!

The OLD VOLKS and FOLKS were part of the annual “BIGFOOT PARADE” and for those of you who/whom (not sure which is correct so I will play it safe and use both) have never heard of “BIGFOOT” I suggest you Google him. Anyway Happy Camp is the supposed home of BIGFOOT and the town has a parade every year to celebrate the famous local resident. According to the LORE (not sure what that word means, but I figured I would throw it in anyway) of the west, BIGFOOT has been seen everywhere from Northern California to Washington state??????

Upon arrival at Happy Camp which by the way when you come out of the woods and around the curve you are there!!!!!!!!! The OLD VOLKS and FOLKS registered for the parade.

The reason for the strange title of this story is because all or most of the parade participants throw candy to the children along the parade route. I am going to stop here since there are more than five pictures and I know how much everybody likes reading this stuff. So you have even more to look forward to!!!!
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The Trees--4

I suppose I should have quit while I was ahead but there was just

“NO WAY” I was going to end this day trip with the word PIZZA!!!!!!!

Unfortunately I cannot remember the name of the PIZZA PLACE we went to in Cave Junction which is in Oregon (you can google this also) for those of you who have no idea where I am?????? There is another story coming about Cave Junction that will give you more information, well maybe not more information, but at least you will have something else to read about what happens in this town………

Now back to the final paragraph of this exciting SOJOURN into and out of the FROZEN HINTERLAND!!!!!!! How about those words????? Pretty neat, HUH?????? Although it is easier for me to use words of one syllable or less, sometimes I like to slip in a fancy word just to prove that there is something besides a PERFECT VACUUM between my ears!!!!!!!!!! And so with the pizza place being the final stop I felt like it was necessary to show you what a bunch of REALLY COOL PEOPLE look like after driving/riding in Volkswagens of various makes and models all day!!!!!!!!!!! with a lot of them not having tops and that is the REST OF THE STORY!!!!!!!!!!!
{;-)

The Trees/DID YOU KNOW????--3

Unfortunately we did not have enough time to enjoy the entire Trees of Mystery as it covers more area than what I assumed and having a time limit made for an abbreviated tour. We were some where in the Trees at 3 pm and by the time we got back to the hummer there was a note telling us that everyone was at the beach.

I could only assume that being at the beach meant somewhere north of where we were since we all had to go back the same way??????? And so, on with the jacket, stocking hat and gloves, I was all bundled up, toasty warm and we were heading up the road to the beach???? Some five miles later I came around a corner and there on the left with no warning and a short time to turn I skipped the turn signal, went down one gear made a hard left and shot into the beach parking lot!!!!!!!

After a few minutes of break time we all loaded up and headed back toward Crescent City where all would make a right turn and head back over the mountain and back into summertime!!!!!!! Upon arrival at the TUNNEL REST AREA it was time to switch back into SUMMER CLOTHES!!!!!! since the temperature had risen from below freezing to somewhere around 80 degrees!!!!!! And my comfort level had gone from below 0 to around a positive 9 out of a possible 10 on the STORZ COMFORT MONITORING SYSTEM.

Another short pause and it was on the road again and off to Cave Junction for the 8th DEADLY SIN--PIZZA!!!!!!!!!!
{;-)

The Trees--2

And so here we are again at the Trees of Mystery……. Well we aren’t really there, point of fact nobody is there now…… Well that is not really true. I am sure somebody is there, just not me or you…… Because I am here and you are there and where I am is not there and where you are reading this is not there, but I was there and Carla was there because I have pictures to prove it………

Upon arrival at the Trees the rule was everybody does their own tour thing so Carla and I began the tour of the Trees. I am not exactly sure how big an area the Trees of Mystery covers, but it has a chair lift to take you up where you can see forests to the East and the Pacific Ocean to the West. There are hiking trails that allow for different story lines along the way all of which make for a very enjoyable experience.

We were on part of the Forest Experience Trail which allows you to learn about the Giant Redwoods and several other varieties of trees. We were also on part of Trail of Tall Tales. This trail tells the story of Paul Bunyan and his adventures with chainsaw carvings.

I never realized just how big this place is because upon arrival from the parking lot it actually just looks like another part of the forest!!!!!!!!!

I could actually make this story longer, but it will only be three parts and the reason for making it three parts is to allow for more pictures.
{;-)

                                

Trees of Mystery?????

Well now that Harold's shed is finally done, well I am not sure if it is done since I am someplace other than where Harold's shed is. If I was where Harold's shed was then I could tell you whether it was done or not, but since I am not I guess the only thing to do is tell you that the shed was done to the point that I could build it and when I get back out there I will find out just how done the shed is?????

But for now Harold’s shed will remain a previous story and we or I or us together or maybe just me since I am writing and you are reading will go on to another day and time……..

And so it came about that on the 4th of August it was time to get together with the OLD VOLKS and FOLKS and take a road trip. This trip was a day journey to the Trees of Mystery in Klamath, California. In all the years that I lived out there I had driven Highway 101 numerous times and had passed the Trees all those times, but had never stopped there. I guess it is like living in Florida. I am about 7o miles from all the WORLDS, Disney, Sea, Universal and whatever other world are over there and I have absolutely no urge to go there. But the Trees sounded like fun so Carla (who had been there) and I were looking forward to going there.

Unfortunately a problem arose and we were delayed so I called the leader and told him that we were running (well not really running, more like sitting and waiting) I cannot understand how you can be sitting and waiting, but still be running late (but that will be a story for another time) and with a little luck we would catch them at the rest area on the west side of the Oregon Mountain tunnel. As luck would have it the problem was resolved to a point where we could take off and away we went using the back roads and exceeding the speed limit only slightly to make up time!!!!!

We arrived at the rest area to find everyone there and the weather cooperating nicely at about 80 degrees with blue skies. So after a short pause we were back on the road. The reason that I mentioned the weather is because as we went through Gasquet, California (you can google it)  the temperature DROPPED and what was SUMMER on one side of Oregon Mountain was WINTER!!!!!!!!!!!! on the other side. So the dress code changed from shorts and t-shirts to long pants, jackets and for me a pair of gloves!!!!!!!!!!

We stopped somewhere along Hwy 101 for a lunch break and then headed on south to the Trees and the story continues..............
{;-)

                     

Harold’s Shed--9

I took these pictures on October 2nd with a good share of the siding put on. Little Jim gets all the credit for the siding. It actually turned out really good considering that all that siding was taken off of another building. I left before the siding was done so I have no idea what the final structure looks like????? But when I get back I will take a look and probably post some pictures???  Now haven't you had a good time learning how to build a PALLET BUILDING???

The stories from now on won't be an every day thing.  This series just worked out that way, but the next one isn't to far away.
{;-)

Harold’s Shed--8

On September 5th the electric was installed and a small lighting ceremony was held. Nothing spectacular, just a few thousand fireworks to light up the sky before we lit up the building!!!!!!!

The building now has lights, light switch, and receptacles and what started out as a "I am not sure what this building is going to look like" actually turned out to be a good strong building. I am going to add one more chapter to this story even though I had nothing to do with it.
{;-)

Harold's Shed--7

At this point I had two parts left for my part of the construction. That was to Wrap the building with TYVEK, a type of moisture proofing paper which is stapled to the outside of the building.


Then put some electric into the building which will be the final two parts of the this story.......... Wrapping the building with TYVEK is not that hard just more time consuming. It only requires two people, a staple gun and a razor knife. Little Jim and I got the building wrapped and stapled on August 28th.