It Was a Dark and Stormy Night

I have had a lot of time to think about things in the last week or so. I decided to paraphrase Snoopy for the title of this blog, although it should read "It was a dark, stormy, and cold several days" in Spearfish, South Dakota. We drug the toyhauler out there with the idea of a peaceful week with lots of riding and reunions and family time. 2/3rds of our family set up tents next to the trailer in a great KOA kampground. One problem, I think that it rained at least 5 days out of 7. Eli, Lindsey and their kiddos gave up and moved to a motel for a couple of nights and Steve, Gen and their boys moved into one of the cabins nearby. Oh, did I mention it was also cold? Most nights it was in the 30s and barely 50 during the day. We did get one nice morning picnic up at Roughlock Falls in Spearfish Canyon with a short hike afterwards. Gen, Steve and the boys headed off to Colorado on Tuesday to stay with friends and Eli, Lindsey and theirs headed home about the same time. Right after they left two of my Air Force buddies and their wives came to the door. Bill Peck and his wife Sarah drove from Atlanta for the first return to the area in 43 years and John Wilson and his wife Kris ( I hope that I'm getting the spelling right here) came from Gettysburg, South Dakota. I haven't seen them in 24 years either. We had a long talk and went to dinner in town, dodging rain all the time. The next day we met Bill and Sarah at the museum at Ellsworth, naturally it was raining so we had to inspect the B-52D that they have on display. Bill wanted to know the tail number and we managed to find it under a coat of paint. It was 657, an aircraft that we had worked on during our time there. It is kind of cool to look at an aircraft on display and think that I used to spent time in there working on our systems. I was in Electronic Warfare systems and Bill was Bomb-Nav systems, so I am sure that we both spent plenty of time in there over the years. I think that maybe Bill is a bigger airplane freak than I am, if that is possible. We were comparing notes on military aircraft museums, and there are a lot of them that we need to visit in the future. After we parted Bill and Sarah headed up to Mount Rushmore to view the heads and guess what?, they were clouded over. They did go back the next day and they were visible then. After seeing Mount Rushmore they were able to head back to Atlanta. It is too bad that the weather was so nasty for their first return trip as the Hills can be beautiful. This year they have gotten so much moisture that they looked like a rain forest and all of the reservoirs are full, so that is a good thing. Rachel recently sent me the movie " Taking Chance", about a Marine officer escorting Lcpl Chance Phelps' body home to Dubois, Wyoming for burial. Chance was KIA in Iraq in 2005 I believe. We had been thinking about a bike ride to Red Lodge,Montana, but after seeing the movie we decided to visit Dubois instead, kind of a pilgrimage I guess. With the bad weather we took the pickup for an 850 mile day trip. His grave site at the Dubois cemetary is quite nice with green grass and trees it overlooks Dubois. I had looked the cemetery up on " Google Earth" and expected it to be very dry. I left a Patriot Guard pin on the headstone along with several other mementos other visitors had left, threw him a salute and left. It was a good day for a trip. Friday morning dawned clear! Jan and I took a ride up in the Hills south of Spearfish and after dinner I ran out north to Buffalo, South Dakota and down to Bear Butte. Saturday morning it was hook up and head home. Every time we run out to the Hills we always wish that it was closer, although today with the Interstate hiways it is closer time wise than it was 40 years ago. I will throw on some pictures here to illustrate our time there. I will have a new blog coming shortly on my bike trip out west that I just got back from, so stay tuned.

It is another Boy

Rachel is on the phone from Stuttgart as I type this note talking with her Mom. We got the word from her that she is carrying another grandson. This makes 5 boys and 2 girls for St. Jan and I. I have to admit that 40 years ago I never would have expected this much good luck to come my way, thank God Jan proposed to me in 1971. Anyhow that is the best news that I can come up with this morning. I suppose that I should flesh out our visit to Rochester a little for the audience. First up was a PET scan and then a visit with the Prosthodontist to check on the plan with adding teeth. After a small x-ray we discovered that the titanium strap in my jaw is broken. Everyone was kind of surprised about that development as it would take some kind of blow to break it ordinarily. Thinking back I can remember what I was eating when I heard it pop, it was just chow mein and I bit into a slice of water chestnut. So now I will need an appointment with an oral surgeon to see if the bone transplant is good enough to take the screws that end up holding the bridge eventually. It sounds as if it could take 6 months after the screws are in place before the project of taking imprints and making and installing new choppers. Next up was a visit with the doctors that actually did the work and it was a GOOD visit with them. The PET scan was clean, which really took a load off of both of our minds. Doctor Eli checked out the inside of my mouth and said " looks amazing in there", or something to that effect. I still get the impression that they get a a kick out of seeing their work coming out so well, although it maybe that boosting the patients attitude is beneficial too. After that we went down in the Mayo subways and got a box of the Chicago blend popcorn to celebrate. Our steps were a little lighter on the way back to the parking ramp than they were on the way in, let me tell you. We are getting way to familiar with the layout of the clinic buildings to my way of thinking. Thank goodness we have the Theobalds spare bedroom in Rochester to hole up in when we are there, I can't imagine how it would be to be in a motel room for weeks on end like some people are forced to do. Plus, we get to hang out with Gen, Steve, and the boys, so that part is fun too.

Before we went down to Rochester on Sunday I had a PGR mission that started at the airport in Granite Falls. We`had the tour of a company that restores WWII fighter planes, primarily P-40s but they also have a P-51 Mustang, and a P-38 Lightning ( one of 6 still flying in the world). They have the ability to manufacture a P-40 for scratch although they do use an airframe to start. They made a couple of low level high speed passes for us, and the growl of that V-12 just give me goose bumps. Then we rode to Lucan for Captain Dan Days at the city park. I'll throw in some pictures too. The War bird restoration company made some low level passes that afternoon with the P-40 and the P-51, wow everybody has goosebumps this time! They really throw a terrific celebration for a small town.

Then on to the construction projects here in St James. Our garage addition is moving along, the block work is done and the floor is ready for concrete. They wanted to pour the curb yesterday but evidently the readymix plant couldn't get it here before the end of the day. The other big project is Eli and Lindsey's new home. A week ago or so Phil, Eli and I did the ground runs for the plumbing and the basement walls were poured this week and now the framing crew is at work. The basement is framed up and capped, so things are progressing on that front.

Next up, we are heading out to the Hills in a couple of weeks and dragging the trailer to a Koa in Spearfish. I think that it sounds as if it will be a good time. All of our children, spouses, and grandchildren will be able to come, except for Rachel who is in Germany. One special treat will be Bill Peck and his wife will be making the trip too. This will be the first time we have seen each other since I got out of the Air Force 43 years ago. His wife Sarah has never been to the Hills before so they should have a good time touring the area, although things have changed a lot in that period of time. Jan and I plan on taking a run up to Red Lodge while we are there, and I have a big trip west planned in June sometime, so thing are heating up here. Well, my fingers are getting sore from so much typing so I will leave off here, stay in touch please!

A short Note

I'll just drop a short note here to keep readers from forgetting me. My visit to Mayo last Monday went well and the process of re-installing some teeth in my empty jaw will be involved and rather lengthy. When I get a creative urge I will flesh this out some, so stand by.

An Early Trip South

I know, I know it has been awhile since my last post and I really have no excuse. Let me think, I guess that I had a return visit at Mayo in March that went well, and I have been getting some therapy on my jaw, and I had another bout with a respiratory affliction that has come around some with an application of more meds. I gotta say that I am getting a little tired of this stuff. Anyhow last Wednesday I packed up the ST and headed south to Arkansas to check out the roads in that direction for a change. I had been watching the weather in that direction all Spring and it looked as if the weather gods would smile on me if I moved out smartly, so I did. I spent the first night in Kirksville, Missouri and scored a Missouri highway map from a kindly couple that overheard me at the desk inquiring about a map. In way southern Iowa I waved at a lot of Amish kids walking home from school and the motel had a couple van loads of, I am assuming Hutterites maybe, the type of folks that a person can feel safe around. Stopped for a snack someplace the next morning and sat and listened to the banter between the woman at the counter in a MacDonalds and her customers and realized, yup I'm back in the south. South of Rolla the roads got really interesting, rolling and curvy, chasing a herd of horses down the road and a police roadblock. When they noticed my PGR sticker they waved me through. I stopped for a break in Thayer Missouri and got talking with a group of motorcyclists from St. Louis. I was again looking for a map and one of those guys gave me his Arkansas map and then proceeded to hilite the best roads in the northern part of the state. Believe you me just about any road in the north half of Arkansas is a good ride. They have had a terrible ice storm down there recently and I think that almost every tree had the tops broken over, it was really a mess with big stacks of branches by the side of the roads were people had collected them. Anyhow, I had a terrific ride to my next stop at Mountain Home, Arkansas. I did manage to drag my toe once in a corner but other than that I was fairly careful. The next morning it was up across central Missouri through the Lake of the Ozarks area and that area is just nuts with development and traffic etc.. I can see that in the Summer it would be crazy busy in that area and beautiful too. I stopped for dinner and had a talk with an older gentleman that noticed the USS Lassen ball cap of Han's that I was wearing on the trip. He asked if the DDG was a destroyer and I said yes and told me about his experiences on the USS Hopewell DD681 in WWll. He had been at Guam when the Japanese surrendered and talked about two Jap subs flying the white flag and their crews wouldn't look at the Americans. We chatted about Guam some, as I spent some time there too in the 60's. When I went outside there was another older lady checking out the bike and commented how nice it looked, so we talked awhile too, she and her husband used to ride an Indian a long time ago. She told how they used to ride to Colorado and Indianapolis to the races before there were freeways and comfortable rear seating. If a person only wasn't in such a hurry it is amazing the storeys that you run across when you are on a bike, it seems to open up opportunities that you don't get in a car. Anyhow, I made it to Story City, Iowa that night and was at my favorite eating establishment when another older lady wiping tables saw the ball cap and remarked that her husband had been in destroyers in WWll. I have to tell you Hans, that ball cap has gotten more remarks from people than any hat that I have worn lately, thanks again for the gift. After Story City it was an easy 3 hour run home, where I surprised Jan with an early arrival. This morning I headed down to Sioux Falls for a National Guard send off. It was cold and rainy on the way down so I drove that one, luckily I took some warm clothes along as it was to be indoors but ended up outdoors. There were Guards from western Minnesota that filled up 5 planes for a trip to Ft. Hood in Texas for some training before they deploy to Kuwait this time. Tuesday we have a bunch from South Dakota shipping out so maybe I'll ride to that one, if the weather co-operates. Jan and I did spend a weekend with the Theobald boys ( the young ones) a couple weeks ago while their parents ( Steve and Gen) went to Chicago to visit a friend. I did scan a few slides while I was holed up with whatever it is that I had this time and ran across a couple of our eldest child, who now has children older than she was in the pictures. So there it is, any questions leave a comment otherwise be well and stay in touch. Oh ya, the picture with Jan and I in formal wear was at her sister's wedding , Paula and Steve Johnson. Come to think of it there are a lot of Steves around. It is my middle name, my son-in-law's, and brother-in-law's too, whatever. Bye.

Spring may be here-maybe

As promised I am back with the update that I planned on putting in the other day. Primarily I wanted to report on the Patriot Guard mission I was on in Madison, South Dakota. You may be able to get some idea of it by going to KELO TV in Sioux Falls, the Argus-Leader, or KSFY which is in Aberdeen among other towns in South Dakota. The funeral was for Chad Mechels, a 32 year old sheriffs deputy in Turner county. He was killed in the line of duty last weekend answering a call on a domestic disturbance. Our South Dakota assistant ride captain is retired Army and a part time law enforcement officer in the area,and he related some details in the case that the general public probably don't get. Chad went to a farm house to check on a guy threatening suicide. When no one answered the door he stepped inside and was shot in the shoulder with a 30-06 rifle, he retreated to his car and was shot a second time through the windshield in the neck, which proved fatal. The perp is a 19 year old kid that was working on a farm and by all accounts was a hard worker etc., I'm afraid that his life for all practical purposes is over. The kicker in this whole thing is that the kid texted someone that he would kill the first cop that came through the door. The text was relayed to the sheriff's department but it did not get to Chad in time. He leaves a wife and two small kids behind. We stood outside the University Playhouse before the service and I got to tell you that I have never seen so many law enforcement officers in one place in my life! Another member counted at least 300 before he quit, cops from the Twin Cities, Wisconsin and all over South Dakota. There were deputies with their Stetsons, SD highway patrol in tan slacks and maroon jackets with their smokey bear hats, the Sioux Falls honor guard and Rapid City policemen and women. The highway patrol also guarded the casket with M-14s, I hope that this is the highway patrol's small arm as it would give them some serious firepower. Anyhow a group of us that had driven rather than rode to the funeral went out to the cemetery ahead of time. Eventually all of the LEO's drove out to the road to the cemetery and lined both sides for least 1/2 mile on both sides with their Crown Vics with all of the lights going and standing shoulder to shoulder on both sides for the last 1/2 mile. I think that we had 26 bikes that led the hearse up the road and it made an impressive sight. We then stood on both sides of the group with our flags during the internment ceremony. This is a man that was as much a hero as anyone killed in action in any war. I don't know how long it has been since any LEO has been killed in the line of duty in South Dakota, but I am sure it has been awhile, particularly for sheriff's departments in rural areas. This was a mission that I really had to get to as our South Dakota group isn't nearly as large as Minnesota, besides being from southwestern Minnesota I feel a kinship with South Dakota my second favorite state. I feel a sense of satisfaction, sadness for the family and community, and I guess inspiration, if that is the proper term. Sunday we have another mission in Rochester as a memorial for a soldier that recently died from cancer, so Jan and I plan on hitting that one on the way to the Theobald's house for a sleep over. Monday I have a follow-up with my doctors at Mayo to see how I am coming along, hopefully good. I thought that I would finish up here with a few pictures from our past. The first one is me, Ron Schmoldt and my brother Paul under an overpass at Wasta on our 73 trip, then me in the Big Horns. Then Jan at a ball game in the Cities and her on the plane, before we took off on a trip we took to the Air Force Museum. After this trip she did not get on another airplane for 30 years (it was a rough ride). It is amazing what an incentive grand children are to overcoming your fear of flying, eh St. Jan? Well, stay in touch and be well.

short update

I know that I promised to blog something yesterday, but time got away from me. I did have a PT session in the afternoon that went pretty well. I primarily wanted to relate somethings about the latest PGR mission that I was on last Wednesday in Madison, South Dakota. I will try to get back to the subject afternoon as St. Jan and I are headed to New Ulm for things this morning. I have also been searching my slide scans for a particular photo that I absolutely cannot find so until I do we shall have to wait. Although, if i can't find it I'll substitute something else. Here are a few from recent events in our households. Actually these photos are all from Leah's 3rd birthday party.

It's still winter here

Last Saturday we attended a birthday party for our grandson Gus at his home in Rochester. Except for the DeFors all of his cousins, aunts, uncles, minus Joe, grand, and great grandparents were there. This first photo is Gussie and his uncle Bill having fun at his level. The weather - boy I'm on this subject a lot lately- was clear but cold again or still, I think about +12. Not warm but the sun was melting snow on the roof and the roads. I'll throw in a few pictures from the party and you can jump to the Tatertot blog to see more. As usual you have to start at the end of the photos and read back toward the top to get these pictures into sequence. That is another skill that I have not mastered yet, getting pictures and text co-ordinated. Oh well, the party was a big success, everybody had fun and got home safely. Last week I had my VA physical at our local clinic and as usual- I use that word a lot don't I- I learned something new from the PA I have been seeing out there. She was checking my feet out and remarked what a good thing it is to have hair growing on your toes, something that never occurred to me, as it is a sign of good circulation in your legs and feet. She said not to worry about losing hair on your head as it isn't the same thing. I remarked that my hair does seem to be migrating south on my body to my nose and eyebrows etc. Back to the story, she said I have nice feet- I have always been rather fond of them myself and tried to protect them- she said " you would not believe some of the feet I've seen". I have put a lot of miles on those feet and I intend to put a lot more on them before I am done here. Now if the weather would just straighten up I be able to get some more miles on. Other than that I have been putzing with the bikes some, put new brake pads on the RT and have the rear wheel off to get a fresh tire for it, and moving the trickle charger around to keep all of the batteries in good shape. The funny thing about this blogging stuff, I sit down trying to think of something to say and the next thing I know I have a page full, anyhow, be healthy, be solvent and stay in touch.