Convention #2 is done and out the door. We finished in Grand Junction Tues. night with our banquet where the Southwest conference held a drawing from the early registrants for free room at their 2011 convention in Prescott, AZ. Guess who won? We did! What a surprise. At the banquet Karl was the MC and he was kidding about wanting his name to be pulled. The Police Chief's wife drew the paper and said the name - we had her repeat it and then the SW chairman verified it. What a hoot! Also a very special drawing was done for a quilt, but I don't want to spoil the surprise on who won that. For the CA-1 readers ask at the next monthly breakfast.
We left Grand Junction on Wed. morning with ourselves and 4 other friends from CA-1 and drove to our house in NM. I will admit that I very glad to get there Wed. night and be able to sleep in my own bed and be in my own environment. We stayed there until today (Sat.) when we left and are stopped in Flagstaff tonight. While we were in NM we got our fill of New Mexican food and took our friends on a balloon ride (a first for three of them) and a trolley ride around ABQ to see the sights. The weather cooperated with us - very still in the AM for the ride, mild temps and sunshine. Any rain that was predicted went around us and hit other parts of the area. Today as we rode we were about 30 outside of Flagstaff when we noticed a very, VERY dark sky in front of us. Knowing that we were going to be heading right into it we stopped at a rest stop and donned our rain gear. That was a good thing because even though we skirted the large thunderstorm there was still rain coming down.
We are going to take a couple more days to get back to CA because we really don't want to be riding a long time in the heat that we know will catch us to us. When we get back home on Mon. night we jump in again to get things at the CA house before we take off back to WA. I know you would probably never thought you would hear me say this, but I am very tired of traveling at the moment. I want to put down roots for a while. Guess that won't happen until we get back up to WA in early August.
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Billings, Montana - DONE!
Convention #1 is done and in the history books. We are now at convention #2 in Grand Junction, Colorado. For the most part Blue Knight convention have two purposes - #1 to meet and renew relationships from other regions and #2 to deal with political crap. There are some days where we do get out and rides our motors, but when it's close to 100 degrees you really don't want to leave the cool hotel.
During our stay in Montana we did take a ride up to - nope - down to Cody, Wyoming. Wanted to take a ride that we hadn't done before and since I had never seen Cody, off we went. We went through some very picturesque country and came upon a town that just tickled Karl to no end. As we were pulling into a town called Belfry Karl wanted to know if Belfry had any bats. Just then we passed the school where it stated on their marquee "Belfry School - Home of the Bats". And here in front of the school was a VERY large flying bat hanging over the school entrance. I have a picture, but I didn't bring my camera cord to transfer pictures so you will just have to imagine. Anyways, in Cody we went to the Buffalo Bill Museum which is actually 5 museums in 1. It is a great place to see things about Buffalo Bill, Western Art, Western heritage and all things cowboy.
In Billings there was just Karl, myself and two other Blue Knight friends who rode. But here in Grand Junction we were joined by about 11 other Blue Knights. As an added note, there is a rumor going around that Mike Martin is planning on a ride to go to the 2011 International Convention in Hampton Roads, Virginia. Karl at first said that we weren't going, but he has been overruled (by me) because I have a brother and sister-in-law that live in VA that I would love to see. So we are going, probably with Mike's group. And if you have never been on a Mike Martin ride you don't know what you are missing. Just anyone who has ever ridden with him.
We will be in Grand Junction until Wed. morning then we are riding to our house in NM with 4 other people and staying there for a few days before riding back to CA. Hopefully the temps will be kinder and cool down a little for us.
During our stay in Montana we did take a ride up to - nope - down to Cody, Wyoming. Wanted to take a ride that we hadn't done before and since I had never seen Cody, off we went. We went through some very picturesque country and came upon a town that just tickled Karl to no end. As we were pulling into a town called Belfry Karl wanted to know if Belfry had any bats. Just then we passed the school where it stated on their marquee "Belfry School - Home of the Bats". And here in front of the school was a VERY large flying bat hanging over the school entrance. I have a picture, but I didn't bring my camera cord to transfer pictures so you will just have to imagine. Anyways, in Cody we went to the Buffalo Bill Museum which is actually 5 museums in 1. It is a great place to see things about Buffalo Bill, Western Art, Western heritage and all things cowboy.
In Billings there was just Karl, myself and two other Blue Knight friends who rode. But here in Grand Junction we were joined by about 11 other Blue Knights. As an added note, there is a rumor going around that Mike Martin is planning on a ride to go to the 2011 International Convention in Hampton Roads, Virginia. Karl at first said that we weren't going, but he has been overruled (by me) because I have a brother and sister-in-law that live in VA that I would love to see. So we are going, probably with Mike's group. And if you have never been on a Mike Martin ride you don't know what you are missing. Just anyone who has ever ridden with him.
We will be in Grand Junction until Wed. morning then we are riding to our house in NM with 4 other people and staying there for a few days before riding back to CA. Hopefully the temps will be kinder and cool down a little for us.
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Freeway Cat, Refrigerated Crab and United Airlines
Title sounds intriguing, huh?
For those who have followed this travel log they will notice a common occurrence when we get ready to start a trip. For those who haven't followed until recently, take a quick tour of previous blogs and you will see what I mean.
After our great 4th of July holiday up at Donner Lake we returned home (California) on the 5th and were there until the 10th. At that time Karl flew back up to WA to attend his 49th high school reunion and I flew out to NY because my mom "requested" a command appearance from my sister and I. So off we both went, but before I left I was smart and started to put together my clothes that I would need for our motorcycle trip that was starting on the 16th. I was to return home on the 14th which gave me only a day to finish packing and get ready for our next adventure. Karl got to WA, I got to NY and not problems occurred. Now is when the trip monster reared it's ugly head. Remember that whenever we get ready to travel, no matter what mode of travel, something ALWAYS happens. This time it happened to me only. My niece, her daughter and I were all leaving NY within an hour of each other - her and baby back to GA and me back to CA. So I get to my gate, sit down and pull out my computer. I had an hour to wait so I was going to play awhile. After about 15 minutes I hear a PA announcement but didn't pay much mind until I heard it repeated about my flight that was supposed to arrive within 45 minutes. They announced that the plane (which was coming from Chicago) was still stuck there because of mechanical problems and wouldn't arrive until 8:30pm. What??!! But I was to catch my connecting flight in Chicago at 8:05pm! Well, that wasn't going to work. So up to the counter I go and stand in line. When I get to the agent I am told that all flights to the West Coast will have ended by the time I get there and I would have to spend the night in Chicago! What could I do? So I take the new flight - arrive in Chicago at 10pm, grab a hotel shuttle and go to the hotel that they gave me a voucher for. BUT the next morning my flight will leave at 6AM!!!! So I get to the hotel around 10:40, take a quick shower, set my alarm and crawl into bed around 11:15pm. 4am arrives really early. I get down to the lobby at 4:30 to catch the 4:40 shuttle back to the airport and leave at 6am. I finally arrive in CA at 11am and I still have to finish packing for our motorcycle trip which is now leaving the next day. By 9pm I am have asleep on the couch. Goodnight, Karl, I am off to bed. Never did hear him come in. Now the alarm goes off at 6am so we can be up and gone by 7:30am to meet a couple of other Blue Knights who will join us on our trip to Billings, MT.
Since we have left no problems have occurred except the heat in the desert. We made Elko, NV. last night and were riding in about 100-103 degrees heat - BLAH! Today wasn't as bad and we have arrived in Idaho Falls, ID for the night. We will make Billings tomorrow late afternoon. There we will sit until Fri morning. I will update the blog as things progress.
I guess I need to get used to the idea that whenever we leave to travel something will always happen to upset plans we have made and have a backup. Or just smile, laugh and go with the flow!
For those who have followed this travel log they will notice a common occurrence when we get ready to start a trip. For those who haven't followed until recently, take a quick tour of previous blogs and you will see what I mean.
After our great 4th of July holiday up at Donner Lake we returned home (California) on the 5th and were there until the 10th. At that time Karl flew back up to WA to attend his 49th high school reunion and I flew out to NY because my mom "requested" a command appearance from my sister and I. So off we both went, but before I left I was smart and started to put together my clothes that I would need for our motorcycle trip that was starting on the 16th. I was to return home on the 14th which gave me only a day to finish packing and get ready for our next adventure. Karl got to WA, I got to NY and not problems occurred. Now is when the trip monster reared it's ugly head. Remember that whenever we get ready to travel, no matter what mode of travel, something ALWAYS happens. This time it happened to me only. My niece, her daughter and I were all leaving NY within an hour of each other - her and baby back to GA and me back to CA. So I get to my gate, sit down and pull out my computer. I had an hour to wait so I was going to play awhile. After about 15 minutes I hear a PA announcement but didn't pay much mind until I heard it repeated about my flight that was supposed to arrive within 45 minutes. They announced that the plane (which was coming from Chicago) was still stuck there because of mechanical problems and wouldn't arrive until 8:30pm. What??!! But I was to catch my connecting flight in Chicago at 8:05pm! Well, that wasn't going to work. So up to the counter I go and stand in line. When I get to the agent I am told that all flights to the West Coast will have ended by the time I get there and I would have to spend the night in Chicago! What could I do? So I take the new flight - arrive in Chicago at 10pm, grab a hotel shuttle and go to the hotel that they gave me a voucher for. BUT the next morning my flight will leave at 6AM!!!! So I get to the hotel around 10:40, take a quick shower, set my alarm and crawl into bed around 11:15pm. 4am arrives really early. I get down to the lobby at 4:30 to catch the 4:40 shuttle back to the airport and leave at 6am. I finally arrive in CA at 11am and I still have to finish packing for our motorcycle trip which is now leaving the next day. By 9pm I am have asleep on the couch. Goodnight, Karl, I am off to bed. Never did hear him come in. Now the alarm goes off at 6am so we can be up and gone by 7:30am to meet a couple of other Blue Knights who will join us on our trip to Billings, MT.
Since we have left no problems have occurred except the heat in the desert. We made Elko, NV. last night and were riding in about 100-103 degrees heat - BLAH! Today wasn't as bad and we have arrived in Idaho Falls, ID for the night. We will make Billings tomorrow late afternoon. There we will sit until Fri morning. I will update the blog as things progress.
I guess I need to get used to the idea that whenever we leave to travel something will always happen to upset plans we have made and have a backup. Or just smile, laugh and go with the flow!
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Our walking wounded
I need to start this blog out on a serious note for a change.
I was in the Denver airport waiting for my connection back to Sacramento when a wounded vet sat beside me in the waiting area. He was only about 23-24 and was walking with two arm crutches. I was on the one side of him when he started talking to a gentleman on his other side. I didn't get all of the conversation, but what I did hear was that he was wounded in Iraq from a roadside bomb and had lose the feeling in his left leg. He was supposed to have another operation and "hopefully" he would get the feeling back. As he sat there talking the gate agent came up to him and handed him a boarding pass and told him that an anonymous passenger had surrendered his first class seat and took the vet's economy seat instead. The young vet was very moved and didn't really know what to say. When it got time to board the airline they invited the first class section to board from the red carpet. Let me back up a bit. On United they seat you by sections - first class, elite, 1k, etc is boarded first - then seating section 1 which is economy plus, then seating section 2, etc. up to section 4. As most people do they will huddle around the gate area and wait for their section to be called. As I was waiting for my section to be called I noticed that the young vet, who could board first, hung back because there were about 4 people standing in front of the boarding area and he really couldn't get through easily. Seeing that and being the timid and shy person that I am, I walked up to them, excused myself and pushed them aside (gently of course). Then I turned to the young vet and motioned him forward. At first he didn't want to go ahead, but I said, "You are first class, you deserve to go." He looked at me and thanked me, then slowly boarded. It was about 5 minutes later when my section was called and I boarded the plane. As I entered the plane I saw this young man sitting in the first seat in first class and catching his eye I smiled at him. As I passed his seat, he grabbed my arm and asked, "Ma'am, are you the one who changed seats with me?" Smiling I replied, "No, sir, I am not. But I am a vet too and I appreciate you." Grabbing my hand in a tight grip he looked at me very humbly and said, "Thank you, Ma'am. And I appreciate you too."
Usually a random act of kindness doesn't affect me very much. But this one put a lump in my throat and brought tears to my eyes. I sat back in my seat and had a tightness in my chest for most of the flight. Arriving in Sacramento I deplaned quite a while after him, but as I got to the baggage claim I saw him slowly going through the door surrounded by his family. And as Karl drove past him I said, "There goes one of our walking wounded."
May God keep our young men and women safe from harm and bring them all home safe and sound. And if you ever get a chance to do a random act of kindness, I hope you remember this one humble veteran on his way home.
I was in the Denver airport waiting for my connection back to Sacramento when a wounded vet sat beside me in the waiting area. He was only about 23-24 and was walking with two arm crutches. I was on the one side of him when he started talking to a gentleman on his other side. I didn't get all of the conversation, but what I did hear was that he was wounded in Iraq from a roadside bomb and had lose the feeling in his left leg. He was supposed to have another operation and "hopefully" he would get the feeling back. As he sat there talking the gate agent came up to him and handed him a boarding pass and told him that an anonymous passenger had surrendered his first class seat and took the vet's economy seat instead. The young vet was very moved and didn't really know what to say. When it got time to board the airline they invited the first class section to board from the red carpet. Let me back up a bit. On United they seat you by sections - first class, elite, 1k, etc is boarded first - then seating section 1 which is economy plus, then seating section 2, etc. up to section 4. As most people do they will huddle around the gate area and wait for their section to be called. As I was waiting for my section to be called I noticed that the young vet, who could board first, hung back because there were about 4 people standing in front of the boarding area and he really couldn't get through easily. Seeing that and being the timid and shy person that I am, I walked up to them, excused myself and pushed them aside (gently of course). Then I turned to the young vet and motioned him forward. At first he didn't want to go ahead, but I said, "You are first class, you deserve to go." He looked at me and thanked me, then slowly boarded. It was about 5 minutes later when my section was called and I boarded the plane. As I entered the plane I saw this young man sitting in the first seat in first class and catching his eye I smiled at him. As I passed his seat, he grabbed my arm and asked, "Ma'am, are you the one who changed seats with me?" Smiling I replied, "No, sir, I am not. But I am a vet too and I appreciate you." Grabbing my hand in a tight grip he looked at me very humbly and said, "Thank you, Ma'am. And I appreciate you too."
Usually a random act of kindness doesn't affect me very much. But this one put a lump in my throat and brought tears to my eyes. I sat back in my seat and had a tightness in my chest for most of the flight. Arriving in Sacramento I deplaned quite a while after him, but as I got to the baggage claim I saw him slowly going through the door surrounded by his family. And as Karl drove past him I said, "There goes one of our walking wounded."
May God keep our young men and women safe from harm and bring them all home safe and sound. And if you ever get a chance to do a random act of kindness, I hope you remember this one humble veteran on his way home.
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Humid New York
How did I do it for 18 years? How did I live in a humid climate? Why didn't I melt? I am up in upstate New York for a few days with my mom, sister, niece and her daughter and having a great time. But this humidity is killing me! I took a 45 minute walk and came back covered with a sheen of sweat. Of course some people will say that women glisten. HA! Here you just sweat - no nice words about it. Now I remember why I never wanted to move back to the East Coast.
Well, onward and upward. Before we left the farm up in WA we put it up for sale (with Karl's aunt's permission of course) and we really, really expected to be in a 2 year waiting period. Would have time to clean out the barn, house and finish cleaning the basement, etc. Surprise! It was sold in 3 weeks. What? What happened to the 2 year period? Now what do we do? It is a 45 day escrow starting on July 10th and we are gone from the farm until the first part of August. That means we have to be gone from the farm on August 25th. It's going to be a BUSY few weeks. Anybody wanna come and help?
When I finally leave here on the 14th I have one day to get ready for our motorcycle trip to Montana and Colorado. After our last MC trip we are packing for all kinds of weather. Watch for a blog update in a few days. Oh wait, I let you know when a new one is posted.
Well, onward and upward. Before we left the farm up in WA we put it up for sale (with Karl's aunt's permission of course) and we really, really expected to be in a 2 year waiting period. Would have time to clean out the barn, house and finish cleaning the basement, etc. Surprise! It was sold in 3 weeks. What? What happened to the 2 year period? Now what do we do? It is a 45 day escrow starting on July 10th and we are gone from the farm until the first part of August. That means we have to be gone from the farm on August 25th. It's going to be a BUSY few weeks. Anybody wanna come and help?
When I finally leave here on the 14th I have one day to get ready for our motorcycle trip to Montana and Colorado. After our last MC trip we are packing for all kinds of weather. Watch for a blog update in a few days. Oh wait, I let you know when a new one is posted.
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