Author Topic: Road trip (Read 8986 times)

Cannoneer · « **Reply #150 on:** April 20, 2011, 07:57:42 PM »

Douglas,
I'm about an hour and a half form O'Hare, but I'm working Friday; I'll check things out thursday, maybe I can arrange something. Are you planning on doing anything in Chicago (museums etc.) that would keep you around till evening?

Double D · « **Reply #151 on:** April 21, 2011, 03:34:32 AM »

Quote from: Cannoneer on April 20, 2011, 07:57:42 PM

Douglas,
I'm about an hour and a half form O'Hare, but I'm working Friday; I'll check things out thursday, maybe I can arrange something. Are you planning on doing anything in Chicago (museums etc.) that would keep you around till evening?

John, i will be overnighting Thursday night in that area....the kid gets in to O'Hare at 7:30 am Friday,and i am not going top drive up at 3 in the morning from Normal to pick him up. We will come back down to Normal, Friday and then Saturday we will head west back to Montana

smokemjoe · « **Reply #152 on:** April 21, 2011, 03:56:37 AM »

Douglas: I am 3 hrs. west of Chicago, Dubuque Ia. on the Miss. There is also the RIA in Davenport, They have a big collection open to all. Stop in, Joe

Cat Whisperer · « **Reply #153 on:** April 21, 2011, 04:10:54 AM »

YES, THe Rock Island Arsenal has an EXCELLENT collection!

Cannoneer · « **Reply #154 on:** April 21, 2011, 12:41:08 PM »

Quote from: smokemjoe on April 21, 2011, 03:56:37 AM

Douglas: I am 3 hrs. west of Chicago, Dubuque Ia. on the Miss. There is also the RIA in Davenport, They have a big collection open to all. Stop in, Joe

Joe,
Believe me when I say that I'm no chauvinist when it comes to my home state being Illinois, so it's not like Robert E. Lee and his feelings for Virginia, or anything like that; but, just for the sake of accuracy I'm sure you know that the "Rock Island Arsenal" is actually located in Illinois (just like its U.S. postal address states), and not in Davenport, Iowa.

smokemjoe · « **Reply #155 on:** April 21, 2011, 06:23:52 PM »

Cannoneer: Ye your right, I go up and down river view and look over at the RIA and think its in Iowa, Robert Lee was a good man,The schools and alot of places carry his name, My wife is from the South, I took her when we 1st. came up here over to Galena Ill. and told her this is grants house, Ist. time I ever sen her get mad, she yelled, said get me the hell out of here. Never liked the north up here since. Joe

Cannoneer · « **Reply #156 on:** April 21, 2011, 09:18:35 PM »

Joe,
I too admire many of R.E. Lee's qualities, and that admiration is matched by the great respect I have for U.S. Grant's military career. We've also visited Galena and toured Grant's home, and we enjoyed both; the rolling hills of Galena's countryside are a beautiful sight.

Double D · « **Reply #157 on:** April 30, 2011, 02:14:06 PM »

On the road again and headed home.

Cat Whisperer · « **Reply #158 on:** April 30, 2011, 05:23:23 PM »

Quote from: Double D on April 30, 2011, 02:14:06 PM

On the road again and headed home.

Travel safely, friend.

seacoastartillery · « **Reply #159 on:** May 01, 2011, 12:40:27 PM »

Mike and I wish you God speed, Double D. When I got off the phone with him about two hours ago I thought, well, we are in agreement on why it would be interesting to try to re-create the ignition quills of the 1780s with real Goose Quills.

Then I got to thinking about what he said about his cargo that he just picked up in one of those combo Gas Stations and Fireworks Warehouses in Iowa, I believe. I asked him where he was going to put the new 'cargo'. He told me, "Well, right on top of the 50 pounds of 'cargo' I picked up near Winchester, VA." I just managed a weak, "Oh." Our advice to Double D. and his relief driver is to watch the potholes and rain-slick roads! Also, watch for a vehicle like C.W. McCall described in his song titled "Convoy".

"Well, we shot the line and we went for broke
With a thousand screamin' trucks
An' eleven long-haired Friends a' Jesus
In a chartreuse micra-bus"

If you spot one of those, DD, ask him to join your convoy!

Best wishes,

Mike and Tracy

Cat Whisperer · « **Reply #160 on:** May 01, 2011, 02:28:51 PM »

The big fireworks warehouses are in SC, Tenn, Indianna and Missouri; to my dismay not in Iowa.

But the HUGE I-80 truck stop IS in Iowa.

Double D · « **Reply #161 on:** May 01, 2011, 03:36:37 PM »

We were in Iowa when I told you about stopping in the Missouri Gas station and firework store....

rampa room artillery · « **Reply #162 on:** May 01, 2011, 03:46:16 PM »

goose quills??? well I think we can work out a deal, as i am a duck/goose hunter.

rick bryan

RocklockI · « **Reply #163 on:** May 01, 2011, 08:07:50 PM »

Tracy didn't they end up in the hardware store in down town Pagosa Springs ?

Gary

seacoastartillery · « **Reply #164 on:** May 02, 2011, 07:50:57 AM »

My mistake, Double D.; my short term memory is not improving with age, but I can tell you what tune was playing on my car radio as I ended my Army career and drove away from Fort Polk, Louisiana on Jan. 21, 1972. It was Brand New Key by Melanie. I'm probably the only person on this board who remembers that one!

Rick, we only need 5. Gary, call me dense, but I don't get it. CW, I remember seeing those signs in Tennessee, sign after sign after sign when we drove from Chattanooga to Clarksville on U.S. 24 and then over to Fort Donelson and the Land Between the Lakes.

Mike and Tracy

dominick · « **Reply #165 on:** May 02, 2011, 08:02:47 AM »

Oh I remember Fort Polk. Pigmy rattlers, mosquitos and drill sergeants.

I was there in 74.

jeeper1 · « **Reply #166 on:** May 02, 2011, 08:59:16 AM »

Seacoast, I have that song on my computer, along with about 700 others. And I do remember it as I am only 63 and not too senile yet. (note the qualifier)

Cat Whisperer · « **Reply #167 on:** May 02, 2011, 09:25:21 AM »

Being drafted in May of 1970, I knew it was coming long before the fact. (Suicide is painless hit the top 10 that month.)
Did my research. Easiest vs. toughest place for basic training - from the perceptions of all those whom I encountered.
THE worst was Ft Polk. The easiest was on the West coast and next to the easiest was Ft. Dix (political - near Washington).
By changing my reporting place, it changed my basic training site. Got lucky.

Coming OFF active duty, 'I can see clearly now the rain is gone" was right up there in 74. Some things you just don't forget.

Inbetween - thanks to all of y'all who paid taxes in 1972 - I really enjoyed shooting those CANNONS (now back on-topic) at Ft. Sill. (The museum there even had a few pre 1898 cannons.)

seacoastartillery · « **Reply #168 on:** May 02, 2011, 02:57:15 PM »

Double D., Are you there yet? Are you there yet? Are you there yet?

My most vivid memories of Fort Polk in '72 were Southern Women, riding motorcycles, hunting and shooting, Cajun cooking and Southern Women. The only thing I ever pay attention to on Youtube is the clips on cooking. The best ever made, by far, is one called 'Cajun Sexy Cooking'.

Double D., Are you there yet?

Tracy and Mike

Cat Whisperer · « **Reply #169 on:** May 02, 2011, 03:01:00 PM »

Quote from: seacoastartillery on May 02, 2011, 02:57:15 PM

Double D., Are you there yet? Are you there yet? Are you there yet?
...
Double D., Are you there yet?
Tracy and Mike

THAT's MY LINE!

Are you there yet?

dominick · « **Reply #170 on:** May 02, 2011, 04:01:51 PM »

My start of basic [infantry & 81 mm mortar] training at Polk was during the first week of July. Must have been the hottest week of the year. The US Army was generous enough to fly me there by passenger jet, first class seating. When I was done service, they sent me home by bus.

Double D · « **Reply #171 on:** May 02, 2011, 08:00:08 PM »

We are in Billings MT, home tomorrow...tomorrow might be a tough day

Cannoneer · « **Reply #172 on:** May 02, 2011, 08:14:23 PM »

Hang in there, Douglas.

Cat Whisperer · « **Reply #173 on:** May 03, 2011, 12:48:45 AM »

Quote from: Double D on May 02, 2011, 08:00:08 PM

We are in Billings MT, home tomorrow...tomorrow might be a tough day

We're with you. SOme of us because we've gone through it, other because we know we will go through it.

Zulu · « **Reply #174 on:** May 03, 2011, 03:30:35 AM »

Quote from: Double D on May 02, 2011, 08:00:08 PM

We are in Billings MT, home tomorrow...tomorrow might be a tough day

Douglas,
I have been thinking about "that" day with you.
Take a deep breath. There are a lot of folks here who will be with you in spirit when you walk through the door.
Zulu

Double D · « **Reply #175 on:** May 03, 2011, 04:31:43 AM »

Well today is the day...My son says I have to think positive and not dwell on the negative. He told me first thing I have to do this morning is put my damn hearing aid on...then we go to Cabela's....We brought thisd kid up right...I hope levity makes it easier...

BoomLover · « **Reply #176 on:** May 03, 2011, 04:48:45 AM »

You won't be alone when you walk thru that door, Douglas. Our hearts are with you, buddy, sharing it all......

BillinOregon · « **Reply #177 on:** May 03, 2011, 05:22:57 AM »

Douglas, friend, she's with you. She'll always be with you. She wants you to be happy.
Bill

Double D · « **Reply #178 on:** May 03, 2011, 05:11:27 PM »

We are home.

Cat Whisperer · « **Reply #179 on:** May 04, 2011, 01:56:30 AM »

Quote from: Double D on May 03, 2011, 05:11:27 PM

We are home.

WELCOME Home!

Don't ever stop saying "we".