ON THE ROAD AGAIN AND AGAIN Yeah I know, I have not written in awhile but you have to consider, family that I have not seen in a year and 2 “new comers” that as far as I am concerned are family members in full standings. Add to this all the good food and of course cold beer and spirits by other names and you can determine where writing ranks on my priority list. Yes, a true Jennings. I arrived in NY at my brother’s home in Churchville Sunday July 21st in fine fashion. Before I arrived, I was invited to dinner. Let me tell you, you do not say no to Joe and Debbie. Joe provides cold, Canadian, Labatt’s Blue and Debbie is one awesome cook. This is another Jennings trait – cooking and eating. I am sure, before I leave; I will have to move the seat back a notch or 2. Brother John, son Ryan, daughter Julia and me left for Detroit and the family reunion on the Saturday the 27th. The day/evening before we gathered at cousins Matt and Kitty’s house and the party began. The motel I stayed in was full of fishermen. There was a tournament of some sort. My jeep with its Tennessee plates fit right in with those from all over the south. The boats they used were awesome and took up a lawn out back. Others said their motels were full of these guys too. I had my fishing gear with me but didn’t break it out. I didn’t want to show them up……. Between Friday and Saturday, more straggled in and we met at a park, had a huge pavilion to set up in and proceeded to continue the party from the night before. The food was awesome. Hamburgers, hot dogs, salads, all the makings for tacos, of course more cold beer, soda and water. The meal was topped off with plenty of sweet things. One of the new guys owns 4 hunting dogs (pointers and guns. He and I hit it off immediately. The other new guy joined right in with the usual banter. A good time was had by all. We returned Sunday the 28th. The trip each way took about 6 hours. It would have been shorter going through Canada but not too many have the required passport or New York’s “Enhanced Driver License”. Read Enhance $$$$. Monday and Tuesday were spent getting ready for another road trip South. My Great Nephew graduates from Marine Boot Camp at Parris Island, South Carolina the 3rd. I left NY Wednesday, spent Wednesday night at Fort Meade in Maryland. It is not too bad but it is too close to DC and their mass grid lock. I stopped to see Barry but he was hiding and didn’t want to see me. I can’t figure it. Every time I have to drive near or through the puzzle palace, I swear I will never do it again. The traffic all the way down I-95 is horrible. Add some good rain storms and it is all but stopped. There were lots of trucks and cars going nowhere. Of course, you have to add in the idiot drivers that are driving a race and I had a foggy windshield with scorch marks… I arrived at Fort Bragg, North Carolina this afternoon in sunshine. The further I drove south, the better the weather and traffic got. Tomorrow is an easy drive to Beaufort, South Carolina. I will stay at the Marine Corps Air Station there – one of my old stomping grounds. You can tell it was awhile ago. All the aircraft I worked on are on pedestals outside the main gate. They represent what use to be. After the graduation ceremonies at Parris Island, I am going to Savannah, Georgia to see my 2 children and their families. Yep, more party time. I will go back up to NY sometime next week. There is a school, not class, gathering the 10th at the Legion. It ought to be a good time. I will get to talk to a lot of people I email and face book with. My 3 brothers are also going. It should be yet one more good time. Eventually I will head back to California via Georgia and Tennessee after some fishing here and there along the way. Another friend-retired Marine in Tucson, Arizona sent me an email about his fishing trip for trout. I just might have to have car trouble in Tucson……… I also have fishing invited near Cooperstown, NY. This is yet another I served with. He owns a camp on a hill top – 200+ acres – 40 of which is pond, stocked and has been catch and release for a number of years now. There is another invite in Georgia and San Antonio, Texas. Life is good. I got up this morning and it being the first of the month, it was bill paying time. I got that all out of the way. I don’t know what I would do if it wasn’t for the computer and on line. Year or two ago, my lap top crashed in Arizona. I would have been “blind” all the way across the country if it wasn’t for Air Force Bases and their community computers in their temporary lodging. Then when I reached NY, I just happen to have another friend, a former Marine, and a computer fixer. Through him, I met another good friend who is a retired professor at the University of Rochester. It was my in for the University’s computer man to fix me up. Between these two, my lap top came out better than when I bought it and has not even hiccupped since. Yes, I am fortunate, blessed and happy with family and friends all over the country. More later Tom/Walter
Posted on: Fri, 02 Aug 2013 01:09:05 +0000
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