July 27 Drying Out in Oshkosh

Well we survived the storm I was in when I wrote my last blog entry. According to the news accounts we received in excess of 3 " of rain that evening and they had to evacuate 27 tent campers from their "soggy" sites to permanent shelters with the Red Cross providing dry blankets to get them through the night. It is said that their tents collapsed from the weight of the rain water.

There was also some collapse and damage in merchant display tents and we saw some blank spots today that marked those spots.

With that large a volume of rain, the campground "roads" which run through normally grassy fields have turned into muddy bogs. It is indeed a challenge to maneuver but thankfully we have had dry weather today to finally "set things up".

We spent most of today at the ultra-light, sport pilot plane field. We had fun checking out the newest in homebuilt, kit and prefab aircraft from the traditional ultra-lights to powered parachutes, helicopters and other rotor crafts. Quite a bit of excitement and entertainment watching the variety of craft demonstrate their flying style and technique.

Keep the sun screen flowing and we are doing great,

Linda

July 25 Oshkosh Opens It's Skies to Us

Last night we went to a "pre-show" in their Theater in the Woods. It was very hot and muggy but the entertainment was good so we really enjoyed ourselves.

First act bills himself as the "singing pilot" and has written several songs about flying..."Marry Me, Fly Free", Don't Take Chances (With Your Life), "Commuter Airline Blues", "Go Around", etc...all top hits, Right ? Not, but very entertaining and special due to his sincerity. He is from Colorado and was a close friend of John Denver...singing style was very similar and part of his performance was a John Denver tribute.

Next speaker was a commercial airline crash investigator and shared with us some of his experiences and tried to educate us on the difficulties and challenges involved in his work.

Last speaker was extremely inspirational with his personal account of the 1989 crash of the United Airlines flight in a Sioux City, Iowa cornfield. He was on the flight as a passenger but due to his flying skills (the one who did the flight tests with the pilots), he was called into service once they lost their hydraulics and could not control the plane. He helped the pilots bring it in and save the lives of half of the passengers aboard. He himself was very seriously injured but was able to overcome the doctor's predictions that he would never fly commercially again. Due to his experiences he was very adamant about living each day to the fullest and never leaving your loved ones on a bad note...lest something happens and you do not see them again.

Today we spent the day walking around and taking in the magnitude of all there is to see here. We are so glad that we have all week available so we can try to pace ourselves and not try to see it all one day.

They have a network of trams running around to get you from point A to point B but it is still mind boggling and in a way "sensory overload".

We only lost each other twice today...it is easy to do with so many people but we have agreed not to move very far when it happens which helps...some.

This afternoon we got to watch the arrival of Burt Rutan's Space Ship One. It was awesome. Then they followed that with a large airshow...which we will have every afternoon this week.

At the end of the airshow, we had been watching clouds move in and were informed that it was a major storm coming in (again) and that there was a "tornado watch". Well the trams were overloaded and it took us quite awhile to get back to the motor home. During our tram ride it started raining really big drops and then we got off the tram just one block from our coach and it opened up and poured. All that was missing was a bar of soap and we would have had our shower. We were drenched to the skin and now have wet clothes hanging around in the coach.

Since we got back, the storm has progressively gotten worse and worse with lightening strikes all around us. I pity the poor people in tents as they must be floating away with the volume of rain...as it puddles and runs off in torrents. Especially concerned about our friend, Jim Young, who is camped out there with several of his sons. They are "batching" it in a van and a tent. Tried to call on his cell phone to invite him to sleep on our couch but he did not answer so will have to assume his sons have it under control.

Oh yeah, our motorcycle is outside...we had no advance warning to get it inside. At least it is in between our motor home and another next door and we had put our covers over it. Guess we will find out tomorrow how waterproof the covers are...I would prefer to not have a puddle of water in the sidecar...oh well that's the adventure of life. Let's see the song goes "The sun'll come out tomorrow..." around here that is definitely true, the weather comes and goes very quickly.

Time for bed, might need our rest to "bail out" things tomorrow.

Linda under the falling skies of Oshkosh

June 23 Thunderstorms Oshkosh Style

A quiet, relaxing day got real exciting when the volunteers started circulating at 2PM with a warning of a SEVERE thunderstorm with 80 mph winds due to hit us at 3PM. We had been sitting outside reading and enjoying a gentle breeze and cooler temperatures but could see the darkening clouds in the distance.

At first we did not get too concerned until we saw the midwesterners taking their tents down and taking refuge in their cars. Then we decided to pull in all our awnings, slides with awnings and even put the bike back into the trailer...using different method to avoid redamaging that tank.

The storms here are really different from at home...they hit so fast and furious here...one minute no wind, the next minute (precisely at 3PM by the way) the trees are going sideways. The wind and rain blew so hard sideways that it resembled being in a really big carwash! The news reported later that in fact we did have 70 mph winds and there was resulting damage in some areas. But not here, we were fine and there were no tents flying through the air because of the excellent advance warning we received and how everyone took it very seriously.

We spent the rest of the afternoon visiting with some really nice people from Florida who are in the motorhome next to us. We told storm stories, travel stories and shared craft projects...lots of fun...now we are looking forward to Monday which will be the official opening of the airshow and lots more excitement in the sky and on the ground.

July 22 Oshkosh arrival - A draining experience

We drove from Kewaunee to Oshkosh mid-morning to avoid any traffic congestion in and around Green Bay. It worked great and it was really easy to find the EAA site here in Oshkosh as they had lots of informational signs on the highway as well as a special radio station broadcasting a welcome and directions.

This place is enormous. They report that last year they had 30,000 campers here and now I can see why they virtually run it like a little city.

As points of interest,in 2004 they had
**More than 10,000 airplanes from N America, Europe, S America, Africa & Australia
**802 commercial exhibitors
**70 reporters from five continents, sending coverage worldwide
**In excess of 4,000 volunteers who contributed more than 250,000 hours of service
**A total of 1,429 international aviation enthusiasts from 61 nations (top three nations: Canada 438, Germany 14, Australia 17)

We were so glad that we got here early so we had a good pick of spots. We do not always avail ourselves of the handicapped parking facilities but in this case it makes a real difference in being closer to the main flight line and having more frequent shuttle service to get around.

They have 20' x 30' spaces marked out for camp sites but everyone kind of "does their own thing" staking out a reasonable amount of space, most using the yellow "crime scene" tape to mark off their territory. Lots of groups with tents and RVs in clusters with awnings, sun tarps, chaise lounges, ice chests, signs, etc,etc...you get the picture. Many groups go all out with potted plants and decorations of all sorts.

All we wanted was a long narrow spot (we are 51' total with the trailer hooked on plus need extra room to drop the ramp and off load the bike).

Found the spot and got settled but had a bit of a problem offloading the bike. We sometimes encounter difficult angles and have a tendency to "hang up" the bike when we offload it if the level is not just right. Well this time we were really hung up and when I got down looked down under the bike to see what was the problem I could see anti-freeze leaking out onto the ground. There is a plastic "overflow tank" right there in a very vulnerable area and we had popped a hole in it. Yuck...now in this day and age of environmental awareness, you don't just stand up and announce to those around you "Oh my God, we are leaking anti-freeze onto the ground". However we quickly got a plastic bowl under it...just in time for the last few drops to be collected rather than go onto the grassy area below where it might kill some unsuspecting little spider or ant who would eat it.

Next step was for the two of us to get down on the ground from either side of the motorcycle (I fit much better under the sidecar than Gary does) and diagnose the problem and attempt to fix it on site. This must have been quite a sight...legs sticking out from under the motorcycle rig (in the middle of the handicapped camping area no less) as we drew quite a crowd of willing helpers.

I have gotten fairly handy at this sort of thing so, between the two of us, we got the tank unhooked and out. Next problem was fixing the hole. Seemed reasonable that if they fix aircraft here we should be able to find a solution. I stuck a few dollars in my pocket and took off on foot to search out a solution. Not too far away I found a maintenance shop for their vehicles here and a very nice man who bought into my sad story and proceded to put something called "JB Weld" on it. End of the story was that it set up great, held water, we got it reinstalled on the bike and made friends with all the campers around us.

July 17 Kewaunee “Hugh Parade”

Noon was the scheduled time for the “Hugh Parade” (their term not mine) to begin and the streets of downtown Kewaunee was lined with an excited audience. They were two and three deep on the shady side of the street and sparse on the sunny side as the temperature was already in excess of 90 degrees with oppressive humidity to boot.

We chose the shady side but the only place to sit was on some planter ledges after I attempted to clear them of accumulated spider webs and crumbling paint (Gary had insisted we did not need our chairs for this small parade event).

Finally the color guard proceeded down the hill and past our shady vantage point. They were followed by a VFW color guard and drill team complete with rifles and gun salutes. It was impressive and very inspirational.

Next came the emergency vehicles en masse. They must have pulled them in from all the surrounding areas as there were 25 or more. With their full lights, sirens and much loud fanfare, I was not disappointed when they turned off the route a half block from our vantage. It saved our ears and also put them in a position to respond to calls if needed during the course of the parade.

As the parade proceeded, we were entertained by boy scouts, several small local dance groups, paint ball clubs, local political candidates, restored cars, restored tractors, military vehicles, balloon vendors, clowns, church groups, a little of everything but with a very small town “flair”. The parade included two “marching bands” riding on large flatbed trailers. Perhaps experience has shown that playing and marching in that heat is not a good combination.

Final group in the parade was the favorite of everyone. They were the “South Shore Drill Team” from intercity Chicago. The group was about 100 in number, all with an apparent love of dance and rhythm. Boys and girls alike were dressed in matching pink outfits. They had three sections with different routines and props. First the young men doing a “jive” type dance and then girls with a combination march/dance routine, followed by girls twirling long poles with colorful flags. It was awesome and they took their time stopping each group in front of us to perform. It was obvious they do lots of practice to be that good. We loved it!

July 16 Kewaunee Trout Fest

We spent the morning cleaning up the bike in preparation of the day’s events. By late morning we were at the waterfront park enjoying the sights and sounds of a number of events.

I thought of daughter Cindy when I saw they were having a “duathlon”. It was a 5K run and a 30K bike, followed by another 5K run. Cindy would have been impressed; they even had ankle chips and free T-shirts.

There were craft booths set up with on site demonstrations of their art plus of course items for sale.
The most interesting were the two old men doing wood carvings of animals. It was very intricate, detailed work with beautiful results. I was glad to see they were charging appropriately, although there were not many buyers.
I was fascinated to see “Alpacas” for the first time. They are strange little animals and the clothing made out of their “wool” was beautiful but not selling very well in the over 90 degree temperatures.
Large pieces of cut glass were marketed as garden ornaments with the caution to handle them with gloves on due to their sharpness. With my current level of clumsiness (running my head into overhangs on the motor home) that could be disastrous. I would probably fall and cut myself on a piece in our garden…no thanks.
One group of ladies had spent many hours making the standard crocheted refrigerator towels (you know the kind) and other homey items. Lots of lookers getting ideas of things they could make at home but not many buyers.
Stained glass interested me until I saw they were kits for making Christmas ornaments and night light covers.
Willow basket weaving was interesting to watch but not a hobby that I plan on taking up.
Etc, etc. about 15 craft booths in all and I succeeding in making the rounds and still coming away with my pocketbook in tact.

Wisconsin food concessions featured the familiar standards plus fresh squeezed lemonade, roasted corn on the cob and a “trout boil” dinner. We passed on that for the time being although we have since had several locals tell us that we cannot make our visit complete until we have partaken in a “trout boil”.

Soon it was time to seek out the start of the “Trout Fest Motorcycle Run” which was a tavern across the bridge. Scheduled to start check in at 11 AM, we rode by at 10:45 and no one was there. Finally about 11:15 they started check in but informed us that it was not a “run” with route check-ins along the way but a group run which would feature a lead bike starting at 1PM. We ended up having lunch in the bar which was a new experience for us. The food was good but the cigarette smoke soon drove us outside to the shade of a nearby tree.

At 10 minutes to 1 they announced “Start your engines” and at precisely 1 PM we left the parking lot. There were about 40 bikes in all and only three were Hondas. There was one three wheeler and one side car rig (ours). We were impressed with the involvement and cooperation of the local police force as they were present at each intersection (both of them) to hold the traffic as our group proceeded north out of town. Our route took us on a number of country roads which were new to us but obviously very familiar to the Harley riders. They immediately took out at 70 mph which is at least 15 mph over our normal sane motorcycle highway speed not to mention 25 mph over our county road speed.

We flew on through the back country not seeing much of the sights due to our breakneck speed and trying to just keep up. Soon we entered another town and noticed the lead bikes parking along the road across the street from a local tavern. We followed them in to use the bathroom facilities and purchase a can of pop. They all proceeded to cool their throats with cold beer in preparation for the next “leg” of the ride. Again, as we left this small community, the local police were there to hold back any oncoming traffic and facilitate our speedy departure (55 in a 25MPH zone). How could they miss the fact that we had all just come from the local tavern? Perhaps they just look the other way around here…not quite sure.

As the rode proceeded the tavern stops became more frequent and the speed faster and faster. We had wondered how they would “stretch” this local country ride into 4 hours and now we know the secret…lots of tavern stops! Finally their riding speed exceeded our ability or willingness to keep up and we departed company to return to Kewaunee on our own.

Upon our return to the festival site, we spent a couple hours in our favorite sport of “people watching” and listening to the local rock band (named “Free Beer”) play “music (??)” in the bandstand.

All in all it was a very interesting and entertaining day…a day full of contrasts and adventure that is for sure.

July 15 Kewaunee, WI

After leaving Jim Young’s house in New Auburn we headed East towards the banks of Lake Michigan in an attempt to seek some cooler weather. As was Jim’s suggestion we headed for the small peninsula which juts out with Green Bay on the West side and Lake Michigan on the East Side. We had intended to stop for one night between New Auburn and Green Bay but the roads and traffic cooperated so we just keep moving East.

Based purely on luck we encountered the town of Kewaunee which has just over 2,000 residents. We found a very nice RV park called Kewaunee Village just a mile north of town. This RV park has the looks of being an old KOA that someone has taken over. It has the basic A-frame office with lounge area, small limited store, nice laundry, showers and outdoor swimming pool. The owners are very nice and run a “tight ship” which keeps the place clean and pleasant to visit.

The park is set on a hill above the harbor and while you cannot see the harbor from here you can hear the fog horns and feel a breeze off the lake. Still a warm breeze (over 90 degrees) but the movement of air helps. We have used our air conditioning almost every day on this trip.

After riding around town a bit to get acquainted with its features, we realized this was not an ordinary weekend for this small town. This was the weekend for their annual “Trout Fest” our chance to “live it up” Wisconsin style. Friday night we enjoyed the activity on the banks of their bay watching the boats coming and going. Tomorrow promised to be exciting with the highlight being the “Trout Fest” motorcycle run at 1 pm!

July 13 Enjoying Good Friends in New Auburn, WI

On Monday, we arrived here at the home of our good friends Jim and Jinny Young. Gary had worked for and with Jim about 20 years ago in Saudi Arabia. Over the subsequent years, we had only seen them just a couple of times but yet kept touch through the usual Christmas letters and an occasional e-mail.

Upon bringing Gary and Jim back together, it was like they had worked together yesterday. The past three days have been full of good stories of their times together in Saudi, updates on the people they worked with there, as well as their mutual experiences during the interim.

Jim and Ginny have a comfortable home here which Jim designed and built himself. He is an engineer and very meticulous. He even had the miniature model of the house to share with us. The house as built overlooks a large beautiful lake and is surrounded by a large variety of trees, beautiful flower garden and of course three connecting koi ponds. Our ponds at home don't hold a candle to what Jim has constructed here and his koi are humongous (my word for "very large"). I am struck by the number of similarities between Gary and Jim in their choices of landscaping and home design. Must have been lots of time sharing plans and dreams during those exciting working days in Saudi Arabia.

Jim and Ginny have been great hosts, letting us park our motor home in their driveway. Yesterday, Jim took us on a drive around New Auburn, stops at the medical clinic and pharmacy were not on his regular tour but included nonetheless. Gary has developed a sore on his leg and we take these things very seriously due to his diabetes so we got to experience small town clinic service...which was excellent.

This morning we got up early in an attempt to beat the heat. We took a "road trip" up north to see a new veterans' cemetery which was beautiful. Further north we visited some tourist sites to take the required picture with the largest fish I have ever seen...really bad tourist gimmick like the biggest ball of twine! We had several vistas where we enjoyed the beauty of the local waterway and the canoeing tourists partaking in their own adventures. Our morning was made complete by a stop at the "Moose Lips Cafe" for a late breakfast (near Cable, WI) before heading back home.

Tonight we barbecued hamburgers and worked on planning out our route for continuation of our tour of Wisconsin. We will tear ourselves away from the hospitality of this good place and proceed East with our next fixed destination being the Experimental Aircraft Association Air Show in Oshkosh, WI about 10 days from now. Jim and his grown sons will be there also so we will get to meet and greet again.

Life is good, but the weather could be a bit cooler. It has been over 90 for about 10 days now. Got a little 10 minute "teaser" rain shower today but that is all. We are just not used to this plus the humidity and we know now why we like the Pacific Northwest so well.

Take care...more later,
Linda

July 10 Oakdale, WI - "Enjoy"

We spent today at the Oakdale Wisconsin KOA resting and relaxing before we head tomorrow up to the New Auburn Wisconsin home of our good friends Jim & Ginny Young. I got an "A" in napping (which is unusual for me) so we must have needed the rest.

I also noted today would have been the 92nd birthday of a very special lady in my life. My step mother, Vi, was such a sweetie and welcomed me with open arms when I left the home of my mother at age 17. She showered me with love and helped me develop a zest for life and what it would hold for me. Many a time I have repeated the phrase she always used when I left to go somewhere...just a simple word..."Enjoy".

She also lived her life in demonstration of that same enjoyment of life. She was the one who never could get her house cleaned without stopping to play the piano with her seriously arthritic fingers...just for the love and enjoyment of the music.

When she married my father I was just 16 and I remember vividly the transformation in him as he learned how to demonstrate his love to each of his children. What a gift she gave to him and to us. She continued to nurture him and us over the years and was always there to brighten the day. In 1993, she earned her heavenly wings and left us with just the sweet memories.

So today, I celebrate being blessed to have known the sweet red headed spit-fire of a loving lady, my step-mother, Vi.

"ENJOY"

July 8 Camping World Elkhart, IN

We left Ft. Wayne about 6:30 AM and "boogied" north to Elkhart Indiana for an installation appointment we had made at the Camping World service center there. Elkhart is the center of lots of RV manufacturing facilities so we knew the services and availability of items would be excellent.

The store was not the biggest Camping World we have been at but it was very well done and efficient. We had them change the engine oil (all 28 quarts !), change the generator oil, and install a product called Safe T Steer. We had learned about the steering product from a Goldwinger parked by us in Ft. Wayne. It stabilizes the motorcoach steering and keeps it from wandering so much on the highway.

It felt like we spent the entire day there since we had several items done but it was nice to get them accomplished. Gary is happy with the improvements in steering and handling as a result of the Safe T Steer Plus. I enjoy driving the coach but have not done much of it on this trip. It was like yesterday coming through Chicago...thru road construction...three very narrow lanes side by side and packed with traffic. Gary has nerves of steel when it comes to negotiating that type of situation and I am glad to let him do it. I get too spooked by trying to keep it in the lane when it is that narrow and cement barricades along the side to boot. Plus, I am much better at navigating, running the computer and back up maps than he is so I guess we each have our talents and our place.

Boy, I had one section of time yesterday when the GPS was getting interference in its signal or something as it kept telling us we were on side roads off the freeway and wanting us to detour to get back onto the freeway (I can hear my friend Janice laughing at this one). Anyway, I finally turned the voice command function off and followed the paper maps...good example why you still need them. Finally the GPS went back to being accurate but it was quite exciting for awhile there.

So we ended up spending this night in a Flying J truck stop in northern Illinois.

July 7 Ft. Wayne Laundromats

Yes, we eventually have to get down to the basics of life. I brought along LOTS of changes of clothing so we would not have to do laundry very often. But now when I do it, there is so much that it is a real "production"...but that was how we spent the bulk of our day...we went through LOTS of quarters.

Later that day it was time to get ready for our departure the following morning. When we had arrived, they took our enclosed trailer and put it in a special storage compound a few blocks away. So we took the motor home down there to pick it up. While in the parking lot Gary was approached by a man (another Vietnam Veteran) who wanted to shake his hand and thank him for his service to our country. More and more they see his "in country" Vietnam sticker on the coach or the motorcycle and approach him. He also had one of his Veteran shirts on and in fact I had on mine that says "I (shape of heart) my veteran".

This event ended up being like so many others, where they both are so anxious and appreciative to have someone to talk with who sympathizes with and relates to their experiences. It was a magic moment. All of a sudden, as this man was talking he just got choked up and started crying...oh my, I just turned to him and said "I know what you need"...and put my arms around him and gave him a BIG hug. Boy, he really melted in my arms and we stood there hugging in front of my husband who later said he was so very glad I did it.

From there we returned to the campground and loaded our big red fun machine into the trailer and parked for the night. Later that evening another couple had pulled in ahead of us and were trying to load their trike (three wheeler) into a tilting open utility trailer. They were about 15 years our senior and were having a real time accomplishing what they needed to do. We went out and tried to help but still a "no go" so we stopped another couple bikes and soon we had enough manpower/peoplepower that we could have just lifted the trike into the trailer if we wanted to. Amazing what can be done when everyone helps out...heartwarming as well.

Remembering that we almost did not go to Wing Ding this year, we are so glad now that we did. As a result we now know the new demographics (aging baby boomers, early retirees, etc.) of the GWRRA membership and realize how well we fit in and enjoy their clean, wholesome style of fun. It opened our eyes to know how many others are now riding trikes or side cars to "accommodate" their aging bodies but still have fun. There were quite a number who haul their bikes with trailers, 5th wheels and motor homes so we are not that much out of place. We hope now to participate a bit more often in their events when it works into our schedule. Next year Wing Ding will be in Nashville, Tennessee...never been there...at least not yet!

July 6 Genealogy in Fort Wayne

Sometime this past year, I had gotten interested in researching our family "roots" so to speak. Still have problems spelling genealogy correctly but I am really enjoying finding out the facts and dates of our ancestors as well as digging further for the stories behind the facts. Started out feeling bad that everyone older is gone so we cannot quiz them regarding our ancestry but now I look on it as more of a challenge. Often at home I have sat up late into the night trying to decipher names scribbled in long hand years ago on the backs of old pictures and try to solve the mysteries of their identities.

In this quest for family roots, I found that there is an online group for descendents of a Michael Stocker who came to America in the 1700s. Well I was able to trace Gary's family back to this group and thereby joined the group. It ended up that they had no knowledge of the branch of the family tree which contain Gary and his father, his father's father, etc., etc. It has been rewarding to fill in those blanks but at the same time that just raises more questions. When we heard that they were having a "reunion" of the family in Stockertown, PA, we had to come. The far distant cousin who is organizing this is Susie Brown. She and I had communicated only via e-mail but when I discovered she lived in Ft. Wayne, we were excited to meet.

This morning Susie came and picked me up for a little tour of the town plus a visit to the Ft. Wayne genealogy library. I had innocently asked Susie if Ft. Wayne had a genealogy section not knowing at the time that they are rated #2 in the entire country for their resources...second only to the Mormon church library. WOW, what a find and Susie was so generous and gracious to introduce me to it.

We parked across the street from the temporary quarters of the library...they are having a new one built at the moment. Coins into the parking meter and we were off and exploring the stacks of books, computers, microfilm, card catalogue, etc...more coins into the meter and we were back at it...more coins in the meter and a quick lunch across the street and we were back at it. Finally, I realized I could stay there a year or more and still not have my "fill" so we removed ourselves to the car and reluctantly departed. What fun it had been and now I know so much more what to look for and what is available.

After my return to the motor coach, Gary and I went over to the coliseum for a scheduled "talent show". No we were not going there to participate but rather to observe and be entertained. It was a total success and loads of fun. Some really quality singers took the top prizes but the spirit of all the participants was inspiring. The very last performance was not part of the competition but rather a "treat" to us from the local Fort Wayne GWRRA chapter. As a group they won the "best dressed chapter" award and it was instantly apparent why. They were all smartly dressed in finely pressed slacks, nice leather vests with matching black and gold GWRRA emblems, etc. Long sleeve dress shirts and matching patriotic neckties. Top that all off with a dressy black cowboy hat and they were perfect. Then they proceeded to march/walk in unison and in formation. Wow they were great with very appropriate music/songs...introducing themselves and the husbands kissing their wives as the introduction had been made. Very sweet and very professionally done. Afterwards I told one of the gals they made me want to move to Ft. Wayne just to be part of their high quality group!

Next treat for the day was watching the Gold Wing Light Parade. After dark all those with decorative lighting on their bikes paraded around the very large coliseum parking lot and it was quite a display of colors, patriotism and pride in their machines. Wow, I'd like to be the vendor who sold all those lights!

A couple more news articles about Wing Ding...FYI if interested

Nothing on us in particular, just good pictures and stories of Wing Ding happenings...FYI

"Riders Ring City With Fun, Flair"

http://www.fortwayne.com/mld/journalgazette/news/12065271.htm

"Gold Wingers Fly In To Tell Tales of Road"

http://www.fortwayne.com/mld/journalgazette/news/12065271.htm

"I Loved This Parade"

http://www.fortwayne.com/mld/fortwayne/news/local/12066739.htm

"10,000 Bikers Say Farwell"

http://www.fortwayne.com/mld/fortwayne/news/local/12086229.htm

Portraits of Gold Wing Wing Ding participants from Ft. Worth newspaper

Thought some of you might be interested in the type of people who belong to Gold Wing Road Riders Assoc. and attend the Wing Ding. Found this excellent item online by one of the Ft. Worth newspapers. It is portraits of participants, complete with great picture and story. Check it out:

http://jordan.fortwayne.com/jg_gold_wings/index.htm

July 5 Grand Parade through the streets of Fort Worth

Of course we returned to the vendor exhibits again and shopped till we dropped. "So much chrome so little time". We are doing much better at "restraining" our impulse purchases now that we have two "toys" to outfit (motorcycle and motor home).

We attended a couple seminars that were very interesting. Gary went to one titled "How to spend less time cleaning your bike" where of course they sold him lots of new fancy formula products guaranteed to clean it up spiffy in a hurry. I went to a class on decorating apparel with appliques and tiny crystals. Quite interesting and the gal was very entertaining. I came away from it with some good techniques on placement of embellishment on garments that I can put to use in my machine embroidery even if I never purchase one of her pre-made appliques.

Highlight of the day was our Wing Ding Grand Parade. We all gathered in the parking lot of the local community college...there were nearly 2,000 bikes staged by the time we started. The route of the parade took us down major thoroughfares, but also through grand old well established residential areas. It was 6:30 pm on a week night and the people of Fort Wayne were out enmasse to watch us. Most sat in chairs 2 and 3 deep along the way but some stood holding signs welcoming us. The smiles were big and the waves were genuine. Wing Ding had been in Ft. Wayne in 2002 and having us return was a big boost to their economy. It had been the top item on their local news all week, how we were bringing big money in to them and how clean cut we are, non-drinking, etc. not causing them any problems. It was obvious they appreciated us. I spoke the next day with one of the people who had been along the route and she said it took 30 minutes for all the bikes to pass her vantage point...we were two abreast and traveling 20 - 30 mph...wow what a sight.

Another hot and humid day to show us why we enjoy living in the Pacific Northwest!

July 4 Celebrating With Other Wing Dingers in Ft. Worth

On this day to celebrate our country and the freedom which it affords, our large group (over 10,000) of Wing Ding attendees dug out our best red, white and blue flag waving attire. There were hats of all shapes and sizes, sparkly shirts, multi-colored t-shirts with patriotic messages and the latest winking electronic pins (the things we think of to use up tiny hearing aid batteries). There were a considerable amount of presidents' pictures around...but they were on little green sheets of paper the motorcycle accessory vendors were collecting! Everyone was having a good time and making new friends.

We wore our leather vests with "Oregon Veterans' Association" on the back and it generated a great deal of conversation being so far from home. The main comment is usually "What a long way to ride your motorcycle". We usually fess up and admit that a few years back that would have been the case (riding 500 mile days cross country) but that now we travel trailering our bike behind our motor home. Gary's vest also displays some Vietnam veteran patches which generate additional conversation and camaraderie. Very refreshing after so many years of silence.

After two nights of fireworks displays at the coliseum adjacent to our campground, we wondered what the city of Fort Worth would do for an encore. We walked just a half block from our motor home with chairs in tow and planted ourselves on a grassy knoll along the river for the show. Coordinated to music and shot off the top of one of their downtown buildings, the impressive display was visible for miles in all directions. It was awesome and even more inspiring with all our new found "biker buddies" around us.

July 3 Visit to Berne Indiana Amish Village

This morning we went over to the Coliseum and officially registered for the Wing Ding rally. Quite a gathering of a multitude of bikes even though the rally does not realy begin until tomorrow.

We were disappointed to miss out on a group tour they have arranged to the Amish Village in Berne south of here...it was already sold out! We got to looking at the map and figured we could just make a day trip of it on our own as it was only 40 miles or so. The weather was great and it was refreshing to get out on the open country secondary road leading down there.

We were impressed with the number of Goldwings that passed us on their way into Ft. Wayne. They anticipate in excess of 20,000 at this event and all indications are that they will make it.

As we approached Berne we were going strictly by tourist signs for directions and found them in short supply. We made one "pass" through the town and soon found that since it was Sunday the very religious Amish people had closed up nearly everything. I had counted on an exciting meal but instead we ended up at a McDonald's with Swiss Chalet motif and a charming parking lot. They had signs and a special area in the rear of the lot for the Amish to tether their horse drawn carriages. Evidentally burgers are one thing they feel free to indulge in.

Our experience in McDonalds was unique and rewarding. We had barely arrived when a gentleman in a US Marines hat came up and shook Gary's hand to thank him for his service to our country in Vietnam. More and more this happens...spurred in part by a Vietnam "In Country" sticker Gary has on both the motor home and the motorcycle...plus Gary's disabled "condition" on crutches. This man lives there locally and was a Marine in Vietnam so he and Gary had an extensive conversation. The part that is so special about this is that finally after all these years these men can open up and discuss it...the healing continues!

At the suggestion of our new veteran "friend" we went back up the local road to a special Amish Village area where we found an Amish restaurant, gift shop and restored homes. Also found occasion to take a few pictures and learn more about the Amish...they DO NOT like to have their picture taken. If they realize you are taking a picture they will turn away...it is against their religion. I had one young family coming down the road toward me and I snapped their picture and turned away. Immediately the young man turned around his carriage and called me over to the road. Gary said later he thought I was in BIG TROUBLE when I walked over to see what he wanted. Imagine my surprise when he asked me if I would mail him "the picture"...I said "of course" and got his address. But then I said "Now, let me take a good one of you"..."NO" they said it would be against their religion but I guess because they had not been aware of or posed for the first one I guess it was OK. They also wanted me to make sure to send my name and adress with the picture...anyone out there understand Amish customs/traditions well enough to understand this? If you do send me an e-mail about it but send to my pocketmail address (oldbro@pocketmail.com) not sure when I will be on internet again to "pull" my centurytel e-mail. The pocketmail address I get via my cell phone.

We just finished sitting outside our motor home watching fireworks for the second night in a row. Tomorrow night will be the BIG SHOW...these were just "after ball game" displays at the ball park next door to us.

4th of July tommorrow and I will be wearing my "Land of The Free Because of The Brave" shirt...give it some thought and thank as many veterans as you can...they really deserve it and appreciate it!

Hugs,
Linda

July 2 Ft. Wayne, Indiana

We drove north into Ft. Wayne with our destination being a city camping park right next to their coliseum. Sounded easy but we proceeded to get lost.

The last "Wing Ding" in Fort Wayne was in 2002. The city of Ft. Wayne is so excited to have this large gathering of Goldwing motorcycle fans return to their city for their rally that they had gone all out and put up lots of signs. First there were lit signs along the freeways coming in, welcoming us and telling other motorists to watch out for the large number of motorcycles that they expect to be converging. Once we got near the coliseum there were just too many well meaning signs and we just got confused. One just a motorcycle it would have been an adventure but when you pull a motorhome and trailer into a private school parking lot without room to turn around the "adventure" takes on new meaning. We finally called on our cell phone and one of the registration people came out and led us in. I noticed they changed some of the signs after that so maybe they agreed that they were originally a bit confusing.

We were glad to be in and parked as they day wore on and more and more people arrived.

By getting here early we are along the main campground road, in a long row of motor homes, near to the center of the action, a short walk to the bathrooms and showers. We are "dry camping" (for those non RVers that means no water, sewer or electric hookup) so we conserve use of our own facilities to keep from filling our holding tanks and having to move to pump them out. We run the generator a couple hours a day to keep the batteries charged and if we want to run the cofee pot, microwave or air conditioning. Really roughing it...huh?

We look at the motorcycle campers who fill the field below us and wonder how we ever handled that...most of the time in a tent on the ground and then later moving to a popup motorcycle trailer...I guess we were just paying our dues building up to now.

July 1 Pilot Truck Stop in Muncie, IN

I have been so deprived. No internet for three whole days and I am trying tonight to make up for it.

Our last stop was three days at Heartland Resort in Greenfield Indiana. Their ads had all promised Wi-Fi but they had "technical difficulties" and could not deliver the goods. I was relegated to actual reading, resting and relaxing as we were assailed with one thunderstorm and hailstorm after another. Not a good time to take out our precious little red fun machine...I could not even imagine what a hail storm would be like in a side car!

The clue should have been our introduction when we checked into the RV resort. They immediately explained to us what county we were in and where the underground shelters were in the event a "severe weather event" occurs. I want to know how do you get to the shelter if it is already hailing??? Ouch!!! Definitely not a threat of us deciding to move to this portion of the great US of A.

Today we moved on north towards Fort Wayne for the Wing Ding. First order of business was a stop at a very nice trailer supply outlet for a "sway bar" for our trailer. We had put the weight distribution bars on initially but were told the sway part was not necessary. Subsequent driving has convinced Gary otherwise so we put one on.

My navigation program and GPS sure save our bacon when trying to find addresses so very foreign to us. If we make a wrong turn or have to detour for construction (both happened today) it immediately figures out an alternate route and directs us through it.

Tonight we are overnighting in a truck stop parking lot. The price is right (free) and I have my Wi-Fi internet which they broadcast through out their parking lot. Each brand of truck stop has a different network of Wi-Fi but generally it runs 4.95 to 6.95 for a 24 hour period of unlimited usage. I love it and it is fast to use.

We had planned another night in truck stop and then staying at an RV campground in Angola, IN...about 50 miles north of Ft. Wayne. We could not find another closer RV site due to the holiday and Wing Ding. Today, however I discovered they have "primitive" campsites right next door to the coliseum where the event is happening. We called and can get in there. Nice not to have the long commute and the price is less than half what the RV campground was going to charge...so we will be at the "Johnny Appleseed Campground" in Ft. Wayne from the 2nd through the 7th.

I am really excited also to meet up with a distant relative (Susie) I have met through an online Stocker family genealogy group. She is the one putting on the Stocker reunion in Stockertown end of August and she lives right there in Ft. Wayne. She is going to be gone this weekend but has offered to take me to the Ft. Wayne genealogy library next week. She says it is the second best in the country. Neat to learn more about the topic and get to know her better at the same time.

Well enough jabber for tonight. After Wing Ding we will be touring the Wisconsin Dells on the way to Jim Young's house in New Auburn, Wisconsin. Gary worked with Jim in Saudi Arabia and we are looking forward to seeing he and his wife again after many years.

Linda

June 27 Lincoln Trail State Park, Marshall, IL

The Friday night community band concert was great. It was not so much the off key music but the entire atmosphere. Picture a large gazebo surrounded by green grass and trees in front of an ancient city hall complete with clock tower (of course the clock is broken). Add the following:

• Numerous colored lights under the gazebo roof
  
• Nervous community musicians all in a variety of freshly pressed white shirts
  
• Bronze plaque at the base of the gazebo commemorating the 5 or 6 band leaders who have directed the city band at that site
  
• Lions club popcorn wagon selling burnt popcorn by the bag
  
• Middle school pep squad out of step performing a marching tune they had choreographed themselves
  
• Local civic group selling home made bakery goods and ice cream on the steps of city hall
  
• Local townspeople jostling with the placement of their lawn chair for their favorite spot
  
• Small children alternating between dancing and chasing each other around the base of the gazebo
  
• Adults greeting each other in loud voices and enjoying more the company of their friends than the music being performed
  

It was all an experience into small town USA and part of our adventure. We enjoyed it immensely.

Well we were so comfortable here in this little town and peaceful state park that we extended a few more days. We have watched the weekend campers come and go. Everyone from fellow retirees to young families and a troop of Boy Scouts. The section of this park that we are in has lots of flat asphalt and so there were lots of kids “touring” on bicycles, tiny bicycles with training wheels, scooters, motorized scooters (illegal in this park), roller skates, you name it we saw it. Now we are pretty much down to just retirees here and it has been very quiet.

Almost everyone has a dog to take out and walk several times a day. Our big fluffy bloodhound dog just sits in the window like the stuffed animal that he is. With Gary’s limited mobility it is a relief not to have a dog at this point in time.

We will be leaving tomorrow to head NE toward Ft. Wayne, IN and the annual national Goldwing gathering (“Wing Ding”) which starts on July 4th. We will park our motor home at a park about 40 miles away and “commute” into the event with the motorcycle and sidecar. Hope it is fun. We are a little “on the outside” as we do not belong to this national organization anymore but want to join the event anyway. Our memories of the one we went to in Tulsa, OK about 15 years ago are all good. We may even be more rested this time as the time before we had traveled by bike all the way there and back.

Tonight we called ahead to our good friend Jim Young who we will be visiting in Wisconsin after Wing Ding. Gary has not seen him for at least 10 years; they worked together in Saudi Arabia about 15 years ago and developed a very strong friendship.

It has been extremely hot here with temps over 95 yesterday. Today it “cooled down” a bit to 91 but the humidity went up. Thank goodness for a nice motor home and good air conditioning. Reading books, doing some stitching, go riding in the motorcycle once or twice a day. Aw…retirement!