Remembering a Couple of Trips

[Wyandot Jim]

Hey Guys,
In an airplane site I visit the question was asked what your most memorable flights were.
I thought some of you might be interested in my two. These were to the big fly-ins at Oshkosh WI and Lackland FL.

Blue Skies,
Jim

As has been stated I also have many memorable flights over the last 61 years.
My most favorite flight took place in 2002. My Aviator Son took leave from the Navy so we could fly my Starduster to Oshkosh. We stopped to spend the night to visit with a long-time retired USAF Col. friend that flew F-105s and F-4 Wild Weasels who lived in Kansas.
The weather was great, and we very seldom flew above 1000'-1500' AGL to and from Osh. The view from a biplane of Mid America was fantastic.
I had flown my Starduster to Osh. in 1973 and 1975 and stayed in the University Dorm. Sooooo, I thought Son should have the same great experience. As luck would have it, we were across from a couple of Air Force Pilots which made things a we bit lively at times. Yes, it was hot, so we had to leave doors and windows open.
After 6 enjoyable days I was notified to stay for the awards, and I received a Bronze Lindy. That as they say put the icing on the cake for the trip of a lifetime.

My follow up trip was when Son and I flew my Starduster to Sun-N-Fun 2000.
As luck would have it a very strong high wind cold front kept us on the ground for a day in Pensacola. Before we left home, I asked Son if we needed to take jackets his reply "no we are going to Florida where it's warm" Well that was wrong, and we had to go to Wally World to buy sweatshirts for the early morning departure with socks for gloves on our hands.
The funniest part was we had Mexican food the night before and son had to take a serious CRAP when we got to the airport with a closed FBO. Of all things we found an open hangar with a roll of TP on the work bench. What luck???
Picture this or maybe not, Son leaning up against the end hangar taking a dump in 35F temp and dark. We are probably not welcome back.
We arrive cold at SNF where we meet DIL and 5-year-old grandson. Oh, yea grandson brought his tent and stuff so he could spend a night in his tent with Gramps. Luckily the rest of the nights were spent in a Condo.
We all attended the awards presentation where I won Best Biplane.

Bottom line it has been a fantastic journey over the last 61 years flying LOW and Slow over our GREAT Country from coast to coast and North to South in several types of planes with Wife, Son and Grandson. The final Cleared to Land is approaching.

Our overnight stop in Kansas

 

[Jeepnik]

Your Col. friend flew Weasels! I worked with F105 Weasel pilots, a whole different critter than the regular Phantom drivers.

 

[Wyandot Jim]

Your Col. friend flew Weasels! I worked with F105 Weasel pilots, a whole different critter than the regular Phantom drivers.

Yes he flew 105 Weasels in combat then was the CO of the Weasel Squadron at Nellis flying F4s
Col Ken Lyon
Lyon has more than 5300 flying hours – mostly in jet fighter aircraft. His military decorations include the Distinguished Flying Cross, thirteen Air Medals, two Legion of Merits, two Meritorious Service Medals, and other awards.

 

[Jeepnik]

Some years back I started using a new gunsmith. He had a photo of an F-105 weasel on his wall. Turned out he had been in the squadron that was stationed at George AFB the same time.
We figured out we had met. Late one night his squadron vice commander was returning to the base. He was T boned. The 20 yo fireman tried to console the combat pilot as we got his friend out of the wreck.

Small world sometimes.

 

[contender]

Jim,,, I love the stuff you've shared over the years. But your line; "The final Cleared to Land is approaching." bothers me a bit.
I hope you are doing well my friend.

 

[Wyandot Jim]

Tyrone,
Thank you so much for being concerned about me.
At 82-1/2 I'm still in pretty good health. All my parts work and i have never had an operation or parts replaced. Still at my age, which I'm glad I made it this far, I realize probably not too many years in the future. My wife's condition with dementia is taking a toll on me with her 24/7 care.
I know what is in the future for her and I'm not sure I want to be around to see it.
This is the first time in our lives that we have had the time and money to be able to enjoy long road trips in the Vett, Cruises, Fishing Trips, and taking trips with Son and DIL that we missed due to him having a Navy Career. None of these are now possible.
Anyway, thanks again.
Jim

 

[contender]

Jim,, I can say I understand a lot more than you know. See,,, we have a member here,, whom I'm good friends with. He had to suffer with both his oldest son AND his wife going through cancer treatment at the same time. He lost his son a bit over a year ago,, and his wife a not long ago. He too was her primary caregiver. And yes,, he's closer to your age than I am. It was taking it's toll on him as well.
In fact he's heading out right now to take his wife's ashes to be spread over the ocean.
Thrown in the fact that before Miss Penny & I met,, I lived with a nurse,, that worked nursing homes. I helped put her through nursing school. But it was my time with her,, and the visits to the homes she worked,, that taught me how to handle things when my parents went through dementia, Alzheimer's, & Parkinson's.
And I learned that the "sickness or in health" vow gets tested during those years. And if I ever have to become Miss Penny's primary care,, I'll do whatever is necessary.

But I also understand your feelings about how you are now in a place to be have the time & money to do things,, yet are no longer capable. I divorced my 1st wife partially because she wanted us to; "Work a job until 65, then retire, & then do stuff." I told her that there were no guarantees I'd reach 65 and if we did,, would we be capable of "going & DOING the things I wanted to do.

So my friend,, I can understand a lot of what you feel. Just know that many of us here do care & wish y'all the best. You may not know it,, but y'all have been in my prayers often.

 

[protoolman]

I'm always reminded of the saying by Popcorn Sutton (moonshiner) when they interviewed him. Something to the effect of " If I had to do it again, Dam*ed if I wouldn't do it bigger and better!"