Alumni Dinner

Some of us at the Alumni dinner Saturday. Another fantastic get together. The entertainment was terrific. Its come along way since I was in the Deb Tones.

The First of Many

Notice... it's got it's pointy little head up in the clouds there... Denali. Beautiful.

When we started talking about things we could do together to get reacquainted we tossed around several ideas... Hawaii, visiting Judy W. at her Dude Ranch in Colorado, an inland passage cruise of Alaska. Some of us have checked the Hawaii part of that dream off our "to do" list, but if others ever want to head that far West, certainly let the rest of us know 'cause we may want to return.

But now we've gotten the ball rolling on another of the checkpoints on that list... Alaska! You know you've wanted to do it for years, but for one reason or another you've put it off. I've done it too. And then it finally hit me: WHEN AM I GONNA DO IT?
Will I be another of those tragic souls that puts things off until later, only to end up sick, (or worse), before putting the "done that!" tick-mark next to those things I've always wanted to do?

So this will be "the first of many" notices for you to GET OFF YOUR BUTT! We're gonna do this, and you need to be with us.
Yeah, it's gonna take some $$$$. With fuel costs escalating daily, how much cheaper do you think it'll be in a year or two? If you start squirreling funds away now, you CAN do this, BEFORE you get sick, BEFORE you get shot by that jealous spouse!

More than a year away... June of 2009.
Lots of time for you to turn the sofa upside-down when the guests depart to find that extra change and add it to your Alaska fund.

Go here to see what we're planning, but be aware you don't need to do the whole trip... you can just do the boat part of the tour from Whittier to Vancouver if time OR money are a factor. Be aware also, you're probably gonna need a passport, so start on that task right away too.

Don't be one of those, when you hear the rest of us chattering away about what a great time we had and what wonderful memories we have made, that has to say, "Boy, I wish"....
You can do it if you start planning now. So start planning!

BobWhiteDan is doin' the coordinating.
Let him, TwoDogs, or me know your plans to attend.
You already know it, but I'll reiterate:
Let's do this while we're healthy... while we're ALL healthy.
Don't wait. Get rollin'!

The "Suds"

Bear with me please... I just got home from a night shift and I'm a little dangerous.
Nap time comin' just after I publish this post.

Suds...
Anyone remember a classmate with that nickname? I certainly do. (I'm bringin' the Tequiza with me, guy!)
If you've not been to Ron and Sheryl VanLandingham's Whiteland Barn site in a while, you've missed the fact that "The Suds" is up for sale. Go here and then click on the words
"Private Placement offering-Business Plan" at the bottom of the page for details. I have only taken a quick look, but it appears shares are being offered for $500, and the restaurant would be open on weekends for their regular cruises. Again, I'm speakin' off the cuff here, but if, (and that's a big IF), you are buying a share of the real estate there, wouldn't that property be of value to someone in the future? I think it might be a low-risk, fun way to participate and keep the place open just for the "Cruisers"! Take a look and see what you think.

Thinkin' about the Suds brought back a sad memory. Five or so years ago I came home and met Ron S. at the Suds Saturday night to "go amongst 'em" and enjoy the cars and participants. While we were walking around a guy came up and shook Ron's hand, then turned to me...
"You don't remember me, do ya?"
"No, I'm sorry... I sure don't"
"Well I sure remember you. I'm Alan Padgett."

Alan had built a neat roadster and was rightfully proud of it. The three of us walked around it, chatting about it's specs and how Alan had built it. When Ron and I walked off, I promised Alan I'd see him again in the future.

Later that week Ron called.
"I've got bad news."
Three days or so after our visit at the cruise, Alan had left the road in his hotrod and struck a utility pole... Just that quick, he was gone.
Another reminder that we need to be enjoying one another's company while we can, folks!

And while I'm at it, let me take you down another sad path...
When I got home from Viet Nam I was "up on two wheels" a lot. One of the first things I did when I got home was buy a new motorcycle, and I had to have the fastest bike being produced. I bought three new bikes in a row, ending up with a Kawasaki 750 that would go from Zero to 60 m.p.h. in 3.2 seconds! Scary as Hell... I loved the thing.

One weekend I was home from Savannah, GA on the bike and one of my sister's classmates, Gary Bailey, drove in on his bike...
a 750 Kaw. just like mine. He was proud of his machine, and like me, was thrilled with it's performance.
In a couple weeks he was dead. I don't know the details of his death except that he was killed on the bike. I'm hopeful that with this post someone might help fill in the blanks.

So today I'll sadly add two more names to the memorial:
Alan Padgett and Gary Bailey.
God be with them.

Charlie Bit Me!

Earth Quake

I'm sure we will all have many stories to tell about todays quake.
I was setting at my computer working when the earth quake hit. I've lived in CA. and have been through several so I knew what it was. No matter how many times you've been in a quake, its very frightening. My daughter in law came flying downstairs, first quake she had been in. Needless to say she didn't know what was going on, she thought she had been possessed with the shaking of her bed.
I called my brother who lives in Moorseville. He had just let his cat inside and went back to bed. He felt the shaking start and thought he had let in a racoon or something worse in stead of his cat. He stood up on his bed, grabbed his shoes and jumped about 5 1/2' to the hall. He ran down stairs to get something to kill it. After seeing the cat walk out from under the bed, he started to realize that it may have been a quake.
I have a Labrador and he was very restless last night and early this morning when I got up around 3 AM. My neighbors dog barked all night, which was very unusual. Guess I'll start paying more attention to my animals around me from now on. I think they have senses that warn them in advance.

Alien Song

You've probably seen this. For those of you that haven't, enjoy!



Now, it's Friday!
Share something with us.

What About You?

Just a month now.
Some of us are already signed up. We're wondering... you comin' too? If you are, ya need to make your reservation and let us know about it!
You can call 800 426-6196 and ask about "Gulf Winds East", or go to this link where you can select and reserve the unit of your choice.
The dates? May 11 through May 18.
Got questions? Email or call me, or ask them in comments here.

Drive 11 hours and plant your feet in sand that barks at you when you put your weight on it...
Sand so white it causes snow-blindness in those without sunglasses!
Mahi-Mahi sandwiches, Red Beans and Rice, or Gumbo at Kenny D's!
Sunset with the beverage of your choice on a balcony overlooking the Emerald Green Gulf of Mexico.

I can guarantee... you won't be sorry you came. So come!

Now... open forum time. It's been a while. Unload those thoughts!