My Father turned 80 this year and I am taking him to Air Venture in Oshkosh to celebrate. EAA AirVenture Oshkosh is an annual gathering of aviation enthusiasts held each summer at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh. 500,00 people and 10,000 aircraft attend.
As you know from previous blogs I never go anywhere in a straight line, I rarely go a day without a piece of pie, and without TJ to keep things straight anything is about to happen.
I also will not have my proofreader, editor along so you may see a mistake or two.
We decided that we should camp on the airport grounds in an effort to avoid the daily lineups of traffic coming in and out so we will need to pack our tent, air mattress & pump, sleeping bags, pillows, ground sheets etc. in the trailer so we are going to have to use our stuff sacks efficiently. Along with our camping gear we will be taking riding gear, rain gear, emergency tool kit, windscreen cleaning supplies, clothes, extra shoes, IPad, cameras, cords and on and on.
Well I started to see how much room we would have by loading the tent, mattress & pump, ground sheets and sleeping bag, oh wait I need Dad’s bag I’m going to have to wait for his bag and pillow to see how much room there will be.
I’ll include pictures tomorrow of everything laid out on the garage floor before loading and then a series during, you will be amazed how much fits in.
We manage to get everything in after retrying three times and adding more we forgot.
Stylish helmet liner models from space.
The GPS gets it RAM mount and the GoPro gets it’s as well dad wanted the front fender, LOL we got to Fort McLeod and it was pointing at the ground from all the vibration.
Well we will see what time we get going in the morning.
nite all
Day 1
08:00 Blog Update I am adding the map of the purposed route (it took me a minute to remember how to do this, Duh)
09:00 Well we packed and repacked, stuffed and stuffed again and whatever we don’t have we’ll buy.
The bike has been given a once over, the trailer and hitch are all secure and our friend Andrea has cut our hair so we will look good when we take our helmets off. Hey no laughing. Yes we are still looking older and one of us way to fat, but we still look good. Ya know there is a price to pay for eating all that pie for the blog. LOL
Our departure is not until noon as we need to stop in Babb at Kinek (they receive our mail at the border) at around 15:30 to pick up a solar charger and cooling vests in order. I’ll need to charge my IPad for the blog and there is no power on our campsite hence the charger and the temperature in South Dakota is running around 100F hence the cooling vests.
Our ride to the border goes straight down Hwy 2 and will take us three hours.
15:00 We made it all the way to Fort McLeod before we stopped for ice coffee and a donut.
16:00 We arrive at the border and had a thirty minute delay getting through.
16:30 We arrive at Kinek and pickup our cooling vests, map holder and solar charger.
This is Lorraine and she collects all our shipping and is so kind to wait until we can come down and pick up a big load.
After Babb we stop in St Mary’s at this spot below
Would you believe Dad paid 19.00 for two pieces of Huckleberry pie!
Crazy crazy crazy but good pie.
The waitress wasn’t that good looking so I didn’t even bother asking to take her picture. LOL
While travelling through Great Falls we notice a rather black thunderstorm
Heading east and about to hit us. We quickly made our way to Starbucks to use the WiFi to search for the KOA location, thank God it is straight down the road. We make it there before the rain starts and Get into a cabin.
Well the KOA cabin was no bargain at $79.00 but we were out of the rain.
I thought it was clearing off so we decide to go for supper and guess what, yep it’s raining so we make our first restaurant choice and it’s closed. We go next door to Chilli’s and can’t get the Wi-Fi to work and then the waitress tells me there is no potatoes. If I was by myself and it wasn’t raining I would of left. Seven small shrimp in a bowl and a plate of broccoli and rice.
Oh and the best part is they charged me $20.00 for that lousy plate of food.
Can you imagine charging $19.99 for this. I hate this place, never again.
22:30 and we can’t see outside our cabin as our porch light doesn’t work and we only have one plug in to charge anything, any I just came from the washroom that has not toilet paper or paper towels. What does one do when he does his business and doesn’t have any T.P.or Paper Towel. Errrr
The internet is so bad I can’t upload pictures here. Great service KOA. I went closer to the main building and got eaten by bugs and attacked by a bat. Errr
Well today was quite the day of being hosed In Montana I’m going to bed.
Nite all
Day 2
Great Falls to Buffalo WY
06:00 and I gotta pee, how am I getting out of this cabin with the door that looks like was made by my Grandfather on a bad day. It squeaks and groans and the large arm you swing up scrapes. Yep Dads up now. We are both now on the way to the washroom/showers.
Hey guess what no T.P still. Errrr someone is going to have a tough start to their day by the time I’m finished with my list of bad KOA items.
The water was hot which was a bonus.
06:30 we repack the bike and trailer and I head to the office for a blessed discussion.
Linda , the front desk lady could not apologize enough, she told them to make sure everything was refilled at night and she was glad we told her the cabin items as no one ever tells them what’s wrong with stuff. Well I did and got our cabin for half price.
LOL I deliberately left out the fact that we stopped at Sonic for a half price Coconut pie Shake and Dad left the remainder of his outside on the porch seat and in the middle of the night we had a visitor who had a great old time with the styro cup. I was afraid he was going to wake everybody up with the noise he was making.
We both agreed that we were not hungry so we headed for Livingston down Hwy 89, man what a beautiful drive following the river all the way down. It was a little cool in the shade but we knew it wasn’t going to be long when the temps would be high 80’s.
Here’s Dads breakfast. $4.99 with coffee. And crappy internet.
Don’t judge me, pray for me. I need great internet upload for the blog.
We make our way down towards Gardiner Mt and the west entrance to Yellowstone, we cut through the top part of the park to reach Hwy 296 that will take us through the mountains to Cody Wy then Buffalo.
Hundreds of these strange looking cows everywhere.
Strangest looking bull I’ve ever seen.
Question: Have you ever done a blog in a room with a guy who can’t see what you are doing and every time I yell at the IPad he asks what’s it doing, isn’t it working. I will never do a blog with an IPad again,nothing but problems.
Oh and when he gets up at 5 there is nothing for him to do so he just lies there making wired noises.
Just chillin in the 92 degrees at the east gate of the park
It was quite a ride up these mountains switchbacks, curves and steep. Yeah I love this place God made.
Yes hot. Yes we liked it. We had a we had a little trouble climbing the big horn mountains from Cody to Buffalo as they are very steep and it was hot. We had to stop and let the bike cool three times as the temps creeped up near the red line.
I took the wrong off ramp going into Buffalo so I was a little confused on where my destination was. Years ago TJ and I were in Buffalo and a friend took us to theand it was awesome. As some of you know my dad likes to eat flesh, well actually he likes to eat period, but he really likes prime rib and this place has the best home ranch grown beef I have ever eaten.
Dad decides he is not going to eat half a cow and orders the little prime rib that comes with a giant potato and homemade rolls and biscuits .
Where do I start on this thing?
Our server Matti was great and when we asked what homemade pies they had she said “sorry we have none tonight” Thank God!
while we were waiting for our food I asked the couple next to us if they could suggest a reasonable motel in town and the lady said “oh I just got a job at the newly renovated Buffalo Inn across the street and I heard the manager quote $100.00 to someone. Now this is good for Buffalo the KOA wanted $70.00 for a cabin. So I sent Dad wandering across the street with his helmet on in search of a seniors rate. Well he got a room for $92.00 and it has high speed internet. Yeah well the wifi kept kicking me off so I’ve done and redone the blog three times.
I’m done for now I’ll redo and add more pictures later, check back now ya all”
Buffalo Wy to Wall SD
05:00 can’t sleep a I need to do the blog, oh and dad is up.
I have spent two and a half hours doing the blog it’s crashed twice and I lost everything I did both times.
Hey Mattie our server from dinner is working at the hotel.
Maggie was kind enough to pose for another picture and this one is distorted.
Dad has gorged himself and I has a banana and OJ so it’s time to get gas and start riding.
08:30 and we are heading for Spearfish SD then Mt Rushmore.
We travel I 90 to Gillette where we stop at Walmart for a couple of things and Dad already wants Ben & Jerry’s it’s 10:00
Later on we topped at the South Dakota tourist info place and the lady’s suggest the Spearfish Canyon ride.
12:00 We stop at Culvers for fish & chips and we are off to Mt Rushmore
We then drive up to Rapid city and Dad wants his ice cream so we stop at Walmart then McDonalds for spoons.
I want ice cream, let’s get ice cream. Oh boy.
The Spearfish Canyon road follows the river almost the whole way with plenty of turns but has a speed limit for cars of 35mph
We leave for Wall SD and the Badlands
Here we are arriving at Wall Drugs, a quirky store with about everything in it but I’m here for only one thing, guess what.
Dad had apple I had blueberry, I’m only doing this for the blog.
Dad finds someone who can relate with him
I find a possible trade for the bike, man can this thing go!
Our our next place to visit is Badlands Park off I 90
After the Badlands loop we return to Wall and we got a room at Welches Motel and the owner recommends a restaurant for us two blocks away
Our our room has a funny tiny tub, one like T J and I found in northern cal last year. Strange place, huge rabbits you can ride and tubs for little people.
I cannot get my photos over into icloud or on the ipad and I’m falling asleep from too much excitement today so I’m going to bed, Dad had been asleep for two hours. He puts in earplugs and fades away.
Dad having clam chowder and salad
The lovely Amy with Coconut Cream Pie (homemade)
Wall SD to Winona Wi
07:30 I slept in and Dad says oh no I’ve been just laying here awhile.
I’ve got Dad washing the bugs off the bike while I work more on the blog. For some reason my photos got resized and now have to be erased and reinstalled. Yikes!
Welches Motel had beds as old as the ones in my Dads parents house which are older than me, but it was clean.
Today we will ride I-90 for as far as we can go before dark. We will see how Dad’s butt holds up.
I decided to go back through the badlands park eastbound to get a couple of photos and then zoom through the rest.
Bighorn Sheep roaming around.
After the Badlands we drive I 90 to Murdo SD were we stop at the car museum and diner. Not only do they have big Jackolopes they have huge cars too.
Well the time change occurred and now we are too late for breakfast and neither of us wanted what they we’re offering for lunch so we made a executive decision and had a vegetable in the form of a pie for breakfast. Yep that’s right pumpkin pie.
We were confused to find the coffee tasted good but the washrooms and the rest of this place was gross. Never again will we go here.
Look at this mess!
I’m not sure how many of you have ever ridden or driven through South Dakota or southern Minnesota but it all looks the same. Corm fields and some wheat fields but mainly corn fields, heck they even have a palace made completely out of corn right along I 90 and you can even your it for free if you’re that bored with life.
Anyway here’s an exciting shot of the scenery;
I load Dad on and we drive straight through to Albert Lea, well almost. We were 8miles short of there when we chickened out and went and bought gas in a small town just before it. The gas gauge was on red and the fuel light had been on for way to long and we didn’t want to push so we stopped. Well as it turned out we still had a half a litre left and we would not have made our destination of Famous Dave’s BBQ Ribs.
When we went to order our usual baby backs we were told they do not have them in this location on a regular basis but they will start serving them in a week for a short time. Our server guaranteed us that the side ribs wood be tender and he was correct they were falling off the bone.
Just a quick side note for those wondering how a 80 year old can ride so far on a motorcycle, my father has been getting on and off for three days and has been doing really well but he has never sat three hours straight and then another three hours straight so when we stopped for gas the second time he finally admitted he was really stiff. He almost couldn’t walk but after a few minutes he was strolling around like his normal self. Heck I’m sore and I ride this thing all the time. LOL
Now we have been looking at this for almost all day and one thing we noticed there are no towns anywhere near I 90 from Alberta Lea to la Crosse Wi, it’s now 20:30 and getting dark and there is no where to find a room, well we do have a tent and I was considering pitching it up in the rest area but then we see a sign for Winona Exit. Where in Gods creation is Winona MN and what’s there.
Well the highway sign says there are hotels so we leave I 90 and drive down this very scenic road for 7.9 miles downhill the whole way to find a McDonalds and fee wifi. Well I start searching for a room and this family comes outside so I asked if they knew of a good place to stay and they said “oh everything is booked, but we got a room at the Plaza and there were still some left. Ok after a couple of calls I too called the plaza and booked a suite. Yep a suite with a fireplace and a king room and a pull out leather sofa bed. Yeah success we don’t have to pitch the tent.
Yep that’s right a TV in the bathroom in case you don’t want to miss something really important like Nascar.
Now we get to the room and Bill says “Hey we never had any supper maybe we should go have some pie” is there any wonder why I’m the way I am and why I love this guy, 22:00 hours and he wants pie. We had pie for breakfast and now he wants it for supper.
Yep that’s right he eats this hunk of cheesecake goes back to the room has a shower and goes to sleep and is snoring as I’m writing, he’s not human he’s supernatural.
I have some onion rings and have been writing for done time and I’ll sleep fine but what 80 year old does this. Ah he’s one of a kind. LOL cheesecake and tight to bed.
Anyway folks it’s been a long day so I’ll say goodnight guys!
OMG the pullout bed was designed by Satan the Devil himself, used to torture innocent Christians. I left this bed from hell and crawled into the king with my father.
Someone is about to hear about it.
07:30 I’m up and so is Dad, we shower, shave and head to McDonalds for breakfast.
Winona MN to Oshkosh WI
08:00 well I had quite the discussion with the Ass. Man. at the front desk, she did not agree with my need for a comfortable bed that was to come with the room. She offers a $20.00 discount and that’s it. Oh well I slept not that bad in the King bed with Dad.
It’s an overcast morning and we prepare for rain with our rain gear on. We have about three hours to our destination of Oshkosh Wittman Field.
We ride through rain for about twenty minutes, just enough to cause my gloves to be soaked.
We arrive at the campers village at 12:30 and when I stop in front of the registration office I almost dump the bike as the side stand folds back up. I yell to dad to lean right and I pull the muscle in my left calf holding all 900 plus pounds.
The checkin was super fast and we talk to a lady cop who rides a bike and is admiring the trailer and a fellow guiding traffic fills us in on where to set up camp. We pick a spot on the end of 8th St.. The spot has a tree and the folks behind have a motor home and they come over to help. We are not sure which way to point the opening of the tent and we have to borrow a hammer to put the pegs in. It’s getting black and rain is coming.
We can’t get the air mattress pump to work so I tell my dad that I’m going to Walmart. I first stopped at Target and they have nothing, I then hit Walmart and a fellow there helps me find a pump I can plug into the bike and an awning and lawn chairs. I throw everything into the trailer and tie down the lid to hold everything down and blast back to camp.
It’s looking like rain so we pump up the mattress and we start to put the awning up and it’s not going right and next thing we know Robin the lady next to us is giving us instruction on how to put it up and then she goes and gets rope and stakes to tie it down. Her husband Dave and I start laughing as she tells Dad how to do it. Well actually she did it and Dad assisted. Thank God we have been adopted by these lovely folks. It blows really hard here and if it’s not tied down it’s gone.
Robin did an awesome job setting up our home away from home.
Dave and Robin have a much more elaborate setup than ours.
We get all setup and it’s starts to pour and our new family invites us into their motor home to wait it out. Dave and Robin are from outside of Brainerd MN. Dave is retired from the railroad and a Robin works for the DOT in Brainard. They have four kids all in their thirty’s and they have sixteen grandkids. Dave has two airplanes and also has Goldwings.
It’s 18:30 and we are going to look for food. I’ll update shortly.
Our new friends invited us to dinner due to the rain and being the first night of Air Venture, here’s a photo of our lovely chef Robin.
Look at this spread we were so privileged to enjoy. Wouldn’t you think it’s an Italian restaurant. Well done Robin!
This is our host Dave getting ready for salad and pasta with mushrooms and fresh grated Wisconsin cheese. Doesn’t he seem happy to be here.
Im not sure if Dave likes his salad. LOL While we were eating Robin thanked us for eating here food cause it made more room in her fridge and I said “you’re welcome and if we can help in the morning just give us a call”.
Oshkosh Day 1
OMG it’s 03:30 and I am frozen. Before leaving home I decided that the temperature is going to be in the nineties during the day and therefore I don’t need to take my sleeping bag. Yep, a genius. I had a sheet and a thin blanket on top of an air mattress.
My dad was kind enough to let me share his sleeping bag and sheet but I was still cold. Tried to go back to sleep but I just couldn’t.
We wait till the sun comes up and then we head to the showers. Thank God there was plenty of hot water to warm us up. Once back to the tent I ran a clothesline inside the awning to hang the wet items from the heavy dew. I also had to hang my underwear as they never dried overnight.
Once we got everything straightened out in the tent we jumped on the bike and ride to the main gate entrance for some breakfast. We read that there was a good breakie at the red barn.
Here’s a photo of our twenty dollar breakfast;
And this is the place that charged us the $20:00
We meet two gentleman from the UK how rebuild Chipmunks and also support an organization that supports veterans who have lost limbs and those that live with serious injuries.
We make our way into the aviation flea market and were amazed by the amount of great items were for sale. We have limited room to buy anything which really sucks.
We have never been here before so we start to walk about and then we ride the trams all over the airport to check things out.
Here’s Bills latest ride.
We met this good-looking green cowboy inside a hanger.
I’m not sure what’s going on here.
We checked out the menu inside the airport at a number of places to eat but decided to go up the road for some food a little more healthy and we found an Italian place that offered all this good for $11.81.
After we ate we went to Walmart and bought a sleeping bag so I won’t freeze and some snacks for the evening.
We got back and caught the afternoon air show which was quite entertaining.
After we wandered all over the place after the air show we decided to go to dinner at Red Robin.
When we got back to our campsite we met a couple who rode a BMW dual purpose motorcycle to the show from Kingston, Ontario. Really nice folks who have been all over on their bike. We then ended up back over to visit with our new family, Dave & Robin and they talked airplanes and such as I did thus blog.
23:00 it’s been a great day despite the overcast cool weather but I’m going to bed as I only got three hours last night.
Be blessed our friends.
03:45 while sleeping on air mattress and someone decides to move out you really start bouncing around, dads on the move, too much juice before bed.
06:30 and Dads up for a visit to the washroom, nope to early back to sleep.
07:30 I wake up and no Dad, oh he’s sitting in the lawn chair outside, it’s time for shower time always disturbing at Air Venture. Lots of old guys who fir done reason don’t mind walking around buck naked. I’m scared for life. Look straight up keep walking till clear of the shower area. Whew that was quick.
After showering we hang our laundry to dry and go to McDonalds for breakfast.
Our first stop inside the gates is the Bendix booth and meet Ron the helicopter test pilot for them. Ron is a Harley rider so we talk bikes for quite a while and promise to touch base after the show.
We then hit the headset booths looking fir free stuff. We manage to get a few things. Once again I find a guy selling anti fog paste and spray so I buy some of it.
After visiting the Honda booth I decide I want a Honda Jet and a Quest Kodiak on Amphibious floats. Total price seven million.
After visiting the hangers that house all the vendors we go and find a seat for the airshow.
This is a real nice Short Take Off Landing aircraft.
On the north end of the field they have an old-time military village with actors and everything.
As I walked along I came upon these folks. Not really sure what it was all about but I did not mind it.
On the north end they also have the warbirds and the Fighter Cafe so we enjoyed some pasta from Bucca De Peppo.
These are the number one home-built aircraft called Vans
I pretty sure this guy was once my copilot.
After the airshow we went down to the floatplane base and checked out the activity.
We we found a Canadian Cessna 182 from Cooking Lake Alberta. We were not at the float base long when a thunderstorm warning was mentioned so we got on the bike and road to the Golden Corral where we set until the storm was over.
We are so blessed to have such kind folks camping beside us because while we were gone they took in all our laundry and zipped up or windows so our bed wouldn’t be wet and staked down the awning in another spot to hold it down.
Well its 2230 and Dads snoring so I will turn in as well.
Good night!
Day 3
06:30 Dad seems to enjoy using the facilities in the middle of the night causing a rather rough ride on the bed of air we sleep on.
It’s an overcast morning with heavy dew and temps.around 55f and I hear a nut up flying, crazy pilot.
We talk with our new friend Mac from next door and basically invite ourselves to breakfast with him. We jump in his vehicle to go to McDonalds for breakfast. We get talking and some how I end up mentioning that I read the book four blood moons and Mac asked which one. I told him the one by John Hagee and he says he to has read up on the blood moons and that he goes to Agape Church that Happy Caldwell started and recently switched roles and that the new Pastor is great at teaching the bible. Well, we were off to the races discussing everything God over the next couple of hours. We really enjoyed listening to Mac explain his faith and understanding of Gods word Mac truly us a wonderful man of God.
After returning to our campsite The weather had cleared off and it was quite warm so we decided that it was time to wash our jeans. Dad went and did the laundry as I cleaned up the helmets and bike. I bought some anti fog wax and spray to try on the helmet visors and windshield before we go home so we could go back to the guy if the stuff did not work.
This pretty girl was at the gate where we park the bike and enter. All the young woman have been so friendly and don’t seem to mind talking to a couple of goofy Canadians.
This is a Canadian built Sabre.
There are a lot of airplanes to see at Air Venture. Day three and we have only scratched the surface.
That’s a Kodiak on floats in the background.
This blue aircraft is a Grumman Albatross.
This is a Howard converted Lodestar
The very pretty Katie took our picture for a postcard. She made me promise to come back with the blog address so she could check the picture. You see Katie it’s a great photo.
Here we are hangin with Flo
This is a few rows of airshow aircraft.
Can you imagine sitting out in the front of this thing while flying 75 knots. My Dad was really interested in it.
The fellow in the picture, Ron owns this and flew it from Yakima Washington over the mountains to Oshkosh.
Check this one out, it’s got a steering wheel off the SS Minnow and a draft beer lever for a throttle, yikes.
Daffy is right!
On Monday we went to Fazoni’s and found out on Wednesday seniors set for $4.00 Dad was in.
He got salad, lasagna, all you can eat garlic breadsticks and a drink for $5.00
This pretty young lady is Elizabeth and she took care of us. She can’t wait till she has enough money to travel. She would really like to go to Canada.
After dinner we went back for the evening airshow, it was really well done but most of my photos did not come out. At the end was a spectacular fireworks display.
Wow it’s one in the morning and I’m still working on this, I have to go to bed. Good nite all!
Day 4
05:40 and I have to get up due to too much Arnold Palmer (half ice tea half lemonade)
ah I’ll hit the showers before too many old guys show up. Yep hardly a soul in there this early. Still dark and cool but it looks like it’s clear and maybe today will be another shorts day.
What a great night airshow last night, I think the best was the helicopter named Auto. He had streaming trails and fired and dropped exploding fire works completely through his show. The finally fireworks were huge. I’ve never seen so many.
Everyday the crowds grow bigger and more aircraft arrive.
It’s 06:32 and commander Bill is up and back from the shower singing an unfamiliar tune. He is doing amazingly well for a guy of 80. Heck I struggle to crawl in and out of the tent.
The fellows we camp around are really enjoying him telling them all about the different aircraft he flew and some he didn’t. He’s a wealth of knowledge when it comes to aircraft. Funny thing though. The one he seemed to be most interested in was the Breezy. It’s the one that’s just the frame that you sit out front on in huge side open, no windshield sides or anything.
I think it maybe it’s that the Breezy poses quite a challenge being wide open to the elements. I’m sure many of you don’t know but my father faced many challenges to become a pilot. He came from family with little to no money, from a small tiny rural area of Cape Breton that did not encourage leaving or making something of yourself, and could not afford to buy an education in aviation. He had to take any job he could get to gather up money to pay for flying lessons and because they were low paying he could only take short a short lesson every week. Well I can tell you from my own experience that if you can only do a little each week you forget a lot that you did the last week. This causes you to take a lot longer to get the licence and causes you to spend a lot more. What I’m trying to say is that without being a man who faces challenges head on he would not have made it. He’s like a pit bull when he starts something and he won’t quit until t’s done. I’m sure if he could he would fly that Breezy today.
It’s strange that I started to right about the Breezy first thing thus morning because unknown by us but the airport was shutdown for forty-five minutes thus morning and we knew there had been a problem but we did not find out till thus evening that a Breezy pilot had been killed in a crash on the airport and his passenger I’d in critical condition. At thus time we do not know what really happened we have just heard rumours.
We spent quite some time this morning talking to Mac before he left. I can’t believe I forgot to take a picture with him. I was so engrossed it what he had to share I completely forgot. After about an hour Mac finally decided he had to go. We were sad to see him go we were just getting to know him. I hope we can keep in touch.
Dad and I were trying to decide where to go for coffee and a light breakfast and then our neighbour Dave asked that if we go near a store could we pickup a coffee pot for them that would go on the gad stove so they don’t have to run their generator to make coffee. So we decided to go in the direction of Walmart to get some breakie and get the pot.
We stopped at IHOP which really wasn’t that great and then we got a pot for Dave. We find time to get the laundry done and changed into shorts since it warmed up and headed down to the main gate.
Our normal parking was full so we made our own along the fence and headed towards the tram to head north to the west area which we have not been to. The tram system can take you all around the airport which saves your feet. The average person at Air Venture walks about five mikes in a day.
We went into a pavilion that Customs and Border Protection was in and talked to an officer that was serving in Columbia catching drug dealers. It was interesting to hear all they do.
Here are some photos of rare and different aircraft.
We waited for a draw we didn’t win and then went to a coffee stand we really like and sat there for quite some time sipping our ice coffee and watching all the airplanes come and go.
Next we went to Jeppesen to see what freebies they had and found nothing and then we stopped by the a Helicopter association and got a bunch of goodies.
Then we went by the Ford pavilion and did a tour and got a Mustang hat.
After our Ford stop we went to Progressive to give Katie a card with the blog address on it so she could see her picture.
We then headed down the aircraft line checking out all the different types and the airshow announcer said a storm was coming and it was going to be a big one so we high tailed it to the bike and started riding as fast as we could to Friar Tuck’s a restaurant at the end of the runway that someone told us about. It started to pour so I pulled over and we put on the rain jackets and continued up the road. We got a little wet but we ended up inside before it really let loose.
Really good coffee for $2.50. I haven’t written about the cost of the food on the field but it’s somewhat pricy for what you get. Hotdog fries and pop for two was $22.00
Oh no it’s going to rain.
Friar Tuck’s as it turns out it was good. We had soup and a sandwich with sides for $30.00
Back to the airport in search of different aircraft.
This big monster is a C-17
This one below is a Lockheed Vega that was flown by people like Wiley Post and Amelia Earhart.
Okay we just got into this tent when it started to pour, hail and lightning. The tent was for the Vintage club(1969 or older) for a picnic but they were kind to let us stay. Funny thing, there was a retired Fedex Captain there who played a trumpet that he has taken with him all over the world and he entertained everyone until the rain stopped. He told everyone that he normally plays on the praise and worship team at his church in Houston Texas but he would attempt it along.
After we returned to our campsite we met up with Dave and two of his friends who just showed up along with our neighbour Al who is on a site kitty cornered to ours. Al is really funny, he is a teacher who says stuff to shock or surprise you and has us in stitches laughing all the time. Al and Dad are discussing the arrival of his daughter Maggie and the upcoming arrival of his wife.
Well it’s 12:09 and I only got four hours of sleep last night so I’m going to bed, mistakes in the blog or not.
good night all!
Day 5
We found that the air mattress was losing air and when one of us got up in the night the other guy was sent flying, so our new pal Al let us use his battery operated pump to pump it up yesterday. We have a 12 volt one but would have to hook up the trailer to the bike to use the cigarette lighter outlet that is in the trailer as I changed the one on the bike to USB.
Captain Bill went to the little boys room in the middle of the night and the bed was calm, it was the zipper on the tent that woke me. One of our new neighbours came over when I got back from the shower and said one or both of you had a good sleep because it sounded like the were two bears in that tent snoring.
Now this guy is a friend of Dave’s and I think he’s a card like Dave because I’ve never heard myself snoring.
06:30 and the showering is done and it’s time to straighten out since after the rain. My sheet and sleeping bag have some wet spots from rain getting under the tent.
07:30 we are off to McDonald’s dad loves that $4.00 big breakfast with pancakes.
You get to see a lot of different things at Oshkosh, but this is one of the oddest motorhomes we have seen here. There is one guy who has a tent trailer but instead of fabric and screen he used particle board on the end of his sleeping area I’ll have to get a shot of it.
This Airstream has a generator strap to the back of it but they didn’t use the ratchet to tighten them up they just tied a knot with them. Duh
Dad wanted a picture of his breakfast posted for Gordon to see how healthy he is eating and that his prayers are heard and answered. LOL
After McDonalds we had to stop at Harbour Freight to check on the tool sale and get dome batteries for my new mini lantern I won at Progressive Ins. I also won a Tshirt.
This is Nina isn’t she gorgeous. She was so kind to us and put the image on my shirt for me. See Nina you look great. 
As some of you know my Dad doesn’t see as well as he did but he was watching the crowds while enjoying his iced coffee and all of a sudden he said “Hey, I think a large front is moving in from the right” he was correct and it passed right by us. Okay okay I know it’s wrong, but really, have a look in the mirror when you put tight clothes on please. LOL
I’m really not sure about this guy either.
After it stopped raining we headed over to the Sacred Heart Cafe for a hotdog and a chicken breast sandwich. The best food stand price we have found, leave it to a church. $6.00 ah I forgot to take a photo of the chicken bun , I was hungry and ate it right away.
We decided to go to the Honda generator tent and see what they had and once I hold them about the time I cut the generator out of the Arctic Ocean sea ice inside a shack during a clean up and how I cleaned it up changed the oil and got it started they had me do a video for TV describing the event.
We then went to Ford to get my buddy Bill a Ford Mustang hat, he has a very nice Mustang. While I was there I met this very pretty woman who was very kind to let me rake her picture. It was quite funny because dad wandered off and didn’t get to meet her because he was more interested in getting a hat.
This is April and she was working very hard, right April.
There is a large number of retailers at Air Venture Oshkosh and some offer great show specials. I once again fell for the anti fog sales pitch. During the rain storm yesterday the glasses he put the stuff on immediately fogged up. I went back today and he said I didn’t let it dry long enough so I’ll try again.
I really like this garage floor that these ladies sell but I can’t seem to find the funding to do it these days.
I made the mistake of using my iPhone for this photo and it’s not clear. Theses lovely ladies sell flooring material for garages and patios for Snaplock Industries who make Racedeck flooring.
Our next stop was at the Vedalo sunglass booth where this very pretty lady was explaining their product to a couple. I didn’t really need a pair of glasses since I have found that buying a cheap pair and throwing them away once damaged has been working but this guy walked up to me and bent and twisted these glasses and they didn’t break.
I was intrigued by the glasses but he wanted like three hundred dollars for them and really if I was going to ever spend that much on a pair of sunglasses they would have to be excellent and the pretty girl will be selling them to me. The guy started using large scientific words to impress me with his titanium super strong big warranty glasses. I had lost all interest in him and was busy listening to the pretty blonde. He kept talking and I finally told him I would only talk to the pretty woman.
When she was done with the other people he yelled at her saying I would only talk to her so she came over and started to tell us all about these glasses and I was totally engrossed in her explanation of these suddenly awesome glasses. She put a pair on both dad and I and asked us to go outside with her. We were both now convinced that we were going to the bar with her for happy hour, (Friar Tucks gives two for one at the time we were with her) I finally asked her name and she told me it was Katie. She had us try the copper and grey lenses, both were really clear with great color.
Then came the deal, Katie wanted to close a quick sale and get to the next good-looking Canadian she could find. She offered us a pair for a special show price of $285.00 yikes. After I caught my breath she said “I’ll give you a pair for $255.00 if we both bought a pair. Despite being a sucker for a pretty girl I’m not paying that much. I made an offer and the Dan they manager had to get involved and he scoffed at my offer saying it was lower than his cost. Oh well I let him counter offer and nope still to high. I raised mine slightly and he suddenly said no but I’ll give them to you for this and Katie said he never sells them that low. Ÿeah right. Anyway after a few more back and forth offers I got a nice pair of glasses.
I made a deal on some super sealing tape and some wire strippers and dad talked me into buying some shock machine for muscles.
There is a weather alert for thunderstorms arriving at show time for the Thunderbirds so we rush back to the campsite to hide as all the buildings were being closed.
When we got back we present ear plugs to our newest neighbours who came up to me this morning saying they thought bears were sleeping in our tents based on the noise that was coming out of it last night.
Here we are out running right and left trying to photos of the Thunderbirds flying overhead.
Here dad and Al showing the latest Air Venture wear.
We all ran around swinging left and right trying to snap a photo of the Thunderbirds as they flew by.
Friday night ending, the girls went to bed and the young people went to the beer tent. The fire died down and we are going yo bed
11:52 We had a great day even with the rain off and on.
Day 6
05:45 the sun is up and one of my ear plugs fell out so I’m hearing lots of noise so I’m up for another game of avoid the naked old guys in the shower room.
I should describe the showers. To be perfectly honest they are setup quite well. They are shower stalls with curtains at the opening that have a sprayer like you find on a kitchen sink. There is always warm water, with lots of pressure and the have a soap rack with three levels in it. The floors are cement and there is a drain that runs full length between the stalls and it’s always wet.
The smart shower buddy goes to Walmart and buys thick rubber soled shoes like these;
He or she also should have a pair of terry cloth shorts and or track pants for ease of changing while in the privacy of YOUR own stall while balancing on one foot to avoid water contact with said apparel. I do emphasize YOUR OWN STALL, a concept unfamiliar with most older men.
I discussed this matter of full exposure with a couple of the ladies here and they said that the practice of own stall bathing and coverup is not always practiced in the ladies showers as well. They did say that many cannot conduct this procedure due to overall available space in a stall and the girth of the subject in the stall.
I do believe that modesty is the best policy if you are not a professional swim suit model.
06:53 Capt Bill is up due to a fellow who was walking by wanting to discuss the operation of the trailer while standing directly beside where he was sleeping. I guess he figured I was all alone, as it turned out he used to live in a Calgary.
Our bed is really neat before bed but after doesn’t look to good.
It is said that anyone who stays at EAA Air Venture Oshkosh for the full week walks five miles a day. I read this and after a great deal of research decided that these walking shoes were required
Best shoes for walking I have ever bought. Both Dad and I ordered ours online from Shoeme.ca for a discount free delivery price of $73.50. They were $120.00 in the stores. Only problem vented sides, rain makes feet wet, dew makes feet wet.
Inside these great shoes and covering our feet go disposable socks from Walmart. No washing required. You know those white socks in the big bag that say 20 pairs for $10.00 well trust me they are disposable. That are so thing you can see right through them so if you do wash them they will suddenly become the rag for checking the oil in the car or bike.
We are not particularly found of doing laundry so we appreciate the disposability of these socks. We where quick drying self wicking shirts and riding undershorts which wash easily, dry quickly, cause no chaffing, and pack very small. Dad got all his clothes in one small sixteen inch tube shaped stuff sack that you can see in the first photos of the packing day in Calgary blog.
He did wash our jeans one day after arriving once the weather warmed up enough to wear shorts and we haven’t put them on since.
I have to tell you that the other day my dad did a lobster exit from the tent and when he went to stand up both legs cramped up and he couldn’t move to walk it off. Well this morning I experienced the same thing. Oh it hurt and I couldn’t stand to walk it off so there I was butt in air, face to ground trying to rub my legs. No more lobster backwards exits from the tent.
08:30 we decided to go to Perkins for breakfast I’m tired of Rottin Ronnies. We order a standard breakfast but Dad got a bran muffin and I got a pecan sweet roll.
After breakfast we stopped at the EAA Museum to see what was in there and bit is full of wired and unique aircraft.
Wright brothers beauty
You never know what type of camping unit you will see. Yikes!
Our new neighbours Al and John were so kind, they invited us to dinner Saturday night.
These men serve healthy food.
After dinner we went back down to the flight line to see the night airshow and fireworks they were awesome.
12:10 I’m tired so I’m going to bed I’ll add more later when I charge up the iPad.
see ya
Day 7
07:00 we slept in for us. We have to get cleaned up and find the chapel.
08:30 church starts and it’s a small turnout about fifty people from all over. The Chaplin for EAA told us that this little chapel was the first permanent building EAA put up on the property.
It was a quick thirty minute service with good praise and worship songs and a message about faith and flight.
Hey I saw an angel today!
After browsing the market for deals we went and took a position on the flight line for the airshow. We found a spot with chairs and wouldn’t you know it a thunderstorm came in and did some serious damage. We hid inside a large tent and between hits we helped the folks that run the food service put away the patio umbrellas. It hit so hard it knocked the portable toilets over, it sent chairs and tables flying.
Yep that’s not only rain water. You could tell when you walked by. My father had to go to use one of these and I said to him “Did you see the potty’s tipped over?” Nope never seen them.
Well after it finally stopped in the afternoon the young lady from the food service Hana came and thanked us for our helping them and gave us a full lunch. See it pays yo be nice and help.
While waiting for the show to begin we had the pleasure to see many different types of people, old-young skinny, not so skinny and the odd. Well in this case strange Royalty;
Here the queen of the day goes with her crown in full display for the commoners to see, beautiful isn’t it.
Yeah yeah yeah I know it’s wrong but it’s so much fun.
What a show the Thunderbirds put on screaming around at 500 miles an hour. When I get home I’ll edit the video and insert it on the blog. Hopefully they will be clear.
Because of all the rain delays which were really storms many performers cancelled so we were heading back to an empty neighbourhood because everyone left. We were kind of wondering what condition or campsite would be in after all the rain. Well it was bad, the row we were on was mud and flooded. I dumped the bike taking a run at the entrance to our row but dad wasn’t hurt actually we never even got dirty from the muddy ground. (Got angels all around )
But when we got close to our campsite we could see the damage the thunderstorm had caused. Our site was destroyed. I thought TJ’s prayers have been answer my tent has been destroyed, my new canopy that I was going to bless someone with ruined and everything inside was under water.
After a close inspection we found that the tent in fact had not been destroyed it had only collapsed, praise God for this miraculous coverage of the poor little tent that we came to hate. After discovering that the tent was ok we thought maybe, just maybe we could move it to a dryer spot and re setup camp but no, the damage to the awing and the fact that everything was soaked underneath was too much for us to stay in Oshkosh another night.
We decided to pack up what was good and throw away the busted wet junk. We had to move really fast a s a large storm was building to the north. I kept saying to my father , don’t worry about that let’s get the good stuff rolled bagged and packed before we get hit again. We scrambled and got almost everything I except our red fold up chairs and some food, nuts etc.
I still had Sir William’s foot wear to fit in and since I was in shorts our riding boots as well. Nope I could not get the boots in, plan “B” remove riding jacket from saddle and wear it, place boots in there and all soaked wet stuff in plastic bags to wash later.
We left Oshkosh as quick as we rode in except I angled up northwest away from as series of storms that did catch us and we did get wet, but we are used to it since it rained almost everyday off and on. We pulled into around 20:30 and went to Rottin Ronnie’s for coffee and internet.
Well we got a room at the Park Motel for $49.00 and down the street is the laundry mat that we went to between getting take out fish and chips.
I’ve been back and forth three times and I got the stuff washed and dried. Humm one white shirt in garbage, must separate whites next time.LOL
Dad is worn out, he fell asleep watching the news as I did the clothes.
01:11 I’m done
Have a great day!
Marshfield Wi to Sioux Falls
07:30 and he’s snoring still. Must be all tuckered out.
I’ve gotta get ready and repack the trailer and trunk bags. Everything we don’t use daily that got cleaned needs to be put away in the trailer we only have a few extras that we bought or were given .
10:30 We packed the trailer and then got breakfast and we are planning back I-90 then up.
It’s rained off and on all day. My father informed me he was wearing shorts today and it took quite a bit of convincing it was going yo rain and that he should wear his riding clothes and Frogg Toggs raingear. I could not get him to wear the rubber gloves so now his hands are all black from the dye in the leather gloves. Huh no wonder my brother never listens to anyone, he’s just like his father.
Well it started to clear off about an hour east of Sioux Falls SD so I pulled into a gas station to fill up and take off my raingear so my jeans and shirt would dry. Mr. Stubborn sat on the bike and would not get off, so his butt was really wet when we arrived in Sioux Falls. Going down I did the 16 mile out-of-the-way trip to Famous Dave’s for him and he really enjoyed it so I did it again today but nope, today he didn’t want ribs that he orders every time, today he orders a hamburger something he never orders. Oh help me God.
After exiting the interstate I noticed a shimmy that I thought was the front wheel but when I got it up on the center stand there was nothing wrong with it.
After we left Famous Dave’s we went 12 miles west and I had the thought that I should pull off and check the back tire because after this city bike shops get thin until Rapid City.
We pulled into a gas station again and inspected the rear wheel and tire, yep the rear tire is starting to separate. Well back to Sioux Falls so I punch in McDonalds to get wi-fi and find bike shops and hotels.
When we arrive at Rottin Ronnie’s there are four police cars there so I went in and asked the officers about a shop and hotel. They all said do not stay in this area, go back to the highway go north and there is a hotel and big bike dealer there.
We we limp it back up the interstate and while doing so another highway patrol pulls us over and asks whats up and we well him what the others said to do and he offers to follow behind us so no one will run into the back of us. He followed us right to the hotel door and then we chatted a bit before he left.
We got a room at the Quality Inn and dad complains about the rate. Yesterday he didn’t care but today is a different story. It’s only $113.00 but last nights 49.00 makes him bitter.
I phone and text TJ to let her know what’s going on and I start blogging.
I also forgot that I bought some synthetic oil additive and I took a photo of the sales girl;
I’m beat and I’ll add photos later
nite y’all
Sioux Falls to Buffalo Wy
07:00 It’s another overcast day and the bike dealerships do not open till 09:00 so I’m forced once again to eat. The hotel breakfast setup is pretty good
I can’t remember what I told you about the tire so I’ll say it again. When we came off the highway into Sioux Falls I notice a shimmy and normally when I’ve put Dunlop tires on the front will shimmy. When we stopped at Famous Daves I put it up on the center stand and checked the front end, nope nothing humm.
After we ate and started out of Sioux Falls and as we travelled out to the highway a still small voice said deal with this here, you will have trouble if you don’t. I reasoned the fact that there is very little in the way of motorcycle shops between Sioux Falls and a Rapid City and it would be impossible to get in anywhere there because of Sturgis being on. During the week of Sturgis there is approximately 500,000 bikes in the area so can you imagine the line up to get a tire.
As we travelled to the next town south I had decided to turn around and go back. We stopped and put some gas on and once again looked the bike this time checking the rear tire and we found the problem. We have a large cut in the outer skin, it looks like I ran over something and cut it. Yikes I just drove thus thing down the interstate doing the speed limit for I don’t know how long, it could have blown out. Yes I have angels all around.
The first place I put into the GPS was the closest McDonalds so I could get wifi to look for a motel and bike dealership close together, it always sucks when you don’t know an area. As we ride up I laughed, four police cars in the lot, humm they’ll know. I walked up to them and told them my problem and the first guy said well there’s a shop around here called Bobs but you don’t want to stay in this area, do not stay on this street tonight unless you want to see us again. Do not stay at the Motel 6 unless you want to catch something and see us again.
Then the other three added, go up north to 60th St there is a good hotel and a huge bike dealer there that will fix you up. I didn’t want to drive it to fast so I limped along doing 45 and sure enough another highway patrolman rolled up on us with lights going. He cased if we were ok and I told him about the tire and what the other police suggested and he said ok I’m going to follow you so no one runs in the back of you and he followed us right to the entrance of the hotel. Now tell me I don’t live in the FOG (Favor Of God).
Yes they have a room and this huge dealership owned by Vern Eide Moto Plex is across the street. I search the net and the service dept. doesn’t open till 9:00
I finish the blog and it’s off to bed.
07:00 We are up and it’s time to eat healthy at the hotel breakfast bar. I have a banana and cereal while dad has something, I didn’t notice. I wait till five to nine then ride over and the service door opens and I drive in.
The service guy is talking on the phone and while I wait another man comes out of an office and was about to help me when just then the service writer Travis hangs up. I tell him I need a tire and that I’m travelling through heading back to Canada and he says”well you certainly need a tire to do that.” He asked what type I gave on it and if that’s what I want, I stated whatever you can give me the best deal on.
You see whenever someone admits he’s desperate and you know you have him over the barrel you stick it to him with the highest price. Don’t forget I live in FOG and angels go before me to prepare every meeting, every circumstance for my favor.
Travis says “well the tire is normally $380.00 but they are on sale today for $250.00” and we will install it on the bike for $74.95 and I’ll be able to get you right in. Ah ok that sounds good let’s do it, ah like I had a choice. All I had to do was unhook the trailer they did the rest within an hour. Oh thank you God. Ah the FOG.
You can’t tell me that those police were just sitting there by chance or that they sent me to just the right hotel by chance. It’s His hand upon me.
Well I go back to the hotel and the guy that won’t talk to me is busy chatting it up with a biker from Sturgis so I load up all our gear and finally dad clues in and comes over. I was putting on my rain gear and he asks “do you think we are going to need it. Ah well I’m wearing mine. Not Bill nope why wear good rain protection when you can go in jeans. Yesterday he refused to wear rain gloves and his hands turned black from the leather dye today it may cause sickness. Oh well there’s no telling him.
It rains all the way to Wall SD on and off. I’m dry, he’s not. So we use the restroom and then get some coffee, pie, ice cream and a donut. Ah lunch.LOL
Well it’s overcast and I put on all my raingear, dad just puts on the jacket, well it’s better than nothing. We ride till I see a sign for lunch specials at Al’s Oasis
Buffet $9.99 ok and pie ok.
Your pie sir
We we get all suited up and head for Wall Drug. Yep it’s still raining.
We arrive at Wall and we park on a side street and head for the food section. Yes a healthy section I must say.
Ice cream anyone
We get suited up for the cloudy skies and it rained all the way yo a Buffalo Wy. We check in to the same hotel we stayed in last week and then we head over to the Winchester before they close.
Well, Sturgis has caused a lineup here too, we have to wait twenty minutes. I talk to a couple with a scooter and Dad talks to a fellow from Venice Beach Ca. We ask Travis to join us for dinner and he keeps thanking us for the company, huh he hasn’t seen dad eat. We have a great chat with Travis as he eats half a cow and we top ours off with pie and brownie.
We had a nice visit with Travis and then we head back yo our room and dad goes right to sleep. Who eats a cow and dessert and then goes to sleep.
I’m up finishing the blog it’s 12:30 and I can’t see straight gotta go to sleep. Bye now!
Buffalo Wy to Great Falls
07:00 dad ate all that meat and then went right to sleep. He’s like a snake when I tomes to food. I stayed up till almost 2:00 doing the blog and it was so bad I had to do most of it over in the morning.
My father has found his clothes are wet again from being in the trunk bag without a raincover. Mine are fine his are wet. Strange. He’s going to use the hotel dryer and I’m going to fix the blog typos. Man was I tired. I’ve loaded the bags and cleaned my glasses, helmet visors and the windscreen with antifog.
We ride up to Hardin Mt where I get gas and coffee. I take off my rain gear it’s clearing and it’s hot. Next stop Billings
It doesn’t take long to get to Billings, speed is up to 80. We go to Walmart and buy a tire gauge and anti freeze pre mix. We noticed a shimmy so we’ll check and on the last mountain climb we got hot and found the coolant is low so we will top it up.
Everything is up to where it should be so we are off on Hwy 212 for Red Lodge Mt. The start of the Beartooth Pass.
We roll into Red Lodge at noon and of course all those Sturgis bikers have been in and bought up most of the baking. We manage to find something fattening and coffee.
Now this is the life, warm weather, nice small western town and the roar of Harley tailpipes. Ah peaceful.
After eating all the goodies we go up through the Beartooth Pass, here’s some photos;
What a creation !
As we exit the Beartooth we enter Yellowstone Park. The only animal we see is a Bison.
While we were filming the herd on the right a bull walks right up and crosses the road. I wold have got a close up, if I wasn’t so afraid I would have kept filming but I thought he would charge.
This is along hwy 89 going to Great Falls from Livingston we counted 15 deer, 1 fox, 1Rabbit, 1 Otter, 1 raccoon dead
Ah healthy bedtime snack of Halibut and Coconut cream pie. I love this diet it’s working so well.
When we we got into Great Falls we get checked into the Inn and dad ate had a shower and went right you sleep snoring away.
Im so tired I can’t keep my eyes open, I’ll finish in the am GOOD NITE ALL
Great Falls to Calgary
07:30 Dad is awake and heading into the bathroom, darn I have to go, I hope he’s quick. Oh My what a load of mistakes in the blog, I was really tired, I’m going to get TJ to edit everything so check back you teachers to check her work.
I sent him down to check out the breakfast in the hotel while I get ready. I straighten out the blog a bit and load up the bike.
Our first stop is the carwash, we desperately need to remove mud, grass and bugs of black beauty. Next was breakfast, we tried Golden Corral but they were not open so its McDonalds again. Ah Dad loves the big breakfast, I got a biscuit with a hair in it. I removed the hair, blonde to be specific, then I ate the biscuit. Yep I did.
I have to tell you about two problems on the bike that happened. When we arrived in Oshkosh it was running terrible with a real rough idle. The next day going to lunch we noticed a real loud whine in three different gears and when I dumped the bike in the campground the right side-saddle bag and chrome exhaust cover were scratched.
While we were driving yesterday Dad asked me about the whine. “Hey is it me or is that whine gone” I noticed that too I said, it’s not gone completely but it’s sure quiet now. “Oh and the rough idle is gone”. Today we washed the bike for the first time since dumping it in the mud & gravel and you know what. There is not a scratch on it anywhere. Not one mark.
When we picked the bike up and looked it over I said to Dad “ah darn the side is scratched really deep and so is the exhaust. Jose is not going to be happy having to fix this”. When these things happened I said to God “I’m not going to let these things ruin my day, I turn them over to you and they are fixed in Jesus name” I am truly overwhelmed on how good He is to me.He cares about every aspect of my life including the stuff He has provided for me to use.
When I went up for a refill of my coffee I joked with the girl saying it didn’t bother me that I found a hair. They were not happy that I found it and they kept apologizing. Then a supervisor came over and said she was sorry and gave me cards for free Burgers and Frappe’s and then brought me another biscuit. Gotta love American customer service. In Canada they would have asked what color or demanded to see it in the biscuit.
Motorcycle oil and Dad wants a pair of jeans. We repack to make room for oil and cookies for Megan and Keith, Almond Joy for TJ. Where are we going to put it all?
We stop at Two Sisters restaurant near St Mary’s Mt. for some pie at reasonable prices. Huckleberry is $6.95 a slice but regular pies are $3.95 Dad decides on Chocolate Pecan and I’m having Strawberry Rhubarb.
We stop at Kinek Point and Lorraine had a small package and head for the border. It’s a reasonable line and we are through in twenty minutes or so.
As we are approaching Fort Mcleod I ask dad Tim Hortons here or Claresholm, “ah Claresholm”
You know you are in the west when you see a girl with a set of theses on in the lineup at Tim’s:
This young lady is a North American High School Campion in Calf Roping and Barrel Racing who has already had three offers of scholarships to top US Colleges.
That’s it for stops and we arrive home at 18:30 Thanks so much for all the great comments and for travelling along with us on this adventure. Check back soon for further travels with TJ.
Be Blessed our friends and remember, Do not neglect hospitality, because through it some have entertained angels without knowing it.
Living in the FOG and lovin it!
