8th Combat Cargo Squadron Reunion in Wichita (2005)

[Key: Memoir in Times New Roman, Travel Journal in Arial]

Another 8th Combat Cargo Group [Squadron] Reunion this time in Wichita.

10-5-2005 Pensacola – Greenville, Miss.  396 mi.

This was an easy drive – miles and miles of cotton being picked, stacked in rectangular piles with colorful tarps of orange, blue, yellow + green ready to be sent to the terminal for processing.  From Mobile we followed Rt. 98 to Hattiesburg where we saw a lot of damage from Katrina.  I drove from there through Jackson on Rt. 49.  We drove on through Vicksburg on rt. 20 to the Ark. Welcome Center where we stopped and enjoyed our box lunches we brought from the Trace.

It was very confusing which state we were in.  Was it Ark., La., or Miss.?  Those states all converge into one land mass.  Was it any wonder we thought Greenville was in Ark.?  Anyhow we crossed the Miss. River into Greenville + bedded down for the night at a ** Comfort Inn which had one “holey” chair – used – comfortable bed + a $55 + Tax price tag.  No bargain.

Ate at Wendy’s, then watched the Division Playoffs.  The Braves lost to Houston 10-5.  The White Sox are beating the Red Sox.  May as well call it a day!

10-6-05 Greenville, Miss. – Tulsa, Okla.

Mileage 819

The only rewarding feature about the Comfort Inn last night was we had a comfortable bed, and the shower was hot.  However our breakfast of cereal, biscuits – gravy, juice, waffles, Danish etc. was above average.  Our gas tank was filled at $2.89 a gal. costing $46.00.  I pumped while Bert cleaned the windshield.  We were off at 7:30 – drove 425 miles + arrived at the LaQuinta Inn in Tulsa at 3:15.

The drive here was very scenic.  We crossed the Miss. River into Ark. + from Pine Bluff into Little Rock we had little traffic along country road – 2 lanes.  We made good time on Interstate 40 stopping at a pleasant city – Conway – where we stopped at a Target to wash up + eat a lunch in the van.  From Ft. Smith we crossed into Okla. + stopped at the Welcome Center which was nice + clean.  I drove from there into Tulsa following Rt. 40 + the Muskogee Turnpike.

We bedded down for the night at a clean, comfortable LaQuinta for $58.00.

Dinner at Denny’s was quite ample + cost was $17.00.  Had a good night’s sleep after watching the Braves take the Astros 7-1.

10/7 Tulsa – Wichita

Gas - $1.74 – Filled tank $46.76

After several wrong turns, we made it successfully to Rt. 244 which we followed to Rt. 35 and the Turnpike into Wichita.  We arrived in town shortly before noon + had a bite of lunch at the mall.  They were giving flu shots + since we would be missing ours next week, we opted to have the nurse give us ours there.  The only problem was my long sleeve blouse wouldn’t roll up far enough so she shot me by taking my shirt off my shoulder.  Blood shot out from the vein + covered the top of my shirt.  She apologized + I forgave her.  I washed it when we got back to the hotel.

It was great seeing every one again.  The Cs had the Control Tower reserved for us + we had fun catching up on the news.  At least 15 of the guys + their ladies were here.  We had a few libations followed by a nice spread of cold cuts, beans + salad.

The ladies – 10 of us – went next door to play our card game of “Boogie your neighbor.”  I lost my 15¢ early on + Lois V was the winner.

Peg Van H + I decided to make a date for in the a.m. to go work out in the pool.

It was difficult getting to sleep because of all the excitement.

10/8 Wichita

Peg + I met + tried out the pool.  It was cold, but we managed to get in a half hour’s activity.

Met in the Control Tower for a nice breakfast + interesting conversation.

At 4 o’clock we boarded a school bus for the Prairie Rose, a fun evening with tasty barbecue and very talented Western musicians.

While there – because we arrived early – we had time to visit the Hopalong Cassidy Museum and movies.  How those movies kept our interest – on the edge of our seats is hard to believe.  We went back a few years + reminisced when our little guys wore those little cowboy boots in the 50’s was a trip back in time.

Our barbecue wasn’t ready so we had time to see a movie of Roy Rogers + his horse Trigger.  Wow!

It was a packed house – 400 - + within minutes we were all served.  This was an outstanding fete!

After a 40 min. drive back to the hotel, we were all too tired for much activity.  One thing I forgot to mention was the 2 hr movie in the afternoon of the 8th Combat Cargo Group [Squadron].

10/9 Wichita

Mileage – 1,031

This was a lazy day.  After breakfast of bagels, juice and coffee in the Control Tower, we visited with friends.  Later we went to lunch with Peg + Van + had time to watch the Braves/Astros play off before going to our meeting at 4 pm.  The guys included us ladies this time deciding where we’ll have our next reunion.

Two people volunteered to be in charge in ’06 – the Hs in Ind. + the Ts in Peoria.  After much discussion, lead by Paul V + Bert, we decided on Peoria for ’06 + Ind. for ’07.  It sounds good.

We had a great dinner here in the hotel of filet, chicken, potatoes + vegetables/salad/dessert white cake + cherries + cheese cake.

The gals played card + the guys met in the Control Room for our final farewell.

We thanked Sandra + Earl C again for their fine job caring for [us].  This was a wonderful reunion!!  Our bill at the hotel was $267.00.

10/10/05 Wichita – Pine Bluff, Ark.

We left the hotel at 7:30.  Filled the tank in Tulsa @ $2.49.  Everything went well until we got to Tulsa + went round and round looking for the Muskogee Tnpk, dropping coins in the wrong turnpike.  Confusing markers, or was it us??  Anyhow, all went well for us through Ft. Smith, Little Rock + finally to our final day’s travels, beautiful Pine Bluff and understandably properly named.  Miles and miles of beautiful pines for miles leading into this city of 55,000 people.  The Hampton Inn next to the new Pine Mall was our *** choice because of the attractive add in the AAA Book.  We have a comfortable room with two double beds, an ECB (extraordinary continental breakfast) + most important, a Wi-Fi for the laptop which is entertainment for dad while I watch Yankees-Angels game.

We ate at the Shanghai Buffet in the mall + had more than we could eat, but it was good.  We had coffee in the room which is fair, but I’m looking forward to the real stuff tomorrow with our ECB.

Well, that’s it for now.  Good trip.

10/11/05 Pine Bluff – Pensacola

The mileage today is 535 miles.  After an exceptionally good breakfast, we got off at 8:20.  We followed Rt. 65 along the Arkansas + Mississippi river Delta regions which is noted for the production of cotton livestock, lumber + agricultural products.  We kept on going past the Welcome Center as we’d been there before.

At Tallulah we followed Rt. 20 to Vicksburg and on to Jackson.  From there we followed Rt. 98 once we found it.  The signs were confusing + we figured 198 would get us from Hattiesburg + we were right, although it was confusing and we added a few extra miles here.  It was pretty driving through the DeSoto National Forest Area, and also seeing the campus of Southern Miss U.

It was a breeze driving from Mobile to Pensacola on Rt. 10 and the Pensacola sign was a welcome sight.

It was 1,009 miles + we made it safely in 9-1/2 hours.  A wonderful trip and we’re happy to have such a nice home to come home to!

San Antonio (2005)

[Key: Memoir in Times New Roman, Travel Journal in Arial]

You can read about our trip to S.A. to visit Gen + family + visit Kerrville to see Millie.

5/19/2005 Pensacola – Beaumont, Texas

Mileage 64,183

We pulled out of the parking lot at 7 am as planned.  Our first stop was at the Miss. Welcome Center both entering + leaving where we had a refreshing coke.  Gas prices so far have been slightly under $2.00.  We crossed the Pearl River into La. + Stephen Ambrose Hgwy.  We stayed on I-10 until I-12 in Baton Rouge.  At the Atchafalaya Visitors Center we sat on the porch in rocking chairs having our lunch of cookies + apples.  From Lafayette to Lake Charles we passed rice fields + in Lake Charles we noted the number of casinos because of the deep-water port where quite a few ships were docked.  (We kept going!)

When we pulled into the parking lot of a newly furnished Howard Johnson Motel, we had driven exactly 8 hours.

Luby’s Restaurant was just a walk away so we enjoyed our meal - $7.99.  I had catfish + Bert had liver + onions.

The mileage today was 441 mi.  Our room including tax was $68.00.

5-20-2005 Beaumont – San Antonio

It was just 6 hrs from the time we left Howard Johnson’s until we checked in to the Brooks Lodge in San Antonio.

We topped the tank – 17.57 gal @ 1.99 + $35.13.  The breakfast was more than enough to get us on our way, so we skipped lunch – just had our usual apple + cookies at a rest area in Seguin.  We were able to call Kent + Mike on the cell phone + assured them we were doing well.

It was amazing how well we managed to stay in the right lanes going through the maze of highways.  There’s no end to the construction in the city of nearly 2 million people.  It owes its prosperity as a deep-water seaport first from cotton, then oil + space exploration.  Steel, chemical + synthetic rubber factories, not to mention the medical centers + the arts – all have contributed to Houston, which extends all the way to Katy now.

After checking in to our lodge at Brooks we had a call from Linda who came over for us to show us her office where she is chief of operations at the aero-space med. bldg.  We unpacked after going to a nearby Luby’s.  We found Gen looking very well at the Chandler House.  We’ll visit with her + the rest of the family tomorrow.  Mileage was 748 miles.  We filled the tank – 11.8 @ $1.93 + $22.98 – the cheapest price so far.

5-21-2005 San Antonio

We made our annual run to the SAS Shoe Store this a.m.  Bert drove back roads + had no trouble finding it in S. San Antonio.

When we got over to Gen’s, the girls were there ready to go to lunch.  Michael met us at the lovely La Pasoda, our favorite Mexican restaurant.

The girls, Gen, Bert + I went out to the Ft. Sam National Cemetery to put fresh flowers on Bob’s grave.  They were a variety of beautiful roses, Bob’s favorite flower.  It was hot today, we had to wear hats + carry umbrellas to provide some shade.  Gen managed very well in spite of plus 90 temp.

On our way home we stopped at H.E.B. for a few groceries to tie us over till Mon. when we leave for Kerrville to spend a few days with Millie.

We tried to connect via the cell phone to talk with Kent + Mike, but had no luck, so Linda called them + Bert sent E-mails.

Our evening was spent relaxing, watching the Braves/Red Sox game.  The score was 7-5 – Braves.

The loyal fans sat through pouring down rain.

5-22-2005 San Antonio

Things to remember from today’s events.

First we were challenged by the cell phone.  After Kent got through to us last night + a quick lesson from Linda + Joyce, we figured out this little gizmo is going to be an asset on our trip after all.

We made it over to Chandler to meet Gen + the girls about 11 am and made plans for lunch. We decided on Demo’s, a new Greek restaurant that Linda recommended.  I had a Greek salad sandwich, the traditional salad I enjoy so much, + it was wrapped in a warm pita.  So good.

After visiting back at Gen’s, we took off for Lackland AFB where Bert bought AF Command + Senior pilot wings at the BX.

We checked our mileage when we came back + it’s now 853 miles we’ve traveled since we left home, and about 100 miles we’ve added while we’re here.

I forgot to mention yesterday what the description reads on Bob’s his marker at the cemetery.  At the top is the Presby. Cross, then his name and dates 4-4-21 to 7-10-2003.  Included are the WWII + Korean wars where he served in the AF for 20 years.  Finally - Loved by family + friends.

5-23-2005 San Antonio to Kerrville

Millie was ready to greet us when we arrived about 11 am.  What a beautiful home.  Her neighbor, Rita Belle, came over and we had a delicious lunch of cold cuts, coleslaw, fresh fruit + rolls.

If it hadn’t been for a nagging knee problem which I’ve nursed all the way from Pensacola, all would be well.

Millie made an appointment for me to see a doctor at the Family Clinic, and we found out that I have a patella tendon attachment to the tibia that is strained.  The treatment is ice pads + that’s where we are on this.

For dinner Millie’s friend Julie came over + we had another delicious dinner of roast pork, sweet potatoes, carrots, jello salad + Black Russian cake.

We watched the hour long video of the hurricane (Ivan) that we brought over for Millie to see.

We planned tomorrow’s activities + it does sound like fun!

5-24-2005 Kerrville

Today we left about 10 am + drove about 65 mi. southwest of Kerrville to visit Y.O. Ranch.

We saw elands, wildebeast (gnus), axis deer, fallow deer, black ferocious wildebeasts, giraffes, ostriches (Gretchen I + II) – the latter two came inside to eat corn out of our hands, zebras, and hundreds of other exotic animals.  The Ibex is known for its large curved horns.  These animals came from all over the world.  The long horn cattle were especially many in number.

This ranch has been in existence since 1880’s.  They’re on the 5th generation of the Schreiner family.  The bus ride through the 40,000 acres was bumpy beyond words.  Our cowboy bus driver had many amusing stories to tell us.

Our lunch of rare chicken, pasta, peas + carrots, tossed salad, iced tea, rolls + cookies had much to be desired.  (The cook must’ve been on vacation!)

The tour lasted about 2-1/2 hrs. + we almost got locked in because the gate was locked + we had a difficult time getting out.

It was fun!  Y sitting on top of O + Younger Olsons [Ranch symbol].

Other animals: siks, oryx, + aoudads.

It’s a working ranch.  Hunting is available the year round.  Home to the largest herd of Texas Longhorns.

5-25-2005 Kerrville

Even though it’s been extremely hot in Texas, there’s an advantage.  We’ve had to abort our mission to drive to the West coast!  We got to spend another day with Millie enjoying her wonderful company and beautiful home.  She provides a 5***** B+B.

Today we’ve had a relaxing day catching up on updating the computer, checking out nail salons, and printing soup recipes.

We finally got Millie out of the kitchen and convinced her we’d all enjoy the Chinese food at China Town Restaurant; even though it didn’t measure up to her fine cuisine.  It was good though + the service was great.

The mileage now read 939 miles and we have a full tank of gas.  We tried cleaning off the love bugs that are so determined to make the trip home with us, if we’re able to see that is.  The price of gas was $1.99, so the full tank now will probably get us to tomorrow’s destination wherever that may be.

Even though my patella tendon + the attached tibia didn’t behave any better today, we’ll make it home and they’ll get the TLC they need.

5-26-2005 Kerrville - Lake Charles, La.

After our usual hearty breakfast at Millie’s, we had our final hugs and departed at our usual 8:10 time.

We took Rt. 27 to Comfort where we picked up I-10.  We avoided a mishap where a pickup made a right turn from the left lane in front of us.

We missed the Exit 33 from 410 to I-10 and drove 12 additional miles to get back onto I-10.

We had a 45 min. delay in Houston because of a major bus accident.  While we were crawling along I made phone calls to the kids + had a connection with Tamiko who brought me up to date with their news.

We had to make an emergency pit stop at Whataburger at Exit 23 on 610, then went on to a Dairy Queen where we stopped + had a sinfully good sundae + blizzard loaded with enough calories to skip dinner.  We’ll see!

I took the wheel through Beaumont, another long delay, then switched drivers, crossed the Sabine River + on to Lake Charles where we spent the night at a lovely three diamond Best Western Richmond Suites Hotel for $80 + tax.

We had a light supper at Wendy’s, filled the tank at Wal-Mart, bought some chocolates for the Andersons, showered + hit the sack.  We drove 436 miles today.

5/27/2005 Lake Charles, La. – Pensacola

We had excellent accommodations at the Best Western + a breakfast that was a buffet style – all we could eat.  Left around 8 a.m.

Everything went well today in spite of horrendous traffic – everyone traveling over Memorial Day weekend.

The most interesting event of the day was at the Welcome Center at Atchafalaya, La.  There was a very clever animated film depicting the wetlands in the area.

We’re home now, partially unpacked.  Talked to Kent, Mike, and Millie.  Had 10 messages – nothing too important.

We stopped at the post office + picked up the mail.

We noticed that all gas here in Pensacola is over $2.00 + on our trip to Texas, it was all under $2.00 – the lowest was $1.89 in Texas.  Our total cost charges:

$275.80   Lodging

  110.20   Gas

  138.44   Food

  170.34   Shoes

    79.11   Military Memorabilia + YO Ranch

  100.00   (Cash we had with us)

$873.89

Mileage to Pensacola 820 – Time 7 hrs.