Plain Jane Plain Talk

Journals from the road, trails and at sea

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Writings, drawings and paintings that are rooted in process, simplicity and my imagination. Visit RogueLines.com

  • 60 MPH sailors

    Last December while in Sea School working on my USCG Captain’s license…I met “Captain” Jane. What are the odds in a predominantly male merchant marines – that I would meet another femme with the ‘jane name’. We instantly became friends, and shared sailing stories during class breaks. At least I thought we were sharing sailing stories.

    With the weather perking up to the upper 80’s…Captain Jane called and suggested a rendezvous. They would boat up to us at our marina…raft up for a few…then we’ll all take off to the inner harbor to find a restaurant along the waterfront.

    As 5PM arrived, I scanned the waterways for Captain Jane’s (and husband Chris) sailboat. Nothing. The winds were light, so maybe they were delayed. We waited…and waited. I noticed a cigarette boat off in the distance, but no sailboat.

    The distinct noise from the cigarette boat got louder and louder – as it neared Cat Maudy. In huge letters along the side read “hyperfishing.com“. Can you imagine a fish hungry enough to chase after bait from a cigarette boat? It was an amusing thought…until Captain Jane smiled and waived at us from inside the cigarette boat. Oh my. This is no sailboat. I was obviously day dreaming sailing stories from my Sea School class.

    After greetings and staring at each other’s boats…we hopped in the cigarette boat for a harbor cruise. In the harbor, the speed limit is 6knots. Just past Fort McHenry, you can go at top speed. For Cat Maudy, top speed might still be 6 knots…it just depends on the winds. Cat Maudy does not worry about speed limits.

    As we rounded Ft. McHenry, Captain Chris, turned and said “ok…hats off and hang on”. I had no idea what to expect…and within 3 microseconds we hit 60mph. Pat and I each did a full body slam into the back seat, and my hand formed a death grip on the boat handle. I tried to appear casual and unconcerned, but I felt a G-force pushing my cheeks back to my ears. OMG.

    I’m used to sailing…and much slower speeds. Fortunately, my comfort speed range returned – as we reached that 6mph sign near Ft. McHenry. Time to retrieve my eyeballs from the fish locker in the back of the boat.

    Dinner time – my favorite sport (food)!. We tied up “hyperfishing.com” at the docks near McCormacks. Passerbys were staring. It must be the cigarette boat with the name “hyperfishing.com“. I admit (now that I can hear my thoughts above the motor noise of a cigarette boat) — it was exciting to fly over the water at at 60mph speeds — in a scary sort of way.

    We waited for a table. More stares from passerbys. I guess we just have that boat look. Ordered some food, and had a delightful eve with our high-speed friends. A quick stop at the restroom before boat departure…and YIKES….who is that in the mirror?

    Who invited Don King into the ladies room? Was that ME??

    I did a double take. Yup. That’s right…staring back at me in the mirror…was cigarette boat Don King doing a blonde impersonation. The other ladies in that restroom quickly scurried away. I hurried to join them.

  • Houdini Mechanic of the Day

    After a winter in Baltimore, or for no other apparent reason, our automatic anchor windlass has decided to act up. The windlass is a motor that turns the chain holding the anchor…allowing either the anchor to get dropped into the water….or to bring it back on deck. Our best guess, is that the bearings are jammed or corroded, preventing the chain from dispensing.

    Captain Pat spent 3 days ripping apart the Windlass casing, and gypsy – but for some curious reason, the windlass refuses to budge from it’s current position above the anchor hold. By now, there are only 3 bolts left, holding this device to the fiberglass foredeck. A logical thinker would expect that once the 3 bolts were removed – the Windlass would be set free.

    It was now time to remove these remaining bolts – located inside of the anchor hold. The opening to this hold is approximately 2 feet square, and inside is a smelly mess of 150′ of chain (equates to 1 ton of weight), and approximately 1 foot of depth, at an angle…that we’ll call “workspace”.
    While happily working on computer projects, with Soxy purring peacefully on my lap, somehow, I got volunteered to be the Houdini anchor locker hold mechanic.

    After an hour of bolt turning contortions, trashed fingers and a body smelling of seaweed…all 3 bolts were successfully removed. And, the windlass still doesn’t budge from it’s position. No screws, no bolts, no budge. This device seems permanently affixed. I’m thinkin’ sledgehammer thoughts, but alas, Captain Pat will come up a new approach tomorrow. For now, I’m back to computer projects and lap cats.

  • The return to Cat Maudy…afer 3 months on land

    (Captain Pat)

    … that I have spent the winter in a dark corner of the basement sucking my thumb while in the fetal position due to this window nightmare. Well… almost. While gas prices were “lower”, we took a road trip out west – a real Lewis and Clarke adventure. This provided a wonderful distraction from the woes of Cat Maudy.

    When Captain Jane and I moved back onto the boat a couple of weeks ago I had finished my Cycon winter software projects and so I spent some time de-winterizing the boat and making a list of the all the newly broken stuff and fixing the same.

    In addition, I located the Brookhouse NMEA MUX that I bought last fall but haven’t had the time to play with so… let the playing start!

    A Brookhouse NMEA MUX is a small plastic enclosure containing the electronics to read upto 4 NMEA 0183 lines (RS422) and an AIS line and combine all that into one data stream which you can connect to your computer via a USB port. What? Yep, navionics talk is gonna smack you in your eyeballs.

    Many cruisers outfit their vessels with the following electronic gear: Radar, Chartplotter(s), navigation computers, and last but should have been first instrumentation. They may additionally have email capable SSB communications or satellite communications but I’m not going to address that here.

    This is a functional breakdown of what these devices do for the modern cruiser.
    o Radar – Visual image of hard objects near your ship.
    o Chartplotter – A GPS based mapping device which shows you where the @#$% you are on the planet.
    o Navigation Computer – basically the same as a chartplotter but like celery sticks you just can’t have enough of these things.
    o Instrumentation – These are usually small bulkhead mounted dedicated devices that display wind direction and speed, water depth, vessel speed thru the water, and water temperature.

    Most of Cat Maudy’s navionics were manufactured by Simrad. Measured in window replacement unit dollars ($20,000) it would cost basically 1.5 window replacement units to replace the our navionics. The Simrad instrumentation is the IS15 system which consists of an anemometer, depth sounder, and knot log/temperature sensor all wired to a transceiver which reads the various values and outputs a NMEA 0183 to any device that can read the stream. The IS15 bulkhead mount displays come in 4 or 5 versions each providing a different function. One displays only wind direction and speed. Another displays that plus depth and vessel speed. We have 5 IS15 devices on the boat and they retail for about $300.00 and are a discontinued product so I’m constantly searching EBAY for any good deals on NOS.

    Ok so the point is I would like to replace all these little bulkhead displays with one device that will display whatever the pilot needs. Basically, this device will run a version of the CAPN software, display all the instrumentation data and talk to the Autopilot. I’m working on some software to read the stream coming from the Brookhouse MUX and then send that stream to any WIFI enabled computer thru the Windows messaging mechanism. Then write a client which will display that data and run the CAPN.
    I’ll report next time on a complete list of the equipment that is we require to do this and how the project is progressing.

    And right now if I don’t feed Soxy she is gonna hurt me bad, real bad.

  • New cushions…on a dime

    Cat Maudy gets new cockpit boat cushions on the cheap…

    * discounted Microfiber upholstery fabric from G Street Fabrics @ $7/yard
    * reuse existing cushion material
    * use velcro to fasten ends
    * use the existing foam to cut new materials
    * spend a 7 hour rainy day with good friend Husqvarna Viking sewing machine

    and voila:
    5 new seat cushions…3 back cushions for less than $60!

  • Cosmic Bowling


    Cosmic Bowling is now officially checked OFF of the bucket list. I wasn’t aware that this was ever ON the bucket list, but surely it was an opportunity we couldn’t pass up. Cosmic Bowling in suburbia Ellicott City MD starts at 10PM on Saturday nights. Well past my bedtime.

    Accompanied by cosmic maties Paddy, Chuck & Jill, we put on our best Austin Powers “hey baby” imitation…and headed over to Brunswick Lanes where disco balls and disco music provide a wonderful distraction to the fact that none of us really knew how to bowl.

    Times have surely changed since I last went bowling. Notably:
    – bowling balls come in assorted neon colors – including PINK
    – the little number on the ball indicates how much the ball weighs
    – no more paper-n-pencil, the games are scored automatically for you via computer

    3 hours later, we had mastered the art of cosmic bowling – and had learned many things about bowling, and each other, in the process:
    – if the number on the bowling ball says “14”…it becomes very heavy after 3 hours of bowling, despite the fact that the ball is a cool shade of pink
    – Paddy is a ringer…and I’m guessing has been secretly bowling in his dreams
    – Chuck is the master of spins…and owns a bowling ball with big holes for his fingers
    – Jill drank some beer and won the final game…
    – strikes are overrated (and rare in my case)

  • Happy Birthday Jill!

    Smiles on the ground — while all the HOT AIR came rushin‘ outta the B-DAY balloon ride in Miami FL. Despite the dramatic finish into a field of mangos, and rush of migrant workers to make sure there were no major calamities….all party participants survived the 20 mile treetop hot air fun.

    Congratulations Jill on reaching that magic FIVE OH MY milestone in life, and here’s another way to celebrate — watch your very special hula groove on YouTube!

    Rock on….enjoy life….and keep a package of Depends nearby 😉

    Audio Credits:
    Song: Heat it Up
    Captain Pat on guitar, and his band     Detroit Slim & City Heat (Album Aces, Kings & Fifi Queens)

  • Where to start…with window replacement 101

    We’re back on-board Cat Maudy after a 9 week stint on land. So, what’s changed?
    – the seagulls (along with all of their friends and relatives) have invaded our dock
    – the city of Baltimore has installed a shed with a solar powered conveyor belt to help capture storm runoff pollution.
    – our windows are still broken. Yes, a miracle would have been nice.

    With the window cracks staring at us 24/7 – we decided to get in some face time with Precision Plastics – who will be creating the 4 custom acrylic panels. The owner of Precision was kind enough to show us his shop, huge baking oven – and spent some time discussing how we should create the “frame” for the new windows.

    Here’s what is required:
    -the new acrylic window will be created from the old window — assuming we can get each section out in one piece
    -the new acrylic will need to “bake” in the monsta oven for 2 weeks at 350 degrees
    -in order to “bake” based on the form from the old windows….we have to build a frame on the old windows that will allow it to keep it’s original shape while baking
    -easier said than done

    Next stop – at Tidewater Marina who is evaluating our project. As we describe how the frame needs to be built…and the digging and grinding required to remove the window adhesive residue…suddenly the project becomes VERY labor intensive. The vicinity of $20,000. Plus, they couldn’t even look at the boat until July. Oh my.

    We walk away realizing that we have just landed a new job. It’s called the “boat window replacement job”. An “art fix” is required to get started. I take a walk into Fells Point and stare at urban art. Creative juices start flowing.

    Our task list was daunting..
    -from the inside….using a series of wood “posts” that would be screwed into the existing acrylic windows.
    -the other end of the post would be affixed to a flat base
    -a sufficient number of posts would be adhered to ensure that the curves of the windows maintained shape
    -repeat the above for each of the 12 window portals — which comprise 4 window segments
    -then when it gets warm enuf…take the windows out and have them recreated in form by Precision Plastics
    -dig out all of the adhesive residue
    -learn about how to adhere windows using sikaflex 295
    -practice all of the above on something smaller in scale

  • Skating meets Hula!

    It’s hard to imagine having more fun than combining our favorite ‘dorphin activities – hula and skating.

    After a long cold winter, temps had finally reached into the 70’s. Only a few remnants of last week’s snowfall remained.

    We practiced our hula dance in the parking lot, to the delight of children under the age of 2, and envy of the bike-jerseyed adults with their $5000 bicycles – who longed for a simple, ultra fun, hula. With the hula celebrating it’s 50th anniversary last year — we’re determined to start a movement. I’ll just leave it at that 😉

    The skating proved to be delicious:
    -hugged what was left of Frosty the Snowman
    -we stayed upright (i.e. Jill left her bad juju clothing at home)
    -vehicle traffic was friendly
    –received 2 thumbs up from an 85 year old man

  • Lewis & Clark…return to base camp Maryland

    It was now the final leg of our journey – which consists of a 9 hour road trip from Louisville, KY to Silver Spring, MD.

    Notable highlights in Kentucky include:
    -horse farms
    -signs for the Kentucky Derby horse race
    -more horse farms

    As we made our way out of Kentucky, into West Virginia, we were back on familiar state territory. No need to hula in WV, as the state hula dance was completed on the outbound leg. Instead, we buzzed up to Charleston WV. I was hoping our luck in finding a distinctive spot for lunch and coffee, would prevail. I googled “charleston wv coffee shop” – and found what appeared to be a downtown location called the “Town Square”. The name sounded right – so we headed for the much anticipated coffee shop. It turned out that the “Town Square” was your typical suburbia mall…located in downtown Charleston. No coffee either. Ugh. We wasted no time in departing from Charleston.

    As we crossed the state line into Maryland, with 2 1/2 hours of driving left, there was a moment of sadness that our incredibly cool road trip was about to end. We extended the trip slightly with a stop at the Maryland Welcome Center – so that I could officially hula in a Maryland rest stop. The backdrop for hulamania turned out to be a stunning view over the Youghiogheny (try pronouncing that!) River and Resevoir…which ultimately dumps into the Gulf of Mexico. If it wasn’t for the setting sun, and knowledge that we would soon be driving in darkness, we could have easily stared at this picturesque overlook for hours. All in our own back yard of Maryland.

    The mountains of western Maryland along the Eastern Continental Divide share some similarities with those in the Rockies. Steep grades and scary trucks on the descents. While the maximum elevation in Maryland is around 3000′ feet (and the Rockies are at 14000+), 8 % grades are common in both mountain chains. We had some spectacular views, and appreciated not having to drive the mountains thru snow squalls. We arrived in Silver Spring at 7:30PM, to our cat Soxy – who was practically jumping out of her skin with excitement to see us – and a moment of reflection.

    –traveled 4,148 miles in 12 days
    -used 207 gallons of gas
    -no GPS, paper maps and google worked fine
    -elevation change from 341′ (Maryland) to over 13,000′ in Colorado
    -oxygen change from a tasty 100% (Maryland) to negligable in Colorado
    -over 2500 digital pictures taken
    -drove thru 15 states on 7 interstate highways
    -hula hooped in 15 states
    -4 days of Colorado skiing
    -2 1/2 days travel outbound (approx 1800 miles)
    -4 day travel on return trip (approx 2300 miles)
    -best coffee: Denver CO
    -worst coffee: Vail CO
    -nicest state rest stops for hula hooping: West Virginia, Oklahoma, Colorado
    -needs-improvement state rest stops: Texas, Missouri, Kansas
    -next road trip: bike ride along old historic I-66????

    Road trip highlights: Every day was magic.

  • Lewis & Clark…linger in Louisville, KY

    After 3 days of driving, it was time for a day off. And, what a better place to do so, at friend’s Tom’s home and workshop in Louisville, KY. Paddy has known Tom back in his Michigan days, and I was about to meet Tom for the first time.

    Tom is an artist. A sculpture artist. Not just a sculpture artist either. More like magician. He loves to work with balance, and his kinetic works hinge on finding that balance point, and then playing with it by moving the balance point to the “edge”. Pretty much describes life…right? You become mesmerized, and suddenly find yourself adjusting various elements of the sculpture to see “just” where it comes out of balance….and then restoring the balance before anybody notices what a mess you’ve made.

    Actually, the tricky part of the “balance act” was walking thru Tom’s hallway, filled with perfectly balanced kinetic sculptures – and trying not to run into them with our luggage and my hula hoop. I wasn’t entirely successful, but at least the metal “teeter totter” with carefully placed balance balls didn’t get too unruly.
    Tom is a delightful human – simple, funny, compassionate toward others, and passionate about his art. What is his…is yours. Any time I commented how much I liked one of his sculptures….he sincerely wanted me to have it. You know, just take it home with me. Sigh. I had to stop drooling out loud, and just enjoy the moment. Paddy and Tom spent the day taking pictures, eating wonderful vegetarian foods, drinking lots of coffee and catching up on “old times”. Later in the day we were joined by Tom’s g’friend Jennifer…and all went fossil hunting along the river bed of the Ohio.

    Here is an “old times” story to enjoy:
    Back in the 1980’s, and shortly after Tom’s stint at teaching sculpture @ Grand Valley State College in Michigan…he decided he needed a life change. No more welding…no more sculpture…and no more teaching. So he drove his truck to Arizona…in the desert – and took up residence (aka – out of his truck). He got a job as a gardener (along with a bunch of immigrants from Mexico), and despite getting scratched up pretty bad by the cactus….enjoyed the change from sculpture and teaching. Within a week, the foreman noticed a fence that was badly damaged….and needed to be welded to get fixed. After thinking it over for some time, Tom admitted that he knew how to weld….and quickly fixed the fence. The foreman was thrilled, and told him “You are no longer the gardener, you’re the welder”. And from that point on, Tom was the welder. Of course his fellow-gardeners, noticed that welding was a “step up” from gardening….and they all wanted to learn how to weld. So, one by one, the gardeners became Tom’s apprentices in the welding shop…and eventually Tom was back to welding and teaching.

    Moral: You can’t escape You.

  • Lewis & Clark…Arkansas to Kentucky

    The terrain of western and central Arkansas looked a lot like Maryland. Rolling hills, green vegetation and trees over 3 feet tall. The biggest difference was the increase in water supply. Here, river beds actually had water, and the land did not look complete scorched.

    Arkansas has discovered the meaning of “multi-use development land”. The nuclear reactor was located in a state park, and the same lake used to cool the nuclear rods, was designated a swim center for the little children. A hospital was located on the premises as well. How convenient.

    We buzzed thru Little Rock, and then headed toward Memphis. The central and eastern terrain of Arkansas was noticeably swampy. We crossed the Mississippi River – exited to the Welcome Center in downtown Memphis Tennessee. A very cool “Rock and Roll” egg — identifying the birthplace of various music genres including blues, gospel and rock-n-roll – served as my hula hoop backdrop. Temperatures had dropped back into the 20’s…so hula fun was brief. I have now hooped in 14 states on this roadtrip.

    Paddy had googled “Memphis BBQ” – and discovered Corky’s BBQ– located just off of I-40 — advertised as the hottest BBQ joint in town. It was now 1:30PM, well past my feeding time, and way beyond Paddy’s morning coffee. Corky’s had arrived none too soon. As we dragged our weary travel butts thru the door – the staff at Corky’s knew right away that we were “travelers”. OK, maybe Paddy’s humongous Nikon camera gave us away, but after 2 and 1/2 days of driving, it was still obvious we had been in the car too long.

    Bernard, our waiter — took one look at us, and immediately knew that Paddy needed coffee…hours ago. “You two have been traveling…and you need your coffee” he knowingly said to Pat in a most delightful down-home Tennessee accent. Within seconds, Paddy had his coffee, complete with cream and sugar…and the refills kept coming.

    But, this was just the beginning. Bernard took us under his wing, and showed us a brand new meaning of “southern hospitality”. “You see all of these people in here” – he said as we looked around into the packed restaurant….”they can wait”….”But you, you’ve been traveling…and you need some good food”and he attended to us like a doting parent. At Corky’s – you leave your vegan diet and notion of counting calories at the door. This was Memphis, TN…and it was time to taste some southern cookin’…and not think twice about it.

    Paddy and I had to try their highly acclaimed pulled pork, and southern fries. The pulled pork sandwich comes with coleslaw lathered on top…but our all-knowing waiter, Bernard — went light on the BBQ sauce, and put the coleslaw on the side for us. Without having to ask, he knew how to make our food experience just right.

    One taste of the BBQ pork, and I have to admit – it simply melted in your mouth. It was soft, moist, hickory flavored, and melted on contact. I’m not a fan of meat – but if I lived next to Corky’s in Memphis Tennessee – I might be convinced. Paddy was in BBQ meat heaven. Our weary travel dispositions had been transformed, by both southern food and southern charm.

    We hopped back into the Jeep again, fully re-energized, and headed toward Nashville – where we would exchange I-40 for I-65. Notable Tennessee highlights include:
    -Loretta Lynn has a dude ranch
    -someone named their town “Bucksnort”
    -Nashville has one heckuva rush hour

    It was twilight when we crossed the border into Kentucky. Paparazzi Paddy captured my state #15 hula dance in Kentucky on camera….and we had two more hours of driving to go, to make our destination of Louisville. At Louisville, we would be treated to a 2-nite stay and day off from driving- with friend and sculpture artist Tom.

  • Lewis & Clark…fast trak to Arkansas

    Let’s just get to it. Some states are sincerely “welcoming” and others are not. We touched on 4 states today (New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas) and the “welcome factor” is very important to my hoopmania vibe as we travel cross-country.

    New Mexico
    -Paddy found starbucks coffee at the Silver Moon Cafe next to our hotel
    -the morning starts out swell for Paddy
    -there weren’t any rest stops with signs…actually there weren’t any rest stops at all. The land was completely desolate…but all was good because I had already hooped in New Mexico yesterday

    Texas — I have a few concerns…
    -their idea of a rest area – consists of a gravel pit pull off on the side of an INTERSTATE with 4 dumpsters. What’s up with the dumpsters?
    -Texas calls this a “Picnic Area”
    -there are no gas stations or “oasis” towns along I-40
    -their “Information Center” is 76 miles inside of the state border. Hello??? I’m halfway thru the state panhandle by now….
    -instead of “welcome signs” in the state of Texas, they post “Don’t Mess with Texas” signs every 20 miles
    -I’m not feeling welcome in Texas
    We make a beeline for the bathrooms as we finally reach the “Texas Welcome Center” at exit 76. Now it’s time to have a few words with the lady behind the desk at the Welcome Center. I have more than 2 cents on my mind about this state of Texas. But….before I could get a word out, the welcome lady was WAY too nice, and WAY to friendly, and WAY to helpful, and soooo freakin delightful…that before I knew it – I had promised her that I would visit about 5 different tourist attractions within 30 miles of Amarillo, TX. I had bonded, and walked away feeling like we were best of buddies.
    Since there is no “welcome” sign in Texas – Paddy and I had to come up with Plan B. We found a few large cattle sculptures just outside of the welcome center – and decided that these would suffice for my hoop mania backdrop.
    With hooping complete, we hopped back into the jeep – and continued east along no-frills Texas I-40. I had my fingers crossed that Oklahoma would be a tad more welcoming.

    Oklahoma:         WOW. Oklahoma KNOWS the meaning of “WELCOME”. Check this out:
    -the Welcome Center is located at MILE #2 (not 76 or when you are about to exit the state…but MILE #2!)
    -they have a magnificent sign that identifies the state as “OKLAHOMA”. You really know RIGHT where you are here
    -inside the welcome center – was free coffee or tea, a large leather sofa to just chill in, and the most contemporary bathrooms I have ever seen.
    -I was feeling very WELCOME

    So, I had to tell the ladies behind the welcome center desk – just HOW much more welcome I felt in Oklahoma…over Texas. I explained that Texas has dumpsters…and they call it a picnic area…and there is no sign…and I went on and on and on. The lovely ladies patiently let me ramble, and nodded their heads in complete understanding. “We hear this from everyone”, the wonderful welcoming lady responded in her uniquely Oklahoman accent.

    With hooping in state #12 complete, we traveled pedal-2-the-medal thru 330 miles of Oklahoma in hopes of getting to Little Rock, Arkansas for the night. The sun was setting, and it appeared more likely that it would be dark by the time we reached the Arkansas border.

    Arkansas:
    Within seconds of crossing the Arkansas border, we had a police escort. It was as if cop-boy was waiting for US….no one else…but US. We were the only car on the road, and the VERY moment we crossed into Arkansas, he raced out and was ON us like an annoying tailgater. Were we speeding? No… hmmm. Why is he still tailgating us? He doesn’t put on his flashing lights…he just tailgates. He stayed on our butts for the next 3 miles – until we exited at mile 5 for the Arkansas Welcome Center. I was sure he would follow, but as we pulled into the welcome center, he continued on I-40. I have to admit, I was a bit nervous about pulling out my hoola hoop on a dark night in western Arkansas. But I did. And I made it quick. Real quick. And, I was suddenly feeling more welcome in Texas.

  • Lewis & Clark….go backroad trippin

    It was time to descend from the stunning views of Colorado Rocky Mountain peaks, and beam ourselves back down to earth. Rather than travel the Interstates, we decided to take the back roads less traveled, southward to Albuquerque, NM – approximately 400 miles from Vail.

    The skies were clear, and the temperature was a balmy 4 degrees at 8100′ in base camp Vail. The locals had provided some conflicting advice regarding the route we had planned – as to its speed and drivability. If the road thru the two mountain passes became too treacherous, then the pass would be closed – and we would have to turn back. We decided to take our chances.

    The first 40 miles, along Route 24, just south of Vail, was both breathtaking and a bit scary at the same time. The first mountain pass we would cross is called the Tennessee Pass – where we slowly ascended along a series of switchbacks, on snow and ice covered roads to an elevation of 10,424. Along the side of the road was at max 3 feet of clearance. Beyond that – was a cliff. One unfocused moment or slip of the tires, and it would be “mayday”.

    Near the summit, at the Continental Divide….where East meets West….was a bridge allowing us to connect to the next mountain. How could this bridge get constructed – with a 2000 foot drop below? It’s best not to wonder these things, especially in thin air. We then descended, along a series of switchbacks …only to repeat the climb once more….and finally return lower to unbelievable views of peaks over 14,000 feet to our west – into the mountain top town of Leadville (10,000′ elevation). It takes a special kind of person to live in the town of Leadville – one that moves very slowly thru life.

    South of Leadville, CO, the mountains strangely “part”….as if you are in a high elevation valley (8000′ feet) – with mountain ranges within a few miles east and west. The road straightened out, and it was delightfully void of any traffic or snow. Of course it was devoid of any services too (such as a gas station, or rest stop, or yikes – what if the car broke down?) – but having the valley and views to ourselves was pretty special.

    Our final mountain pass – (Poncha Pass) was just west of Salida CO – with a peak of just over 9000′. After this pass, we remained in a range of 7-9000 feet elevation, and the valley began to look like a high elevation desert, with the mountain ranges gradually moving further apart. Sights included, the Arizona River, Trading posts and some thin-air ponies and cattle. We decided to break for lunch in a small mountain town called Monte Vista. The buildings along the two main streets appeared to be constructed in the mid 1800’s. We tied up our pony (i.e. Jeep Cherokee) at the Johnny B. Good Café, and was served lunch by a native American Indian waitress. We felt genuinely “cowboy” in this little town – approximately 50 miles north of the New Mexico border.

    At the NM border, it was time for my hoola moment. The “welcome to New Mexico” consisted of a sign, and a pull over. No frills at this stop — but the sign and topography were the perfect backdrop for hoola-mania in state # 10.

    I’m glad we decided to fill up the gas tank at any location that had a working gas pump…because you could easily go 150 miles without seeing one shred of civilization. One car every 10 or 15 minutes…maybe. As we descended into northern New Mexico along US Route 285 – we were greeted with rolling foothills, often devoid of any vegetation. The topography was amazing and constantly changing – yet we were still at 7000+ feet.

    Pueblo homes in natural clay colors began appearing 50 miles north of Santa Fe, and it was at this point we decided it was time to buy a map. The roads were not always marked with a route number, and we had already made a few wrong turns. Hmmm. It appears that Albuquerque is a bit out of our way. Maybe we really didn’t need to visit Albuquerque after all? Time for a new plan. We would continue heading east – along 285 – until we reached I-40.

    Off in the distance, the mountain peaks were growing larger again. The tallest peaks were snow covered, and I guessed they were in the range of 14,000 + elevation. Within 30 minutes, they had disappeared for good. We passed thru Sante Fe, and numerous Indian Reservations…and the landscape took on the characteristics of parched grassy plains. There was a noticeable absence of water or any tall vegetation.

    By 6PM we quit driving for the day at quaint desert oasis of Santa Rosa, NM – elevation 4600′. The oxygen was both plentiful and delicious. After checking into our hotel, we walked to the Silver Moon Café – located on historic Route 66. It was authentic “southwest” décor, the food was fantastic, and the people were very friendly. I’m diggin’ Santa Rosa NM.

  • Lewis & Clark…take on the Friends and Family Plan

    On ski day 4, in the Rockies, we were glad to depart the high altitudes of Breckenridge – and drop 1600 base feet to ski & be reunited with family & friends at Vail .

    While we wait for the snow squalls to pass and the winds to subside in the early morning, let me introduce our new ski team for the day:

    Chuck (aka “Bro”): never misses a ski season, ski’s like a silky-smooth-pro, ain’t no mountain high enough…ain’t no valley low enuf (oh yeah – that’s a song) – but it describes this skier perfectly. With an engineering background, knows precisely what trails to take on, strategizes how many runs to get in before the lifts close, and makes sure that no skier is left behind (we’re gonna challenge him on this one before the day is over!)

    Jill (aka “Sis”): Don’t let the Vail Barbie “look” confuse you. Prefers bowls, deep moguls and exorcised clothing. This gal is an energizer bunny who gets to the bottom of the trail before you’ve finished adjusting your goggles off the chairlift. Rumor on the mountain, is that she is Bodi Miller’s cousin. Shh.

    Carol: The deck is loaded with this Bronze and Silver medalist…who has skid all over the world, and is known to jump off one or 2 ridge lines while skiing in the Alps. Ok, maybe it wasn’t the Alps, and maybe she didn’t jump off the ridge line – but there was this big snow squall, which caused a whiteout, and Carol could no longer see…so she skiied to the bottom with her eyes shut.
    Dean: Works very hard as Carol’s Ski Coach during the Slalom course – and thus I believe he is a Bronze and Silver Medalist Coach – thanks to Carol’s winnings. He is also an undiscovered “synchronized skier”, as he can sync up a groove with any skier on the mountain.

    Paddy (Jean Claude) and I had our work cut out for us to keep up with this ski crowd. But, deep down, we knew we couldn’t keep up. They were the pros…and we were…well…not. It was time to think outside the box. It was time to give this ski team a challenge they haven’t yet been exposed to:

    • we tried to lose them by taking the gondola over and over…but they found us anyway
    • we ordered the biggest pizza for lunch and made sure the ski team was fully weighted down by eating 5000 carb calories apiece
    • I left my cell phone behind so the only way to contact us if we got lost on the slopes – was to use Paddy’s phone number
    • Paddy never answers his phone in time
    • Paddy rarely charges his phone
    • Paddy’s phone is basically useless

    No matter how hard we tried to avoid being the “ski anchors”, the ski team just never let us out of their sight. They were our caretakers, they wanted to show us the best of Vail, and they took this job very seriously. The skiing was beyond phenomenal – the best we’ve experienced all week – and the endorphins were running high. This was ski heaven!

    But, it was time to test the expert ski team with their own “no skier left behind” strategy. Vail ski resort has multiple BASES…to it’s multiple MOUNTAINS. As Paddy (Jean Claude) demoed a brief yard sale….it caused enough delay – that suddenly our ski team (who was ahead of us) was no longer in sight. Where do you think they went? I asked Paddy. “Down” he astutely replied. So, DOWN we went…we kept going down….down…down…. And suddenly, we were at the BASE of some other MOUNTAIN (Cascade), with no way to get back to our Expert Ski Team located at a different base called Lionshead. hmmmm….

    With the aid of a lady from Michigan who knew the local bus schedules…a few very brief calls to Chuck on a barely operating phone battery, and the patience of our expert ski team…we eventually were reunited. Apres Ski consisted of Barbie’s FIVE-OHMY birthday celebration, a skip-it demo, a hoola hoop demo, Rocky Mountain sushi, eating Dean’s M&M’s for desert, a pajama party…and finally zzzzzzz’s.

    Addendum: Apparently our gifted ski team was busy making the news, shortly after we departed Vail. From playing card tricks with the magician, to Dean & Carol’s very own version of Abbott and Costello – you’ll be sure to enjoy these YouTube clips.

  • Lewis & Clark…get an Oxygen fix

    There are some expert skiers out here – many who take skiing to the extreme limit. The “bowls”, the “extreme terrain”, getting lost in the “back country”, outlasting an avalanche or 2, or sking backwards down the double blacks. These were some impressive feats to admire…and the apres ski was all about bragging rights. But, for all of these extreme teens…and twenty-something DUDE-to-the-max skiers…I had to ask. Can you hoola hoop on skis? Nobody appeared to be bragging on this one…so on Day 3…I would make my mark. Yes, the poles had to go. The ski jacket had to go too. It was cold, windy and snowing hard – so I needed to make this both quick and impressive. Today – was HOOLA day at The Breck. Paparazzi Paddy captured the moment…and there is no disputing THIS CHIC can HOOP on skis. Take that — extreme ski-Rocky-Mountain-Dudes!

    Jean Claude had acclimated nicely, but, I can no longer breathe. By day 3 the thin air had become a bit much. At 10,000′ elevation in the Rockies – weird stuff happens. It was snowing mega amounts, and visibility was nil. We froze just riding up the chairlift. A good day to knock off early, and try to re-oxygenate. What better place than the OXYGEN LOUNGE on Main Street. When I first noticed this lounge – I thought it was a bar…but no. You pay a fee to get pumped up with 90% oxygen mixed with an aromatherapy of your choice for 15, 30 or 45 minutes. Aaaaahhh…Paddy and I enjoyed a most delightful O2 Fix.

  • Lewis & Clark…ski in thin air

    After a few hours of computer work, it was time to get the day started on the Peaks at Breckenridge. We sachet’d our way to the bottom of the parking lot – and waited for the free shuttle bus to take us to a ski lift. “Where are you headed?” the bus driver asked. “Anywhere you are going”, I responded. We still have no clue where these buses are headed. Our mystery bus tour dropped us off at the Gondola lift – in the heart of downtown Breckenridge. OK – this works!

    The skiing was fabulous, with lots of sunshine – and I was working hard on my mountain tan. It doesn’t take long to bronze-up – as you are a LOT closer to the sun here. Within the first few runs, Paddy got his version of a “yard sale” down, and I decided to ski behind him to help pick up the pieces. It turned out to be just some AM leg wobbles, and Paddy was soon back to Jean Claude styling by noon. Despite the screaming noises coming from our quad muscles, we continued on….3 peaks in all.

    Apres ski consisted of:

    • a brief hoola hoop workout
    • a leisurely stroll through town (note: they sell little bottles of Oxygen in the shops),
    • a french crepe in front of an open pit outdoor fireplace for dinner…
    • and eventual collapse back at the cabin.

    Bodies are still operating on Eastern time zone…and I was wondering what oxygen might taste like again.

  • Lewis & Clark…go skiing at the BRECK

    I’m thinking that an emergency oxygen mask should be designed into ski head wear — for anyone skiing in altitudes above 9000′. Wait a minute! Hear me out on this. It would work just like in the airlines. As soon as the oxygen level gets too low…the mask would drop outta your hat — and voila — you could breathe easy again.

    It might even be useful in places like Denver too. Let me digress…I watched Denver headline news on TV. A roving band of 3 coyotes seek out women walking their dogs. Local politicians want a law placing a curfew on roving coyotes. Convenience store robbers were caught on tape wearing thongs over their heads. Sigh…I wish I was making this up.

    With 8 new inches of snow, we were excited to start skiing – our first day at THE BRECK. We had maps, and lots of information…but it was all too confusing. Maybe we’ll just follow some fellow skiers out of our building to see where they go? First, we pile about 50 pounds of clothing on, and another 20 pounds of extras – including phone, camera, shuttle bus maps, ski maps, water, snacks – and anything else we thought we couldn’t live without for the next 6 hours. Add to that skis, poles and trying to maneuver walking in very stiff boots, we looked like the Michelin man with unbend able legs. We followed our ski comrades down an icy hill…and sure enough, the shuttle bus was just pulling up. Without any oxygen here, we ran, slipped and acted like a couple of city-folks not wanting to miss their bus. The Breckenridge bus drivers are very patient…and waited for us to board. We sat on the bus trying to look like we were “in the know”, having no clue where the bus was going.
    Suddenly, everyone got off the bus. This must be our stop too! We followed the ski crowd – to the Snowflake Chairlift. Who needs a map? We got on the chairlift like everyone else, and kept our fingers crossed that there would be a BLUE trail at the top. Not ready to start the first run of the day on a double-black. Spent the next 6 hours skiing carefree — from trail to trail, peak to peak – up over 11,000 feet in elevation, ambivalent to how little oxygen was getting to our brains. Took the 4 O’Clock trail, with the intent to SKI back to our cabin. We skied right past the cutoff to our cabin. Oops. Time to climb a zillion steps, walk an extra 1/4 mile and lug equipment that felt HEAVIER than when we started.

    Despite the lack of O2…it was a glorious day skiing in the Rockies — one that we intend to repeat tomorrow!

  • Lewis & Clark…Climbing the Rocky Mountains

    The weather was calling for 60 degree temperatures in Denver CO…and temps in the upper 30’s up into the mountains. We would soon find out, that there is really no telling what the weather will do in the mountains.

    The “climb” from the valley of Denver…to the lower mountains was downright jaw dropping…only to be surpassed by the climb into the upper elevations. Words cannot do justice to this amazing scenery. You need to make sure you have a full tank of gas when you get started, and have a lot of faith that not only YOUR car…but all of the other cars and trucks around you have been carefully tuned for good working brakes…for the steep descents. At our highest point just before Loveland Pass, we reached 10,000 feet elevation….and then descended to steep, snow blown roadways. The weather went from sunny and warm in Denver…to blizzard like conditions in the peaks. (below is footage from the beginning of the climb out of Denver – to Breckenridge)

    Soon, we found our exit for Breckenridge – and had our choice of 2 primary roads….Main Street or Park Ave. Most of the skiiers were already on the slopes for the day – so we had the town of Breckenridge to ourselves. Paddy taste tested the coffee in various coffee shops up in the high altitudes…and concluded that it was “pretty good”. We checked into our cabin at Park Meadows – which is located 2 blocks from – Park Ave…and 2 more blocks to the gondola lift. At the end of our ski day, we could ski straight from the 4 mile run slope…directly to our cabin. How cool is that??

    Took care of remaining details, got fitted for skis and boots, and made a trip to the grocery store. Our biggest athletic activity was getting winded climbing 2 flights of stairs. We’re at 9600′ eleveation here. Where the heck did all the oxygen go??

  • Lewis & Clark…Denver CO

    After 2 & 1/2 days of driving…we opted to stay the night in western Denver – just one exit past “Wadsworth Boulevard”. Denver rests in elevation a mile high…a good start to our acclimation process.

    The Quality Inn had a POOL that was greater than 3 feet deep…so moments after checkin…we raced to the water for some swim ‘phins. OOOOOOOOOOOOOOh so delightful…and the decor was all “west”.

  • Lewis & Clark…COFFEE nirvana


    DAY 3 (Denver CO)

    Enuf with the HOOPING….Paddy needed COFFEE.

    and not just your everyday starbucks experience….this was about down-n-dirty getting the best cup of coffee that could be had.

    I was equipped only with a verizon card…and my good friend google. As a team, it appeared that we had discovered the “coffee district” of Denver CO. This was the place, where the LOCALS go to for coffee, on a Sunday morning. No, not Starbucks….but rather the Tattered Cover Coffee & Tea Shop.

    We spent over an hour, just lounging with the hippie Denver crowd, outdoors, absorbing the oxygen depleted air, and delightful sunshine. Temperatures were in the mid 50’s.

    And, if that wasn’t enuf, Patty had a “MONK” like coffee perfection experience at the neighboring ENCORE (appropriately named) restaurant. The coffee is served in a mini french press, with ample supplies of cream and raw sugar.

    Paddy had reached Nirvana….aka Denver CO…at the foothills of the Rockies. After 26 hours of being trapped in the Jeep….all was good.

  • Lewis and Clark….Missouri to Colorado

    Day 2….
    Missouri
    yippee – we just crossed the Mississippi – and I kept staring at that big ARCH – which represents the GATEWAY to the WEST. I stared at it so long as I was driving, that I accidentally got off I-70, and magically appeared at a parking lot RIGHT next to the ARCH. How lucky is that?

    The sign at the parking lot nearest the Arch – was for a Church. The sign said that it was for churchgoers only, and that you had to pray to park. Hmmm….I can do this. I’m gonna pray that no churchgoer prevents me from parking here so that we can capture a HOOLA moment in from of the big ARCH. It worked.

    Paddy & I both got some hoop action at the “Gateway”.

    We raced over to the Arch – erected adjacent to the Mississippi, and HOOPED…in the State of Missouri. It was still cold and very windy, so we didn’t get a chance to be leisurely.

    We’re officially WEST now!

    Selected an IHOP for breakfast. This was our first sit-down meal since Maryland. My butt was getting re-shaped from all of the car travels…and we were only half-way to our Colorado destination.
    Notable sights in Missouri: St. Louis is the only big city you’ll pass thru, after that it is all farmland. Missouri has a curious route labeling system. They do not use route numbers, they use letters. The ads on the billboards are for farm equipment, western wear, cowboy boots, and RV’s.

    Missouri is a BIG state…250 long miles wide…the muscles in my core have officially atrophied

    KANSAS

    On the western edge of Missouri…is Kansas City. Kansas City MISSOURI that is. And, once you cross the MISSOURI river – you’re lookin at Kansas City KANSAS. Missouri – if you can’t come up with unique names for your cities…the poor US Postal Service will remain eternally confused.

    After ONE BIG state of Missouri – we are finally in Kansas. The joy I felt was short lived…as I noticed the TOTAL number of miles we had to make to cross Kansas. 420 miles. Come’on now?
    Even at 70MPH…that is a full speed pedal to the medal 6 hour drive with NO stops.
    We’re trying not to look at the mileage markers

    Notable sights in Kansas: There were so many route signs to follow – it was hard to notice Kansas City AND pay attention to trying to stay on I-70. There is NO WELCOME CENTER or Tourist Info stuff along I-70 in Kansas. Yo – what happened to a simple “Hello”?

    I was getting a bit stressed about hooping in front of your everyday McDonalds…but Paddy found a little historical marker…so that would have to SUFFICE for my Kansas hooping experience.

    No snow in Kansas, but the winds were pretty stiff. The only city we went thru after Kansas City…was Topeka. “Topeka” – it sure has a nice native american sound, eh?

    After Topeka, get ready for endless FLAT land…dusty burnt to a crisp land. Then, out of nowwhere – some bumps occurred. This is called Flint Hills – and was kindof cool. Like a miniature version of the Badlands.

    Coming from the east coast – with 24/7 bumper-2-bumper traffic…I have to admit, driving is a “joy” in Kansas. We practically had the road to ourselves. Said hello and goodbye to Salina…(the midpoint of Kansas) and to help break of the monotony,

    I’m thinking that Kansas should be divided into 2 states…..right at Salina….then you could have a Salina, EAST KANSAS….and Salina, WEST KANSAS to keep with the theme of St. Louis, and Kansas City. Whatddaya think?

    Just 20 miles west of Salina is the most enormous wind farm I had ever seen. The wind farms were visible for at least another 20 miles. How do I know these distances? You can see objects 10-15 miles away in Kansas. There are no mountains, so anything that stands up above 5 feet – can be seen from great distances.

    Strangely, only half of the turbines were spinning. Kind of odd considering that the wind was nearly blowing our jeep off of the road. Perhaps there is an “ON” switch somewhere?

    From a driving perspective, the wind farm proved to be a wonderful distraction from watching the mile markers…

    Occasionally, there was a sign for gas…and every 50+ miles a no-frills rest stop. The rest stops resembled a small barn, with fences to pony up to. No vending machines, no luxuries here — you are on your own in Kansas.

    It appears there is OIL in western Kansas. Mile after mile of miniature oil rigs appear in the farmland. Must be a backup plan in case there is a bad crop year.
    Despite chasing the setting sun …we are still in Kansas.

    Twilight in Kansas lasts for at least an hour after the sun sets…There is nothing flatter than the plains of Kansas.

    At night, the stars are HUGE and beautiful – you don’t see them like this along the eastern seaboard. I wanted to spend more time staring at the stars, but it proved to be a distraction from driving – so we opted to stay on the road.

    We ran out of juice, and pulled over into an “oasis” stop (where a bunch of hotels and gas stations appear after miles and miles of no humans), to spend the nite in Goodland KANSAS (elevation 3600′)…17 miles shy of the Colorado border.

    The Comfort Inn serves biscuits and gravy for breakfast… I’ll pass!

    Day 3

    COLORADO!
    yipp-i-a. That’s “Prarie speak” for YEAH – WE’RE FINALLY IN COLORADO! but wait…it still looks like Kansas?

    We stopped at the Colorado welcome center. Yes, we get WELCOMED into Colorado. It was very lovely – a “western” touch to the decor.

    It was the best weather we’ve had since Silver Spring MD. Mid-40’s, no winds. A perfect setting for my now 9-STATES-AND-COUNTING Hoopmania. We found the perfect backdrop…and I hooped in Colorado. I think my core muscles are either completely atrophied from the long drive….or not functioning in higher altitudes. We’re over 4000′ elevation…and the hoop kept wanting to drop to the ground. It took a few practice moments to get my rhythm back. whew!

    Notable sights in Colorado: the terrain morphs from the plains of Kansas…to a more “Prarie” feel in Colorado. Still relatively flat for the first 150 miles…but the terrain gradually begins to roll. And suddenly, amazing mountain peaks appear mega miles off in the distance. The peaks get larger and larger – and form this wonderful backdrop to the city of Denver

    Denver CO. Paddy has been in the car too long. We needed to find him some extra bold, thick-as-molasses coffee sludge. Stay tuned.

  • Modern day Lewis and Clark

    With a brief “low” in gas prices, and in our 2nd winter month away from Cat Maudy, it was time for a new adventure. A road trip. Spontaneous. Unplanned. This is our style.

    There were many similarities (and differences) between the expedition of Lewis and Clark…and our “Jane & Paddy goes west story”.
    1. L&C started in Pittsburg PA…geared up with salt, smoked meat and canoe supplies. J&P started in Silver Spring, MD…geared up with food from the Giant, clothes and a hoola hoop
    2. L&C’s objective was to find a waterway west of the mississippi and mark territory for future settlers. J&P discovered I-70, and “marked” territory by hoola-hooping in each state.
    3. L&C gave gifts to the native indians who allowed them passage as they continued west. J&P made large donations to the oil companies for fuel
    4. L&C discovered many botanical, zoological and mineral specimens. J&P discovered (and rated…see below) rest areas, sprawling suburbs, mountains reaching nearly 3000 feet elevation (between western Maryland and Ohio) and determined that Indiana is the land of the mega-warehouse
    5. L&C, while traveling via canoe and horses, met many native American Indians along the way…some nice, some not so nice. J&P spent a lot of time together in our Jeep Cherokee
    6. L&C employed Sacagawea to serve as a guide and provide tranlation services. J&P had google maps and a verizon air card

    We are on a mission. We had over 1700 miles to drive…9 states to be exposed to hoola hooping…coffee to be taste-tested….5 days of skiing in the Rockies…and unlimited spontaneous fun along the way. Time to get rollin’.

    Day 1 and some change…

    Maryland
    –drove from sea level to 3000′ elevation by the time we had made it to the mountains in western Maryland
    –we were greeted with a mini-blizzard 80 miles into our trip
    –observed our Jeep is not very fuel efficient in the mountains
    –Notable sights: At Cumberland MD – the average age of the patron at McDonalds is 85

    West Virginia
    –feeling a lot of warm-n-fuzzies at our first stop in West Virigina. Beautiful rest area – perfect for my hooping state-by-state DEBUT.
    –with 30 mph wind gusts and snow/sleet mix – the hooping is challenging, yet successful. Nice ladies came up to me and longed to be hooping too. I think i’ve started something

    Pennsylvania
    –More wind, but less snow. Hooping would be a tad easier without being pelted by snow and ice. –only a short drive thru Pennsylvania…then we were back in WV…and now in Ohio

    Ohio
    –the biggest state we had to drive thru (so far). 220 miles of Ohio
    –the greeting in Ohio is less welcoming than WV. WV is now the standard for rest stops. It is your basic stop…no vending machines…no little literature of things to do…just stop-n-go. We did manage to locate a monument at the rest stop that would serve as my hoola backdrop.
    –Notable sights in Ohio: rolling hills…transform into flat farmland, look closely and you’ll see the Amish off the service roads on their horse-n-buggy. Then it might be best to zoom out – or else you see the confederate flags flying proudly. (sigh)
    –Said hello and goodbye to Columbus OH…and kept pace with all of the trucks so that we could get out of Ohio as soon as possible

    Indiana
    –now we’re getting into some NEW territory. Have never been to Indiana (per my short term memory).
    —Nice sign at the rest stop – that would serve well for my hoola backdrop. I hooped away in the state of Indiana. We needed to start making some time on this road trip – if we were to get to the next state before nightfall…
    —Notable sights in Indiana: Indiana is flat, loaded with many farms, the maximum security state prison is located next to a playground for kiddies (?), and it appears that there is some cheap land for corporations to scoop up.
    —Just a guess, but based on the mile-after-mile of mega warehouses, all products imported from China, are stored here. Indiana is NOT the home of basketball or Bobby Knight…but rather the home of the mega warehouse.

    Illinois
    –Traffic is still heavy — lotta trucks
    —Illinois locates it’s state sign INSIDE the rest area. Yikes, that means I have to hoop indoors to get my “Illinois” backdrop. It was after-hours, and nobody kicked me out…but there were some curious onlookers to this hoopster gyrating with her chocolate sparkling hoop
    –the time changed from Eastern Time to Central Time…we had an extra hour of driving time (oh joy!)
    –we kept chasing the sunset in the west…but it went down before we could get to our destination of St. Louis MO. We opted to stay at Effingham, IL. Don’t ask where that is. It’s a dot on the map with a bunch of hotels, OK?
    –got up early (body is still on Eastern time…even tho the clocks say Central time)
    –within 5 minutes of I-70West…we hit some Lake effect snow. Lots of it. Not good. Drove slower than the speed limit thru the rest of Illinois
    –Did you know there is a St.Louis in Illinois…AND a St.Louis in Missouri? They could be the same city, but the Mississipi goes thru it…

  • Testing the ‘DORPHIN ouput of Toys from the 50’s

    Remember the days of jump roping, hoola-hooping, skip-it and pogo toys? In celebration of … ahem…ahem…ok, um….getting to the, ahem… 1/2 century mark…ok 50. Yep, I said it – 50. We’re revisiting toys from the past – and conducting a very scientific experiment on their ENDORPHIN OUTPUT. Our initial tests, tho inconclusive, have been very positive. That is, we feel there is GREAT potential for endorphins — once we figure out how to keep that hoola hoop from falling to the ground, or stumbling over the jump rope…and getting tripped up on the skip it. While, I don’t remember it being this difficult as a kid — the fun factor is VERY high! Go “test team”!

  • Rest peacefully…little buddy Earl

    Earl Grey…our Cat Maudy CAT companion, and buddy of 17 years….had to move on to the after life.

    Earl was an amazing lilac point siamese and shared with us his knowledge on life:

    – No fear. Earl had no issues standing on the bow of Cat Maudy…at the very edge.

    – Always lending a hand. Earl always stood by, even during the toughest challenges or projects.

    – Siesta time. Earl had a knack of knowing when WE needed to rest.

    – Endless luv. No matter how tough your day, Earl was there to let you know it’s all “small stuff”.
    Sadly, we’ll miss our little buddy, Earl…

  • A Perfect 10!

    It was a beautiful day, with temperatures already in the mid-40’s and rising. Perfect for a bike/skate BRICK, with a 30 mile mountain bike run from BWI airport to Annapolis…followed by a 12.5 mile skate loop around the airport.

    Somewhere around the first 3/10ths of a mile into the bike ride, with patches of ice appearing out of nowhere, my bike partner began fantasizing about an Olympic performance. She does this occasionally. Meet Dorothy ‘Jilly’ Hamill…as the skate world does biker freestyle (captured on camera) — demonstrating the fine points of an acrobatic triple sow cow camel spin back flip with a toe plant using the front wheel with a left rotation completely unhinged by the derailleur. Holy crap….can we see that again? Wait — let me get this picture. Got it. Now, are you OK partner??

    Despite the mangled look, our performer was unhurt, tho the bike wasn’t so lucky.

  • Old school skiers….meets Holy Sweet Molasses!

    Stuck on land for 2 months, and away from Cat Maudy during a cold Maryland winter, we were itching for an adventure. It was close to 10 years since we last hopped onto our ski’s. When we decided Tuesday morning that it was “time” to revisit skiing – we grabbed all of our OLD SCHOOL equipment and headed for the nearest slopes at WhiteTail Mountain.
    We had a few equipment shortcomings, so there was room for improvising. I couldn’t find my ski goggles — so, maybe swim goggles would work instead? No wool socks for Paddy — so I donated a pair of mine. Paddy would leave behind his ski’s – to rent those new-fangled itsy bitsy curvy ones, and I remained steadfastly attached to my long, wide straight boards and 30 year old boots my feet could swim in. We were ready.

    We arrived at WhiteTail Mountain by noon, to a relatively empty ski resort. The economy was taking it’s toll – and we were about to stimulate it. I had forgotten how much work it was to drag bags of equipment, boots and my ski’s around with endless layers of clothing…and we hadn’t even begun to ski. While waiting for Paddy to rent his ski’s, I chatted with the nice man working the boot rental desk. “You know, I’ve seen 5 pair of boots this year, just break on folks — that were as old as your boots” he said to me. Suddenly, I felt like an old-timer. “Thanks for the input – I’ve had these for 30 years, so far so good” I replied, and he grinned at me as if to say “you’ll be back”.

    After working up a sweat putting on all of the clothing and equipment…we were ready to tackle the bunny slope. Would we even remember how to ski after a 10 year ski sabbatical?

    You betcha! After 2 quick runs on the bunny babe slopes…we were ready to move up to the blue. As we raced downhill to the ski lift…I suddenly felt a blast of cold air in my ski boot. Maybe it came unbuckled? I looked down, and sure enough…the plastic had cracked…and my boot fell apart all over my ski’s. Just like that. By the time I ski skated over to the rental center – the other boot broke apart as well. OK OK…time to let go of my old school equipment.

    I got fitted for boots, and short (150’s) curvaceous ski’s. They sure seemed pretty tiny. I’m used to ski’s that are longer than my extended reach. Time to find out what all of the buzz was about….and we headed back to the slopes labeled with blue squares.

    Jean Claude (aka Paddy) was in his element and racing to the bottom of the mountain…while I struggled with maneuvering on these tiny ski’s with curves – as I kept crossing my tips and having to recover. The rental center insisted I would like these — but I longed for my old boards. My experiment with swim goggles (substituting for ski goggles) failed by the way. They are meant for swimming…not skiing. Let’s just skip the goggles today.
    After a few more runs in the blues — Jean Claude suggested that perhaps I had too much weight on my uphill ski. Hmmmm….ski technique. I had forgotten all about that. Oh yeah, weight on the downhill ski. Imagine that. From that point on, there was no more TIP-crossing…my confidence had returned…and I was ready for hot-doggin. Thanks Jean Claude!

    After a quick lunch break, we watched the plastic on Jean Claude’s goggles snap in 2. Again, just like that. We’re really downsizing equipment today. Now, neither of us has any goggles. Oh well.

    Time to see what the black diamond and double-blacks had to offer. We had the mountain to ourselves, and the conditions were fantastic. With our poles ready the moment we unloaded from the chair lift — we raced down the first black diamond. It was pretty tame…so we decided to try out the double-black. I’m not quite sure how they rate these trails — but I kept thinking “where is the steep part?”. Yes, skiing was like riding a bicycle…and we were having TOO much fun.

    After 20 runs in 4 hours…we decided to save some juice…and return the next day for MORE.

    DAY 2: WHITETAIL

    Didn’t even bother with lugging my old world ski’s this time…I’m all about new school now. Decided to stimulate the economy MORE…and purchased 2 pair of goggles. Our eyes would be very happy.

    Jean Claude & I both rented the shorty little ski’s…and I rented boots. We’ve got equipment now! Not sure how it was possible, but we banged out 20 runs in no-time – and ignored all of the screaming ski muscles that had atrophied for the past 10 years. The conditions were ultra-supreme, hard packed with a few inch dusting on top. We’re feeling good…and talkin’ big stuff now. Maybe a car adventure to Denver next week for some Colorado skiing. Just drop everything and go. How cool would that be. Life is short…live it up. Stay tuned!

    DAY 3: WHITETAIL

    For some reason, we couldn’t get enough skiing. After 10 years of missing ski season after ski season, we were making up for lost time. The DC area weather was about to warm up – and this might be our last opportunity for local skiing.

    By DAY 3, we had the routine down to ultra efficiency. We only lugged around our ski bags, which were now carefully packed for goggles, scarves, hats and wool socks – along with fruity snacks and sandwiches for lunch. No need to spend money on overpriced food at the ski resort. We made a beeline for the rental center, and got fitted for boots and skiis. Within 10 minutes, of rental activity – we were on the chairlift heading uphill for our first run.

    Being a Friday, the resort was far more busy than our debut earlier in the week, on Tuesday. Busloads of humans had arrived, and kids on snowboards were everywhere. Despite the larger crowds, the slopes were not overly busy, and we only had to wait a few minutes at the chairlifts. The temperatures were clearly warming, and folks we spoke to on the chairlift rides – shared thoughts about heading out west to Colorado or Utah – to extend the ski season. Maybe we’ll do the same. Time to research options.

  • Old school skiers….meets Holy Sweet Molasses!

    Stuck on land for 2 months, and away from Cat Maudy during a cold Maryland winter, we were itching for an adventure. It was close to 10 years since we last hopped onto our ski’s, so when we decided Tuesday morning that it was “time” to revisit skiing – we grabbed all of our OLD SCHOOL equipment and headed for the nearest slopes at WhiteTail Mountain. We had a few equipment shortcomings, so there was room for improvising. I couldn’t find my ski goggles — so, maybe swim goggles would work instead? No wool socks for Paddy — so I donated a pair of mine. Paddy would leave behind his ski’s – to rent those new-fangled itsy bitsy curvy ones, and I remained steadfastly attached to my long, wide straight boards and 30 year old boots my feet could swim in. We were ready.

    We arrived at WhiteTail Mountain by noon, to a relatively empty ski resort. The economy was taking it’s toll – and we were about to stimulate it. I had forgotten how much work it was to drag bags of equipment, boots and my ski’s around with endless layers of clothing…and we hadn’t even begun to ski. While waiting for Paddy to rent his ski’s, I chatted with the nice man working the boot rental desk. “You know, I’ve seen 5 pair of boots this year, just break on folks — that were as old as your boots” he said to me. Suddenly, I felt like an old-timer. “Thanks for the input – I’ve had these for 30 years, so far so good” I replied, and he grinned at me as if to say “you’ll be back”.

    After working up a sweat putting on all of the clothing and equipment…we were ready to tackle the bunny slope. Would we even remember how to ski after a 10 year ski sabbatical?

    You betcha! After 2 quick runs on the bunny babe slopes…we were ready to move up to the blue. As we raced downhill to the ski lift…I suddenly felt a blast of cold air in my ski boot. Maybe it came unbuckled? I looked down, and sure enough…the plastic had cracked…and my boot fell apart all over my ski’s. Just like that. By the time I ski skated over to the rental center – the other boot broke apart as well. OK OK…time to let go of my old school equipment.

    I got fitted for boots, and short (150’s) curvaceous ski’s. They sure seemed pretty tiny. I’m used to ski’s that are longer than my extended reach. Time to find out what all of the buzz was about….and we headed back to the slopes labeled with blue squares.

    Jean Claude (aka Paddy) was in his element and racing to the bottom of the mountain…while I struggled with maneuvering on these tiny ski’s with curves – as I kept crossing my tips and having to recover. The rental center insisted I would like these — but I longed for my old boards. My experiment with swim goggles (substituting for ski goggles) failed by the way. They are meant for swimming…not skiing. Let’s just skip the goggles today.
    After a few more runs in the blues — Jean Claude suggested that perhaps I had too much weight on my uphill ski. Hmmmm….ski technique. I had forgotten all about that. Oh yeah, weight on the downhill ski. Imagine that. From that point on, there was no more TIP-crossing…my confidence had returned…and I was ready for hot-doggin. Thanks Jean Claude!

    After a quick lunch break, we watched the plastic on Jean Claude’s goggles snap in 2. Again, just like that. We’re really downsizing equipment today. Now, neither of us has any goggles. Oh well.
    Time to see what the black diamond and double-blacks had to offer. We had the mountain to ourselves, and the conditions were fantastic. With our poles ready the moment we unloaded from the chair lift — we raced down the first black diamond. It was pretty tame…so we decided to try out the double-black. I’m not quite sure how they rate these trails — but I kept thinking “where is the steep part?”. Yes, skiing was like riding a bicycle…and we were having TOO much fun.

    After 20 runs in 4 hours…we decided to save some juice…and return the next day for MORE.

    DAY 2: WHITETAIL

    Didn’t even bother with lugging my old world ski’s this time…I’m all about new school now. Decided to stimulate the economy MORE…and purchased 2 pair of goggles. Our eyes would be very happy.

    Jean Claude & I both rented the shorty little ski’s…and I rented boots. We’ve got equipment now! Not sure how it was possible, but we banged out 20 runs in no-time – and ignored all of the screaming ski muscles that had atrophied for the past 10 years. The conditions were ultra-supreme, hard packed with a few inch dusting on top. We’re feeling good…and talkin’ big stuff now. Maybe a car adventure to Denver next week for some Colorado skiing. Just drop everything and go. How cool would that be. Life is short…live it up. Stay tuned!

    DAY 3: WHITETAIL

    For some reason, we couldn’t get enough skiing. After 10 years of missing ski season after ski season, we were making up for lost time. The DC area weather was about to warm up – and this might be our last opportunity for local skiing.

    By DAY 3, we had the routine down to ultra efficiency. We only lugged around our ski bags, which were now carefully packed for goggles, scarves, hats and wool socks – along with fruity snacks and sandwiches for lunch. No need to spend money on overpriced food at the ski resort. We made a beeline for the rental center, and got fitted for boots and skiis. Within 10 minutes, of rental activity – we were on the chairlift heading uphill for our first run.

    Being a Friday, the resort was far more busy than our debut earlier in the week, on Tuesday. Busloads of humans had arrived, and kids on snowboards were everywhere. Despite the larger crowds, the slopes were not overly busy, and we only had to wait a few minutes at the chairlifts. The temperatures were clearly warming, and folks we spoke to on the chairlift rides – shared thoughts about heading out west to Colorado or Utah – to extend the ski season. Maybe we’ll do the same. Time to research options.

  • Not so fast Missy!

  • 6.17.02 Internacional de Arte Digital

  • 6.18.02 Arrive in Havana

  • 6.18.02 Hotel Valencia

  • 6.18.02 Tourista!

  • 6.19.02 Music bonding

  • 6.20.02 las caras de Cuba

  • 6.21.02 Classic cars

  • 06.06.1942 Letter

    6/6/42
    Dear Helen & Wilson:
    The weather up hear along the lake is very damp. When the sun does come out, its like being in the tropics. We can’t wear our summer uniforms until July 1st.

    Most of the gang that I came up with have been shipped out. Most of them went south as they were instructed to keep their summer uniforms handy. Some were shipped clean to the Air Corps in Miami. There are about 50 guys in the barracks I am in. Beds are emptied during the day by fellows being shipped out, and at night they are filled by new men coming in. They really have some system in this army. We get up every morning shortly after 5:00. Have breakfast about 5:45 to 6:15. We get our orders for the day at 7:00. But right now I don’t get the local orders as I am on the “Held for Duty” list. Headquarters is giving me a little clerical training before sending me away. At least that’s what I think.

    We’ve got all of our clothes now. We’ve been issued two suits of winter underwear, two suits of summer underwear, two winter and two summer uniforms, bedding and toilet articles including razor, shaving brush, etc.

    One morning our barracks was late in getting up and we had to perform all the duties around our section. You can imagine what that means.

    They have a nice little theatre on the grounds. 20 cents to see a picture. But, I haven’t taken in any as yet.

    This place, if I haven’t told you before, is about 14 miles from Niagara and about 35 or 40 miles from Buffalo.

    I haven’t had my shots yet, but down at headquarters today one of the fellows made arrangements and I will probably get them Monday. After I get them, I might be able to get a furlough.

    The Curtis-Wright and Bell Aircraft Factories are not far from here. I never saw as many airplanes before as I saw on the grounds outside Buffalo. They test them over the camp here and shoot at targets out on the lake. Those cannons make quite a racket when they go off. They zoom around here and make you duck sometimes. That’s all for now,

    Russell

    Fort Niagara, NY

  • 6.22.02 The Market

  • 06.28.1942 Letter

    June 28, 1942

    Dear Helen and Wilson:

    Everything is going along smoothly. My trip back was uneventful and I have shaken off the cold you mentioned.

    My shots didn’t seem to have any effect on me other than to give me a little soreness in the arm where it was injected.

    Today is Sunday, the soldier’s day of freedom in the Army. We can’t do very much around here though except to walk around and look and I’ve looked at about everything there is here.

    I’ve taken some pictures of what I’ve looked at, but I don’t have my good camera here and don’t know how they will turn out.

    Since I’ve come back we have been transferred from the barracks to the tents which are quite comfortable at this time of the year.

    There aren’t as many men around here right now as there were when I first came here. Incidentally, I will be here a month tomorrow. You know the men get two weeks furlough before they come to a camp now.

    We have a fellow in this tent is in class 1-A when it comes to snoring, and he advances to class 1-A+ after he has a few beers. He goes right up and down the scale when he snores. The first night he came in I had a job getting to sleep, but by the next night I was used to it.

    Tell Bob that he ought to see these Airacobras being tested around here. They zoom in here from out of nowhere and get out of sight fast. I think he’d get a kick out of it and you probably would too. I think that next week-end I will apply for a weekend pass and go down to Niagara Falls and spend Sunday. It’s getting sort of monotonous here since being unassigned to any division of the Army as yet, I can’t get off the Post. When I am assigned I’ll have more privileges.

    I’ve found the Post Library, the USO Club, and the theatre since I came back and usually spend my evenings at one of these places. The Library is pretty much up-to-date, having the latest books, magazines, etc.

    The theatre is air conditioned and the admission fee is 20 cents. At the USO Club you can buy sodas, sandwiches, ice cream etc, and they have a large lounge room where you can set and write letters, read, play cards, or just set.

    We’ve just put the tent flaps down for the night and although the sun is pretty high yet and it being early in the evening, it is becoming real warm in here.

    Howard’s mother-in-law and her daughter were up here last Sunday and found me watching a ball game. They were lucky to find me because we don’t stick around the tents much during the day on Sunday, and that is because some corporal or sergeant may come in and want you to do something. Nobody likes to do anything on Sunday.

    It’s getting too hot to continue writing and haven’t got much more to write about just now anyhow.

    Russell
    Fort Niagara, NY

  • 07.05.1942 Letter

    July 1942

    36 hour pass, so I saw these Saturday. Plenty of swift water.

    Niagara Falls, NY

  • 6.23.02 Food

  • 10.5.1942 Letter

    Oct 1942

    Just stopping here for a few hours and enjoying ocean breezes. Back today.

    Russell

    Atlantic City, New Jersey

  • 6.24.02 Places of Cuba

  • 10.18.1942 Letter

    Dear Helen and Wilson:

    Don’t mind my writing a typewritten letter, do you? Well that’s what you’re going to get anyway.

    I went down to Atlantic City a couple of weeks ago and I sent you a card. I hope you got it OK. I went down there at the expense of the good old U.S. Government. You see, that’s where men entering the Air Corps, like mechanics, welders, etc., go when they leave here. Of course, they go other places too.

    It’s an overnight trip from here and we traveled in day coaches on the way down. We didn’t have any diners on the train, but sandwiches were made and placed on the train somewhere along the line and that was our only meal while traveling.

    We got to Atlantic City before daybreak and the first thing I noticed there was the way the lights were blacked out. The street lights are painted black on any side that faces the ocean. Car lights are either painted black or else they drive on dim lights. They are trying out some kind of a yellow light down there too.

    The soldiers stay in hotels along the boardwalk and the curtains in the windows of these hotels are regular blackout curtains. It really doesn’t look much like a city at night. The main thing that I wanted to see while I was there, outside of the ocean itself, was the boardwalk, and that was about the first thing that we marched down after we got there.

    We didn’t get much sleep on the way down because sleeping in seats no matter how well they fix them up is not very comfortable. The way they work that is to take the back off one of two seats that are facing each other place it between the seats, tighten it up, and then you have a place to stretch out anyway.

    We had our breakfast in the hotel dining room which is not fixed up Army style. They have long tables in rows with an aisle in between and you go down and pick out your place. But before you have done this you have picked up your cereal, milk, (2 half-pints), toast, butter and some other stuff that you’d get for breakfast and take it with you on your tray. We had dinner in this same hotel (The Ambassador) and it was chicken. So they get fed real well down there also.

    We left in the afternoon and came up to Phila. and left there about 8:30PM and had Pullmans for our return trip to Buffalo. The railroads were so short of cars for their regular passenger travel that they put on some old cars that had been fitted up with park-like benches with two old oil lamps for each car and no heat.

    We are supposed to be working this Sunday morning but our work isn’t coming in like it should, so I’m writing letters while my buddy here is tantalizing me about the nice day outside, an automobile, gasoline, tires, a ride etc.

    Outside of the movies that I’ve seen lately, like “My Sister Eileen”, “Tales of Manhattan”, “Wake Island”, “Desperate Journey”, “Holiday Inn”, etc, there’s nothing new.

    Russell
    Fort Niagara, NY

  • 11.17.1942 Letter

    Dear Willard and Grace:

    I received both the neck piece and the soap powder. I am wearing the one and washed my undies tonight with the other. Thanks.

    Yes, I saw Don and showed him about the Fort here. We took in a couple of shows together. It was really cold while he was here. I got him a phone where he could call home without having to sand in line while here. I think he sort of liked it up here, but if you haven’t already heard from him your next word from him will probably be from Alabama. He’s with a Medical Detachment.

    Well, I’ve got my Christmas furlough coming up next month from the 12 to 16. Everybody gets one, but they’re spread out from the end of November to the middle of January. So we take them when we can get them.

    I took in the picture “Forest Rangers” the other night in technicolor. I thought it was a pretty good picture. It featured Fred MacMurray, Paulette Goddard (woo-woo) and Susan Hayword (woooo).

    Well it sort of looks as though I have this addressed to Willard and Grace and will send it to Helen and Wilson and since yo live so close together now, you can pass it between you.

    Russell
    Fort Niagara, NY

  • 11.29.1942 Letter

    Moving again but waiting to start back. 1 full day of traveling to here.

    Russell
    Fort Niagara, NY

  • 1.18.1943 Letter

    Hello,
    No time
    Russell
    Fort Niagara, NY

  • 1.31.1943 Letter

    Dear Helen and Wilson:

    Guess it’s about time I utilized this writing paper to drop you a line. Right now I have a grandstand seat on a huge crap game. Sure it’s payday. Tomorrow some of the boys will be broke until payday again.

    But there isn’t very much new. You’ve probably got the same kind of weather as we have up until now. Right now the ground is covered lightly with snow and the wind is really howling outside, so maybe winter is here.

    I saw a picture today at the movies that was really something. It was called the “lifeline”. It dealt with the treatment given wounded soldiers from the battlefront to the general hospitals. In fact, the highlight of the thing showed them cutting off a leg. Gruesome!!!!

    I’ve seen quite a few movies in the last couple of weeks and among them were “Song of Russia”, “The Desert Song” and the funniest was “The Miracle of Morgan’s Creek” which starred Betty Hutton and Eddie Bracken. By all means try and see the last one if you want to see something funny. The others are good too.

    Tell Willard and Grace I’ll drop them a line in a couple of days; then you can all swap stories. With that I close.

    Russell
    Fort Niagara, NY

  • 6.25.02 Scenes from the coastline

  • 03.28.1943 Letter

    Dear Helen and Wilson:

    Got your letter OK the other day. Smitty and I got back to camp OK the other day, and this time on time.

    So Bob wants to know what A.S.N. means. Well, it’s just Army Serial Number. And ASF means Army Service Forces which formerly was SOS or Services of Supply.

    You should see our new washing machine up here. It does everything but iron the clothes. It’s all hooked up by rubber hose to the water faucets. You put your clothes in, close the hatch, pour in some soap, turn the switches, and let it go. In about 45 minutes, the clothes have been washed, rinsed and dried up enough to that you can iron them. It’s a Westinghouse.

    Our conversation sometimes centers about which is the best soap powder to use. I have reached the conclusion that Rinso makes you sneeze. What a conversation for an army camp.

    Well, this is sort of a short note, but I’m writing short ones trying to catch up.

    Russell
    Fort Niagara, NY

  • 5.27.1943 Letter

    Dear Helen and Wilson, Willard and Grace, et al:

    Where do you think I am writing this letter from. The hospital up here. And what have I got – the measles; and where did I get ’em; well, you answer that one. This is my eighth day and I haven’t been sick any of the time. Sort of an epidemic of it around here now though. They let two men go this morning and brought in 5 new cases. You just come over here and wait for the rash to disappear that’s all.

    They’ve got several cases of mumps here too. They’re all brought in from Buffalo. They’re in another room and just a door separates us. Every time the door opens, a guy with the mumps grabs a magazine and begins swatting the floor to kill all the measles germs that escape from our room. I came in here with no money at all, bet another fellow he wouldn’t get out on two different days that he said he would. Then I got in a game of blackjack and run one dollar, which I won up to 3.50. Then we started playing poker and I lost 1.50. So right now I have $2.00 to lose. Quit a gambler don’t you think. However as I look at it I’m not even playing with my own money. We have fun at it.

    All the boy’s clothes are stored in this room and yesterday I heard one of the mumps who was getting out complain that the measles had gotten at his clothes and at holes in em like moths. Pretty powerful – eh?

    I ought to be out of here in a few days now as my rash is almost gone now.

    That’s the joust of my news.
    Russell
    Fort Niagara, NY

  • 6.25.02 Artists Immortalized

  • 6.26.02 Ballast recycled

  • 07.02.1943 Letter

    Dear Helen and Wilson:

    Well, here it is July again and I’m still at the Fort. I do have a new address as you will note on the envelope. No use writing.

    I’m doing about the same kind of work as usual. However, so far it has been rather light because this organization has just been activated. I imagine it will be busy once things get under way.

    I imagine that you had temperatures in the 90s last week. We did, but it’s just right now.

    We go over to Canada quite a bit lately and the river is high (we go by ferry). In fact it is said that the river is the highest now that it has been in over 70 years. It’s good ride over for 2 bits though.

    Last Sunday we went over to take the big boat over to Toronto, but no soap. It was too crowded and they wouldn’t even sell us tickets. We may try again this Sunday weather permitting.

    We have an MP Battalion up here with a few light tanks and trucks which sort of makes this place look as though there was a war on.

    There are ten of us in this detachment and we are now quartered in a new building – new to us – There are 4 of us in our room. We just got through waxing and polishing the floor this noon. I think we should get draperies for the windows, a washing machine, refrigerator, and electric stove now to make it complete.

    There isn’t much of anything else new so I will close.

    Russell
    Fort Niagara, NY

  • 09.05.1943 Letter

    Dear Helen and Wilson:

    At least I’ve been working since I came back, but all of the guys I made friends with during the past year are moving out.

    Smitty and I spent another week-end over in Toronto together last week, but he leaves today for Sought Carolina. So you see how the army breaks you up.

    When I got back to the Post after the furlough, our $25 blitz-buggy was reported missing. You know it that flat I was telling you about and had to be left where the flat happened. Well, the other night was the first chance we had to look for it, and we found it. We inquired at the farm where it had been parked, and they said they had parked it out by their barn because they were afraid the troopers might haul it away. They said they figured it belonged to a couple of soldiers and that they’d be looking for it sometime. So we were told that we could pick it up anytime we got around to it. Now I’ll send down and get that time I need for it.

    We had a wow of a pillow fight here one night. The battle lasted for about two hours. Boy it was a three ring circus while it lasted (I had nothing to do with it — much) I got walloped with everything from a towel to a mattress – everything except the bed springs. Results: none killed, none injured, and none missing in action.

    With that I guess I’ll close.

    Russell
    Fort Niagara, NY

    P.S. I told Willard and Grace I might be in this week end (Sept 12), so may see you then.

  • 6.26.02 Parade on stilts

  • Blow adieu to 2008

    When the local weather forecast began predicting 60 mph winds for the last day of 2008, I was somewhat skeptical. The weather weasels were mostly wrong about their forecasts. Whenever the forecasts were for severe winds, we might get 15 knot wind gusts at best. Alternately, when the forecasts call for calm skies — it is THESE forecasts, that produces the weather drama – tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, high-octane winds, you name it. I’m thinking my next career will be predicting weather by suggesting the opposite of the mainstream meterologist…

    It was only a few days prior, that we decided to abandon ship for the holidays – and spend some time camped out with our daughter in Silver Spring. It didn’t take long to appreciate the surplus of land luxuries…such as TV, running water, hot water, microwave ovens, HOT food and flush toilets to name a few. After nearly 2 years living aboard Cat Maudy — some might say an extended camping trip — this was quite a treat. We were living large on land, it was 18 degrees outside – and we hoped Cat Maudy wouldn’t mind if we took a brief leave of absence.

    So, when the winds TRULY blew in the 50+mph range – we needed to check on the lines and be sure that Cat Maudy wasn’t too upset that we left her alone to weather the storm. I volunteered to make the trip to Baltimore. Of course, I had to grab a quick swim-workout FIRST at the nearby gym a few blocks from the marina. The swimming pool is enclosed in a “bubble” structure, a series of metal frames, topped off with a skin of dacron. Lap after lap, I couldn’t help but to focus on the metal frame – as it shook so violently that I thought the frame would eventually be lifted from the ground. The wind gods were not holding back, and I was seriously questioning my “need” to exercise via this bubble encased swimming pool. An hour and a half later, the swim structure managed to hold and I was buzzing with endorphins. It’s time to tackle a “line check” of Cat Maudy.
    I parked my volkswagon beetle nearest to the A dock at Anchorage Marina, and sat in the car for a few moments watching the surface of the water rip over the docks. The wind gusts shook my little beetle, and I was doubting if it was a good idea for me to attempt to run along the dock – and risk being blown into the frigid Patapsco River waters. At 112 lbs, 40mph gusts generally knock me around pretty good. Anything more that that, I am no longer in control. But the winds were gusty, so my strategy was to make all forward motion during the lulls. I opened the door of the car, and immediately any paper lying inside the car that wasn’t “locked down” went flying out the door. Within seconds, the papers (I’m guessing business papers that I needed!) ,were over a 1/4 mile away – and still traveling with the wind. I sure hope these papers weren’t too important. Oh well….nothing I could do now.
    I briskly walked toward the gated entrance to the A-dock, and stood on the LAND side for a moment. The metal platform and gate was shaking. The winds had kicked up, and I wanted to “time” the opening of the gate for when the winds dropped to under 40mph. It seemed like the winds weren’t subsiding much, so I decided to open the security gate and step toward the dock. The moment I opened the gate, the wind gods let loose. I had all I could do to avoid being swept into the Patapsco, and wrapped both my arms around the handrails, hoping that the bolts holding the ramp to the dock would hold. This is crazy. Cat Maudy is so close, maybe 75 yards, but the stretch along the dock would have nothing for me to hold onto. I waited for a few minutes – and FINALLY a brief lull. I ran, past the first three oversized powerboats, ducking behind each for a bit of reprieve against the wind. At the last large boat, I paused…waited….listened to the roar of the winds…..re-calculated…and decided that I was in a wind “lull”. I would have to run the entire stretch of dock to get to Cat Maudy and hope that the wind doesn’t kick up over 40mph until I can board our boat.
    Couldn’t help but to notice wind damage to other boats on our pier – during my olympic sprint to our side-on slip. Fenders were busted and deflated, and boats were banging up against the docks without the protection of a soft landing. Any item not lashed down on the dock, had been blown into the water, sails were unfurling, and the marina crews were busy tying down boats for owners who rarely check in on their yacht investments. Yes, I observed ALL of this during my sprint! There was a lot of action at the marina.
    Luckily, the lull lasted long enough for me to board Cat Maudy. The lines seemed to be holding, everything inside seemed good, no extra water in the bilges or engine locker….yep, everything seems good…except it’s a bit cold inside. Oh yeah, that’s because the heat isn’t on. The heat SHOULD be on. And that would be because we have no power. The power SHOULD be on. Aiii. After a quick call to Pat, we decide I need to see the crew at the marina – and try to get the power restored. This means I need to run back on the dock to shore….grab a marina guy….run back out on the dock to Cat Maudy….wait for power to be restored….and run back on the dock to return to shore. Joy. How many times will the wind gods be kind to me before they blow me overboard?

    Feeling lucky, and sprinting all out – I make it to land in one full swoop. I run into Lee at the marina and ask if the power is off on the A-dock. He says no – but he’ll walk back with me to check it out. We head back to the dock. Lee has some weight on him. I’m not sure if he noticed that during our walk along the dock…I hovered behind him….ready to grab on in case the winds pushed too hard. I kept up a vibrant conversation with him to keep him distracted from my “hovering”.

    Turned out that the wires to our dock post were fried. They needed to be replaced. A second marina guy (Nate) appeared shortly on the job – fixing the electrical problem. I sat inside the salon of Cat Maudy – shivvering, and bundled in a wool blanket…contemplating one last sprint to shore along the dock once the power got restored, listening to the halyard bang relentlessly on the mast, feel the boat vibrate when a particularly strong gust took hold….while the two marina guys were outside, braving the winds, on the edge of the dock, bare hands exposed to a wind chill factor in the teens, rewiring the electrical post. OK, I’m feeling a little guilty here.

  • 12.07.1943 Letter

    Dear Helen and Wilson:

    Yes here I am, still alive, and apparently well except for one of those grippy colds which I have just about licked.

    I was chewing my spinach very nicely in the mess hall last night when my teeth engaged a nice small stone – result a nick out of one of my back teeth. I have an appointment with the dentist to take care of it tomorrow morning.

    A couple of us went to Buffalo one night and saw the stage play “Arsenic and Old Lace”. It starred Boris Tarloff and there were only 25 murders in it, but it was funnier than blazes. Sometimes there weren’t any lights in the theatre nor on the stage, but you would hear noises, and the rest was left to your imagination. Boy it was funny.

    Our food up here hasn’t been so hot for the last month. But this past week it is showing quite a bit of improvement.

    I went to the home of one of the fellows who lives near here for Thanksgiving Dinner. It was swell too. There was plenty of turkey and all the trimmings. Rode down with a former pilot of the RAF and had quite an interesting talk. He had been shot down in the North Sea and was later rescued.

    Don’t know whether or not I will be off for Christmas or not.

    Guess that’s all.

    Russell
    Fort Niagara, NY

  • 03.20.1944 Letter

    Dear Willard and Grace:

    I am enclosing a letter to give to Mom. Thought I just as well might enclose it with yours.

    Things are not going so bad right now; all the fellows here are about like those at Ft. Niagara except that they seem much easier to become acquainted with. Probably because we’re all in the same boat. Anyway, my inquiries have brought out the fact that most of the fellows are paper workers. Spirits are high, and everybody gets a kick out of conjecturing where we will end up. However, the guy who came down with me is kind of low. He was at the Fort for three years, wife in Buffalo, and he seems to be worried. He doesn’t say much, and sort of waits for me to take the initiative even in going to the latrine.

    The eats are good and entertainment facilities are on a much larger scale than at the Ft. since this camp is a big place. We’re 26 miles from Youngstown Ohio and about 14 miles from Sharon, Pa.

    I’m in a casual company at present and as soon as I get assigned to a unit, and if I am still here long enough, it will be possible to get another pass, and I certainly will attempt to.

    By the way, I left two or three pairs of glasses in my suitcase. Will you put them in a little package and be prepared to send them to me if I write for them or get a chance to pick them up. Otherwise, if you send them now, it’s hard telling when I would get them. Same goes for writing.

    Guess that’s all now.

    Russell
    Fort Niagara, NY

  • 04.01.1944 Letter

    New York City, NY

    Dear Helen and Wilson:

    Well, I’ve finally been drafted. Yes, that’s the feeling I get now after being at Niagara so long. There’s quite a bit of confusion trying to get settled and organized, but they’ll do it eventually. I’m not doing anything at all except waiting around right now.

    Eats are fine here. The coffee especially is tops. I thought we had good mess at Niagara, but this has it beat I believe.

    Oh, I forgot to tell you where I am. Well, I can’t do it. I’m still on good ol Terra Firma of the U.S. and that’s about all I have to say about it.

    I was on K.P. at Reynolds the day before we left, but was called off right after dinner to get ready. I washed more dishes there for two meals than I have in all the rest of my life, I believe. But it wasn’t bad except that I developed dishpan hands for a short time.

    How is Mom coming along? I haven’t heard anything since I left. Let me know, will you.

    Give my address to Willard and Grace and I will write to them later. Write V-Mail when you write. As you know, it’s a lot quicker.

    That’s all I have for now.

    Russell
    New York City, NY

  • 04.15.1944 Motor Vehicle Permit (Overseas)

  • 04.20.1944 Letter

    Dear Willard, Grace and all:

    This will let you know that I have arrived here safe and well. The trip was interesting, but uneventful.

    I have seen a little of the English country-side and it was quite picturesque. It’s neatness would knock your eye out. I know you would be interested in these dinky railroads. The reminded me of those little “baby” trains around the mines thought they are quite a bit larger that those. It was better than any troop train I have ridden on in the U.S.

    Say, better not type V-Mail letters because when they are reduced that type might not be legible. I received your letter before it had been reduced, so it was OK.

    Our food is good thus far and I believe it will remain that way. More details will follow when I can get a little better situated.

    Russell

    England

  • 04.28.1944 Letter

    Dear Wilson, Helen and all:

    This letter has my latest address. I’m feeling fine and being fed better than I ever expected I would be fed over here. The eats are really good.

    Spring is coming here and trees are beginning to show the beginning of new leaves. It isn’t cold but it does drizzle occasionally. It is odd to see traffic moving on the left side of a street and I still look first to the left when I cross. Fortunately, traffic isn’t heavy. When I spend money its penny, sixpence, shilling, and pounds. It’s simple when you have to use it.

    Up to this writing, I have not received any mail over here. If there’s any coming, it should catch up to me in a week or so. I’m going to make a check on it tonight.

    I have noticed a lot of people wearing wooden soled shoes. They sound like horses. I know even with rationing they’re not that bad at home.

    Keeping my uniform clean, and keeping my supply of soap up, although I have enough for quite a while on hand, seems to be my main problem at present, also razor blades.

    Guess I’ll close for now,
    Russell

  • 05.07.1944 Letter

    Note:

    In this letter, Russell discovers that his next oldest brother (Howard, who is 10 years older than Russell) has been drafted into the war. Russell is not happy that his older brother was drafted – as Howard was in a serious accident in the late 1930’s where his arm was severely injured, and a finger had to be amputated.

    Dear Willard, Grace and All:

    I have received the letters which you sent through various methods of mailing. I might say that I have also received the letter in which you mentioned the glasses – that long one on V-Mail. I answered that and probably neglected to give you the impression that I received it OK by not mentioning the glasses. However, I mentioned something in one of my letters about not trying the V-Mail. That was just to make sure I could read them when I got them. I got that one letter before I came here – that long one. Go ahead and type them just use a good ribbon and fairly clean letters.

    Now, about the glasses. I did things in such a hurry before leaving that I did not realize how efficient I really was. I managed to carry along about everything I needed and the glasses were eventually found. So hold onto those until a later date. You can see that the answers to your latest letters — three which I just received — is a little behind, but mail is gradually beginning to catch up and as I receive yours more promptly after you begin to use this address — all the others I have received so far have been addressed to APO 7712 — you will get more up to date answers. My mail should reach you more promptly than yours reaches me when I move around and you can probably understand why that is. Let me know what kind of service you are getting on V-Mail or any Air Mail that I might happen to send.

    So they finally got Howard in. Taking him in is one of those things that gripes me. After all, you might as well take a man with one arm. Of course there are many others in the Army with similar handicaps, but the gripe I have against it is the fact that they leave so doggone many of those baseball players stay out — these guys that are physically fit to play only 150 games per year, slide all over a field on their fannies, collect anywhere from $5 to $50,000 dollars, and yet they’re not good enough for this Army. Seems to me they bend over backwards to keep them out, and I think it’s time people should do something about such things. After all, they are no better than the rest of us who have to stick our necks out. What do you think? So much for that.

    I can say something here about English money that we use. A pound is worth about 4 dollars. When I first got one in my hands it reminded me of a Mother’s Oats coupon. It’s just a little bigger than that. Then the coins are half-penny, pronounced “aypenny” which is worth about one cent; next is a penny which is worth about two cents. Then there is Threepence which is pronounced “thruppence” and is worth about 5 cents. Then there is a Sixpence which is worth about a dime. A shilling comes next and is worth about 20 cents. Then a two shilling piece. Then a Half-Crown which is worth about half a dollar. Everything is figured on a penny basis. For instance, Threepence piece is equivalent to 3 pennies. A shilling, 12 pennies. A Half-Crown is two shillings, 6 pence or equivalent to 30 pennies. 20 shillings make a pound. Just thought you might be interested in this.

    Russell

    England

  • 6.27.02 Cuba Si!

  • 05.18.1944 Letter

    Dear Helen and Wilson and all,

    I’m starting one of those letters in which I can’t think of very much to write about. I feel as well as ever, and my mail seems to be coming through in fair shape right now. It takes anywhere from ten to twelve days. I haven’t gotten enough air mail to say for sure whether it comes through faster than V-Mail. I think the Air Mail is faster personally.

    You have probably seen the letters I wrote to Willard and Grace. I meant it for all of you. I’m looking out for some souvenirs for the kids all the while. In fact, I’ve decided that I will get a set of English coins for all of them. That ought to please them. They’re really hasn’t been anything around here.

    There is no ice cream or fresh milk to be had around here, but we are able to get plenty of Coca Cola right now. It doesn’t seem quite as strong as our cokes back home do. Still it’s a coke. My main difficulty is in getting blades to fit my Gillette razor. I can get plenty of Gem blades but they won’t work. Good thing I brought a little supply with me. Another thing I’m short on is reading material. I’m not getting my Readers Digest over here and don’t know whether I will or not. If you can pick up some razor blades somewhere I would like to have some. I know they may be hard to get, but if you should manage to pick up a few (sometime, and also a few late magazines like “Liberty” or “Saturday Evening Post” I would appreciate if you would send them on to me. Even though our eats are good, I wish I had one of your good meals right now. So, if you include something I can eat and something that will keep on the way over I will certainly appreciate it. By the way, if and when you do send this stuff (if you can get it) make sure you wrap it real well.

    I haven’t heard anything as yet from either Howard or Elizabeth. I know that Howard is at Ft. Custer, Michigan.

    I have a letter from Mom dated May 2 or 4 which I haven’t answered as yet.

    I do my own laundry. I have time and it seems to come out pretty well. However, to get a uniform dry cleaned takes anywhere from 10 days to 2 weeks.

    Guess that’s about all I have for now. Write and let me know the latest dope.

    Russell

    England

  • Securite Securite Securite…

    …all stations….this is Cat Maudy with a mariner alert on Channel 16 for the Chesapeake Bay….there’s a new captain in town….OVER

    Since we wouldn’t be traveling south on Cat Maudy this winter, it was time to fill up my “free” time with Plan B activities. Captain Pat thought it might be a good idea if there were TWO captains on Cat Maudy. hmmm…maybe I could learn how to tie a knot correctly? maybe I could learn how to plot a route (without using the GPS!)? maybe I could learn how to answer my own navigation questions? maybe I could be a USCG Captain? maybe I could get a pay raise?

    Ok. maybe not the pay raise, but the COOL factor was pretty high about getting my USCG Captain’s license, so it’s time for total immersion. For the first 20 days of December, I was living and breathing Sea School study materials, including navigation aids, rules of the “waters”, emergency situations, knots, weather patterns, practice tests and plotting courses, set & drifts around Block Island Sound. It was not easy, ranks right up there with learning how to swim in 3 weeks for a triathlon. But, the material was interesting, I was learning tons, and completely captivated with new knowledge.

    So, for two FAT weekends (each weekend Fri-thru-Sun – 30 hours) I attended classroom instruction by our FAB teacher Steve – a retired ex Commander with the US Coast Guard. Sea School’s Instructor Steve interjected all sorts of interesting sea experiences, stories about his days with the Coast Guard, and he even managed to control the crazy macho fisherman in our small class of 6 students.

    12.20.08 It was finally TEST day. The day of reckoning. After 3 hours, I walked out…having PASSED my OUPV (Operator of Un-inspected Passenger Vessel 6-Pack) exam. whew! Within a few weeks, once all forms have been completed…I’ll be submitting paperwork to the USCG for my official Captain’s License. And, maybe get that pay raise too?

    Soooo, ROGER THAT Baby….OVER?

  • 05.20.1944 Letter

    Dear Howard:

    I got a letter from Mildred and Ralph this morning and your address was included in it. So here goes.

    As you already know, I am over here in “jolly old England” but I think it is anything but jolly in my estimation.

    One of my first problems after arriving here was how to use English money. I have gotten used to it by this time and this is how it works. A Pound worth about $4.00, is a note which reminds me of a Mother’s Oats coupon. Twenty Shillings make a pound. There is a Ten Shilling note which is half a pound. The rest of it consists of coins which are half crowns, which are two shillings, six pence; two shilling pieces, one shilling pieces, six pence pieces, three pence; pennies and half pennies. Curious thing about them is the pronunciation given to three pence, two pence, and half penny. They say throuppence for threepence; toppence for two pence and ‘aypenny’ for half penny. I got on a train (trolley) before I became accustomed to it when I told her where I wanted to go, she said tuppence and aypenny please. I didn’t know what she was talking about, so simply held a handful of change in front of her and told her to take her pick and I watched.

    Of course you know all of the traffic is on the left side of the street here. So you have to learn to look when crossing, just the opposite of the way you do in the states. You get on the trams and buses in the rear, and practically all of these are double Decker. Most of the trams practically never come to a complete stop when picking up or discharging passengers, everybody waiting to hop on freight-train fashion.

    As for me; well as you can see from my address that I am with the European Civil Affairs Division. You’ve probably read about it in the papers back there. I saw a picture of part of a unit in “Stars and Stripes” which was taken from New York Times. The name of the Division in itself is self-explanatory. We’re waiting for things to happen like everyone else.

    The beer is lousy and the whiskey (where you can find it) is weak. There’s not much use in drinking it. They call a beer garden a “Pub”. In most places the beer costs like hell. Why a glass that you would pay ten cents for in the states, would cost more than twice that here.

    I think the thing I miss most in the eating line is milk. This powdered stuff is only a fair substitute. But otherwise the eats are pretty good. I had steak for dinner today and it was alright. Coffee isn’t too good. I’ve been at Mildred to get me some Nescafe and she tells me that thanks to Elizabeth she has been able to get a can.

    The influence of the states on this place is quite strong. Theatres (cinemas) show practically all American films. Their popular music for dancing is practically all from ours. If the buildings were more modern here you probably wouldn’t be able to tell it from an ordinary American city.

    This fast time here doesn’t let it get dark until around 11 o’clock at night. Think of what it will be next month.

    I guess that’s about all I can say for this time. Give my regards to Elizabeth and Grant.

    Russell

    England

    P.S. What does the sun look like anymore? Is it still round?

  • 05.27.1944 Letter

    I’ll send you an Air Mail letter with my account number over my signature, and you can deposit it at Endicott Trust Co.

    I saw a funny incident down town the other night. I rounded a corner and happened to be looking out at the bus stand. There stood a woman bent over holding the baby in her arms, the baby being bent, with his pants down his legs and dress pulled up, and reminding me very much like a kinked piece of rubber hose. She was simply letting his little radiator drain right over the curb. What a laugh we got out of that. Never saw that expedient used before.

    I just this minute was handed a letter from Howard, so I’m reading it. Nothing new except he said that he had an X-ray taken of his arm. That’s a good beginning.

    Hope you get both these letters at the same time. I’m going to close and go eat supper.

    Russell

    England

  • 06.05.1944 Letter

    (the day before the invasion of Normandy – written from Winchester Cathedral)

    Dear Willard, Grace and all;

    I answered a letter I received from you around a week ago. This morning I received 3 more which you wrote at about the same time, one when you went for groceries. On reading them over, I find that that letter just about answered everything in all of them. The V-Mail was damaged in the machine and could not be photographed so it was sent as a regular letter. I don’t know where they were but don’t forget to leave off “Advance Echelon” in the address.

    I have a V-Mail here which I have written to Jack. I’ll mail it today. By the way, I know of boys who have received something like Aqua Velva etc., and if it is packed well, it will get through OK. On the mail, V-Mail is probably your best bet — most consistent — 8 or ten days. Mine is probably Air Mail.

    I’ll give you a little thumbnail story of what I did yesterday. I had an opportunity to go on a tour to a town which has quite a historic background. Where it is or its name I am not permitted to mention at this time. But some of this particular cathedral was perhaps more than a thousand years old. Construction of which may have begun somewhere around 900 A.D. You walk around inside the place and walk on top of old tombstones. The date on one being 1680. There may be some older, but I couldn’t find any older that that. They were all worn out from walking over them. But the stone work inside was beautifully carved and the Norman and Early English architecture really stand out. It is a massive building and church services are still held in it. They have some sort of preservative on the stone for protection from crumbling.

    But getting back to the mail — I like the V-Mail because I can keep a little file of it, and where the circle is I used that to note when I answer it.

    Mildred sent a package out to me so she said in the letter I got from her today.

    With that I’ll close.

    Russell

    England

    This letter was written, the day before D-Day.

  • 06.14.1944 Letter

    Dear Elizabeth:

    Well how are you and Grant doing? I suppose Mildred’s keeping you up on the latest dope about myself. I had a letter from Howard quite some time ago, and wrote him one just about the time he arrived here.

    I wrote Mildred a while back that I had seen Coventry. Did you see that letter yet. I’m telling you, it’s quite a sight. I’ve also seen a few old cathedrals. It almost gives you the creeps when you walk into one and think about the place being over a thousand years old. On top of that they used to bury the dead right in the Church. You know I think some of the homes must be that old too. I know I never saw thatched roofs until I got here. By 11:30PM it gets dark and around 5AM it gets light. I suppose it’s just vise versa in winter.

    Last night and this morning I had my first taste of “C” Rations. We were out a few miles from here and pitched our tents for overnight. Plenty of beans in them. Not bad tho. Woke us up in the AM with tear gas. You should see me get into my mask. One officer in BVDs left his mask in the truck and tore cross country in there to find the mask.

    What a sight!! What a laugh!! Now it’s your turn. Thanks for keeping personal papers.

    Russell

    England

  • 06.19.1944 Letter

    Dear Willard and Grace:

    Thanks for the razor blades. I’ve got a pretty good supply now.

    Don’t suppose you have received my mail that I wrote prior to D-Day, but I guess it is starting to go through again by now.

    I wrote a letter (V-Mail) to Jack about the 8th. It’ll probably catch him before long if he should move. He’d certainly get a kick out of things here.

    As to what I will be able to do about the address of the Guillon family, I don’t know. There is no possibility of my looking it up at the present time. It’s one of those things I’ll just have to leave to chance.

    I get a kick out of watching planes go by here. A lot of them fly plenty high — in fact, you can’t see them sometime except for a white vapor trail that they leave behind. It looks ghost like, you see the trail and can’t see what makes it. You can hear them though. Sometimes I watch a formation and they remind me of a flock of wild geese. They maneuver around in formation just the same. I suppose around big air bases at home, similar stuff happens all the time, but I never happened to see it until I came over here.

    We went out the other night after supper and took some pictures. We were walking along the road and came up to a pasture where a couple of horses were grazing. We enticed them over to the fence with fresh grass and they were pretty tame, so we patted them and had our pictures taken with them. Hope they came out as it was getting rather dark.

    What did you think of the invasion news? You probably get it for breakfast, dinner and supper.

    We’ve been having some nice weather around here lately. I’m glad of that because we were out on a bivouac and I don’t like it to rain on those things. We walked back the next day and that helps to keep you in shape.

    Last night I took in a doggone good show. It starred Margaret O’Brien who it seems is turning out to be another Shirley Temple type of actress. She’s only around six and very good. The name of the show was “Lost Angel”. Maybe you’ve seen it.

    Guess that’s all that’s on the fire for now.

    Russell

    England

  • 06.28.1944 Letter

    Dear Willard and Grace:

    Just a few lines for this time as I noticed a couple of clippings in the paper and am enclosing them.

    Apparently some of my mail hasn’t gotten through. I had a letter from Mildred dated the 14th, but some of mine must be held up somewhere as I haven’t seen any other for about a week now.

    By the way, I am now billeted in a private – an other fellow and myself. It’s a pretty nice home too. They have fireplaces in every room. All the windows in the house have some sort of design painted on them. I used to think the glass was cut fancy, but the illusion came from seeing these designs. The couple keep the place as neat as a pin too. But we still sleep on army cots. To be able to wash and clean up in a bathroom is the least I ever expected to do over here outside of a hotel.

    If you may have been thinking about the flying bombs, I just like to say that the only place I’ve seen them has been in the movies.

    Russell

    England

  • 07.04.1944 Letter

    Dear Willard and Grace;

    I’m C Q this noon so thought I’d take time out and drop you a short one. Don’t believe that I have written you since I have been billeted in a private home over here — or have I? Well, anyway, I am, and it is quite a nice experience. The people really treat us very well. Sunday, for instance, the fellow who shares this room with me (a G.I.) thought we’d sleep in for a change. Along about nine o’clock I guess the people thought we had slept long enough. So a know came on the door calling us at the same time. Then what do you think happened. In comes a tray with coffee and graham crackers — so we had our breakfast in our bedroom. Do you think stuff like that will give me bad habits? Maybe!!!!

    I am beginning to receive the Endicott Daily Bulletin again now. The company has apparently taken care of that. The only trouble is that I don’t get consecutive issues. For instance I have gotten the last issues first and vice versa. Not it is kind of hard to keep up with the “Phantom” and “King of the Royal Mounted” as I think I’ll cut the funnies out and get them in order and read them. Of course I look at the rest of the paper too.

    My stock of razor blades is pretty good now. That was a good idea of yours. If you can lay your hands on any Sat. Evening Post or Collier’s send them on to me. It’s even good to just look at the ads. Mildred sent a package to me over a month ago, but haven’t received it yet. I’m beginning to think I won’t get it now. In fact, it will soon be two months.

    Russell

    England

  • 07.06.1944 Letter

    Dear Helen and Wilson:

    I received a package from you this morning in good condition. You’ve certainly covered my needs for the present. I never expected to get Gillette Blue Blades though. How did you mange to get these? I was pleased with everything and can get caught up on some reading too.

    I’m billeted in a private home over here and it’s quite nice. Makes one almost feel as if here were a civilian again. Of course, I sleep on an army cot, but it seems nice to use a private bathroom again. Over here, in most places the toilet is in a separate room from the bathtub and wash basin. In some ways, that has it’s advantages. They are separate little rooms and one using one doesn’t have to bother the other. But the toilets still seem old fashioned to me — you know the basin way up on the wall above your head making it necessary to pull a chain to flush it. However it is clean as a pin – I mean the whole house. I took a picture of the place the other day. There is a fireplace in each room as in practically all of the buildings over here. Has centralized heating system. Seems to me that they would waste a lot of coal, but you can’t argue with them on this point. I know one of them said to me that central heating was alright, but the sight of an open fire was nice to sit by and watch at night. So I thought if he feels that way about it that’s his business. But I can’t imagine most women in American homes attending 6 or eight fires in one house. Can you? I know you’d agree.

    Anyway, last Sunday, we (there’s another G.I. sleeping in the room with me) decided to sleep in for a change, as I was on duty the previous Sunday anyway. About nine o’clock comes a knock on the door. On answering, the woman hands in a tray with hot coffee and graham crackers. I know the dishes would have interested you because I have never seen anything like them before. The cups were about half as big as our regular cups, the top edges being edged with a little silver all the way around and also down the edge of the handle. The combination of saucer and plate attached reminded me of an hour glass in shape with the place where they were joined 2 to 5 inches across. The saucer under the cup was probably 4 inches across and the little plate possibly 5 or 6. Maybe you can picture this and maybe you can’t. Anyway the stuff tasted good.

    Last Sunday I took a ride with a couple of other fellows here out to a canal just to see if any boats would go by. One did just as we got there and she was flying our flag too. We recognized the ship and the crew recognized us of course as we were the only three G.I.s around there. Made me wish I was in the navy as if I hadn’t wished it before.

    Russell

    England

  • 07.18.1944 Letter

    Dear Howard:

    Well, since I last wrote to you, I’ve had a considerable change in my way of living in that I have since been billeted in a couple of English homes, and I must say that the people really treat us swell. The people I am with now are just the average over here, but here’s what they do for us. They call us every morning just about 6:45 and always bring up a cup of hot coffee for each of us. They welcome us practically as one of the family and really want us to feel that way. Last nite for instance I did a little washing which consisted of my underwear, and field jacket. All I asked for was a place to hang up the stuff to dry. She actually felt put out to think that she shouldn’t be doing it for me. So she took particular pains to see that the stuff got dry and then ironed everything including a pair of socks. The field jacket came out very clean and I would have been satisfied with it when it was dry, but no, she had to iron that too, and took a lot of pains with it too because frankly, I believe it looks better now than when it was new.

    I know that they are rationed pretty strict over here, but no matter what it is, practically all will offer you something and will insist on your taking it, and I’m telling you, you sometimes have a hell of a time turning them down, because they do actually appear to be hurt when you refuse.

    You’ve probably heard something about the English beer. Well, I know when I first started of it, I didn’t think it was so hot, but I find that by shopping around, you can find some that will suit your taste. Maybe it isn’t quite as good as the beer at home, but one gets used to it. I’ve found that some lagers or ales, though not served cold except at a few choice places, are almost on par with some of the beer back home.

    And the majority of the people are as friendly as can be found anywhere. They like to talk and ask questions about the states which is only natural and they are getting an impression of us that they don’t get in the movies, which is the way they thought we all were at one time. Its really quite an experience and I don’t believe that I would miss any of it up to now.

    By the way, I might mention that I have your letter of June 17, but it took quite a while to come. Why don’t you use V-Mail? Much more consistent.

    Guess I will close for now. Regards to Elizabeth and Grant.

    Russell

    England

  • 07.23.1944 Letter

    Dear Willard and Grace;

    Thought I’d take a break and drop you a line as I believe I’m probably a little behind in writing to you. I’ve been pretty busy and just haven’t taken much time to write any detailed letters lately. Anyway, I may have thanked Helen and Wilson for the goodies in the package and not have thanked you. So I do now. It was really a very good package.

    I’m still billeted in a home but not the same as I was a couple of weeks ago. That is, the place isn’t quite as nice. But the people are really very nice to us. The other day, I washed out my field jacket and just asked the lady of the house if she wouldn’t hang it out on the line the next day to dry out. She not only did that, but she ironed it as well. The thing actually looks like new and I almost hate to get it dirty again. She did the same with some underwear I washed.

    Hear that the weather has been quite warm around your neighborhood — 90 or so. Seal a little of it up in a letter and send it over to me. Incidentally, I think I left my suitcase at Wilson’s and in it are a few pictures, i.e. in the album (loose). If they are still around, pick out a few scenes and put a couple in a letter and send them to me. These people are always interested in seeing pictures of things back there. I didn’t bring any with me at all.

    Tomorrow is Sunday and of course I’m on duty again. Don’t get much time off at all. Maybe can bang out a couple more letters then.

    Russell

    England

  • 07.24.1944 Letter

    International Business Machines Corporation
    590 Madison Avenue
    New York 22, NY

    Office of the President

    Corp. Russell F Wadsworth
    G-2 European Civil Affairs Div.
    APO 658, c/o Postmaster
    New York, NY

    Dear Corporal Wadsworth:

    I have been keeping in as close touch as possible with the movements of the IBM men and women in the Armed Forces and have enjoyed receiving letters from all parts of the world.

    I want you to know that I personally appreciate the part that you are playing in the Victory program and I take great pride in all of your activities.

    You will be interested to know that IBM has taken the responsibility to manufacture over thirty different major munitions products and our manufacturing organizations have been able to meet every delivery date. In addition, we have undertaken more than sixty important engineering projects for the War and Navy Departments.

    At the present time, over 4600 members of the IBM are in the different branches of the Armed Forces of the United States and you have already been advised through “Business Machines” that there will be a job for you in the IBM when you return.

    I want you to know that all of the IBM people on the Home Front join with me in appreciation of what you are doing for our country.

    Whenever you have time, I shall be glad to hear from you. Mrs. Watson joins me in best wishes and kindest personal regards.

    Sincerely yours,
    Thomas Watson
    President

  • 07.27.1944 Letter

    Dear Willard and Grace;

    Have received your letter of the 25th OK and was certainly surprised to know that you have not received any mail from me dated after May the 7th. I certainly can’t figure that one out. I would say that you should have around a half dozen since then. This is the second one this week. And I am receiving the blades. I also got the Guillon address before and mentioned it. I mentioned also that I wrote to Jack. Oh, I guess I replied to everything even what to do with the money from the typewriter. Maybe they’ll catch up all at once.

    Send me the hand cream, shave cream, candy and a few blades. My stock is pretty good right now what with receipt of the package from Helen and Wilson. By the way I mentioned that it was mailed 6 June 44. That’s considered good time. Everything in good condition.

    I sent yo a letter (typed) earlier in the week giving latest details. Let’s see if we can’t establish contact again.

    Russell

    France

  • 07.28.1944 Letter

    Dear Willard and Grace:

    Just received your letters in the mail this afternoon and since I just wrote to you yesterday or the day before, thought I’d clear up some little points. First, I’m glad to hear that you are now hearing from me again as I cannot understand the reason for the delay on those other letters.

    As I mentioned before, I did get the package O.K. and have enjoyed everything in it. Ordinarily it takes just about a month for a package to come and that didn’t spoil the fruit cake or anything else in the least. However, I wouldn’t want the same stuff to come to me in the length of time that it took Mildred’s package to reach me. Her second one came just after the first one.

    As for the stuff you have on hand, send it to me a little later on. For instance, you might wait until you can pick up a couple of rolls of film, which incidentally are size 828. Hamlin’s in Binghamton was the best place for me to pick up some and they cost about 26 cents a roll. I’ll tell you, in the last package from Mildred, she sent me a bottle of Aqua Velva, which fortunately did not break and will probably take the place of the hand cream. You can send the shaving cream, gum and stuff after you pickup a couple of films. As I say, I have film on hand and there’s not too much of a hurry. Will be glad to pay you for the film. I also requested you to enclose a couple of pictures in my other letters. Don’t be afraid to snoop through my album. It won’t bite. It’s in (or was) in my suitcase.

    Russell

    France

  • 08.08.1944 Letter

    Dear Willard and Grace;

    Received your letter of the 25th today and therefore answering it right off the bat while I have a spare moment today. Just take a note of my address and leave off “FWD EOH” in the future.

    Thanks for your efforts in trying to get those magazines. If I don’t them, I don’t get them, that’s all. The Readers Digest is coming through, but I don’t know who is responsible for that as I had a letter from them saying that it had expired and was about to renew the subscription.

    Well it is now Saturday August, 12, and as you can readily see, I didn’t finish this letter when I started it. I have received your letters telling me that a package is on the way. Also appreciate same. While on the subject of packages, keep trying to find 828 film in black and white as that is what I want about as badly as anything. I have only one roll of it left, the rest all being colored film and I don’t want to use this until or when the weather is just right “sunshine” and when I have the time. I have four rolls of colored film on hand. Also Nescafe is welcome. By the way, I sent some money to Mildred to be used for this purpose and you won’t have to spend your own money on it. So don’t be afraid to give her the “touch”.

    Last night I took the boy at the house downtown to the movies. We went to the news theatre; but there wasn’t much in the way of news there as most of the program was taken up with 5 Disney comics which was just about as good for me anyway. At least four of them I hadn’t seen before. The kid is about 15, and on the way back by bus, he was telling me what happened at such and such a place prior to the blitz.

    I haven’t been doing anything exciting though. I may have mentioned in a previous letter that the sun has shown more in the past two weeks than it has in all the time I’ve been over here. I received the letter from Jack; also have one from Helen which I can hardly read. I’ll have to suggest to her to use darker ink or else write with a paintbrush — or crayon. Got a clipping from Mildred stating that Joe Dickson was wounded in France. I know he was with the 4th Division as she sent me his address quite a while ago. Hope he comes along alright. It was probably quite an experience for him as he was flown all the way back I understand. Haven’t heard from Bertha Miles in a long time now. Guess I’ll have to send them a pen and some paper in my next letter to them.

    That’s about all I have time for at present, so will close.

    P.S. Leave off “FWD EOH” when addressing me.

    Russell