Crossing the USA

[pjay9]

Time is approaching fast as we are getting ready to shove off on the 20th for a cross country trip with the only destination on the first leg set on an arrival time. We need to be in Fairfax, VA for my HS reunion on 2 Oct 2009. We will be using I-80 for most of that crossing with stops to see some friends in Columbus, OH and Carmel, IN then dropping down to Fairfax. After the reunion we are spending a few days visiting the DC sites. Then we will head to NJ to visit some more folks and then head south thru MD VA shore and into NC and SC before heading to TN. After that it is head west going to TX and along the coast and to the Space Center and the Alamo then up to NM and AZ and onto LA, CA actually Rancho Palos Verdes above San Pedro for THX- giving with my Dad. Then back to Tacoma the first week of Dec. This is going to be a grand trip.

I do hope that we are able to cross paths with some fellow AABer's along the way. Also open to any suggestions on what to see and do. Hope to post a trip report as we progress. I am really looking forward to this adventure. Not taking the boat on this one...different sorta trip. But will be scouting places for future trips with the boat. Would really like if only for a few hours to meet some of you...let me know if I am close while I am traveling. Warm regards to all, Capt PJ

[welder]

Let me know when and where you are in Texas , we might be able to meet up if things work out right . I am in North Texas about 60 miles north of DFW.

Have a safe trip and if ya get stuck some where give a shout, we have boating friends EVERYWHERE

My cell 903-209-8388 [ AT&T ]

[IN2DEEP]

That sounds like a fun trip!
Hoping for good weather for you
Taking the diesel camper?

I'm over in Torrance, CA., just above Rancho Palos Verdes.
Weather permitting, if you want, we can go fishing on the days following Thanksgiving (Fri, Sat, Sun)
If interested, PM me and I'll give you my phone #

Have a safe trip and if possible, post some pictures from the road

Scott

[pjay9]

Thx for the replies and invites! I will post a traveling log with pics...hope to spot some places to go with boats for another trip. As I get thru the trip I'll be in touch. On my camper forum, I have a fishing offer when I get to VA as well. I think this is going to be fun getting to meet folks face to face, even just for a cup or beer. THX again. Capt PJ

[JETTYWOLF]

Well, I'd take ya fishing, but looks like your avoiding the "sunshine state" ....not dippin far enough south.

Again, us Floridian alloy'ists will have to go it alone, :roll:

If your retired military we have a RV park on Mayport Naval Station, that looks over the St. Johns River south jetty.
Lot's of my retired card holders stay there. I think it's real cheap. That's why.

[pjay9]

We haven't ruled out FL, it will be a time issue and the must do areas. We were down to KWest last year before I was an member or even a AAB owner. The trip planner has a dip to FL as an alternate. I'd really enjoy going fishing. Thx for the invite! I have the last cruise today. I have a boat load of So Cal Trojans on board and I am an alumni too so it should be fun. Then home to get things loaded and rolling on Sunday morning...here we go! I'll be doing some posting as I travel. Warm regards, Capt PJ

[mojomizer]

You think that MDR would allow some lobsters to be boiled up??????? Maybe a little get together Southern Cal Style??????? Winterfest??????



Mark
2325 Wa Pacificskiff

[pjay9]

The trip has been such a success so far and the reunion was a grand adventure for sure. Meeting folks I had not seen in 45 years…what an after the fact emotional experience. I can thank my lucky stars that I have my health and look better than most. It was great to see some old fellows and find out what they did. Our class was heavily impacted by VN and many were lost during that conflict.
Some of us survivors were very grateful…one follow had a draft lottery number of 23 he joined the Navy Four of us went in the AF…from fighter pilots to logisticians and freight handlers…seeing old flames was cool as well…one looked really good and the others are now just acquaintances.

Now for some pic of the travels…I stopped in Omaha to see the two largest locomotives and visit some train museums. These locos are huge, imagine two of what you see today welded together for the diesel and the steam is just plain BIG…I am old enuf to remember steam and this is truly impressive. Also stopped at the Strasburg RR in PA, before dropping into VA and the reunion. If any of you get a chance to see these places, GO!

Stopping at INDY Speedway was a treat as well...nice displays and a great day to do a tour. This place is very different than Daytona with 30* banks...Indy is only 9*. How about this Cummins!!
Waiting to go racing!

We are in DC and going to take some tours to see the Mons ans museums...Hope you all are enjoying my posts. Capt PJ

[welder]

PJ, keep the posts coming.

[pjay9]

I have tried to post twice now and it is not going thru...any ideas? Capt PJ

[welder]

PJ, that post came through.

If your using a strange PC with a Different Browser it can mess ya up sometimes . AAB really likes Fire Fox.

[pjay9]

I went to the Air Force museum in Dayton OH at Wright Patt AFB. It is a great place. My Dad was in B26's as a Bombardier. He is still with us and I'll be with him at thanksgiving in L.A.
The museum has a memorial garden and excellent and moving displays.
the F4 was during my time as a VN Era vet.

If you get an opportunity to go...DO SO!! Capt PJ

[welder]

PJ, those are some GREAT pictures.

If you come back on I 10 through Pensacola FL. you should hit the Air Museum there at the Base .

[Daddy'O]

I'll second Welder's statement - the Naval Air museum is incredible.

Have a save trip,
Wayne

[pjay9]

I went to Pensacola last year before I became a member here when I did an 11 week road trip before my sailing season started in May. Left Tacoma in late Mar and was back early May....yes it is a really super Air Museum as well...Ditto above! Glad you are enjoying my posts. THX! Capt PJ

[CanCanCase]

Anyone on the left coast driving 101 through Southern Oregon will pass by my home 3 blocks away... swing by the boat harbor in Old Town Bandon to get a very scenic view of... well... my boat! (It's on the outer finger next to the ugly pink sailboat.) The CanCan seems lonely now that she's the only respectable metal boat on the dock (at least short of tinny skiff row)...

(907) 789-FISH is a great AT&T cell to call if you're in the area. If the weather is good, I'm ready to fish year-round, and if the weather is bad, the on-board percolater makes a great cup of coffee...!

-Case

[pjay9]

Went to the Inner Harbor in Baltimore and visited the ships. The Civil War USS Constellation and the US SUB Torsk. Saw this old ship while making mt way to the harbor across the back streets as I couldn't go thru the tunnels with propane tanks.

USCG Taney

Had a good time! Capt PJ

[pjay9]

Went to the NJ shore to see the boats and Atlantic...no aluminum in sight! Looks like a nice Chris craft Sea Skiff.

[pjay9]

Some small boat harbors on Barnegat Bay NJ
Back of homes along the Bay

Having a grand time! Capt PJ

[jrbaldwin]

The John W. Brown, the old ship you saw in Baltimore is one of 2 remaining WW II Liberty Ships. The other is the Jeremiah O'Brien moored at Pier 45, Fisherman's Wharf, San Francisco.

Jim

[pjay9]

Jim, Isn't there one in San Pedro, CA that has been used in many films? Thx for the info...I'll have to keep my eye open when I get close to SF next time! BTW, your profile pic is amazing, did she rise or was she awash? Did the containers survive? Capt PJ

[pjay9]

How about that for a model? In NJ We stopped to visit with my Dad's boyhood pal in Lakewood. He is a model builder and has an old Model T that he just repaced the starter in. Also a pilot and ham radio operator...such a fellow! It was fun to visit and I heard some good stories about my Dad!
More models:

He had to build an RC plane also being a pilot.

[pjay9]

Visited Cape May lighthouse

[pjay9]

More lighthouses along our journey, near Point Pleasant Beach

And thinking of us all who go down to the sea!

Not an ALLOY in sight!

[pjay9]

Took the Cape May to Lewes,DE ferry so we could head along the shore and onto the Chesapeake Bay Bridge.

It was a good crossing. Breakwater at Lewes. Pilot boats on the DE side at Lewes.
Hooray! ALLOY!!!!Check the teeth and the rub rail system...I am going to do that to my boat...no more fenders to mess with at the ramps. Yes will carry them for rafting and other such times.
Hope you are enjoying my adventure. Capt PJ