Saturday, January 29. 2010.
I had an interesting day today. My daughter Joan took me shopping, and then her husband, Manny, met us for a nice lunch at my favorite restaurant - “Fresh Choice”, here in Fairfield. During our luncheon conversation Joan talked about the Wolf Moon tonight. She asked me if I had ever heard of it, and I said “No”. So, I “Googled” it. Here is what I found:
Tonight, the heavens showed off the first, and biggest, full moon of 2010. I am disappointed that we are socked in, with drizzling sky. I looked out my front window, but overcast. I did the next best thing, though. I saw the nearly full moon last evening. Oh, to have a helicopter. and be able to climb above the soup. Probably would break out of the fog/clouds at 1500 feet, and be overwhelmed by the beautiful sight!
The early Native Americans associated this occasion to hungry wolves howling at the full moon on a cold winter night. Red-looking Mars, is sitting just to the left of the moon. The moons seems bigger than usual because the moon travels in an elliptical orbit, with one side of the orbit closer to earth than the other side.
I enjoyed eating dinner with Marie tonight at Laurel Creek. She seemed to enjoy her dinner partner, too. Whenever you are feeling sorry for yourself, I suggest that you visit a skilled nursing facility. You will have a different perspective of your lot in life - “There, but for the grace of God, go I”.
This evening I am listening to “Old Favorites” music on TV, while reading the “Time” magazine, which came in today’s mail. I was really impressed with Nancy Gibb’s essay on the last page (56). I suggest that all of you read it - especially, you Boomers. If you don’t have a copy of the February 8th issue, it is well worth a trip, to read it at your local library. You will be glad that you did. You will never look at a birthday the same way, again.
Nancy mentioned inviting her playground friends to her birthday party, six months afterwards. The kicker is that she failed to tell her mother. That episode reminded me of a similar occasion in my young life. My Mother had just returned home from the hospital - after the birth of my youngest brother, Jack. (he was nine years and eight months younger). He was very red. I invited my whole fifth grade class to come home with me after school to see my “Indian” brother. When we all walked into the house - at 59 South Norwood Avenue in Hillsdale, Michigan - I could see, by the look on my Mother’s face, that it wasn’t the smartest thing that I ever did!
Ray L’Amoreaux
January 29, 2010.
Friday, January 29, 2010
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
SANTA ROSA
SANTA ROSA
Anne asked me if I would like to ride over to Santa Rosa with her on Saturday. This was an offer that I couldn’t refuse. Not only would I be able to spend the day with my oldest daughter, but I would be viewing the beautiful scenery in the Napa and Sonoma Valleys! While I don’t dwell on it, I do reflect on the fact that I have the same wanderlust that was in my Mother’s genes. I, too, like to have new experiences. After my Dad died in 1963, my Mom would dress in the morning, as if she were going out. Usually, she had no such plans. But, her younger friends were aware of how she liked to “Go” - whether it be shopping at the Mall or grocery store; a movie; or playing cards - it didn’t matter (she didn’t drive). It didn’t make any difference to her where they were going. They would give her a phone call, at the last minute, knowing that they wouldn’t have to wait for her to get ready. She would stand at the front door waiting for her ride.
Anne had to take her Lexus over to the Dealer, for it’s 120.000 mile “check“. She picked me up at Quail Creek at 8:45. She drove South on I-80 to Jamison Canyon (#12), and then West over to Highway 29/12. Then, North on that, to Carneros Highway, where we headed West once again. Some fields in low-level areas were flooded from the recent rainy week. It looked like “wetlands” .
We passed the Napa Valley Wine Train on it’s early morning run, chugging along about 5mph, North up the Valley. This is a three hour round trip. The fare depends on your choice of lunch - $49.50 in the Silverado Lunch Car (not air conditioned in the summer); $94.00 for the Gourmet Express Lunch; and $124.00 for the Vista Dome Car Lunch. Separate kitchen cars serve each of these cars’ menus. Anne mentioned that the Napa Valley tourist revenues are only second to those of Disneyland!
West on the back road #116) to Petaluma, and then on to Santa Rosa. Petaluma is a very picturesque city. We passed a lot of grazing cattle - a great pastoral scene. Of course, the Clover Dairy was nearby. It seemed too early for the yellow mustard seed, but there it was - a spectacular sight. The yellow plants “are used as a cover crop in vineyards to reduce erosion, and add nitrogen to the soil. The plants also provide “firm footing during wet weather“, to provide access to the vineyard during the winter months.
We arrived at the Freeman Lexus Agency about 10:00 - her scheduled appointment time. While she was checking in with the Service Manager, I helped myself to a warm peanut butter cookie, (there was a jar of dog biscuits nearby!), and a hot cocoa. It really hit the spot on this rainy Saturday. The unique machine, dispensed coffee (after grinding the Starbucks beans); de-cafe -( or half coffee and half de café); or cocoa! The dispenser was a beauty, as one would expect from Lexus. Being a native from the mid-west, I have always used the word “Cadillac” as a standard measure of “Quality”. Today, it is “Lexus”.
Still waiting for Anne to finish with the Service Manager, I went over to the display case. The agency building is new and a very nice facility. Not only did the architect do a great job designing it, but it was quality materials and workmanship! I was impressed with the large-white imported -tile squares for flooring! I picked up a Lexus brochure and was studying the picture of the red convertible. Magically, a Salesman came up and asked me how I liked it. (silly question). I said, “How much?”. He said , “About $40,000. I have one in stock, would you like to see it?”. I declined. I didn’t want him to see an older man drool on his spotless white tiling. I was surprised by the low price. I thought that it would be at least $60,000. Then, I bored him by telling him about my convertible. I told him that I had bought a brand new -1941 Chevrolet Convertible - black top, red leather seats, white side walls and fender skirts - top of the line - $995! He didn’t comment, as Anne approached. Later on, I did the arithmetic. In 1940, I was earning 50 cents an hour. So, it took a years’ worth of my earnings to pay for that car. Today, many people could buy that red Lexus convertible for a much smaller fraction of their annual earnings, than my deal. Another way of looking at it. The Lexus convertible costs 40 tome as much as my convertible. Yet, 40 times my 50 cents an hour is $20. I am sure most people earn more than this today. (At least those who still have a job!) So, what about the good old days?
A Lexus “Loaner” was waiting for us outside. I was impressed! It was a beauty - Black exterior with black leather- interior trim. It had 4550 miles on the odometer, and a new model had a sticker price of about $30,000.The lady that had Anne fill out the “loaner” paperwork, checked her out, briefly, on operating the car. She told Anne “To start it you put your foot on the brake, and push the button.” (I don’t know if I could adjust to no key!) She didn’t tell Anne how to shut off the engine, so I asked her. She said, “Push the button.” What she didn’t say was how you check the fuel gage, when refueling before bringing the car back, without turning on the engine??
I was amazed by the 180 degree view behind you, on the GPS screen on the dash, when backing up! Of course the GPS system is amazing, too.
We are back on #29, heading north to Yountville for lunch. Anne pointed out a flock of herons, wading in the “wetland” caused by a lot of rain during the past week. We pass the “Red Hen” which used to be a furniture store, then antique sections on consignment. (Anne had a spot in there for a while). There was also a great restaurant next door. Marie and I enjoyed spending many hours at both places. Sometimes, I thought that it was our recreation. Anne said that the facility was up for sale. That figures, I guess. A sign of the crummy times.
We are approaching Yountville, where we will have lunch. The California Veterans’ Home is located here. It is a huge facility, and a great landmark. I have seen a lot of the veterans in town during the years,. Anne told of talking to a guy with a motorized scooter - most likely a veteran. She asked him how fast that thing would go? He told her, “Not fast enough!”.
Anne mentioned Thomas Keller, who owns The French Laundry restaurant here in Yountville. It opened in the summer of 1994 This is a special restaurant, because of it’s high quality reputation. The French Laundry has received many dining awards. Reservations are required - no “walk-ins”. Then, you can be on the “wait” list for two months, even though the meals costs $250 for a nine course lunch or dinner. But, this is a bargain, because it includes the gratuity! While I have never eaten here, Marie and I did peek in the window once.
Keller opened another French restaurant down Washington Street from the French Laundry - “Bouchon“, in 1998. They opened a bakery next door a few years later. Next, came their ad hoc Restaurant, again, on Washington Street. The restaurant serves just one fare per evening - family style. A four course dinner costs around $50.
Anne treated me to lunch at the the Bottega restaurant in Yountville. It is at the North end of the Vintage 1870 shopping complex (V Marketplace)- near the closed stand-alone Compadre restaurant. (Anne said that the Compadre was closed. Marie and I have eaten there a few times. The Compadre specialized in Mexican food, and the quality was very good.)
Anne and I had a bowl of minestrone soup at Bottegas, and it was very good. You can’t beat soup on a cold -rainy day like this. I judge a restaurant by whether it has tablecloths and cloth napkins. The Bottega has both. The tablecloth was so clean that they served the French bread right on the tablecloth. Of course, the celebrity chef, Michael Chiarello, who owns Bottega's, is also a big boost! When we left the restaurant, it was pouring rain. Anne brought her umbrella from the car, but I left mine there, as it wasn’t raining when we got out of the car. It was raining so hard I felt that it had to be a shower (or cloudburst). I suggested that we wait outside, in the covered dining area, until the cloud passed. Which we did.
As we were backing out of the parking lot, a wheeled “Cable Car” passed by in front of us. Anne said that the city of Yountville purchased the car from Napa. The service runs along Washington Street in Yountville, and across the #29 highway to the Veterans’ home.
Anne drove on a street parallel to the highway. I have lived in the area for over 50 years and I had never been on it. It was very picturesque, with some very nice homes along the way. I asked Anne the name of the road, and I was surprised when she said “Yount Mill Road”. I was impressed,
until she admitted that she peeked at the GPS screen.
Anne cut back on 29, heading North. We spotted the Wine Train heading South on it’s return trip to Napa. At the Oakville Grocery (it has been there for as long as I can remember), she turned right on to Oakville Cross Road, and headed East over to Silverado Trail. On the way, Anne pointed out the Plump Jack Winery on the left. She also said the San Francisco’s Mayor Newsome had a vested interest in the winery. It is fronted - at roadside - by a wall of beautiful Rutherford rock.
Anne took a right on to Silverado Trail - a beautiful stretch of highway. Observing this magnificent scenery of rolling green hills, and vineyards on both sides of the road, is well worth the trip to the Napa Valley just to observe it. In the distance, Anne spotted what looked like smoke. We thought it might be an illegal burn, but then, we saw another similar sight a little later on. We decided that we were looking at wisps of clouds (fog) nestled in the crevices of the hills instead.
Anne returned to Highway 29 by taking Oak Knoll from Silverado Trail westward. She headed south on 29 towards Napa, and stopped at the UPS Store to pick up her mail from her postal box, and run some copies of articles for me. She offered to drive me back to Fairfield, but as long as the car would be ready at 3:30, I didn’t want her to do all the extra driving. So, we headed back to Santa Rosa, to pick up her car.
She drove through Glen Ellen on the way back. We are in Sonoma County now. This is a small community (about a 1,000 residents), but it is very picturesque and inviting. It is known locally, primarily, for Jack London’s Wolf House. Before entering Glen Ellen, we passed the large Sonoma Developmental Center on our left. Then, we passed the Kunde Family Estate Winery in Kentwood.
We passed the Oakmont Retirement Community. Marie and I toured this complex 60 years ago when we visited the Fashbaughs. Bob and Jean lived in Santa Rosa, and they managed the Golden Bear Lodge near Oakmont. I knew the Fashbaughs back in Ypsilanti, before the war. They, in turn, visited us in Antioch. My former boss, Ken Black, at C&H Sugar in San Francisco, and his wife Dorothy (who was an executive Secretary at Standard Oil in San Francisco) retired to Oakmont around 1970.
Anne went out of her way to drive through the Fountain Grove area north of Santa Rosa. I am glad that she did, as I wasn’t familiar with it. It is a very nice area! The boulevard runs miles through the hills, with it’s many curves - cause for a 35 mph speed limit. Winding up and down the hills, I kept thinking what a thrill it would be, to ride a “Soap Box” cart down that terrain. Or, better yet, if there were snow, a bobsled or toboggan ride. We passed the large Varenna Senior Living Community facility on the right. It overlooks Fountain Grove Lake, and the Fountaingrove Golf and Athletic Club. I was very surprised how Santa Rosa has grown since the last time I was there many years ago. The population was probably 100,000. In 2007, they estimated the population to be 154,000. It will be interesting what they come up with in this years census.
We then headed back down southbound on 101 to the Dealers. The car was scheduled to be ready at 3:30. We arrived at 4:10. The Service Manager said her car wouldn’t be ready fir two more hours! So it wasn’t a total loss, I had another cookie and cocoa! It was interesting when Anne checked out. The cashier said “That will be a thousand eighty one”. While Anne wasn’t surprised, I was. I forgot that we were in Lexusland. The lady recited that large number like I would say, “That’ll be ten dollars!”
Anne spotted a double rainbow off to our left, as we headed down 101. It was not only unusual, but very picturesque. She cut across to
Highway 12 on Route 116, and home. We arrived back at Quail Creek at 7:15! It was a long day. I was surprised that I wasn’t “beat”. I guess the pleasure of the trip trumped any weariness. As my Mother used to say (at my age) after her busy day,” It was a good tired”.
It seems a little out of whack. I have spent about as much time preparing this Blog, as I did on the subject trip! Ray L’Amoreaux
January 27, 2010.
Anne asked me if I would like to ride over to Santa Rosa with her on Saturday. This was an offer that I couldn’t refuse. Not only would I be able to spend the day with my oldest daughter, but I would be viewing the beautiful scenery in the Napa and Sonoma Valleys! While I don’t dwell on it, I do reflect on the fact that I have the same wanderlust that was in my Mother’s genes. I, too, like to have new experiences. After my Dad died in 1963, my Mom would dress in the morning, as if she were going out. Usually, she had no such plans. But, her younger friends were aware of how she liked to “Go” - whether it be shopping at the Mall or grocery store; a movie; or playing cards - it didn’t matter (she didn’t drive). It didn’t make any difference to her where they were going. They would give her a phone call, at the last minute, knowing that they wouldn’t have to wait for her to get ready. She would stand at the front door waiting for her ride.
Anne had to take her Lexus over to the Dealer, for it’s 120.000 mile “check“. She picked me up at Quail Creek at 8:45. She drove South on I-80 to Jamison Canyon (#12), and then West over to Highway 29/12. Then, North on that, to Carneros Highway, where we headed West once again. Some fields in low-level areas were flooded from the recent rainy week. It looked like “wetlands” .
We passed the Napa Valley Wine Train on it’s early morning run, chugging along about 5mph, North up the Valley. This is a three hour round trip. The fare depends on your choice of lunch - $49.50 in the Silverado Lunch Car (not air conditioned in the summer); $94.00 for the Gourmet Express Lunch; and $124.00 for the Vista Dome Car Lunch. Separate kitchen cars serve each of these cars’ menus. Anne mentioned that the Napa Valley tourist revenues are only second to those of Disneyland!
West on the back road #116) to Petaluma, and then on to Santa Rosa. Petaluma is a very picturesque city. We passed a lot of grazing cattle - a great pastoral scene. Of course, the Clover Dairy was nearby. It seemed too early for the yellow mustard seed, but there it was - a spectacular sight. The yellow plants “are used as a cover crop in vineyards to reduce erosion, and add nitrogen to the soil. The plants also provide “firm footing during wet weather“, to provide access to the vineyard during the winter months.
We arrived at the Freeman Lexus Agency about 10:00 - her scheduled appointment time. While she was checking in with the Service Manager, I helped myself to a warm peanut butter cookie, (there was a jar of dog biscuits nearby!), and a hot cocoa. It really hit the spot on this rainy Saturday. The unique machine, dispensed coffee (after grinding the Starbucks beans); de-cafe -( or half coffee and half de café); or cocoa! The dispenser was a beauty, as one would expect from Lexus. Being a native from the mid-west, I have always used the word “Cadillac” as a standard measure of “Quality”. Today, it is “Lexus”.
Still waiting for Anne to finish with the Service Manager, I went over to the display case. The agency building is new and a very nice facility. Not only did the architect do a great job designing it, but it was quality materials and workmanship! I was impressed with the large-white imported -tile squares for flooring! I picked up a Lexus brochure and was studying the picture of the red convertible. Magically, a Salesman came up and asked me how I liked it. (silly question). I said, “How much?”. He said , “About $40,000. I have one in stock, would you like to see it?”. I declined. I didn’t want him to see an older man drool on his spotless white tiling. I was surprised by the low price. I thought that it would be at least $60,000. Then, I bored him by telling him about my convertible. I told him that I had bought a brand new -1941 Chevrolet Convertible - black top, red leather seats, white side walls and fender skirts - top of the line - $995! He didn’t comment, as Anne approached. Later on, I did the arithmetic. In 1940, I was earning 50 cents an hour. So, it took a years’ worth of my earnings to pay for that car. Today, many people could buy that red Lexus convertible for a much smaller fraction of their annual earnings, than my deal. Another way of looking at it. The Lexus convertible costs 40 tome as much as my convertible. Yet, 40 times my 50 cents an hour is $20. I am sure most people earn more than this today. (At least those who still have a job!) So, what about the good old days?
A Lexus “Loaner” was waiting for us outside. I was impressed! It was a beauty - Black exterior with black leather- interior trim. It had 4550 miles on the odometer, and a new model had a sticker price of about $30,000.The lady that had Anne fill out the “loaner” paperwork, checked her out, briefly, on operating the car. She told Anne “To start it you put your foot on the brake, and push the button.” (I don’t know if I could adjust to no key!) She didn’t tell Anne how to shut off the engine, so I asked her. She said, “Push the button.” What she didn’t say was how you check the fuel gage, when refueling before bringing the car back, without turning on the engine??
I was amazed by the 180 degree view behind you, on the GPS screen on the dash, when backing up! Of course the GPS system is amazing, too.
We are back on #29, heading north to Yountville for lunch. Anne pointed out a flock of herons, wading in the “wetland” caused by a lot of rain during the past week. We pass the “Red Hen” which used to be a furniture store, then antique sections on consignment. (Anne had a spot in there for a while). There was also a great restaurant next door. Marie and I enjoyed spending many hours at both places. Sometimes, I thought that it was our recreation. Anne said that the facility was up for sale. That figures, I guess. A sign of the crummy times.
We are approaching Yountville, where we will have lunch. The California Veterans’ Home is located here. It is a huge facility, and a great landmark. I have seen a lot of the veterans in town during the years,. Anne told of talking to a guy with a motorized scooter - most likely a veteran. She asked him how fast that thing would go? He told her, “Not fast enough!”.
Anne mentioned Thomas Keller, who owns The French Laundry restaurant here in Yountville. It opened in the summer of 1994 This is a special restaurant, because of it’s high quality reputation. The French Laundry has received many dining awards. Reservations are required - no “walk-ins”. Then, you can be on the “wait” list for two months, even though the meals costs $250 for a nine course lunch or dinner. But, this is a bargain, because it includes the gratuity! While I have never eaten here, Marie and I did peek in the window once.
Keller opened another French restaurant down Washington Street from the French Laundry - “Bouchon“, in 1998. They opened a bakery next door a few years later. Next, came their ad hoc Restaurant, again, on Washington Street. The restaurant serves just one fare per evening - family style. A four course dinner costs around $50.
Anne treated me to lunch at the the Bottega restaurant in Yountville. It is at the North end of the Vintage 1870 shopping complex (V Marketplace)- near the closed stand-alone Compadre restaurant. (Anne said that the Compadre was closed. Marie and I have eaten there a few times. The Compadre specialized in Mexican food, and the quality was very good.)
Anne and I had a bowl of minestrone soup at Bottegas, and it was very good. You can’t beat soup on a cold -rainy day like this. I judge a restaurant by whether it has tablecloths and cloth napkins. The Bottega has both. The tablecloth was so clean that they served the French bread right on the tablecloth. Of course, the celebrity chef, Michael Chiarello, who owns Bottega's, is also a big boost! When we left the restaurant, it was pouring rain. Anne brought her umbrella from the car, but I left mine there, as it wasn’t raining when we got out of the car. It was raining so hard I felt that it had to be a shower (or cloudburst). I suggested that we wait outside, in the covered dining area, until the cloud passed. Which we did.
As we were backing out of the parking lot, a wheeled “Cable Car” passed by in front of us. Anne said that the city of Yountville purchased the car from Napa. The service runs along Washington Street in Yountville, and across the #29 highway to the Veterans’ home.
Anne drove on a street parallel to the highway. I have lived in the area for over 50 years and I had never been on it. It was very picturesque, with some very nice homes along the way. I asked Anne the name of the road, and I was surprised when she said “Yount Mill Road”. I was impressed,
until she admitted that she peeked at the GPS screen.
Anne cut back on 29, heading North. We spotted the Wine Train heading South on it’s return trip to Napa. At the Oakville Grocery (it has been there for as long as I can remember), she turned right on to Oakville Cross Road, and headed East over to Silverado Trail. On the way, Anne pointed out the Plump Jack Winery on the left. She also said the San Francisco’s Mayor Newsome had a vested interest in the winery. It is fronted - at roadside - by a wall of beautiful Rutherford rock.
Anne took a right on to Silverado Trail - a beautiful stretch of highway. Observing this magnificent scenery of rolling green hills, and vineyards on both sides of the road, is well worth the trip to the Napa Valley just to observe it. In the distance, Anne spotted what looked like smoke. We thought it might be an illegal burn, but then, we saw another similar sight a little later on. We decided that we were looking at wisps of clouds (fog) nestled in the crevices of the hills instead.
Anne returned to Highway 29 by taking Oak Knoll from Silverado Trail westward. She headed south on 29 towards Napa, and stopped at the UPS Store to pick up her mail from her postal box, and run some copies of articles for me. She offered to drive me back to Fairfield, but as long as the car would be ready at 3:30, I didn’t want her to do all the extra driving. So, we headed back to Santa Rosa, to pick up her car.
She drove through Glen Ellen on the way back. We are in Sonoma County now. This is a small community (about a 1,000 residents), but it is very picturesque and inviting. It is known locally, primarily, for Jack London’s Wolf House. Before entering Glen Ellen, we passed the large Sonoma Developmental Center on our left. Then, we passed the Kunde Family Estate Winery in Kentwood.
We passed the Oakmont Retirement Community. Marie and I toured this complex 60 years ago when we visited the Fashbaughs. Bob and Jean lived in Santa Rosa, and they managed the Golden Bear Lodge near Oakmont. I knew the Fashbaughs back in Ypsilanti, before the war. They, in turn, visited us in Antioch. My former boss, Ken Black, at C&H Sugar in San Francisco, and his wife Dorothy (who was an executive Secretary at Standard Oil in San Francisco) retired to Oakmont around 1970.
Anne went out of her way to drive through the Fountain Grove area north of Santa Rosa. I am glad that she did, as I wasn’t familiar with it. It is a very nice area! The boulevard runs miles through the hills, with it’s many curves - cause for a 35 mph speed limit. Winding up and down the hills, I kept thinking what a thrill it would be, to ride a “Soap Box” cart down that terrain. Or, better yet, if there were snow, a bobsled or toboggan ride. We passed the large Varenna Senior Living Community facility on the right. It overlooks Fountain Grove Lake, and the Fountaingrove Golf and Athletic Club. I was very surprised how Santa Rosa has grown since the last time I was there many years ago. The population was probably 100,000. In 2007, they estimated the population to be 154,000. It will be interesting what they come up with in this years census.
We then headed back down southbound on 101 to the Dealers. The car was scheduled to be ready at 3:30. We arrived at 4:10. The Service Manager said her car wouldn’t be ready fir two more hours! So it wasn’t a total loss, I had another cookie and cocoa! It was interesting when Anne checked out. The cashier said “That will be a thousand eighty one”. While Anne wasn’t surprised, I was. I forgot that we were in Lexusland. The lady recited that large number like I would say, “That’ll be ten dollars!”
Anne spotted a double rainbow off to our left, as we headed down 101. It was not only unusual, but very picturesque. She cut across to
Highway 12 on Route 116, and home. We arrived back at Quail Creek at 7:15! It was a long day. I was surprised that I wasn’t “beat”. I guess the pleasure of the trip trumped any weariness. As my Mother used to say (at my age) after her busy day,” It was a good tired”.
It seems a little out of whack. I have spent about as much time preparing this Blog, as I did on the subject trip! Ray L’Amoreaux
January 27, 2010.
Monday, January 18, 2010
TID BITS
TID BITS
I watched part of the Minnesota - Dallas Playoff game today, after returning from Mass with Sue, and visiting Marie, at Laurel Creek. This afternoon, I watched all of the New York Jets - San Diego Charger game.
The Qualcomm Stadium, in San Diego, holds 71,500 people. From the Goodyear blimp above, it looked more crowded than that. The parking lot was, of course, jammed, too. We have three grand daughters living in San Diego. I couldn’t help but wonder if any of them were part of the crowd. (Last September, I visited San Diego to attend Melissa and Ryan’s wedding.) The channel showed another aerial shot from the blimp - of San Diego - looking towards the island of Coronado. It was a great view of a great city.
During the game, there was a commercial for a new movie being released. I can’t remember the name of the show, but I can remember that Anthony Hopkins starred in it. Every time that I see his name, I think of the time that Marie and I saw him. It was on our flight from JFK to Heathrow , twenty years ago. He was flying First Class, and we were sitting in the rear of the plane.
We were on our way to visit our friends, Maggie and Steve. They had traded their home in Berkeley, for a month, with the Grews who lived in Repton, England. Maggie said that he has since retired from teaching at Repton, and they( Grews) have moved to Blansford. Back to the football game, it was a bummer. It wasn’t very exciting to me. San Diego beat themselves, with some bone-head penalties - like head-butting, and kicking the red challenge flag that the Jets coach threw out on to the field. The penalty moved San Diego back from the Jets 20 yard line to the 35 - from there - the field goal kicker missed a field goal! These penalties weren’t the smartest moves of the day.
The Chargers appeared “flat”. They didn’t seem to be motivated, inspired or enthusiastic. Coach Norv Turner’s fault? I think not. He’s demonstrated that he is too good a coach to have overlooked “firing up” the team prior to the game. Just to be in the Play Offs, should have been enough incentive for the players to go all out! San Diego had home field advantage, which meant that The Jets had to cope with a very loud environment.
Mark Sanchez, the jets rookie quarterback, should have been awed by all of the pressure. It is hard to believe that he quarter-backed USC just a little over a year ago. Then, a year ago, he attended a Play-off game between these Chargers and the Indianapolis Colts. He sat six rows below the rim of the stadium. This year, he sat on the field - and led his team to victory. How thrilling is that? Only in America! It will probably be made into a movie!
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Last Friday afternoon, Mary invited Joan, Sue and I over for a “work party”. When we moved from Vallejo, to Fairfield, 21 months ago, our daughters cleared out our house and garage. To make it easier (at the time) and expedient, they filled about 25 large -plastic bins with books, photo albums, memorabilia, etc. - most of it coming from storage cabinets in the garage. Then, along with the help of their husbands, they hauled the bins to local storage facility. I have been paying $59 a month for all these bins to collect dust. I suggested that we start sorting through them, and keep what we wanted and then give/throw away, the balance. All of this “stuff” seemed so valuable back then, but we haven’t accessed the contents of the bins in all of these months - except for a few Christmas decorations, and other small items, which we removed.
This saga reminded me of the psychology (or someone‘s law) about a similar situation about 30 years ago! I was working for California and Hawaiian Sugar Company at their corporate office in San Francisco. At budget time I requested a new file cabinet. My files were starting to pile up on my desk and table. Instead of a new file cabinet, my boss brought in a “file consultant.” She sat down with me one day and started through my files from A to Z. With each document she would ask me if I had looked at it in the past six months.? That was a loaded question! Six months goes by quite rapidly - as you know - My parents taught me to be truthful. Usually. I would tell her, “No”. So, she would throw it in the waste basket. Being a “saver” all of my life (I blame it on my Great Depression training by my parents - especially my Mother. She was the patron saint of savers.) When I protested to the consultant, that I might need the document sometime, she said that “There is always a copy somewhere in the organization.” While it was a gut- wrenching experience, I ended up not needing a new file cabinet, and I had 50 percent empty filing space in my current file case!
Back to our ‘cleaning -out -files party”. I guess that we only have 19 more bins to wade through, before I can close my account with the storage company.
One of the things that slows down the sorting process (besides consulting with someone who might want the item) is running into old memorabilia, such as the sorter’s own handiwork that they produced decades ago. We naturally enjoyed perusing them, instead of tossing or claiming them. One good thing, we are not under the gun to complete the chore expeditiously. It took time to accumulate the bins contents, it is only reasonable to assume that it will take time to dispose of them.
There was a bright spot during the evening. Mary and Greg served crackers, cheese and dip; along with wine, salad and Pizza.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I got my H1N1 flu shot on Friday. I wasn’t eligible the first time around. Now, that there seems to be a sufficient supply of the vaccine, I re-considered. I double checked with Farshid, my Heart Case Manager, for his counseling. He felt that since I was born during the big flu epidemic of 1918, I probably was immune to that same strain of flu. But, he said that it wouldn’t hurt to get it. One of those times when it is better to be “safe than sorry.” So, I dropped by the Kaiser Clinic to be shot.
.
Ray L’Amoreaux
January 18, 2010.
I watched part of the Minnesota - Dallas Playoff game today, after returning from Mass with Sue, and visiting Marie, at Laurel Creek. This afternoon, I watched all of the New York Jets - San Diego Charger game.
The Qualcomm Stadium, in San Diego, holds 71,500 people. From the Goodyear blimp above, it looked more crowded than that. The parking lot was, of course, jammed, too. We have three grand daughters living in San Diego. I couldn’t help but wonder if any of them were part of the crowd. (Last September, I visited San Diego to attend Melissa and Ryan’s wedding.) The channel showed another aerial shot from the blimp - of San Diego - looking towards the island of Coronado. It was a great view of a great city.
During the game, there was a commercial for a new movie being released. I can’t remember the name of the show, but I can remember that Anthony Hopkins starred in it. Every time that I see his name, I think of the time that Marie and I saw him. It was on our flight from JFK to Heathrow , twenty years ago. He was flying First Class, and we were sitting in the rear of the plane.
We were on our way to visit our friends, Maggie and Steve. They had traded their home in Berkeley, for a month, with the Grews who lived in Repton, England. Maggie said that he has since retired from teaching at Repton, and they( Grews) have moved to Blansford. Back to the football game, it was a bummer. It wasn’t very exciting to me. San Diego beat themselves, with some bone-head penalties - like head-butting, and kicking the red challenge flag that the Jets coach threw out on to the field. The penalty moved San Diego back from the Jets 20 yard line to the 35 - from there - the field goal kicker missed a field goal! These penalties weren’t the smartest moves of the day.
The Chargers appeared “flat”. They didn’t seem to be motivated, inspired or enthusiastic. Coach Norv Turner’s fault? I think not. He’s demonstrated that he is too good a coach to have overlooked “firing up” the team prior to the game. Just to be in the Play Offs, should have been enough incentive for the players to go all out! San Diego had home field advantage, which meant that The Jets had to cope with a very loud environment.
Mark Sanchez, the jets rookie quarterback, should have been awed by all of the pressure. It is hard to believe that he quarter-backed USC just a little over a year ago. Then, a year ago, he attended a Play-off game between these Chargers and the Indianapolis Colts. He sat six rows below the rim of the stadium. This year, he sat on the field - and led his team to victory. How thrilling is that? Only in America! It will probably be made into a movie!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Last Friday afternoon, Mary invited Joan, Sue and I over for a “work party”. When we moved from Vallejo, to Fairfield, 21 months ago, our daughters cleared out our house and garage. To make it easier (at the time) and expedient, they filled about 25 large -plastic bins with books, photo albums, memorabilia, etc. - most of it coming from storage cabinets in the garage. Then, along with the help of their husbands, they hauled the bins to local storage facility. I have been paying $59 a month for all these bins to collect dust. I suggested that we start sorting through them, and keep what we wanted and then give/throw away, the balance. All of this “stuff” seemed so valuable back then, but we haven’t accessed the contents of the bins in all of these months - except for a few Christmas decorations, and other small items, which we removed.
This saga reminded me of the psychology (or someone‘s law) about a similar situation about 30 years ago! I was working for California and Hawaiian Sugar Company at their corporate office in San Francisco. At budget time I requested a new file cabinet. My files were starting to pile up on my desk and table. Instead of a new file cabinet, my boss brought in a “file consultant.” She sat down with me one day and started through my files from A to Z. With each document she would ask me if I had looked at it in the past six months.? That was a loaded question! Six months goes by quite rapidly - as you know - My parents taught me to be truthful. Usually. I would tell her, “No”. So, she would throw it in the waste basket. Being a “saver” all of my life (I blame it on my Great Depression training by my parents - especially my Mother. She was the patron saint of savers.) When I protested to the consultant, that I might need the document sometime, she said that “There is always a copy somewhere in the organization.” While it was a gut- wrenching experience, I ended up not needing a new file cabinet, and I had 50 percent empty filing space in my current file case!
Back to our ‘cleaning -out -files party”. I guess that we only have 19 more bins to wade through, before I can close my account with the storage company.
One of the things that slows down the sorting process (besides consulting with someone who might want the item) is running into old memorabilia, such as the sorter’s own handiwork that they produced decades ago. We naturally enjoyed perusing them, instead of tossing or claiming them. One good thing, we are not under the gun to complete the chore expeditiously. It took time to accumulate the bins contents, it is only reasonable to assume that it will take time to dispose of them.
There was a bright spot during the evening. Mary and Greg served crackers, cheese and dip; along with wine, salad and Pizza.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I got my H1N1 flu shot on Friday. I wasn’t eligible the first time around. Now, that there seems to be a sufficient supply of the vaccine, I re-considered. I double checked with Farshid, my Heart Case Manager, for his counseling. He felt that since I was born during the big flu epidemic of 1918, I probably was immune to that same strain of flu. But, he said that it wouldn’t hurt to get it. One of those times when it is better to be “safe than sorry.” So, I dropped by the Kaiser Clinic to be shot.
.
Ray L’Amoreaux
January 18, 2010.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
CACHE CREEK
CACHE CREEK
Our Quail Creek “Outing” today (Wednesday, January 13, 2010), was to Cache Creek, a Native American Casino, and Resort, in Brooks, CA. There are six residents on board, plus Tony, Kelli and Uaei, a cna. We left Quail Creek, in Fairfield, at 0915, and arrived at Cache Creek at 1005.The weather is cool, overcast and threatening. It rained during the night, and the standing water in the fields is the evidence. I am sure the orchards and planted fields are happy. There are many English walnut and fruit orchards along the way. This area is known for growing sugar beets.
Traffic was light on I-80 and 505. We passed Genenetech’s nice looking facility in Vacaville. The weather has cleared, and we have very nice blue sky. The fields and orchards are dormant this time of the year. The associated farmers are probably lounging on the beach at Waikiki. A Pacific Diamond Tour bus passed us, and I am sure that Tony was driving at the 70mph speed limit. Time is money I guess, because I later saw the same bus parked in front of the Casino.
There are Call Phones still installed along 505. In the day of cell phones, I guess you could call them “Plan B”. We exit Highway 505, and head west on #16 towards Esparto. What a drop down in highway quality - from a very nice divided freeway to a two lane -bumpy -country road. The road condition is reflected by the reduced speed limit of 45mph. We pass a nice pastoral scene of four good looking horses eating their breakfast.
We are entering Esparto. We are in Yolo County now. While Esparto is a small town ( the 2000 census lists the population as 1858), it is really spread out. It is run down, although they have a nice looking high school. The town reminds me of a western movie set. The next village is Copay. There are a few “fixer-uppers’’ here. This is still a very pretty area butting up against the Lake Berryessa hills. We pass a roadside sign, “Report Drunk Drivers - Call 911” (There are “Call Boxes” along Highway 16W, too.) The Casino is so far from a commercial area, I can’t imagine hauling all of the building materials and equipment, so far! Tony pulls up in front of the Cache Creek entrance at 1005. What great service!
While they did a very nice job designing and building this complex, it just seems out of place in such a rural setting. But, again, that’s why they chose this spot. It is landscaped nicely, too, including an 18 hole championship golf course ($85 a round to play!).
This project was started in 1985 by the Yocha Dehe Wintun (“Home by the Spring Water”) Nation. The tribe opened a bingo hall in Brooks. In 2002, they announced plans to build a $200,000,000 property. The tribe named it Cache Creek- Casino Resort. This is a huge complex! The property covers 415,000 Sq. Ft. - nine and one half acres. The Resort opened in 2004. It consists of:
9 restaurants
600 seat Club
75,000 Sq. Ft. of casino floor area
200 room hotel, and an adjacent garage
2400 slot machines
122 game tables.
The complex provides 2500 jobs, and is the largest employer in Yolo County.
One can get lost, easily, in there. I didn’t see a single Native American employee while I was there. There were a lot of people inside the Casino - mostly Asian-Americans and Caucasians. Yet, it wasn’t crowded. You can thank the Recession, and our mid-week visit, for that. I was surprised that smoking was allowed inside - private property, I guess. As a former industrial engineer, and still interested in cost control and cost reduction, I can’t fathom how the revenues would even cover the high utility bill for heating/air-conditioning; lighting; powering the machines etc., let alone make a profit.
I walked by the black jack tables, They were abut half occupied - with a $5 minimum bet to play. Then, I noticed a large separate room of tables. The sign said “High- Stakes Black Jack Room”. It didn’t define “High”. I was surprised to see as many players in there as at the $5 tables.
Then, I saw a large group of people surrounding a table. I couldn’t figure what was going on. I asked a bystander, and he said that they were playing Baccarat. He added, “the Chinese like this game”. It was pretty obvious to me that he was right. Baccarat is described as a simple game, but I couldn’t tell, not knowing anything about the game. It must have been a Mini Baccarat game, because there wasn’t any security. I assume that the stakes weren’t too high.
The Casino had an ingenious system for playing the electronic slot machines. As a newcomer, I signed up to get my “Club Card”. This came with 2500 points imbedded. This represented a $25 credit at any of the restaurants. I also needed to insert the card in the machine to play. Then, you can play by adding an amount to the card beforehand, and using the card or “folding money”, or money remaining on a “Cash out ticket".
I played the nickel machine for about an hour, before we gathered for a nice lunch, on site, at Kung Fu Fat’s. A large variety of dishes on the menu. I settled for a cup of won ton soup, steamed rice and egg plant. (I had so much egg plant, when I was stationed in North Africa, I never wanted to see that purple vegetable again. The cook would use powdered eggs and powdered milk to make a batter to camouflage it. It's funny how soon one forgets. That was over 65 years ago!) The food was very good. The prices were reasonable, and we received good service.
The slip in my fortune cookie said, “A movie would be a great place to relax this weekend.” Do you think that Hollywood marketing has penetrated the fortune cookie mystique?
After lunch, I went back to the same machine that I played in the morning,, and sat there pushing the button for another hour.
When you decide that you have had enough fun for the day, you can “Cash Out” any money remaining on your ticket. The slot machine produces a ticket which prints out the amount still available. You can use this ticket to play any of the machines, or take it, and your Club Card, to a “Cash Out” machine (a mini -ATM machine), and get the cash amount. What was so interesting was my ticket had 190 points printed on it. I inserted it into the machine, and the screen read-out said that I was due $9.50 (still left from my original $10 “investment”.) But, it didn’t produce the cash. Then, I
re-read the screen and the message said “Insert your other ticket”. I forgot that I had it, as it was for only $.10, and I had put it in my pocket for a “souvenir”. I inserted it and sure enough, $9.60 was ejected. Amazing!
I wonder what happened to the “one armed bandits” that I grew up with? You pull the handle on those for a few hours, and your arm would ache. With these electronic machines, you just hit a button to spin the reels. Of course, you could end up with a “trigger finger”. I can see how one would get addicted to gambling. It is so easy to sit there pushing a button and getting mesmerized by the spinning symbols rolling by - especially when the friendly lady comes by and asks you if you would like something to drink?
Too, it’s you against the machine’s mentality. I kept thinking that I was going to hit the “Big One”, after all my “near misses” from the 7’s nearly lining up- across. Just one more push of the button! I think that I was probably right. About 5 minutes after I left my nickel machine (they even have one, and two cent, machines!), I thought I would return to “my” machine to see if anyone was playing it, and how they were doing. That was a mistake. I left the machine with 190 points. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. The fellow playing the machine had over 5,000 points ($250) showing on his screen! I am sure he didn’t start playing with a large sum. Apparently, he had hit a jack pot. My theory is that he was stalking me, and watching me play so long without hitting it big. He probably reasoned that the machine was about due to pay off big., so he sat down. I think that he was right. That is the difference between an amateur and a professional gambler!
I missed the “money scroungers” from the old days. With no coins in use today, it put them out of business. I would like to watch them walk around the slot area, looking for coins left in the money holders of the machines, or dropped on the floor.
We left Cache Creek at 2:45, and were back at Quail Creek at 3:40. It was an uneventful trip back. We passed many newly planted row crops. The plantings (probably sugar beets) had just emerged from the ground. The fields looked very healthy, as they should planted in such fertile looking soil.
Ray L’Amoreaux
January 14, 2010.
Our Quail Creek “Outing” today (Wednesday, January 13, 2010), was to Cache Creek, a Native American Casino, and Resort, in Brooks, CA. There are six residents on board, plus Tony, Kelli and Uaei, a cna. We left Quail Creek, in Fairfield, at 0915, and arrived at Cache Creek at 1005.The weather is cool, overcast and threatening. It rained during the night, and the standing water in the fields is the evidence. I am sure the orchards and planted fields are happy. There are many English walnut and fruit orchards along the way. This area is known for growing sugar beets.
Traffic was light on I-80 and 505. We passed Genenetech’s nice looking facility in Vacaville. The weather has cleared, and we have very nice blue sky. The fields and orchards are dormant this time of the year. The associated farmers are probably lounging on the beach at Waikiki. A Pacific Diamond Tour bus passed us, and I am sure that Tony was driving at the 70mph speed limit. Time is money I guess, because I later saw the same bus parked in front of the Casino.
There are Call Phones still installed along 505. In the day of cell phones, I guess you could call them “Plan B”. We exit Highway 505, and head west on #16 towards Esparto. What a drop down in highway quality - from a very nice divided freeway to a two lane -bumpy -country road. The road condition is reflected by the reduced speed limit of 45mph. We pass a nice pastoral scene of four good looking horses eating their breakfast.
We are entering Esparto. We are in Yolo County now. While Esparto is a small town ( the 2000 census lists the population as 1858), it is really spread out. It is run down, although they have a nice looking high school. The town reminds me of a western movie set. The next village is Copay. There are a few “fixer-uppers’’ here. This is still a very pretty area butting up against the Lake Berryessa hills. We pass a roadside sign, “Report Drunk Drivers - Call 911” (There are “Call Boxes” along Highway 16W, too.) The Casino is so far from a commercial area, I can’t imagine hauling all of the building materials and equipment, so far! Tony pulls up in front of the Cache Creek entrance at 1005. What great service!
While they did a very nice job designing and building this complex, it just seems out of place in such a rural setting. But, again, that’s why they chose this spot. It is landscaped nicely, too, including an 18 hole championship golf course ($85 a round to play!).
This project was started in 1985 by the Yocha Dehe Wintun (“Home by the Spring Water”) Nation. The tribe opened a bingo hall in Brooks. In 2002, they announced plans to build a $200,000,000 property. The tribe named it Cache Creek- Casino Resort. This is a huge complex! The property covers 415,000 Sq. Ft. - nine and one half acres. The Resort opened in 2004. It consists of:
9 restaurants
600 seat Club
75,000 Sq. Ft. of casino floor area
200 room hotel, and an adjacent garage
2400 slot machines
122 game tables.
The complex provides 2500 jobs, and is the largest employer in Yolo County.
One can get lost, easily, in there. I didn’t see a single Native American employee while I was there. There were a lot of people inside the Casino - mostly Asian-Americans and Caucasians. Yet, it wasn’t crowded. You can thank the Recession, and our mid-week visit, for that. I was surprised that smoking was allowed inside - private property, I guess. As a former industrial engineer, and still interested in cost control and cost reduction, I can’t fathom how the revenues would even cover the high utility bill for heating/air-conditioning; lighting; powering the machines etc., let alone make a profit.
I walked by the black jack tables, They were abut half occupied - with a $5 minimum bet to play. Then, I noticed a large separate room of tables. The sign said “High- Stakes Black Jack Room”. It didn’t define “High”. I was surprised to see as many players in there as at the $5 tables.
Then, I saw a large group of people surrounding a table. I couldn’t figure what was going on. I asked a bystander, and he said that they were playing Baccarat. He added, “the Chinese like this game”. It was pretty obvious to me that he was right. Baccarat is described as a simple game, but I couldn’t tell, not knowing anything about the game. It must have been a Mini Baccarat game, because there wasn’t any security. I assume that the stakes weren’t too high.
The Casino had an ingenious system for playing the electronic slot machines. As a newcomer, I signed up to get my “Club Card”. This came with 2500 points imbedded. This represented a $25 credit at any of the restaurants. I also needed to insert the card in the machine to play. Then, you can play by adding an amount to the card beforehand, and using the card or “folding money”, or money remaining on a “Cash out ticket".
I played the nickel machine for about an hour, before we gathered for a nice lunch, on site, at Kung Fu Fat’s. A large variety of dishes on the menu. I settled for a cup of won ton soup, steamed rice and egg plant. (I had so much egg plant, when I was stationed in North Africa, I never wanted to see that purple vegetable again. The cook would use powdered eggs and powdered milk to make a batter to camouflage it. It's funny how soon one forgets. That was over 65 years ago!) The food was very good. The prices were reasonable, and we received good service.
The slip in my fortune cookie said, “A movie would be a great place to relax this weekend.” Do you think that Hollywood marketing has penetrated the fortune cookie mystique?
After lunch, I went back to the same machine that I played in the morning,, and sat there pushing the button for another hour.
When you decide that you have had enough fun for the day, you can “Cash Out” any money remaining on your ticket. The slot machine produces a ticket which prints out the amount still available. You can use this ticket to play any of the machines, or take it, and your Club Card, to a “Cash Out” machine (a mini -ATM machine), and get the cash amount. What was so interesting was my ticket had 190 points printed on it. I inserted it into the machine, and the screen read-out said that I was due $9.50 (still left from my original $10 “investment”.) But, it didn’t produce the cash. Then, I
re-read the screen and the message said “Insert your other ticket”. I forgot that I had it, as it was for only $.10, and I had put it in my pocket for a “souvenir”. I inserted it and sure enough, $9.60 was ejected. Amazing!
I wonder what happened to the “one armed bandits” that I grew up with? You pull the handle on those for a few hours, and your arm would ache. With these electronic machines, you just hit a button to spin the reels. Of course, you could end up with a “trigger finger”. I can see how one would get addicted to gambling. It is so easy to sit there pushing a button and getting mesmerized by the spinning symbols rolling by - especially when the friendly lady comes by and asks you if you would like something to drink?
Too, it’s you against the machine’s mentality. I kept thinking that I was going to hit the “Big One”, after all my “near misses” from the 7’s nearly lining up- across. Just one more push of the button! I think that I was probably right. About 5 minutes after I left my nickel machine (they even have one, and two cent, machines!), I thought I would return to “my” machine to see if anyone was playing it, and how they were doing. That was a mistake. I left the machine with 190 points. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. The fellow playing the machine had over 5,000 points ($250) showing on his screen! I am sure he didn’t start playing with a large sum. Apparently, he had hit a jack pot. My theory is that he was stalking me, and watching me play so long without hitting it big. He probably reasoned that the machine was about due to pay off big., so he sat down. I think that he was right. That is the difference between an amateur and a professional gambler!
I missed the “money scroungers” from the old days. With no coins in use today, it put them out of business. I would like to watch them walk around the slot area, looking for coins left in the money holders of the machines, or dropped on the floor.
We left Cache Creek at 2:45, and were back at Quail Creek at 3:40. It was an uneventful trip back. We passed many newly planted row crops. The plantings (probably sugar beets) had just emerged from the ground. The fields looked very healthy, as they should planted in such fertile looking soil.
Ray L’Amoreaux
January 14, 2010.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
ROUTE 66
ROUTE 66
Does Route 66 ring a bell with you older readers? It sure does with me! First of all I can never remember whether it is pronounced “Rute” or “Row(l)t”? A couple of days ago, The Wall Street Journal ran an article on this famous and well traveled - two-lane highway.
The article was very interesting to me, because I have driven on that highway, four times - either all the way, or a portion of the route. Many of you are familiar with the larger cities en-route from Chicago to Los Angeles (2451 miles), repeated in Glenn Miller’s popular recording of “Get Your Kicks on Route 66” - Chicago, St. Louis, Oklahoma City, Amarillo, Gallup, Flagstaff, Winona, Kingman, Barstow, San Bernardino and L.A.
The first time that I drove the route was during January, 1944. I had been stationed at Atlantic City for R&R after returning from combat. I was assigned to pilot training, and had to report to the Training Center at Santa Ana. I asked my Mother to ride along, and she accepted.
My next time driving the route was after I had finished my pilot training at Douglas, (AZ). This was January 1945. I asked a classmate from Detroit, Walt McGreevy, to ride along with me to our next station at Columbia, SC.
The next ride on Highway 66 was with Marie, who had joined me in Columbia at her break from Mills College. It was May, 1945, when we left Greenville SC for California.
The fourth time was in December 1945, when Marie and I drove from California back To Ypsilanti, Michigan, where my parents lived. I entered the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, and Marie supported us by doing secretarial work at Kaiser -Frazer auto company at Willow Run. (See below for our experience on this trip)
Our fifth trip was from Ypsilanti to California in May of 1947. By then, we had traded in our Chevrolet convertible for a Kaiser (Marie got a 20 percent employee discount). We traveled the Northern route from Michigan to California this time.
There was an additional cross country trip for us. In the spring of 1952, we headed back to Montgomery, Alabama. I had been re-called during the Korean War, and had been assigned to go to the Air Command and Staff School at Maxwell Field. By this time, we had traded in our ‘47 Kaiser for a ‘52 Chevrolet coupe - just before we left Sacramento. This trip, we had an additional passenger - Anne, our first born. She was about six months old when we left. We celebrated her first birthday in New Orleans on our return trip. I fixed a wooden platform to rest on the floor between the back of the front seat and the front of the rear seat. Then, I placed her crib mattress on the frame. It’s surface was then level with the back seat. She really enjoyed the freedom to move around, and she was safe. Fortunately, there was no seat belt law back in 1952. We drove back on the Southern route from Montgomery to Sacramento.
My memory is a little vague on these trips over 60 years ago. There are a few memories that I will never forget:
We usually drove 200-300 miles per day, so we stayed at a few motels and small hotels along the way. We set $6 as the maximum that we would pay per night. We found that we could get a pretty nice place for that amount. One day we decided to drive beyond five o’clock. It was dark when we finally decided to stop for the night. The first place had a rate of $9! I suspect that they had a lower rate for the earlier check-ins. Marie wanted to keep going. She wanted to drive on, to find a cheaper place. I did all of the driving although she was a good driver, I was “beat”, and talked her into staying there.
On another trip, we were also driving late on a Saturday night. We stopped at a small place, on the outskirts of a small town, to inquire about a room. I remember sitting at the bar, drinking hot chocolates, while negotiating for a room. The bar tender said that he didn’t have a room right then, but if we would hang around for a little while, he would have one available. There was a short pause, and then Marie asked me, “If he doesn’t have a room now, how will he have one later?” I whispered in her ear that “the pillows will be warm”. It took her a little while to figure out what was going on. She was so upset that she grabbed me and said, “Come on we are getting out of here!”.
So we drove on, and it was getting quite late. We pulled into a small town, and it was about midnight. The only place that we could find open was a very small hotel right next to the railway station. They had a room on the second floor, and we took it. We were glad that we finally found a place. I can still see that old bed with the decorative cast- iron at the head and foot of the bed. The toilet was down the hall! We were tired. We didn’t any more get to sleep, when we were awakened by the noise of a switch engine down below. Finally, back to sleep again. Then, we must have been on the mainline of the railroad. Trains - both passenger and freight ran all night. The hotel was so close to the tracks, that the bed shook a little from the vibrations of the trains as they sped through. I like trains, and have ridden them for thousands of miles. (My Dad worked for the New York Central Railroad.) But, I was in no mood for them that night. This experience, was during WWII. The locomotives back then, were steam powered. The steam-powered whistles had a unique sound, and I always enjoyed hearing them. But, not that night (morning!). I still haven’t gotten used to the blowing horns on the modern diesel-electric engines of today. I think we paid $4 for that night of torture.
Another vivid experience happened in Gallup, in December 1945. I had just returned to Long Beach from Okinawa (via Fort Lawton, Washington - after 19 days on a Liberty ship. - but that is another long story! We were on our way back to Michigan for Christmas. We were driving my 1941 Chevrolet convertible. It was snowing, and the temperature was 20 below zero. Have you ever ridden - on red leather -seats, at that temperature - in a convertible, with an inoperative heater? If not, you haven’t lived! Marie started crying she was so cold. She asked me to turn back She wanted to go back to California!
I was able to calm Marie down by telling her that it would get warmer as we drove eastward. We continued on in to Gallup. It was about 6 o’clock and dark. Servicemen are taught to contact the USO (United Service Organizations) when we need help. The organization manned desks in train stations, bus depots and airports. As it happened, the Gallup railway station was along main street as we entered Gallup. So, we parked and went in. I talked to the lady at the desk, and asked her about a motel. She told me there wasn’t a room available in town. Both the East and West transcontinental trains were snowbound at the station. I can’t remember whether both trains belonged to the Southern Pacific or the Santa Fe, or to each company. All the rooms in town were taken by the stranded train passengers. She was very nice and accommodating. She said that she would call her friend and ask her if she would provide a bedroom for us. Her friend said O.K. and told her to send us up. Boy! What a relief! She gave us directions, and I thanked her “Very Much!” Parking at the lady’s house was difficult because of the large snow drifts on each side of the road. Our hostess greeted us, and welcomed us in.
Marie and I were really cold! Our California clothing didn’t provide much warmth. I remember the two of us standing near the floor register for quite some time. Then the nice lady made some cocoa for us. It was the best hot chocolate that I have ever had. One person CAN make a difference!
The next morning I drove the car down to a garage to have the thermostat replaced. Of course he was very busy, fixing other cars. The car was ready about noon. I went back to the house and picked up Marie. We thanked the kind lady (I don’t remember her charging us) and we were off, once again, on Route 66. This was the last time that I traveled this highway.
Ray L’Amoreaux
January 12, 2010.
Does Route 66 ring a bell with you older readers? It sure does with me! First of all I can never remember whether it is pronounced “Rute” or “Row(l)t”? A couple of days ago, The Wall Street Journal ran an article on this famous and well traveled - two-lane highway.
The article was very interesting to me, because I have driven on that highway, four times - either all the way, or a portion of the route. Many of you are familiar with the larger cities en-route from Chicago to Los Angeles (2451 miles), repeated in Glenn Miller’s popular recording of “Get Your Kicks on Route 66” - Chicago, St. Louis, Oklahoma City, Amarillo, Gallup, Flagstaff, Winona, Kingman, Barstow, San Bernardino and L.A.
The first time that I drove the route was during January, 1944. I had been stationed at Atlantic City for R&R after returning from combat. I was assigned to pilot training, and had to report to the Training Center at Santa Ana. I asked my Mother to ride along, and she accepted.
My next time driving the route was after I had finished my pilot training at Douglas, (AZ). This was January 1945. I asked a classmate from Detroit, Walt McGreevy, to ride along with me to our next station at Columbia, SC.
The next ride on Highway 66 was with Marie, who had joined me in Columbia at her break from Mills College. It was May, 1945, when we left Greenville SC for California.
The fourth time was in December 1945, when Marie and I drove from California back To Ypsilanti, Michigan, where my parents lived. I entered the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, and Marie supported us by doing secretarial work at Kaiser -Frazer auto company at Willow Run. (See below for our experience on this trip)
Our fifth trip was from Ypsilanti to California in May of 1947. By then, we had traded in our Chevrolet convertible for a Kaiser (Marie got a 20 percent employee discount). We traveled the Northern route from Michigan to California this time.
There was an additional cross country trip for us. In the spring of 1952, we headed back to Montgomery, Alabama. I had been re-called during the Korean War, and had been assigned to go to the Air Command and Staff School at Maxwell Field. By this time, we had traded in our ‘47 Kaiser for a ‘52 Chevrolet coupe - just before we left Sacramento. This trip, we had an additional passenger - Anne, our first born. She was about six months old when we left. We celebrated her first birthday in New Orleans on our return trip. I fixed a wooden platform to rest on the floor between the back of the front seat and the front of the rear seat. Then, I placed her crib mattress on the frame. It’s surface was then level with the back seat. She really enjoyed the freedom to move around, and she was safe. Fortunately, there was no seat belt law back in 1952. We drove back on the Southern route from Montgomery to Sacramento.
My memory is a little vague on these trips over 60 years ago. There are a few memories that I will never forget:
We usually drove 200-300 miles per day, so we stayed at a few motels and small hotels along the way. We set $6 as the maximum that we would pay per night. We found that we could get a pretty nice place for that amount. One day we decided to drive beyond five o’clock. It was dark when we finally decided to stop for the night. The first place had a rate of $9! I suspect that they had a lower rate for the earlier check-ins. Marie wanted to keep going. She wanted to drive on, to find a cheaper place. I did all of the driving although she was a good driver, I was “beat”, and talked her into staying there.
On another trip, we were also driving late on a Saturday night. We stopped at a small place, on the outskirts of a small town, to inquire about a room. I remember sitting at the bar, drinking hot chocolates, while negotiating for a room. The bar tender said that he didn’t have a room right then, but if we would hang around for a little while, he would have one available. There was a short pause, and then Marie asked me, “If he doesn’t have a room now, how will he have one later?” I whispered in her ear that “the pillows will be warm”. It took her a little while to figure out what was going on. She was so upset that she grabbed me and said, “Come on we are getting out of here!”.
So we drove on, and it was getting quite late. We pulled into a small town, and it was about midnight. The only place that we could find open was a very small hotel right next to the railway station. They had a room on the second floor, and we took it. We were glad that we finally found a place. I can still see that old bed with the decorative cast- iron at the head and foot of the bed. The toilet was down the hall! We were tired. We didn’t any more get to sleep, when we were awakened by the noise of a switch engine down below. Finally, back to sleep again. Then, we must have been on the mainline of the railroad. Trains - both passenger and freight ran all night. The hotel was so close to the tracks, that the bed shook a little from the vibrations of the trains as they sped through. I like trains, and have ridden them for thousands of miles. (My Dad worked for the New York Central Railroad.) But, I was in no mood for them that night. This experience, was during WWII. The locomotives back then, were steam powered. The steam-powered whistles had a unique sound, and I always enjoyed hearing them. But, not that night (morning!). I still haven’t gotten used to the blowing horns on the modern diesel-electric engines of today. I think we paid $4 for that night of torture.
Another vivid experience happened in Gallup, in December 1945. I had just returned to Long Beach from Okinawa (via Fort Lawton, Washington - after 19 days on a Liberty ship. - but that is another long story! We were on our way back to Michigan for Christmas. We were driving my 1941 Chevrolet convertible. It was snowing, and the temperature was 20 below zero. Have you ever ridden - on red leather -seats, at that temperature - in a convertible, with an inoperative heater? If not, you haven’t lived! Marie started crying she was so cold. She asked me to turn back She wanted to go back to California!
I was able to calm Marie down by telling her that it would get warmer as we drove eastward. We continued on in to Gallup. It was about 6 o’clock and dark. Servicemen are taught to contact the USO (United Service Organizations) when we need help. The organization manned desks in train stations, bus depots and airports. As it happened, the Gallup railway station was along main street as we entered Gallup. So, we parked and went in. I talked to the lady at the desk, and asked her about a motel. She told me there wasn’t a room available in town. Both the East and West transcontinental trains were snowbound at the station. I can’t remember whether both trains belonged to the Southern Pacific or the Santa Fe, or to each company. All the rooms in town were taken by the stranded train passengers. She was very nice and accommodating. She said that she would call her friend and ask her if she would provide a bedroom for us. Her friend said O.K. and told her to send us up. Boy! What a relief! She gave us directions, and I thanked her “Very Much!” Parking at the lady’s house was difficult because of the large snow drifts on each side of the road. Our hostess greeted us, and welcomed us in.
Marie and I were really cold! Our California clothing didn’t provide much warmth. I remember the two of us standing near the floor register for quite some time. Then the nice lady made some cocoa for us. It was the best hot chocolate that I have ever had. One person CAN make a difference!
The next morning I drove the car down to a garage to have the thermostat replaced. Of course he was very busy, fixing other cars. The car was ready about noon. I went back to the house and picked up Marie. We thanked the kind lady (I don’t remember her charging us) and we were off, once again, on Route 66. This was the last time that I traveled this highway.
Ray L’Amoreaux
January 12, 2010.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
CHRISTMAS UNDECORATING!
CHRISTMAS UNDECORATING
I would guess that many of you were up to your fetlocks, in removed Christmas decorations, over the New Year - weekend. “Don’t sweat the small stuff”. Your job was simple compared to that of Jane and Randy Sweet! The Wall Street Journal featured their chore on the front page today.
The Sweets put up 63 Christmas trees in their home this past Season! They use many thousand ornaments to decorate all of their “fake” trees. (from a dozen ornaments per tree to about 500 on the largest one.) With trimming comes “undecorating!” The Sweets don’t start to take the decorations down, until their daughter returns to college. They use her room to store all of the packed- plastic bins. Mrs. Sweet said that “it takes at least a month to put them away.”
The article also mentioned a Mr. Brenner, who sets up five Christmas trees. One of these is his “memory” tree, which he sets up in a dedicated “Christmas Room”. He leaves the tree up all year.
Reading about this, reminded me of Larry Jackson, who worked in the Mail Room, on the 19th floor, at California and Hawaiian Sugar Company’s corporate office in San Francisco. Our office was in the Mutual Benefit Life building, at 101 California Street. One Christmas season, Larry told me about their perpetual Christmas tree! It was part of the furniture on their glassed-in porch in their home in Richmond. Larry told me about the history of the tree. It was flocked in white. He saw it in front of a neighbor’s house awaiting pick-up for disposal. He asked them if he could have it. He explained why, and they gave it to him. The tree was very well preserved by the white coating. Alice and Larry’s son was in the Service, and didn’t make it home for Christmas. Alice and Larry told their son that they would wait and celebrate Christmas when he came home. His homecoming was many months later, and the Jackson’s celebrated their family “Christmas”. The tree stayed up afterwards.
Alice and Larry had great fun inviting friends over for a Fourth of July party. It wasn’t long, before someone would holler, “Hey Larry, plug in the tree”. They would gather around and sing Christmas Carols. I have thought about this event many times, during each of my thirty Christmases since then.
Ray L’Amoreaux. January 7, 2010.
I would guess that many of you were up to your fetlocks, in removed Christmas decorations, over the New Year - weekend. “Don’t sweat the small stuff”. Your job was simple compared to that of Jane and Randy Sweet! The Wall Street Journal featured their chore on the front page today.
The Sweets put up 63 Christmas trees in their home this past Season! They use many thousand ornaments to decorate all of their “fake” trees. (from a dozen ornaments per tree to about 500 on the largest one.) With trimming comes “undecorating!” The Sweets don’t start to take the decorations down, until their daughter returns to college. They use her room to store all of the packed- plastic bins. Mrs. Sweet said that “it takes at least a month to put them away.”
The article also mentioned a Mr. Brenner, who sets up five Christmas trees. One of these is his “memory” tree, which he sets up in a dedicated “Christmas Room”. He leaves the tree up all year.
Reading about this, reminded me of Larry Jackson, who worked in the Mail Room, on the 19th floor, at California and Hawaiian Sugar Company’s corporate office in San Francisco. Our office was in the Mutual Benefit Life building, at 101 California Street. One Christmas season, Larry told me about their perpetual Christmas tree! It was part of the furniture on their glassed-in porch in their home in Richmond. Larry told me about the history of the tree. It was flocked in white. He saw it in front of a neighbor’s house awaiting pick-up for disposal. He asked them if he could have it. He explained why, and they gave it to him. The tree was very well preserved by the white coating. Alice and Larry’s son was in the Service, and didn’t make it home for Christmas. Alice and Larry told their son that they would wait and celebrate Christmas when he came home. His homecoming was many months later, and the Jackson’s celebrated their family “Christmas”. The tree stayed up afterwards.
Alice and Larry had great fun inviting friends over for a Fourth of July party. It wasn’t long, before someone would holler, “Hey Larry, plug in the tree”. They would gather around and sing Christmas Carols. I have thought about this event many times, during each of my thirty Christmases since then.
Ray L’Amoreaux. January 7, 2010.
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
NINETIES
NINETIES.
When I was younger, I thought that anyone my age (91) was ancient. Now, that I am here, I don’t look at myself as being old. The Gerontologists call me, and my cohorts, “old-old.” There are so many of us living to a ripe old age, that they had to come up with this new age classification. According to the 2000 Census, there were over a million of us from 90 to 94 years of age. There are an estimated 131, 000 centenarians today. It will be interesting what this years census will come up with. All of these latter oldsters had to pass through the nineties to get into the select “100”. Outside of my Mother, who died at three months shy of 100, I thought I was probably the next longest-lived family member. But, after a quick check of my families’ statistics, I found a couple of my Dad’s relatives (both males) who died after reaching 95. With my good genes, inherited from both my parents, I have a shot at reaching 95, too, (assuming that I stay off I-80).
When I came to Quail Creek - three months shy of two years ago - I thought that I would probably be the oldest one here. Not so! From what I know, there are three older than I am. Two ladies, have died since I’ve been here - both around 100.
Quail Creek is an assisted living facility. Across the street, and in surrounding houses and apartments, live the “Independent” residents. I play bridge with some of these people. There are a couple of them - a woman and a man - who are 95, and still capable of playing the game. At least, up to my standards. They are my role models.
Conclusion: If, you should go to a continuing-care facility to live, you probably won’t be the oldest resident there.
HAPPY NEW YEAR! May 2010 treat all of you gently.!
Ray L’Amoreaux
January 5, 2010
I
When I was younger, I thought that anyone my age (91) was ancient. Now, that I am here, I don’t look at myself as being old. The Gerontologists call me, and my cohorts, “old-old.” There are so many of us living to a ripe old age, that they had to come up with this new age classification. According to the 2000 Census, there were over a million of us from 90 to 94 years of age. There are an estimated 131, 000 centenarians today. It will be interesting what this years census will come up with. All of these latter oldsters had to pass through the nineties to get into the select “100”. Outside of my Mother, who died at three months shy of 100, I thought I was probably the next longest-lived family member. But, after a quick check of my families’ statistics, I found a couple of my Dad’s relatives (both males) who died after reaching 95. With my good genes, inherited from both my parents, I have a shot at reaching 95, too, (assuming that I stay off I-80).
When I came to Quail Creek - three months shy of two years ago - I thought that I would probably be the oldest one here. Not so! From what I know, there are three older than I am. Two ladies, have died since I’ve been here - both around 100.
Quail Creek is an assisted living facility. Across the street, and in surrounding houses and apartments, live the “Independent” residents. I play bridge with some of these people. There are a couple of them - a woman and a man - who are 95, and still capable of playing the game. At least, up to my standards. They are my role models.
Conclusion: If, you should go to a continuing-care facility to live, you probably won’t be the oldest resident there.
HAPPY NEW YEAR! May 2010 treat all of you gently.!
Ray L’Amoreaux
January 5, 2010
I
Sunday, January 3, 2010
B-25'S
B-25’S
Last night I watched a DVD - “Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo”’ starring Spencer Tracy, Van Johnson, Robert Michum and Phyllis Thaxter. Sadly, none of these three male actors are still living. They still seemed to be present, as I watched the video. Phyllis is three younger than I. She is also a Scorpio. A couple of screenwriters Bill and John, who I met a few months ago, sent me the video, along with other DVD’s and VCR’s relating to WWII. I thought that I had seen the movie “Thirty Seconds” before, but while watching, it wasn’t familiar to me. I did read the book. Apparently, I was thinking of that.
I noted a couple of things in the movie that I didn’t think were very accurate. While proceeding to the target area, the turret-gunner engineer was shown pouring cans of gasoline into the auxiliary bomb-bay fuel tanks. The very next scene showed him smoking a cigarette. I don’t think so! In a later scene, when Ted Lawson was ditching his plane in the China Sea - at the end of his mission - he asked his co-pilot to put the wheels down. This procedure, for this type of landing, is less safe (it’s like a human stubbing his toe). We made a crash landing on dry land, a year later, in our B-17. The correct procedure at that time - for the Army Air Corps “crash landings”, was “Wheels Up”. Sully’s safe landing on the Hudson River almost a year ago, was proof that the wheels up technique worked.
I really related to the movie, It was the story of Lt. Col. (later General) Jimmy Doolittle’s Group’s raid on Japan, with sixteen Billy Mitchell - B-25 bombers, on April 18, 1942. (A year later - 1943 -, General Doolittle headed up the Twelfth Air Force in North Africa. Our Second Bomb Group was under his Command.) My interest in this video was sparked because I also flew B-25’s during the latter part of WWII. I could relate to a lot of the scenes in the movie. Our flight Instructors, at the air base in Douglas, Arizona, where I received my Advanced Pilot training, did the flying scenes in the movie. One of the instructors was Robert Sterling, (He was a handsome devil!). He was married to Ann Sothern, the movie actress. (They divorced in 1949, and he married Anne Jeffries in 1951.) Sterling was born a year (almost to the day) before I was - also a Scorpio. Bob died May 30, 2006, after battling “shingles” for many years.
My instructor showed me how they did the flying for the movie. For the short-run take-off - at the beginning of the runway - he applied the brakes, Then, he ran the two Wright 2600 radial engines up to take-off power - still holding brake pressure. Then, he said “Now!”. I started the flaps down to the “full flap” position, as he had briefed me. As the flaps started down, he released the brakes, and the B-25 lunged forward. At the same time, my instructor pulled the yoke back into his stomach as far as he could. The B-25 lifted off, shortly afterwards. The plane was in a nose-up attitude as it “stalled” off the ground. It was a strange feeling, sitting there in the co-pilot’s seat - in a wobbling plane - trying to gain flying speed and altitude. I can still relate to the experience - “déjà vu, all over again”.
The instructors also practiced “Short-Field” landings - to simulate landing back on the carrier after take-off, if need be. He showed me how they did it. On the final approach to landing, He throttled back, and asked for full-flaps, which I gave him. Then, he increased the engine power until we had an indicated air speed of about 90 mph. It was a strange feeling to be going so slow in a nose-up attitude. In a normal landing, the pilot has a good view of the runway with the lowered nose on the approach. As we reached the end of the runway, my instructor chopped the power. The plane stalled at probably 75 mph, and dropped down for the landing. Both the short-field take-offs and landings were unique for me, not being a Naval aviator.
As he taxied back to the flight line, my instructor said, “I never want to catch you trying those.” You can guess what happened among we student pilots! The B-25 was very forgiving of pilot mistakes. I think, that if the plane was set up properly on the final approach, that it could practically land itself.
The two radial engines were very loud! They also had a very distinctive sound - especially if the pilot hadn’t synchronized the propellers. I will never forget the unique sound of the B-25 engines. When the restored B-25’s are touring to and from the local airports, I can be inside when I hear the B-25 approach, and have no trouble identifying the type of airplane. By the sound. The same thing with the Stearman bi-plane and the B-17. From my many hours of listening to their engines, I remember those sounds, too.
Ray L’Amoreaux
January 3, 2010.
Last night I watched a DVD - “Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo”’ starring Spencer Tracy, Van Johnson, Robert Michum and Phyllis Thaxter. Sadly, none of these three male actors are still living. They still seemed to be present, as I watched the video. Phyllis is three younger than I. She is also a Scorpio. A couple of screenwriters Bill and John, who I met a few months ago, sent me the video, along with other DVD’s and VCR’s relating to WWII. I thought that I had seen the movie “Thirty Seconds” before, but while watching, it wasn’t familiar to me. I did read the book. Apparently, I was thinking of that.
I noted a couple of things in the movie that I didn’t think were very accurate. While proceeding to the target area, the turret-gunner engineer was shown pouring cans of gasoline into the auxiliary bomb-bay fuel tanks. The very next scene showed him smoking a cigarette. I don’t think so! In a later scene, when Ted Lawson was ditching his plane in the China Sea - at the end of his mission - he asked his co-pilot to put the wheels down. This procedure, for this type of landing, is less safe (it’s like a human stubbing his toe). We made a crash landing on dry land, a year later, in our B-17. The correct procedure at that time - for the Army Air Corps “crash landings”, was “Wheels Up”. Sully’s safe landing on the Hudson River almost a year ago, was proof that the wheels up technique worked.
I really related to the movie, It was the story of Lt. Col. (later General) Jimmy Doolittle’s Group’s raid on Japan, with sixteen Billy Mitchell - B-25 bombers, on April 18, 1942. (A year later - 1943 -, General Doolittle headed up the Twelfth Air Force in North Africa. Our Second Bomb Group was under his Command.) My interest in this video was sparked because I also flew B-25’s during the latter part of WWII. I could relate to a lot of the scenes in the movie. Our flight Instructors, at the air base in Douglas, Arizona, where I received my Advanced Pilot training, did the flying scenes in the movie. One of the instructors was Robert Sterling, (He was a handsome devil!). He was married to Ann Sothern, the movie actress. (They divorced in 1949, and he married Anne Jeffries in 1951.) Sterling was born a year (almost to the day) before I was - also a Scorpio. Bob died May 30, 2006, after battling “shingles” for many years.
My instructor showed me how they did the flying for the movie. For the short-run take-off - at the beginning of the runway - he applied the brakes, Then, he ran the two Wright 2600 radial engines up to take-off power - still holding brake pressure. Then, he said “Now!”. I started the flaps down to the “full flap” position, as he had briefed me. As the flaps started down, he released the brakes, and the B-25 lunged forward. At the same time, my instructor pulled the yoke back into his stomach as far as he could. The B-25 lifted off, shortly afterwards. The plane was in a nose-up attitude as it “stalled” off the ground. It was a strange feeling, sitting there in the co-pilot’s seat - in a wobbling plane - trying to gain flying speed and altitude. I can still relate to the experience - “déjà vu, all over again”.
The instructors also practiced “Short-Field” landings - to simulate landing back on the carrier after take-off, if need be. He showed me how they did it. On the final approach to landing, He throttled back, and asked for full-flaps, which I gave him. Then, he increased the engine power until we had an indicated air speed of about 90 mph. It was a strange feeling to be going so slow in a nose-up attitude. In a normal landing, the pilot has a good view of the runway with the lowered nose on the approach. As we reached the end of the runway, my instructor chopped the power. The plane stalled at probably 75 mph, and dropped down for the landing. Both the short-field take-offs and landings were unique for me, not being a Naval aviator.
As he taxied back to the flight line, my instructor said, “I never want to catch you trying those.” You can guess what happened among we student pilots! The B-25 was very forgiving of pilot mistakes. I think, that if the plane was set up properly on the final approach, that it could practically land itself.
The two radial engines were very loud! They also had a very distinctive sound - especially if the pilot hadn’t synchronized the propellers. I will never forget the unique sound of the B-25 engines. When the restored B-25’s are touring to and from the local airports, I can be inside when I hear the B-25 approach, and have no trouble identifying the type of airplane. By the sound. The same thing with the Stearman bi-plane and the B-17. From my many hours of listening to their engines, I remember those sounds, too.
Ray L’Amoreaux
January 3, 2010.
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