2015-06-20 New Hampshire

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•  2015-06-17 Alton, NH Visit with Don and Jeri Dempster
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• As we drove through the Massachusetts and New Hampshire countryside we couldn’t help but marvel at the beautiful forests and farms that were just mesmerizing.  Makes one’s mind roll back to younger days of  living on a farm and the wonderful memories that accompany that. Once you get into the rural winding and turning highways through the more mountainous area the view becomes spectacular.

  

  Alton is a small city located on the Southern Shore of Lake Winnipesauke. It is in the Lake Region which encompasses all the area and cities around the lake. Bike Week, In late June, there are more than 200,000 bikers camping, rooming in homes and partying. They are driving around the lake at all times day and night and of course; most have a Harley Davidson (Hog) that makes loud noises.
  
  
  
  

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  • We went to Alton to visit Don and Jerri.  Don and I served and flew together in the early 1960’s while in Patrol Squadron Ten (VP-10) in the SP-2E Neptune Patrol Bomber in Brunswick, ME. In 1963, I was Best Man at their wedding and we have been able to visit many times since. Always the perfect hostess, Jerri took over and provided the most delicious meals one could ask for. Thank you Jerri!

  
  Both took time to chauffeur us around sightseeing and sharing some history of the area which included stopping for lunch at “Castle in the Clouds” for lunch. It has a real castle on the grounds that was built by someone as a home. From the terrace of the restaurant you can see the beautiful mountains surrounding you.  We enjoyed ice cream by the lake (twice), and I, Anita, especially enjoyed a picnic lunch with Jerri and several friends at a charming little café near the lake.
  
  
  
  Unfortunately, time was short and we had another family member to visit in Maine, so grudgingly we had to leave.
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Some happy reminders of our time in New Hampshire with Don and Jerri.

                                                                          Kassie

                                                           "Wings a little different"

                                                             Views from the clouds.

Bronze animal statues

                                               The bikers are everywhere.

                      Wooden Indian leaning against the house. (Wish the truck wasn't there)

                                                               Another beautiful church

                                          We love the beautiful architecture of the churches.

This tree, next door to Don and Jerri, was so unusual.  It had beautiful white blooms to the top.

                                                      Hogs, hogs, and more hogs.

                                             Good food and good company at Johnson's.

Good Service, too.  Our waitress, Breanna, was delightful.

2015-06-15 Quakertown PA

2015-06-15 Quakertown, PA Visit with Don and Millie Shaw

What a wonderful visit we had with Don and Millie. Don was my Flight Engineer (formerly Plane captain) while we were flying the SP-2E Neptune Patrol Bomber during our tour of duty in Patrol Squadron Ten (VP-10) in Brunswick ME. This is the first visit together since 2009.

Don and I served and flew together for almost three years and were fortunate to have the rest of our team, a seven man crew with three or four pilots, together for over two years during of that time. We flew  from Brunswick to places like Iceland, several places in Norway, Newfoundland (Canada), Greenland and the Caribbean as well as several East Coast bases for operations and training.

We had a great time sharing old stories and tales of our travels and events as well as talking about old friends and fellow flight crew member. We reminisced about the last squadron reunion and all the friends we saw there and sadly about those  who have passed on.

Millie and I, Anita, spent some good times together.  She took me to a most interesting indoor flea market/grocery/specialties shopping area.  We also drove through a "covered bridge" and saw some beautiful country near their home.  Don and Jesse elected to stay home to allow us some "girl time". Thank you, Millie, for your warm welcome and hospitality.  Hope we get to visit again. 

                                                       What happened here?

                                                                         Boo!

                                                              This is one big bridge!

                                         Their family room for when the children come.

                                        Nice back yard for the Goober and Boomer to enjoy.

2015-05-16 Bluegrass Weekend

We started the week planning on attending the Bluegrass Festival in Amelia Court House, VA, 14-16th  As events unfolded we didn't get there until Saturday the 16th.  We had planned to take the truck with the golf cart but the truck wasn't ready.

Backing up a bit, earlier in the month we had a head on collision with a Chevy Aquanox.  We were making a left turn and as we were proceeding (around 5-10 mph) and were in the middle of the intersection, a speeding car ran the light and hit us at about 20 mph.(fortunately their brakes worked to almost stop them).  But if we had not stopped, they would have crashed into the passenger door, and guess who would have been the "target", (glad we were stopped!). We had over $1800 in damage to the front end. Lol

When we backed away from them, our tow bracket pulled away their entire front end. Had to kick it off the tow bracket.  No injuries as far as I know. The other driver was cited with causing the accident.  We were able to drive away, they couldn't because our tow bracket went through their radiator.  We were glad that Boomer wasn't with us, but if he had been, he would have had his harness on because he always wears it in truck.

Anyway, the truck was (is) in for repairs and was not available, plus we were busy helping someone else who had car problems. RESULTS: no truck-no golf cart-can't go until Saturday. Not much sense in driving Boomer Bus for a one day trip.

The weather was just awesome.  Few clouds and warm. We missed some of the featured groups but were still able to lounge around and enjoy five of the groups. As usual, the Bluegrass Brothers closed the festival with their "House of the Rising Sun" classic.  We have heard it before, and know that it's their "trademark ending" but it still gives "goose bumps".  That one number is worth the trip to wherever they are in concert.

The Bluegrass Brothers

Jr. Sisk and Ramblers Choice

Wildwood Valley Boys

Bass Mountain Boys Reunion

James King with the Bluegrass Brothers

He is awaiting a liver transplant.

 In the Tradition

Boomer & new friend