Virginia Country

Early interesting Cars:
 Some folk went crazy with customizing.....

 I know this one has Chrysler tail lights and the unforgettable 50 Studebaker bullet nose.  (The lizard head got me!)

But for today:
This is very interesting country. It has been a long time since seeing tobacco in the field. There are some beautiful farms here, well taken care of. I haven’t gotten lost but two or three times after we settled down. (true)

Tonight’s walk was good, a little over two miles. The thrill of the woods, roads and country over shadow the Starter problem. As other glitches in life, it is now behind and will make a good story as time goes on.

(My guage and rear camera (tow car) view )
 
On the trip I had commented on the beautiful cloud formations. A good photographer (like our friend Rick) sees a sight of beauty and thinks to hold it on film, I forget, later I say ‘I shoulda caught that on film.’ As I said we followed our antique GPS, it took us off the interstate and I did not complain. As we entered Virginia the sky was dark on one side and clear on the other. You could see the solid vertical rain line I have seen so many times at sea.

In just a few minutes we were in a deluge. I had to slow to 30 mph. It was a refreshing rain for about 15 minutes then we had clear skies & White clouds ahead. It was beautiful.

Then the GPS took us off US29 onto local roads. As I mentioned narrow, with no center line. I met one truck we both dropped our right wheels off the pavement, waved, smiled and passed slowly. I am sure he was a local farmer wondering what this guy is doing out here?

Then a double railroad crossing (rough) with a 'short steep' incline into US29, (WHAT? We left 29 awhile back.). The GPS took us across 29 again and back into the great farm country. It was an interesting ride. Virginia is a beautiful state.

Nite Shipslog

INDEPENDENCE DAY, The Fourth of July (on the 5th)

Those trucks celebrating the  USA

Now today:
I know, my timing is off (just a day).
 The USS Independence (CVA62) my home for a couple years.

 Launching planes.....

 Recovering planes  (above)     Flight deck activity (below)

Since I spent many years in the military, it is not unusual to say we have traveled in over 26 countries. Many were due to orders, cruises and deployments. Some were pleasure trips to see more of the world.


I know I am sort of an odd ball. In a way I do have a hometown, because I married a sweetheart who has a real hometown. She lived there the first 18 years of her life. In that same period of time I lived in 7 towns and attended 4 different schools, so I do not have ‘old friends and school mates.’ I know no one I was in school (same grade) with in the first 9 years.
 
I believe I could settle in another country, IF I THOUGHT ONE BETTER. But that is not the case. In my opinion this is the greatest country in the world. In reading, not visiting, I would think Australia would come close.

But I love this country with all its faults and warts. We fuss a lot. BUT there have been times in our history we have come together for the greater good, and accomplished miracles.

I DO NOT LIKE IT WHEN SOMEONE DISPARAGES THIS COUNTRY, but that is the beauty of the USA. Someone disgruntled can crucify in words our congress, all leaders even the president (as long as it is not a true threat) and not be sent to jail or killed. 

Don’t get me wrong, I hurt when someone belittles my country, laws, flag, anthem and its name. Especially if they are citizens and enjoying the protection our constitution gives them. But I accept and appreciate freedom of speech.

God BLESS and SAVE the United States of America. I love this country

Nite Shipslog

HURT

Those cars of my younger years
 1967 Mustang.... Lee Iaccoca, father of the Mustang just passed away. Did you ever own one? I didn't but sorta wish I had, it was a cool car.

 Now today:

I mentioned in yesterday’s blog about getting the wrong parts from a parts house. Ask any man who has worked on his own car if he was ever given the wrong part. I would bet more than 95% have.

When I retired I spend a lot of time at a local one man parts house. A great guy. Several times customers came back, “Hey Bill these are the wrong brake shoes!” (etc)

“Let me check.” Bill would say. “Crap Tom, that car takes two types, I’m sorry dude, I gave you the wrong ones. Let me get the right ones.”  Sometimes he would give the customer a tube of grease or small can of oil as a freebee.

After a few times I said, “Man that has happened to me more times than I can count.”

“Jack, I wasn’t straight with Tom,” I didn’t have the right shoes for his car, I knew those were wrong. So when he left I ordered the right ones and I would have them when he came back. If I had told him I didn’t have them, he would have driven into town to NAPA and got them. That is terrible, but it is the part’s business.”

I kinda understood, but I did tell him, “Man when you have only one car, and you tear the wheel down and the shoe doesn’t fit, you gotta put it all back together and drive back to get the right ones. I KNOW because I did it. There were times if I knew it was on purpose……..”

We were still friends, but my respect dropped. I was hurt.

But that is not the HURT Imma talking about. Remember a few blogs back I told of unusual/odd signs. Some of you had some good ones. We follow our antique GPS. On US29 we both cracked up, “HURT NEXT TWO EXITS”,

I told Sherry I refused to hurt at any exit today!

Yep, there is a Hurt, VA.

Note, Myra, I had to smile remembering the story of the renter naming the baby after your mom!!!!! 
Note:
Krekel Custard and Hamburgers has used Chicken Cadillacs as their 'symbol' for years they are up to the '70s Caddy now methinks. (I do not get the connection???)

The banana car? this is a quote: 
 
It had long been the desire of Steve Braithwaite, a native of England now living in America, to be the most ridiculous man in the world. Having a goofy pompadour haircut for many years was simply not enough and so he had to think big. "What sort of car would the most ridiculous man in the world drive" he asked himself one day "I know, a banana car" he answered.
I just collect the car photos.  LOL 

My 4th entry tomorrow the 5th. A day late....


Nite Shipslog