Thinking and Family for supper

Johnny and Candace came over and had supper with us tonight. We had a great visit.
Sherry talked to neighbors who are here only for a family reunion. Sherry took note, they said the down town area ‘was not safe’. Maybe one block was, then the next block was dangerous and if you did not know the area you would not know which blocks. Ignorant country folk are intimidated or gold chains are ripped from their necks, etc. I don’t care for that kind of excitement.

As I stated, we have visited some of the world’s largest cities, but mostly to drive around. We walked some in Paris, but there too, you must be careful. We REALLY did not know that ‘neighborhood’.

That reminds me of our trip to Europe. We went on a whim. Sherry & I were still working and I saw an ad for an airline that gave roundtrip tickets to Frankfurt for $178 round trip. At the time, Sherry had a passport but I had to scramble to get a passport and international driver’s license. Buck, who worked part time digging in the dirt with a back hoe, agreed to go along. Along with his wife Alice we all packed up and took off.

Country folk, heading to see the world.(I had seen a lot of the world but in uniform, this was different.) We rented a car in Frankfurt, bought a map, and headed for Paris, France. From France to Switzerland and back up to Germany. It was a whirl wind trip but a lot of fun. We loved the food and people. Most everyone was nice and helpful.

We made it all the way without incident, and back to the USA. I found the drivers in Europe to be much more courteous than the US. (Except in Italy and Sicily where it is more fun but dangerous. There they love to drive with their hand gestures and horns. LOL. Over all Driving in Paris was the easiest, the French are for the whole, more courteous on the road.

I hated to leave Europe, knowing there was so much left to see, I think I thought I would return later, but never have. Now since 9/11 it is too much hassle to fly.

Now we are set to leave the Detroit area. I know we have not scratched the surface of things to see here, but the road calls.

Thanks for stopping by the log.
Nite Shipslog
PS:
More of Sherry’s advice to young ladies:
What do you do if your boyfriend walks out? You shut the door.

Then she gets into philosophy: If they put a man on the moon - they should be able to put them all up there.

Johnny and Candace leaving. maybe we will see them in another couple years.

Leaving Thursday, North or West??? the big question!

Our stay in the Detroit area is nearly over. This has been great, except for the small incident of the wind. During that fiasco I fell and bruised my ribs. My doctor is the blood pressure machine at Wal-Mart and the internet. In my years of living I have learned a few things. There are something’s a REAL doctor cannot do, one is they cannot perform a miracle, they cannot cure a cold, and they cannot fix a pulled, stained, or bruised muscle. Only time and patience and trying not to make it worse will take care of that.
They can prescribe pain medicine. I cannot see the logic of getting a prescription filled for 800 mg Ibuprophen, why not take 4 of the 200 mg pills from the shelf? Anyway the internet says nothing major can be done except rest and no straining that area. They give 72 hrs to 2 months for it to heal. Since 72 hours has past, I assume it will take awhile, HA! Last night I gave some serious consideration of heading to western Michigan and staying there a couple weeks while it healed more. Now that I have had time to consider, I think we will try to drive on around lake Michigan. Never been up in that area, what I see of it on the net seems to call to me. If I am not a little better by Wed. afternoon we might just head for Buchanan, MI for a couple weeks, and then continue. We aren’t on any kind of schedule.

If I heal up more, it would be neat to fish for some crappie in the GREAT LAKES, I think they have them here. I will have to check the rules and buy a battery for our little motor. I would be afraid to keep any other fish; you need a lawyer to fish anymore because of the different state regulations.

Sometimes I forget, unless we have an appointment, we have no schedule to keep. It makes life simple. The weather is good and life is great. I think I will sleepin in the morning.

We walked out to a new (to us) restaurant, Tim Horton’s. We got a tuna sandwich and a bowl of soup. It was pretty good.
Back up to Wal-mart, we can walk to these places. Sherry got Cabbage and Salmon. She is cooking for Johnny and Candace before we leave. Sherry fixes the country meal for the city folk who don’t get it often. Pintos, cabbage, squash, cornbread and salmon patties.


(RV'r's use all kinds of living space. This couple pulled in beside us, backed a classic jaguar out of this car hauler, and covered it up. The the ramp was raised for a porch floor, an awning pulled out for a roof, and screen snapped in place to make a screen in porch. They put their grill out and cooked supper. I did yell that it was illegal to smell up the place!) Nothing in a CG better than the smell of campfire and BBG beef.

Today is Sherry's dad's Birthday he was born July 27, 1902. RIP Wiley Aaron harris he has been gone many years now, leave it to a girl to keep up with it, that is nice.

Thanks for coming this way,
Nite Shipslog.
PS:
MY Wife’s advice to young ladies:
Don't imagine you can change a man - unless he's in diapers.

Remember a sense of humor does not mean that you tell him jokes, it means that you laugh at his.
(she is such a kidder)

Ride down town Detroit

I had heard so much about downtown and the GM Renaissance Center referred to as the Ren-Cen, I wanted to see it. We started our drive through Wayne, MI. This is the home of this Ford Stamping and assembly plant.

On our left going downdown on US12 (Michigan Ave) Was the giant Hyatt (Do they ever fill the 772 rooms?)

Just a little farther on down Michigan Ave, on our right is Ford Headquarters. Now I for one was surprised the Ford was on a better footing than GM when the economic crash hit.

The next structure took me by surprise. It is the old Detroit Central Station the train station the heart of Detroit for so many years. Now a derelict gutted building, only a skeleton of its past glory.

One of our first views of the Detroit skyline as we approach from the West.

Stately OLD and new structures. to our right. (also to our left).

Straight ahead the side of a skyscraper shouts, "Quicken Loans, Proud to call Motown our new hometown".

I do not know this building on our left, but with a concave front was unique.

Finally a view of the Ren-Cen. There is a driverless people mover that connects all of the buildings in the complex.

We approached on Jefferson, but swung around the complex to the water front. This is the opening at Atwater st.

From here you can see buildings in Canada across the river. the camera was acting up at the time.
To the shame of Detroit, and Henry Ford would roll over in his grave, the population of Detroit has dropped from near 2 million in 1950 to about 900,000 now. The inner city crime rate is one of the highest in the nation, however the area near the water front does not have a high crime rate.

To be honest I am not comfortable in large cities. We have driven (uncomfortably) in Boston, DC, NewYork, Paris, Frankfort, kansas City, Los Angeles, Dallas, etc.

We are mostly small town folk and feel more at home in a place where we feel comfortable stopping anywhere. I get edgy when I start seeing metal screens, plywood, and steel bars over doors and windows. I know they are there for a reason not for the fun of it. I am proud of you if you can feel comfortable.

Driving back out toward I-94 which we are going to take home we pass again on Michigan Ave the Rosa PArks Transit center. Very aptly named for Rosa Parks who refused to go to the back of the bus or give her seat to a white person.

In another entry maybe, I will show the bus that Rosa sat in. It is housed in the Henry Ford, a great museum in Dearborn.

I like unique sights. This is a giant Uniroyal tire on the left of I-94 leaving etroit proper and headed back to Belleville (thru Inkster (unique name ,huh?)).

Another unique sight just a little further West. these BLUE beamed Bridges.

Thanks for going with us to see a few sights of Detroit.

Nite Shipslog

PS:

WHY ATHLETES CAN'T HAVE REGULAR JOBS...

1. Chicago Cubs outfielder Andre Dawson on being a role model:

"I wan' all dem kids to do what I do, to look up to me. I wan' all the kids to copulate me."

2. New Orleans Saint RB George Rogers when asked about the upcoming season:

"I want to rush for 1,000 or 1,500 yards, whichever comes first."

Why do you Guys travel?

The Hyatt hotel in Deerborn (I think)
last nights's sunset
We are asked that question fairly often. Other than it is hard for bill collectors to find you, It is a hard question to answer. Our pat answer is, we just enjoy it. I ask Sherry why she likes chocolate so much. It is always the same answer: “Because it is sooooo good, and I feel better after eating it.”

You have unique things happen. Once we were somewhere in Illinois I think. Sherry was in one of those, “I would sure like to have something chocolate”, moods. “Anything, there is a McDonalds, pull in.”
Inside she ordered a cone of chocolate soft serve. These are practically the exact words of the young girl behind the counter, “I’m sorry, we only have vanilla, but you do know there is no difference in the taste of vanilla and chocolate, just one is brown.” See what I mean, My girl did not smack the little girl, she just smiled and said thank you, and we left. The girl isn’t old enough to know what choc-o-holic means.

We drove through Wayne, Michigan. That is the home of a huge Ford assembly plant. There were a lot of new cars out there, but the car transporters weren’t all near full. Visiting Detroit is like it must be to go visit a rich uncle, who is no longer rich, but on food stamps.
It hurts me to see a once bustling metropolis decaying. I think the unemployment is 14% and buildings that were once associated with the auto industry are closed and some boarded up. I am reminded that we were once number one in the world, no one could come close to touching us in the auto industry.

We were innovative and forward looking, now countries that were devastated in 1945, have in 60 years taken over the industry. I am reminded of the fable, the hare and the tortoise, when you are a mile ahead in a race NO ONE should beat you! I could say the same in the economy!

BUT THE GIANT WENT TO SLEEP!

There is beauty in the Detroit area, farmland and huge modern buildings and everythng inbetween.
Thanks for reading the log.

Nite Shipslog

PS:
We are the only country where we have homeless without shelter, children going to bed without eating, elderly going without needed meds, and mentally ill without treatment - yet we have a benefit for the people of Haiti on 12 TV stations, ships and planes lining up with food, water, tents, clothes, bedding, doctors and medical supplies. Imagine if we gave ourselves the same support that we give other countries. I truly feel bad for them, Sherry and I donated and also helped pay the way of a laborer to go help, but I wonder If Americans care about America .. Maybe when that crisis is over………… what do you say? WE can...............!!!!

What a hectic few minutes!!!

I did not get photos of our 'episode' .


We were sitting in the motor home yesterday enjoying the stay, when all of a sudden it started raining, a real down pour. I had our patio awning out, and had not been able to anchor it to the ground; the anchors would only go down a few inches so I skipped them. The wind got up a little and I knew it was too late to bring it in. Once the wind gets up past 20mph you do more’ sure’ damage trying to bring it in than you ‘might’ get if it stays out. It is a big gamble.

Before we could really decide a deluge fell along with wind of 50mph with gusts higher. The Awning folded on one end. I took my hearing aids out and held the door as I opened it. Not ready for the power of the wind. The door was ripped from my grasp.

I quickly moved to the back side to push it shut and the wind was so strong I could not move it. Steadily I pushed on the door and finally got it past the point of resistance and I slammed it shut.

I proceeded to pull against the awning and hold it until the wind actually stopped, only a few minutes. I ran to the other end grabbed some tools and stakes from under motor home and tried to anchor the awning. The wind pulled up what I had done. (I wasted water this morning taking a bath, all I needed was the soap now.) I fell once and said a few strong words.

In a few minutes the wind nearly died. I got the awning rolled up and tried to open the door, nada. No door would open. Being deaf, I can’t talk to Sherry. I finally got it across to her to ‘kick’ the door open by sitting on the floor and placing both feet against the door. She did that as the wind was picking up again and it was still raining a little. After a minute or so we succeeded in opening the door. It had sprung with the winds force.

I ran to my ever trusty tools and got the grinder. Drug out my folding ladder and Sherry plugged the grinder in for me. Fighting a little wind I ground the frame down. After a few tries we were able to grind enough for the door to close and open. I got the grinder and ladder put up just in time for the next attack of wind and rain. What a day! Well really what a period of about thirty minutes.

Inside, dried, clothes changed, and seated. Sherry looked at me and said, “Maybe we had better quit this traveling and head back to NC!”
Nah, maybe after the ‘SWAN SONG’, but not right now I am having too much fun!!!!

Thanks for coming by the log.

NIte Shipslog

PS: We had another good visit with Johnny today.

We have found that Paula’s is a good place to eat. We Eat at ‘Paula’s Café’, in Lenoir, NC and today we ate at “Paula’s Country Cooking” in Belleville, MI. the waitress even said, “May I hep Y’all?”(In Michigan?)

In Texas, That John must be a lucky guy!

Learning part of our family.....

Trip mileage so far.. Motor home....850 miles van..400 miles
gas here in this area is $2.65 per gal/ Diesel is $2.89
*************************************************************

Take a look at these two sharp guys:

This is Elijah!

This is Tyler....

These are the first true proof that Johnny is a Great grandpa. Johnny the happy go lucky guy has a daughter we just met this trip. For many reasons our paths never crossed. But now we have met Candice.

The lovely Candice is the 'grandmother' of the two sharp dudes opening this entry of the blog. Johnny in the middle and my Sherry on the right. It is good to see Johnny and great to finally meet the illusive Candice. She has a winning smile and a pleasing personality. Grandma's don't look like they used to! (More later this week).

Since I continually load the pictures wrong and Blogger won't let me rearrange them I will degress our trip here. Michigan State line 'Pure Michigan'.

This is a good but hazy skyline of Cincinnati.

As we travelled thru some beautiful farm country we saw a barn painted like the barn on 'Ma'a Blog side board'. There are some beautiful farm lands and crops in Kentucky and Ohio. This was a great corn field.

As you can see in the distance, there is another giant cross, it must stand 80-100 ft.

Through Kentucky I have always wanted to get a shot of the veins of coal along the interstate.

I don't know why, they just amaze me. We had a wonderful trip and the view kept changing in our picture window. Nothing like the road to lift my spirits, you never know what you run into next. We saw no wrecks this segment. That was good. A lot of construction in the Cincinatti area.
It was in this area we spotted Joe, the Bohemian. Lucy didn't even miss him.

Our trip is just starting, we have a couple more trips to see close friends and family but most of the area it will be corresponding friends and stranges. The trip schedule changes as we plan. Today we dropped from Cheyenne, WY down to Colorado Springs, Colorado for a stop. We hope to see Sam in Colorado.

Thanks for coming by the blog. We are now at the Wayne County Fair Grounds. Nothing happening on their schedule, so out of the 99 sites only about ten are being used and we have it to ourselves.

Thanks for reading I hope we can find something interesting for fodder for the Blog in the Detroit area.

NIte Shipslog

PS:

The old sheriff was attending an awards dinner when a lady commented on his wearing his sidearm 'Sheriff, I see you have your pistol. Are you expecting trouble?'

'No Ma'am. If I were expecting trouble, I would have brought my shotgun.'

PS2:

At the last campground we lost water while there. I was making this entry a few hours ago and the power dropped off. We gave up waiting and have the generator running. I just love to complain! hahahahahahahaha

Who really cares, I used to want to follow the circus, now I live on the fairgrounds, just waiting!!!!

Ready to leave Tennessee but first my last story!

You see the van hooked up all the embilical cords disconnected, ready to go, but first my story.

George Coleman invited us out to his house the last morning for breakfast and volunteered his beautiful wife Donna to cook for us. She did and fed us like royalty. If you are into Gospel singing you would know her and her family. They are the ‘Singing Branhams’. They have a beautiful estate, parked in the yard are several large vehicles. There are two buses for the singing group and equipment and a motor home. Of course they have room for them as you can see in the pictures.

Donna, Sherry and good ole' George!

(Donna and George seem to be very happy, We are glad for them)

Looking at the estate you would not believe the price, I won’t quote it, but they got a steal and put a lot of work into this place. Donna actually did most of the restoring herself.
We were entertained by a couple videos of the group’s engagements. I don’t hear as most folks know, but I could tell by the response of the audience they were good, I was even clapping and keeping rhythm like I was there live.

Donna related some stunts George done during her pregnancy, but made him tell me this one:
The church used to be big on fellowship meetings. George got to one of the meetings late down in Georgia, and squeezed into a pew next to the aisle. During the service out of the corner of his eye he caught sight of a young man, obviously inebriated, carrying an open bottle in a paper bag. Slowly staggering down toward the front.

George had just returned from overseas, a strong sergeant. He saw no one else was going to prevent a scene so he easily muscled the young ‘drunk’ to the foyer and started giving him a lecture, finally the young man said meekly, “Sir, I am part of tonight’s program!”
George said, “I tried my best to stand there without crying and I told him, ‘Son, you are doing a good job, keep it up!’”

Boy, did I get a kick out of that. Because I was part of a trio in Biloxi, Mississippi with George once, we were two of the wisemen visiting Jesus. We were singing ‘We Three Kings’, when it came to my part, I started singing, "Myrrh is mine (at that time my mind went blank) I started singing da-d-da-da-d-da. All the way to the end, I could not make myself shut up."

I have never lived that down. NOW George’s stunt was much better than mine with a much bigger audience!!!! Thanks George I’ll never forget you, you go boy!! And thanks Donna!

You believe that Fred??? After 50 years, PAYBACK!

Tomorrow I will continue with travel, these are the last impressive, important folks that NOW KNOW ME!!!

Nite Shipslog
PS:
A reporter did a human-interest piece on the Texas Rangers. The reporter recognized the Colt Model 1911 the Ranger was carrying and asked him 'Why do you carry a 45?' The Ranger responded, 'Because they don't make a 46.'

WE ARE ON THE ROAD!!!!!

On the road again, we passed and followed many folks today, but the biggest surprise was....

Ole' Joe, Lucy will be surprised that he was cruising North, he should be home by now!!!!!!

Todays Stuff:

Seems like a long time ago we left Belmont, but this week seems to have flown. We are now on the road toward Michigan (our next stop). As I have said the entire time we have been here it has been ‘awesome’, to use my grandkids buzz word. (One more surprise tomorrow!)

Steve, who is working for Wal-Mart and saving money to go back and finish his degree, uses the word ‘Sweet’.

Remember ‘made in the Shade’? Roger Slack, a boy I thought was cool, would say, “I got it made in the shade with table grade”. I never knew what that meant, but anything Roger said was cool.

Rog was tough, he was cool. He ‘borrowed’ someone’s Henry-J (that was a car, in case you do not know) and drove it until it ran out of gas, then tried to sellthe spare for gas money. Those local police gave him a ride back to the Albemarle jail in a new 1950 ford with a red light on top. Roger was still cool around us boys later and said, “Man that was cool.”

Dad was able to talk the owner out of pressing charges and the police let Roger go to be under dad’s supervision for awhile. Roger never got into any more trouble and grew to be a good citizen. I wish things could be that simple now.

This morning was one of the few mornings I am awake before Sherry. She lay there so pretty and I enjoyed watching her sleep. I never fail to thank God for this girl, I was so lucky. She is my ‘Sweet Thang’.

On the road is the place we love to be. I love our picture window. The local paper back home ran a picture I entitled, “The view from our house”. It was a picture taken from the motor home, through the windshield of the road ahead.

Tomorrow my last tale of famous folk who know us, and a great tale on my buddy!

Thanks for joining us on the road,
Nite Shipslog
PS:
A friend was driving with three young children one warm summer evening when a woman in the convertible ahead stood up and waved. She was stark naked! As the driver was reeling from the shock, he heard the 5-year-old shout from the back seat, ' Dad, that lady isn't wearing seat belt!'

It pays to teach your kids Safety first.