Happy Easter all!
We have been in Fresno, CA visiting my family for a week now and today we will head up to Calistoga to visit Joyce’s family.
On Friday night Joyce and I along with my mother and brother attended Good Friday church services. The church choir presented a program in song and readings that told the story of Jesus’ persecution and death. It was very moving.
Speaking of Jesus, I watched the movie, Killing Jesus and if you haven seen it, I highly recommend you do. The movie, adapted from the book written by Bill O’Reilly, was very powerful.
April 6, 2015
The run up Highway 99 and I-5 to Calistoga was easy until we got to Lodi. We saw an advisory sign that said there was a travel delays on Highway 12 that we would be taking through Fairfield. So, we pulled into the Flying J Travel Center to check out what was going on.
We got the CalTrans radio up and it said that one of the bridges on Highway 12 was closed and travelers were using an alternate route and to expect significant delays. Since I know that area very well and being familiar with the roads, we didn’t want to drive our motor coach through there.
We decided to just go up I-5 to Sacramento and then take I-80 through Fairfield, reconnecting with Highway 12 in Cordelia. If you have ever driven in the Sacramento area, you know that the highways are very, very congested most of the time, especially on holiday weekends. And sure enough, we ran into bumper-to-bumper traffic almost to just past Dixon. After that, it was pretty much smooth sailing to Calistoga.
Our friend Chris Herdell called to invite us to dinner at her sister’s home in Saint Helena so after getting settled in the Napa County Fairgrounds RV Park, we met Chris and her husband Bob at their home and then the four of us went to her sister’s home. We had a wonderful ham dinner and some great conversation.
April 10, 2015
Yesterday we made the short run to Travis AFB. We plan to be here for about ten days and hope to see a lot of our “old” friends while we’re in the area.
April 11, 2015
Yesterday Joyce and I met up with Rich Carter, Bob Fuchs and Mike De Castro at Miss Darla’s in Vacaville for happy hour. There were a lot of stories told and we actually landed a few airplanes at Midway Island as well. Of course, Bob had some very funny C-124 stories and even one about landing in a C-47 at Baguio, Philippines.
April 12, 2015
Yesterday we had lunch with Joe and Lori Martin in Vacaville. We always have a good time when we meet up with them and yesterday was no exception.
April 13, 2015
Yesterday I attended the Old Retired Reserve Farts Association meeting at Huey’s Pub in Vacaville. The Association meets every Friday at Miss Darla’s Pub and then at Huey’s on Sunday afternoons. Not too many lies were told.
Joyce had lunch with her friends Linda and Nancy then she joined us at Huey’s. After that Mike De Castro, Bob Fuchs, Joyce and I went over to Murillo’s Mexican Food Restaurant to supper. Thanks Bob for picking up the tab.
April 14, 2015
Yesterday I had lunch with Jim French, Mikey Brouchard, Ray Suagi and Arnie Suvatne who all served in the 86th Military Airlift Squadron here at Travis AFB. It was nice to meet up with some “old” friends again.
Joyce played golf with friends at the Travis Cypress Lakes course. By-the-way, if you are in the area stop by the golf course and say hi to CMSgt (Ret) Jack Kitterman who is the Golf Pro there now.
April 16, 2015
Yesterday I had lunch with Joe Martin and his brother-in-law Mike at BJ’s in Vacaville. Good times!
April 20, 2015
On Sunday we left the Travis Famcamp, filled up with fuel at the Exchange and then made the run back up to Calistoga. Nice easy drive except for the crazy winds in Jammison Canyon.
On Saturday, we spent some time visiting with Terry and Mary Carter from Williamsburg, VA. and admiring their 2012 Newmar Dutch Star. They are both retired Army Colonels who travel about eight months a year and also take advantage of the Space A travel a lot. Thanks for the great conversation y’all!
April 24, 2015
Yesterday we attended the 50th Anniversary Ceremony of C-141A/B 63-8088’s arrival at Travis AFB, CA. My first assignment in the Air Force was with the 602nd Organizational Maintenance Squadron working on the C-141’s in the Minor Dock. I remember working on the The Golden Bear and since it was one of the two Lead The Force airplanes, I especially recall urgency to get her inspected, repaired and back to the flight line for more flying. When I cross-trained to flight engineering, I flew on her several times as well. Joyce has some hours on her as well during her career as a loadmaster.
Arrival, 23 April 1965
In all her glory
CMSgt Jack Pledger speaking at the ceremony 23 April 2015
More later.
Barry & Joyce
