A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....08-30-05....How I Spent My Summer Vacation

Billie, Diver Dave | Diver Dave

[Billie]

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day

Free Republic made its debut in September, 1996, and the forum was added in early 1997.   Over 100,000 people have registered for posting privileges on Free Republic, and the forum is read daily by tens of thousands of concerned citizens and patriots from all around the country and the world.

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day was introduced on June 24, 2002. It's only a small room in JimRob's house where we can get to know one another a little better; salute and support our military and our leaders; pray for those in need; and congratulate those deserving. We strive to keep our threads entertaining, fun, and pleasing to look at, and often have guest writers contribute an essay, or a profile of another FReeper.

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~ Billie, Mama_Bear, Dutchess, Aquamarine, DollyCali ~

by Diver Dave
Design by Billie

Okay, class. Summer vacation is over and Autumn has arrived. Your assignment today is to tell the class about your summer vacation. You may make it as long or as short as you wish.

Now to get things started, I’ll go first. My story however has a little different twist to it.

Long before Lee Greenwood sang “God Bless the USA”, our family began a summer vacation that has since always been referred to as, “The Trip.”

"See the USA in your Chevrolet"

Hopefully, some will remember that tune from the Dinah Shore television show from the fabulous fifties. As that tune has now re-entered your mind and kindled memories of days of old, it sets the stage for what follows.

A few short years before that tune made its way into the living rooms of America, our family did just that. We loaded up the old ’47 Chevy and started our journey from our home in Spokane, WA. Our primary destination would take us over the rivers and through lots of woods to Grandma’s house in Foley, Alabama. Who knows, perhaps we inspired the words of the song in the commercial?

Diver Dave on his mom's lap,with sisters Elice, Helen,
and Ruth.  Dave's twin brother Dan is on his dad's lap.
The family pet, a copper-colored Cocker Spaniel, is named Rusty.

The year was 1951. Don and I had just graduated from kindergarten. Dad, Mom and our three older sisters began our journey on “The Trip.”

Dad made a special carrier that mounted on the roof of the car. It held luggage, a large tent, sleeping bags for all, and camping gear. With a brand new DeJur 8mm movie camera, “The Trip” would be recorded for many years of enjoyment.

Dad had 4 brothers and 8 sisters and plans were made to visit all of them save Uncle Harry who passed away a few years earlier. Dad once told a young boy at church that there were 5 boys in his family and each one of them had 8 sisters. It must have impressed him, because he commented, “WOW! 40 kids.”

“The Trip” would take us through 26 of the 48 states plus the District of Columbia. Join with me if you would as we travel through time and present a tour of America through the eyes of a 6 year-old. We will travel from sea to shining sea, through those amber waves of grain. We’ll see the purple mountains’ majesty and cross the fruited plain. Keep in mind, this is a few years before the interstate highway program started, so a lot of the roads are going to be narrow two-lane highways. This trip will last 2 ½ months. No ozone-killing Freon air- conditioning in this car. The air conditioning in this care was either 4 windows down or the round cylinder thingy mounted on the passenger side window. Ice would be placed inside the cylinder and as the air flowed through the openings, cool air filled the car. We had no tape-player or CD. The radio is an old tube type AM- only radio with one speaker buried in the dashboard. Oldest sister Helen became the family choir director and led us in songs to pass the time and provide some entertainment.

It was too early in history to count slug-bugs, so we would play “I Spy” games. Spotting and naming license plates was one of the games, and Dad came up with another game. Whenever anyone spotted a white horse along the route, they would holler out “Slopski.” Don’t ask how that name got attached to white horses, but it did manage to pass the time on “The Trip.”

First stop on the agenda will be Seattle. The 300 mile trip to Seattle always means a visit to the Woodland Park Zoo. Also we will stop by the Ballard Locks to watch the boats and ships pass through the locks from Puget Sound to Lake Washington.

On the road again, we head down old 99 and stop to tour the capitol grounds in Olympia. Back in those days, the capitol and dome were white. This visit to Olympia will set a precedent. As routing permits, we will visit many state capitols.

Next stop, Salem, capitol of Oregon. Overnight camping along a riverbank in Oregon.

Back on the road, we stop to visit Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox at the Trees of Mystery in Northern California. Giant redwoods as big around as a car and tall enough to tickle the clouds. With a Trees of Mystery sign attached to the bumper, we head south on Highway 101 to visit more family in Pittsburg, CA.

Next stop, Long Beach, and Orange, CA to visit more family. Imagine if you would, Orange, CA without all the houses. Grove after grove of orange trees. The trees of Long Beach looked rather peculiar as I remember. Derricks and oil wells all over the place. No trip to Southern California would be complete without going to the beach. Swimming in the ocean for the first time and finding out how salty that water tastes - yuk. Hard to imagine a trip to California without visiting Disneyland or Dodger Stadium. ‘Fraid it was too early in history for that.

Next up, the most boring part of the trip. ("HEYYYYY! Watch it!" ~ Billie LOL) Hundreds and hundreds of miles of desert, cactus, sand, rocks and sagebrush as we head east to Beaumont, TX. The oil fields of California were nothing compared to what we saw in Texas. Could this be the official state tree of Texas? Driving late at night we could see the flames coming from the smoke stacks of the oil refineries in East Texas. We were about to receive a taste of that famous southern hospitality as we arrived at our destination in Beaumont. At a family picnic, we got our first taste of fricassee chicken.

Time to load up the car and hit the road again as we drive through Louisiana and cross the mighty Mississippi enroute to Grandma’s house near the Gulf Coast of Alabama. We spent 2-3 weeks at Grandma’s with side trips to Mobile, Fort Morgan, and day trip over to Pensacola. Shrimp boats cruise by us in the canal while we were catfishing. That prompted sister Helen to break out in song - “Shrimp Boats Are Coming Their Sails Are In Sight….” A day at the beach in the Gulf created some fears for this little critter. As I looked down in the water, I saw a crab crawling on the bottom near my feet. I was sure my toes were gonna be his next meal. A quick exit to the safety of the beach brought tears of laughter from everyone but me.

Evenings became pretty special for these kids from the northwest. We had never before seen fireflies. Many a night we would run around trying to catch them in a jar that Grandma gave us. Sisters Ruth and Elice took their jar to bed with them to see if the lightnin’ bugs would light up the bedroom at night.

We say our good-byes to the Deep South and we make our way towards Portsmouth, VA. We do the tourist thing along the way as we pass by cotton fields and large tobacco farms. Large statues and monuments to early American heroes seem to be everywhere. The Great Smoky Mountains prompt the singing of “On Top of Old Smokey.” A trip to Virginia Beach meant we had the opportunity to swim and play in the Atlantic, the Pacific and the Gulf of Mexico.

We visit our nations capitol, Washington DC and a lot of the many surrounding sites. A trip to the Capitol brings out a new version of “On Top of Old Smokey” from my sister. With what would normally amount to a good mouth washing with soap from Mom, it created too many laughs for any punishment. Her new version…

"On Top of Old Smokey,
All covered with Grass.
There sat Harry Truman,
A scratchin’ his ..."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Even at my young age, it was exciting to see the Capitol, the Washington Monument, the Jefferson and Lincoln Memorials. We ventured to Mount Vernon to see the home of the Father of our Country, George Washington. Nice digs, but I’d sure hate to have to mow that lawn.

We leave the greater Washington DC area and make our way towards Oshkosh and Neenah, Wisconsin. Neenah was the home of a sweater manufacturing business started by my Great-Grandfather in the late 1800’s and it was cool to see the building with our last name painted on the side. While in Oshkosh, we see an old horse drawn milk wagon making its way through the residential neighborhoods.

We’re on the road once again to visit family in Peoria, Rockford and Chicago.

After our brief time in Illinois, it’s off to Minnesota. We arrive at harvest time and it was pretty neat to see all the farmers helping one another. There was a threshing machine set up in the field and the farmers would bring in trailer after trailer loaded with Cherrios in the rough. Big old John Deere tractors pulling the trailers and one hooked up to the threshing machine. It had a large long belt stretching from the tractor to the thresher. Once they finished with the harvest at my uncle’s place, the moved everything down the road to the next farm. As luck would have it, my uncle’s tractor broke down. No problem. He just brought out his team of horses and off he went to spend the day in the fields.

After visiting family in Minnesota, we set out on our long journey home. We do the tourist thing and visit Mt. Rushmore. A trip to Yellowstone National Park was exciting as we saw the deer and bears near the roadway. The bears had no fear of these people in the cars. They just knew that they had food for them. I think we saw Yogi sticking his head in the window of a car ahead of us. We didn’t have to wait long to see Old Faithful send forth her geyser of steam.

Our journey comes to an end while driving through the panhandle of Idaho. The call sign, “This is KXLY - Spokane” heard over the radio brings cheers from the back seat of the car. One of the last views on the home movies is a sunset taken from our backyard. Ahhh, Home again but the memories linger a lifetime.

Over the 2 ½ month journey, we logged over 10,000 miles. The radiator over-heated once with no damage, and we suffered only one flat tire. Mom managed to catch the eye of a state trooper somewhere along the way when she got a warning ticket for driving a small few MPH over the limit. Oh, the horrors.

On “The Trip,” we drove though many of the wildwoods of this country and on Sunday would often attend services at “The Little Brown Church In the Glens.”

I will always be grateful for the introduction to these great United States at such a young age. Home movies have preserved “The Trip” for even more lasting memories. We got to meet all of our cousins, aunts, uncles, and of course, Grandma. Grandma passed away the following year.

As the words of that song stated, “…America’s the Greatest Land of All…” we can only add, “Amen!”

Diver Dave's grandsons, left to right, Logan and Christian

06-28-05 ~ Hall of Fame #12

THIS WEEK'S THREADS 08-29-05 Military Monday

Opinions by our own 'King of Ping' Every Thursday at the Finest The guy's good, folks!

[Diver Dave]

Mornin' Billie. Travelin' man here. Will attempt to make a post before trying to fix this 'puter.

Thanks for re-posting "The Trip." 'Twas a great time for me then as well as now as I re-read of our most excellent adventure.

Fast-forward to this past long weekend. We drove up to Central Oregon to attend my b-i-l's wedding. The wedding was held in LaPine State Park under the canopy of pine trees, along the banks of the Little Deschutes River.

The wedding ceremony took place shortly after 2 pm. While relaxing and enjoying the company of friends, relatives and new relatives, a Park Ranger approached and told us we had to leave. No, we weren't that rowdy and unruly. Moments before the ranger's arrival, I detected the aroma of smoke. There were no campfires burning in our area.

The Ranger's words had a sense of urgency - "You all have to leave NOW!!!" A forest fire was in it's infancy a couple miles away from our location.

Everyone got involved in packing up and moving out. Folding chairs, wedding gifts, left-over wedding cake and food from the picnic. We all climbed the short hill to the parking lot area and from that location, we could see the smoke rising and beginning to block out the sun.

As we drove out of the State Park, Forest Service Emergency vehicles, Sheriff and local fire trucks were coming in. We made our way back to the motel 10 - 15 miles away. We watched the skyline as the cloud of smoke increased in size.

As evening fell, seven of us in two cars drove up to Bend, OR (30 miles) for dinner at Red Robin. On our return trip to the motel in LaPine at around 9 pm, we passed by the park entrance access road. Bull-dozers were being brought in on flatbed trucks under escort of Oregon State Police. Off in the distance, we could see a red glow of the fire.

Back at the motel, local residents who were evacuated from their homes around the fire's location were trying to find shelter. The motel was full, so those 200+ residents were sheltered at the local school. We talked to some of those folks and the fire at that time was 50% contained.

On Sunday morning, there were no signs of the previous rising column of smoke as we packed up and headed home down US 97 to I-5. Beautiful blue skies afforded us a look at Mt. Shasta. First the north exposure followed by the west and south views as we progressed southward.

Given my age, and my consumption of coffee, we visited most of the rest stops along the way. Gasoline prices along the way averaged around $2.79 gal but peaked at $3.25 in a very small town near the California/Oregon border.

The 1000 mile trip will go down in the memory banks along with "The Trip."

Our next trip in two weeks to Spokane will be via Southwest Airlines. We've had enough driving to last the rest of the year.

[OESY]

Very well said. Almost with apologies, I offer

A perspective on the joys & beauties of life

[JustAmy]

Wonderful thread, Billie. Somehow, I missed this the first time. How did that happen? Thank you for the rerun.

Dave ... what wonderful memories you have. Though we never took a vacation as extensive as this, I lived every minute of it with you.

I remember going to Texas when I was about 5 to visit my grandparents. Then, I remember going to Texas again when my grandmother died. I will never forget my grandfather slaughtering a hog and my grandmother giving us "crackling" when she rendered the lard. Sure hope that is the correct terminology. :)

I regret not getting back to Texas until many, many years later. Thank you for stirring those memories.

Billie, Thank you again.

[DollyCali]

Dave, what would you have done to have had digital cameras & expertise to record that wonderful trip, a way back? I sent the link & note to my brother. He & I had a trip when I was 13 & he was about 6. I don't even recall a whole lot of that trip but he reminds me that I had him sit on the side ofthe car with all my skirts, dresses etc hung up & kept yelling at him not to touch or wrinkle them. Poor kid, prolly couldn't even look out the window.

Your pix & recollection of weekned trip are beautiful..thanks for sharing. What a glorious and beautiful country we live in.. can;t wait to see more of it.. even the BOOOOORING part where Ms. Billie lives!!!!

[Diver Dave]

Praying for the safety of your family members in East Jefferson Parish, as well as all those families effected by this storm. I too have family in the gulf coast areas of Alabama. Though they have not received the devastation which centered in LA. this time, they were hit hard last year.

[DollyCali]

I will try your link when at a "better" computer. I am using afriends. (his back up for his back up).. it froze up the computer twice opening it. Good equipment is elusive to me right now.

[DollyCali]

Prayer warriors alert.. just received this from church friend in OK.. I was just thinking that some of our fine men & women in national guard will be possibly rescuing this woman.. and many of these military warriors are our kids & grandkids; friends and relatives.. awesome.

@@@

This just came in. There are many others, like the lady in this request, who are in need of prayer and help due to Katrina's fury....

Kara Dixon's mother is trapped in water in her kitchen in Biloxi on top of her sink. She is in very poor health. Kara did reach the Red Cross this morning, and they are putting her mom on their priority rescue list. Her brother is also missing, but the Red Cross cannot search for him yet--they are doing the people in bad health first. Please ask the daily devotion group to lift this family and all of those in that devastated area up in prayer. Kara, of course, feels very helpless at this point, but is trusting God.

Corporate prayer is powerful.

[Brad’s Gramma]

I have family there also. Haven't heard from any of them. All circuits are busy.

If you are a praying person, pray.

Oh Texagirl4W, I'm sorry....SO sorry....I'm calling in the prayer warriors. JustAmy, THANKS for the ping..!!!

[Okies love Dubya 2]

My brother is stuck in N.O. too--he was fine yesterday, but things are not getting any better, so I am really worried. His name is Matt and any prayers would be appreciated.

[OESY]

The presentation is somewhat unique, but not very well-crafted or truly memorable, and it take a while to load (and to progress through the collage). I may have overclaimed, so don't knock yourself out looking for another computer.

[Pegita]

Heavenly Father, we return to thank You that we can knit our hearts in prayer for the safety and well being of Texagirl's family. Watch over them, O God, and keep them from all harm. Send Your angels to camp about all those who are caught in this disaster ... minister unto them with every provision needed ... encourage them unto the time of rescue ... strengthen each one against any semblance of disease. Open our hearts to the needs of our neighbors, that we might be used of You. In the Name of Jesus, we pray, Amen ...

[Brad’s Gramma]

Oh man....you have my prayers. There are SO MANY Freepers in the area, or have family...

Our hearts break for all of you!!!

Major big PRAYER bump for Matt!!!!

[E.G.C.]

BTTT!!!!!!!

[Kitty Mittens]

I'm Writing Down these Prayer Needs, and am Going to Check Every Post Here to See if there are any other Prayer Requests.

Supplications Arising for Everyone Affected by this Awfulness. Thank You for Hearing the Cries of Your children, our God of Compassionate Love.

[OESY]

We wish you and your family well. You are in our prayers.

[Billie]

I was trying to respond to your post this morning when my pc locked up (it does that often in Firefox when I'm answering a FReepmail or a post, and I don't know why. There is nothing to do but reboot, and then I had a lunch date and just getting back)

It wasn't easy this morning to post an "upbeat" thread, or any other kind, as, like everyone else, my mind is focused on the hurricane destruction in Louisiana and Mississippi and worrying about those who are still to experience Katrina's wrath. I can only imagine how worried you and others must be to have to wait and pray for word from family in the area. My prayers are with you and my heart goes out to you.

[Billie]

...we made up games and songs as we went along and dealt with the Texas heat as best we could

Geez! How come everyone keeps talking about *Texas* heat - ever been through Arizona?! :)

[Mama_Bear]

Geez! How come everyone keeps talking about *Texas* heat - ever been through Arizona?! :)

LOL!!! I know exactly why. Because the 'Texas heat' went on for two and a half days (it seemed). Arizona was hot too, but it didn't take us days to get through it. ;-)

I don't know how many times my brother and I asked my mom, "what state are we in now?" The answer was always "the same state we were in the last five times you asked....TEXAS!". LOL.

[eyespysomething]

Texagirl-

I've been praying for 2 days now. I will continue praying, and will lift up the Texagirl family name, along with so many others.

[Diver Dave]

Geez! How come everyone keeps talking about *Texas* heat - ever been through Arizona?! :)

Thinking back to yesteryear, I remember how I managed to beat the heat while traveling across Arizona and Texas.

Keep in mind, no air-conditioned comforts, four kids crowded across the back seat of the car, windows wide open, I climbed up on the back window ledge and laid down feeling the full effects of the open windows. It also relieved the over-crowded conditions. Subsequently, Don and I alternated that window ledge position for much of the remaining trip.