TravelStream™ news feed for member rongray on TravelPod's free travel blogs service http://www.travelpod.com/syndication/rss/rongray en-us Copyright ©2010 TravelPod.com Wed, 22 Mar 2006 21:35:36 -0500 http://www.travelpod.com http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/rongray/tulsa-2006/1143079620/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/rongray/tulsa-2006/1143079620/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/rongray/tulsa-2006/1143079620/tpod.html Wed, 22 Mar 2006 21:35:36 -0500 Tulsa via Journey

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Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States

The weather cleared enough that we got a call from Aldan Miller--just before noon--to come out to the airport and go for a flight in his warbird. Tried earlier but weather always closed us down. So... off we went to hanger 91B at the Richard B. Jones airport just north of Jenks, OK.

Aldan is a retired chief pilot for Caterpillar. His hobby is restoring planes--he has 3: a Stearman biplane, a 60s Beechcraft and his pride and joy a 1941 AT-6. This plane was used in WWII and again in Korea as the last fighter trainer just before 18 year olds earned their wings and went off to war. Only difference between this plane and the fighters themselves is that the AT-6 has 2 seats--one right behind the other.

Aldan is now 87 years old--same age my dad would be were he alive. He is spry and very clear of mind. Still flys the thing like a fighter plane (see my pics taken during a wingover when I asked to photograph the ground. We did all of our flying between 3000 and 4000 feet to stay VFR (visual flight rules) since clouds were thick from 4K up.

At one point Aldan wanted to take me by to see his friends house--so we just dove from 4000 feet right down to the deck and flew right over his friends roof before pulling up.

This is a powerful plane with a 650 hp motor. It cruises around 270 mph and reaches 350-375 in a dive.

Aldan found the plane disassembled and reconditioned it better than new. Everything is 1041 stock accept some of the avionics.

Aldan let me fly it out and back when I was not taking pictures which was really fun. The challenge was holding the camera (no place to put it in the spartan cockpit) while using the stick. Took awhile to get the feel and not porpoise up and down alot.

Our other days in Tulsa have been busy and fun. I am learning to turn pens from Tom and Chrissie and Marilyn are working on some jewelry making.

Weather has been very cold and variable. Had some severe warning--tornados--rain, some light hail and snow is predicted for tomorrow. Looks like it may clear on FRI so we will start home then.

We decided against going home the northern way--Missouri, Kansas, Colorado, etc since snow has closed roads--all of the East/West interstates in Kansas were closed today, for example. Instead, we plan to go to Dallas, then down to I-10 and home via Tucson, AZ and Yuma, AZ.

Thats it for now. Enjoy the pictures.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/rongray/tulsa-2006/1142552460/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/rongray/tulsa-2006/1142552460/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/rongray/tulsa-2006/1142552460/tpod.html Fri, 17 Mar 2006 23:39:11 -0500 Tulsa via Journey

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Tulsa, OK, United States

Tulsa is our base--Tom and Chrissie's house. From here we are seeing all the local sites. These past 2 days we travelled to Missouri and Arkansas to see Branson and then the Ozarks of Arkansas.

In Branson we stayed at a familiar place--Cooper Creek RV Park. Coop would be proud. Set on the shores of a lake (indian name I can't remember), this is a local fish camp situated just miles from Branson. Cold though... dropped below freezing overnight!

Stayed here 2 nights. On night one we went into Branson and saw a show--Jim Stafford. He is an amazing guitar player with lots of humor in his show. We all really enjoyed this evening.

The next morning Tom and Chris took us to see Eureka Springs, AR where there is a quaint "old town". Lots of shops and some unique old architecture to explore. Pictures tell the story here.

Then... back to Tulsa with a stop for coffee at the "world's largest McDonald's" just inside the northern border of Oklahoma on I-44. Road actually goes UNDER the eating area for the restaurant.

Oh, yes... we also tried to satisfy some requests with our accompanying picture blog. Jeff asked for more pictures. Since I was driving, uncle Tom took up the challenge as photographer and came up with a great study of signs on highways. This is his idea of a great set of shots for those who don't know the area. Then... the big event--we visited and photographed the mother store--the original Bass Pro shop in Springfield, MO. This takes up around a 3 block square and stocks every know gadget for fishing.

Enjoy!!!
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/rongray/tulsa-2006/1142192280/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/rongray/tulsa-2006/1142192280/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/rongray/tulsa-2006/1142192280/tpod.html Sun, 12 Mar 2006 15:19:25 -0500 Tulsa via Journey

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Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States

It's been a few days. From Elk City, OK we went on the Oklahoma City, OK and then on in to Tulsa the next day (Thursday afternoon). The wifi hookup in Ok City was really flaky and we have been busy with Tom and Chris for the last few days. Ergo, this is the first time I have sat down to update the blog. Oh... one other thing--I wasn't looking and caught my laptop in the path of the driver's side slideout room on the Winnebago. And, after a few crunches, I recovered the laptop--it worked, kind of, and the USB port was toast.

Tom took me to CompUSA in Tulsa and I bought a new laptop--cheaper than the repairs (old one also needed a battery). Tranferring everything to the new computer is finally done.

Long explanation for no blog update.

Tulsa is great. Our bus fits the drive in front of Tom's perfectly. We are enjoying catching up on conversation and have enjoyed seeing the town just on the cusp of spring. Today we went to church and heard Tom preach then lunch afterward including Audrey, Paul and
Emmy. Tonight we go to their house for dinner. Emmy promises that her room will past muster when Marilyn checks it out.

Tom and Chrissie are going with us during the week to Arkansas and Missouri to see the Ozarks and to see Branson. should be really fun.

Ron
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Phoenix, Arizona, United States

We left early. Both of us felt we would not sleep well--too excited--on Tuesday night so after dinner with the kids and grandkids we left and made it to Thousand Palms Flying J truck stop. We were too late arriving to get a space in their regular truck parking so we bunked down a ways down the street in front of an Air Horn shop. Strong winds shook the coach all night but we did get some sleep.

In the morning we left for Phoenix and arrived at Patty Crabtree's house around 3:00PM.



Enjoyed a good visit and then went to dinner. Afterwards drove to South Mountain Park--memory from my childhood--and saw the Phoenix lites in all their splendor.

Then... on Thursday, we drove around all day so I could see how Phoenix has changed since I was born there 62 years ago. Saw Sky Harbor airport--no longer a 2 plane affair, St. Joseph's Hospital where I was born and had dinner at the newly redone general aviation field in Deer Valley--a suburb of Phoenix. In between we looked a new home models in Surprise--also a growing suburb.

Pictures that are attached should give you some idea of what we saw.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/rongray/tulsa-2006/1141773900/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/rongray/tulsa-2006/1141773900/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/rongray/tulsa-2006/1141773900/tpod.html Tue, 07 Mar 2006 22:04:51 -0500 Tulsa via Journey

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Elk City, Oklahoma, United States

Today there was the report of severe weather moving in by tonight. Wind, rain, thunder and lighting are predicted. So... we decided not to stay in Texas and see the Palo Duro Canyon but instead to move on east to stay ahead of the storm. We ended up in Elk City, OK and spent the afternoon touring Foss Lake State Park. What a layout!!! Hookup sites everywhere but no on there and we couldn't find anyone who took fees!!!

Really lonely though--we counted only 3 campers in the whole park. So... we will save this one till we have someone travelling with us.

Tom called at noon. Said the entire state was posted with severe warnings and advised us on how to stay current on weather emergencies. So we will overnight in Elk City, do some laundry and hopefully will not have to evacuate to the store shelter (yes they have 2 of them in our campground.)

Land is cheap out here. One of my pics shows the land where you can buy 140 acres for only $89,900. Takers???

Tomorrow it is off the OK, City and we told Tom we would come on in to Tulsa on Thursday afternoon.

More later.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/rongray/tulsa-2006/1141618140/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/rongray/tulsa-2006/1141618140/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/rongray/tulsa-2006/1141618140/tpod.html Mon, 06 Mar 2006 00:19:21 -0500 Tulsa via Journey

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Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States

We planned 2 days in Sedona with the Brekkes. Mark cleared his calendar and he and the boys-Ryland and Keenan--joined us for some sightseeing. We toured in Mark's new burgundy Surburban with 4 wheel steering. That thing turns like a sports car.

Anyway, we saw the rock formations from many angles and have included key pics for you to see. Also took pictures from Mark's balcony and master bedroom window so you can see his "view from every window".

Marilyn and I brought in dinner (mexican) and had a great evening of conversation with the Brekkes. Also bought some "Neat items" from Christina's dot com NEATitems.com.

Then... the morning after we took off for Albuquerque, NM where we are now. Staying in a great RV Park. No pics yet--will take them tomorrow and forward later.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/rongray/tulsa-2006/1141018800/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/rongray/tulsa-2006/1141018800/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/rongray/tulsa-2006/1141018800/tpod.html Mon, 27 Feb 2006 00:49:03 -0500 Tulsa via Journey

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Mission Viejo, California, United States

We leave early WEDNESDAY, March 1st. Here is our itinerary

Phoenix, AZ March 1 and 2
Sedona,AZ March 3 and 5
Albuquerque, NM March 5
Palo Duro State Park, TX March 6 and 7
Foss Lake State Park, OK March 8 and 9
Tulsa, OK March 10 for 2 week so

Then... on the trip home, the schedule is not firm but here is what we envision now:

Kansas City, KS
Hays, KS
Castle Rock, CO
Colorado Springs, CO
Durango, CO
Grand Canyon, AZ
Home

Looks like the weather reports call for clear skies when we leave WEDNESDAY. Quite a change from the universal reports for rain on MONDAY and TUESDAY.
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