Wifi connection again! August 15-17

August 15th was another geocaching day. We found 7 caches in Prestonsburg, KY. As we searched, we explored the small town and the local college campus. It was another hot day, but not as hot as it had been. We took a picnic lunch and ate at a local veterans' park we found near a cache.

August 16th was a travel day. We drove from Jenny Wiley State Resort Park to Wright Patterson AFB, OH. It was also the last day Bob is allowed to choose the route. Please remember that we are traveling in a 33 foot motor home which tows our truck. As we were leaving the park, Bob said let's take this road--it looks like a good shortcut on the map. As we turned onto the road, I said it didn't look like a road for us, there was no center line. His reply was that it had faded. Yeah, right. As we drove the first 100 yards, I said we need to turn around, this road is not for us. Bob's reply was that it would be okay. A little further on, he began to agree. We were in the knob and hollow area of eastern Kentucky--the roads had many curves and they were steep. Now remember this was just a small rural road. Our rig 8 feet wide--the road was maybe 12 feet when we started. And then.....

the road narrowed to about 10 or 11 feet. At that point Bob wanted to turn around, but there was no place wide enough for us to do that. We had to continue for the remaining 12 miles of this road. Needless to say, when Bob said get the camera so we can have a picture, I couldn't loosen my hands from the armrests, let alone take my seatbelt off to get the camera! That was the most harrowing ride of my life.

After our 45 minute shortcut, we continued on our way on a much better road. Things went much better until we got to the Ohio river. We made a wrong turn and were just going to go around the block to get back on track. Well, as we were driving along, there appeared a sign that said 12 foot clearance ahead. Our rig is 11'6" tall. We slowed down to look, at the train overpass and decided that it didn't look tall enough. Bob turned into a nearby driveway. A gentleman from the car wash across the street came over to see if we needed help. He stopped traffic after we unhooked the truck. Bob backed the rig across the street into the area of the carwash. We rehooked the truck, said thank you to our helper and backtracked to where we made our wrong turn.We hoped that would be our last misadventure of the day.

Our drive through Ohio to Wright Patterson AFB proved uneventful. We checked in and enjoyed the rest of the evening. What a day!

August 17

This was the day we were to meet our friends from 30 years ago for our first military reunion. We talked to Ernie (who planned the reunion) and found out everyone would be arriving at the Hope Convention Center and Hotel around noon. Bob Hope was a familiar face to the military for many years and the center is named for him. Bob and I arrived at the restaurant about noon. We were worried we wouldn't recognize anyone since it had been 30 years since we had seen any of the attendees. It wasn't too long before a group of four 'old men' came wandering into the restaurant like they were looking for someone. Low and behold it was part of our group (Brad, Hammy, Ernie and Fred)! It was a good thing Bob and I hadn't aged so they were able to recognize us. We started where we left off as the pictures show. Ed, Doreen, and Orlen were the last to arrive to complete our group. Yes, Doreen and I were the only 2 wives brave enough to attend.

Ernie planned a great evening for us. After an extended road trip, we arrived at Valley Vineyard for dinner. This is the second largest vineyard in Ohio. The restaurant allows you to grill salmon or steak on their outdoor charcoal grills. Everyone enjoyed the comraderie and good meal.


On returning to the Hope Center we went to a confernence room to view movies and pictures of our time together at Loring AFB, Maine. The memories and stories flowed as freely as the beer.

We arranged to meet for breakfast the next morning.