Jim Scanlon (deceased)
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Trips
Aug 11, 2010 1:12:58 GMT 9
Post by Jim Scanlon (deceased) on Aug 11, 2010 1:12:58 GMT 9
De and I left New Braunfels on 15 July, headed for a family reunion near Minot.
We drove out to MAFB the day we got to Minot. Needed a couple items, including a new point and shoot camera for De. So, made a BX run.
The year old BX is really nice, and much larger than the old one.
The highlight was visiting the new gun shop in the BX.
Had a great time at the reunion, visiting with family members from around the country and from Sweden.
Then we did some cemetery walking in Hankinson, ND. Looking for some of De's relatives she didn't know about, until a couple years ago.
While at Hankinson, we met with Walter and Peggy Schmidtke, of our Forum, for an enjoyable visit and a good meal.
Then it was on to Pepin, Wisconsin
Yep, more cemetery walking.
De's mother was born near Pepin.
Laura Ingalls Wilder was also born near Pepin.
Our trip was great. We did, however, cut the jaunt to Wright-Pat off of the plan.
We were tired after the reunion, and not wanting to go that far East.
We did, though, go to Branson for a couple nights and saw two shows.
Shoji Tabuchi, is a fiddle/violin player, who really puts on a great show. Saw it some years ago and happy we went to see it this trip.
Also saw the Sons of the Pioneers. Wonderful show.
Their leader has been with the group for over 41 years.
Great music.
We got home Friday evening, 6 August, and had a not very pleasant surprise.
When we opened the door, there was the smell of death in the house.
De opened the refrigerator door and quickly closed it.
Seems the compressor quit while we were gone.
The house being at 85 degrees, made everything that temp in the refrigerator/freezer.
We emptied everything in to plastic garbage bags and put them in the outside garbage bin.
Then we sprayed with Lysol, opened the doors and set a fan blowing out.
There was meat in the freezer. That's what caused the smell of death.
So, Saturday morning, we went to Denny's for breakfast and then shopped for a new refrigerator.
Went to Home Depot, Sears and Lowe's.
Lowe's had what we were looking for. It was on sale. They have next day delivery at no cost, and remove your old unit.
Lowe's gives a ten percent discount to all active and retired military.
So, if you need some items that Lowe's carries, it may be worth your while to take advantage of the Military Discount.
So, Sunday morning, we got a new refrigerator delivered, then headed to Costco and Randolph Commissary to buy groceries.
Now we can eat at home.
All-in-all the trip was great.
Would have liked to meet more of our Forum members.
However, the two who live in areas we were passing through, were not going to be home. So, will try again on another trip.
It is a real pleasure to meet our Forum members, and well worth the time and maybe a detour to get together with them.
Jim Too
:god_bless_usa
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Trips
Aug 11, 2010 3:33:26 GMT 9
Post by adart on Aug 11, 2010 3:33:26 GMT 9
Hope you had a nice trip. Sounds like you did. Except for the bum fridg. That can get stinky.Pew We got called back from Minn. because of floods in Iowa. Sorry we wern"t home to share a cup of Joe and stories.
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Bullhunter
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Trips
Aug 11, 2010 3:55:12 GMT 9
Post by Bullhunter on Aug 11, 2010 3:55:12 GMT 9
Trips are always and adventure. Never know how they will go or what you will find when you return. I always turn off my water when we are gone and unplug the major electrical appliances like computers and large screen TV. After I retired from the USAF I worked as the service manager in a home appliance store. I could tell you some horror stories. I've seen that refridg thing happen too many times. Those units love to fail when you are gone. Now here is alittle tid-bit of information you can use. If you have a freezer save the top shelf for milk jugs of frozen ice. We had a big storm and a massive ceder tree fell across the power lines about 3/4's of a mile down the road. Took out the powerlines three power poles and two transformers down the line. We had to empty the refridg and throw out most everything. But the freezer out in the garage/shop we never opened. Eight jugs of ice kept the contents frozen enough to last out the power outage of 4 1/2 days. Just something I thought I should share.  . BTW, going to post a few photos of your trip? :idea |
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Trips
Aug 11, 2010 21:26:43 GMT 9
Post by lindel on Aug 11, 2010 21:26:43 GMT 9
Sounds like a fun trip, except for the very end.
I'm looking forward to seeing you, De, Pat and Judy later this month.
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Trips
Aug 12, 2010 0:14:04 GMT 9
Post by pat perry on Aug 12, 2010 0:14:04 GMT 9
These are pictures af an A-7 at the Wahpeton, North Dakota airport. It is unusual, in that it has a full load of weapons, and the canopy is intact.
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Trips
Aug 12, 2010 0:17:09 GMT 9
Post by pat perry on Aug 12, 2010 0:17:09 GMT 9
These pics are from Jim Too, too
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Trips
Aug 12, 2010 0:19:38 GMT 9
Post by pat perry on Aug 12, 2010 0:19:38 GMT 9
From Jim Too, too.
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Trips
Aug 12, 2010 0:20:44 GMT 9
Post by pat perry on Aug 12, 2010 0:20:44 GMT 9
Last one from Jim Too
:us_flag
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Bullhunter
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Aug 12, 2010 7:45:41 GMT 9
Post by Bullhunter on Aug 12, 2010 7:45:41 GMT 9
Very nice photos!
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jeep3
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Aug 17, 2010 10:44:44 GMT 9
Post by jeep3 on Aug 17, 2010 10:44:44 GMT 9
Sorry to hear about your fridge. Only thing that could be worse would be coming home to a basement full of sewage Jim & Dee. We were gone for a week to northern Minnesota for a family reunion with Peggy's side of the family. Glad we had a generator & AC. The first 2 days were sticky, then it cooled off. Was fortunate to see a modern logging operation. The day of the chainsaw is more or less over. Logging has went the same way farming has. Lots of investment and volume. The owner said his operation was by no means a big one, just average. Had a $1,300,000 worth of equipment on site. Skidders, processors, chippers trucks and a few men. Thanx again for the get together in Wahpeton. Hope next time we can visit longer. :god_bless_usa :  :patriotic-flagwaver |
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Jim Scanlon (deceased)
Senior Staff
FORUM CHAPLAIN
Commander South Texas outpost of the County Sligo Squadron
Currently: Offline
Posts: 5,075
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Joined: July 2007
Retired: USAF
NBA: Spurs
NFL: Niners
MLB: Giants
NHL: Penguins
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Trips
Sept 22, 2012 10:55:07 GMT 9
Post by Jim Scanlon (deceased) on Sept 22, 2012 10:55:07 GMT 9
We are currently at Minot Air Force Base.
We are staying in the base visitors quarters, which are very nice.
Our quarters have a bedroom, private bath, very nice kitchen and a living room.
All that for $39 per night.
We we were here last night, and again to-night.
We will be back next week, for 4 nights, Wed-Sat nights.
We will be attending the Norsk Hostfest in Minot on Thursday (you can look that up), and a family picnic in Minot on Saturday.
Cool mornings, 30s, then mild after-noons, low 70s.
If you are retired military, and not taking advantage of Space A quarters on bases you travel near, or at your destination, you are missing out on one of the best benefits you have.
I have had several people ask me about changes to MAFB.
I will be doing a drive around the base in the morning, and will give a report next week.
A point of interest to all who have been at Minot AFB, over the Main Gate there has been a sign for many years, with these words:
"Only the Best Go North".
Jim Too
:god_bless_usa
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Bullhunter
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Sept 22, 2012 13:49:40 GMT 9
Post by Bullhunter on Sept 22, 2012 13:49:40 GMT 9
Dover AFB has very nice billiting also.
Used it a few times.
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Trips
Sept 22, 2012 22:46:44 GMT 9
Post by lugnuts55 on Sept 22, 2012 22:46:44 GMT 9
I remember that sign when I was there in 1970 & 1971.
I also had a freezer experience similar to yours except that the sump pump motor burned out and popped the circuit breaker. That's when I found out the freezer was plugged into the same circuit. I lost a lot of beef and venison but it sure did stink!
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Jim Scanlon (deceased)
Senior Staff
FORUM CHAPLAIN
Commander South Texas outpost of the County Sligo Squadron
Currently: Offline
Posts: 5,075
Location:
Joined: July 2007
Retired: USAF
NBA: Spurs
NFL: Niners
MLB: Giants
NHL: Penguins
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Trips
Sept 25, 2012 1:09:17 GMT 9
Post by Jim Scanlon (deceased) on Sept 25, 2012 1:09:17 GMT 9
For those of you who were in 5th FIS, there have been changes made to facilities.
The Old Red Barracks, the three-storey ones, are still there.
The 5th barracks, the sand coloured, two-storey ones are gone.
The SAGE building is still there, and is still called the PRIDE building, as it has been since SAGE shut-down.
There is a couple year-old Exchange on the main road, across the street from the housing area.
There is also a several year-old Commissary nest to the Exchange.
They are joined by an above ground tunnel.
They still have the Six on a Stick next to the 5th area.
There is also a new Exchange gas station/Shopette/Class-6 store between the road to the 5th area and the main gate.
The hospital is just inside the main gate and has VA as well as AF facilities.
Because Minot AFB is a small base (relatively), there are some challenges.
We had to go to Minot to get breakfast, as there is nothing open early on Saturday or Sunday mornings.
Burger King opens at 1000 both days.
The Exchange and Commissary also close early.
However, it is a 20 minute drive to Minot, so not a big problem.
We will be back in the base transient quarters again from Wed. to Sunday morning this week.
Got down to 26 above Saturday morning.
There was frost on the windscreen of the car, and I don't own a scraper.
So, the defroster did the trick.
Further reports to come.
Jim Too
:god_bless_usa
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Jim Scanlon (deceased)
Senior Staff
FORUM CHAPLAIN
Commander South Texas outpost of the County Sligo Squadron
Currently: Offline
Posts: 5,075
Location:
Joined: July 2007
Retired: USAF
NBA: Spurs
NFL: Niners
MLB: Giants
NHL: Penguins
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Trips
Sept 29, 2012 11:26:27 GMT 9
Post by Jim Scanlon (deceased) on Sept 29, 2012 11:26:27 GMT 9
As De and I travel, it is quite often that we visit military installations.
I am struck by the differences in security from base to base.
At Randolph, 20 minutes from home, we usually go through the main gate with just myself needing to hand the guard my ID Card.
Here at Minot AFB, every person in the car has to hand the guard a valid ID Card, and it is checked every time for eligibility.
I asked what needed to be done to bring a guest on base.
The gate guard said I had to take them to the Visitor's Center, then they would have to show two forms of picture ID, and their information put in the DoD checking program.
When they were given permission to enter the base, I would then have to sign them on base, and be responsible for them.
Troops having family visit the base can do most of it in advance.
Once they are in the program, it is just a short stop at the Visitor's Center for a new pass.
Seems like a lot of hassle.
However, Minot is a Nuclear base, both B-52s and Minuteman Missiles.
Oh, the base is on Security Status Alpha, so not anything high.
They are this way all the time.
To-night, coming on base, they were checking the trunks/storage on every few cars.
I didn't mind a bit.
I'll take high security anytime, if it keeps our troops safe.
Jim Too
:god_bless_usa
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MOW
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Sept 29, 2012 16:36:49 GMT 9
Post by MOW on Sept 29, 2012 16:36:49 GMT 9
As De and I travel, it is quite often that we visit military installations. I am struck by the differences in security from base to base. At Randolph, 20 minutes from home, we usually go through the main gate with just myself needing to hand the guard my ID Card. Here at Minot AFB, every person in the car has to hand the guard a valid ID Card, and it is checked every time for eligibility. I asked what needed to be done to bring a guest on base. The gate guard said I had to take them to the Visitor's Center, then they would have to show two forms of picture ID, and their information put in the DoD checking program. When they were given permission to enter the base, I would then have to sign them on base, and be responsible for them. Troops having family visit the base can do most of it in advance. Once they are in the program, it is just a short stop at the Visitor's Center for a new pass. Seems like a lot of hassle. However, Minot is a Nuclear base, both B-52s and Minuteman Missiles. Oh, the base is on Security Status Alpha, so not anything high. They are this way all the time. To-night, coming on base, they were checking the trunks/storage on every few cars. I didn't mind a bit. I'll take high security anytime, if it keeps our troops safe. Jim Too  USAF uses DBIDS (Defense Biometric Identification System) now and is getting close to having all their CONUS bases installed. Some have had it for about 2 years or so, while others are still on the install list. If you've been through a gate anywhere where they scan your ID card with a handheld PDA, that's DBIDS. Unfortunately each base plays by their own policies and procedures so it's hard to know what's different at each base until you get there. |
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Trips
Sept 30, 2012 3:20:36 GMT 9
Post by Gene on Sept 30, 2012 3:20:36 GMT 9
their are putting in a drop down gate and a place to scan your-self here at tcm.., i wonder how thats going to improve security...
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MOW
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Sept 30, 2012 6:28:26 GMT 9
Post by MOW on Sept 30, 2012 6:28:26 GMT 9
there are putting in a drop down gate and a place to scan your-self here at tcm.., i wonder how thats going to inprove security... Well, it doesn't and that's part of the CONUS way of thinking. It's more about convenience than security. Anyone who's been to Fort Hood has seen their main gate entrance which is a combination of the DOD DBIDS system and an Army drop-arm barrier system. The line between security and convenience definitely goes to the convenience side more. Anyone who comes to Korea will see what base access control security is all about, of course as well as SWA. FPCON B all the time. Korea BTW is who DBIDS was originally developed for back in 99'. I would not make a good cop... shoot first ask questions later. |
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Jim Scanlon (deceased)
Senior Staff
FORUM CHAPLAIN
Commander South Texas outpost of the County Sligo Squadron
Currently: Offline
Posts: 5,075
Location:
Joined: July 2007
Retired: USAF
NBA: Spurs
NFL: Niners
MLB: Giants
NHL: Penguins
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Trips
Sept 30, 2012 9:21:09 GMT 9
Post by Jim Scanlon (deceased) on Sept 30, 2012 9:21:09 GMT 9
A couple years ago, the "self-check" boxes were put in each traffic lane entering Randolph.
There was no "drop down gate", just the box and a "Rent-A-Cop" to monitor the thing.
After a test run of a couple weeks, maybe less, the Security folks quit using them and went to a visual scan.
Then came the hand-held scanners.
And, the boxes were removed.
After an on again, off again, test run, they were kept in place.
Before the box scanner was tested, everyone had to go get a new ID Card, with fingerprint scan.
Since the hand-held scanner began regular use, there have been times when all the gate guards, military and civilian, just looked at the ID Card, while I held it, and sent us through the gate.
The Randolph Gate Guards seldom ask for De's ID Card if she is with me.
One thing I have noticed, at Randolph and here at Minot, there are more military gate guards than there were for while.
At Minot, every truck, even U-Hauls being used by GI's, are opened up and inspected, with under-body mirrors and sometimes dogs.
This base is really serious about security.
I suppose part of it was the mess that came from sending and armed nuke to Barksdale, and no one knew it was hot.
I wish all bases, no matter the mission, had one level of security and was consistent in its use.
Jim Too
:god_bless_usa
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Jim Scanlon (deceased)
Senior Staff
FORUM CHAPLAIN
Commander South Texas outpost of the County Sligo Squadron
Currently: Offline
Posts: 5,075
Location:
Joined: July 2007
Retired: USAF
NBA: Spurs
NFL: Niners
MLB: Giants
NHL: Penguins
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Trips
Oct 5, 2012 11:25:33 GMT 9
Post by Jim Scanlon (deceased) on Oct 5, 2012 11:25:33 GMT 9
Back on the road again, after spending three weeks in Williston and Minot.
It was mostly cloudy to-day, with a few rain showers.
The highest temp I noticed on the car thermometer was 42.
North Dakota got slammed last night with a major show storm.
Up to 12 inches in the East.
If you have never driven the "High Line" across Montana, you have missed a very pleasant drive.
U.S. 2 enters Montana just West of Williston, ND and proceeds along the "High Line", to Cut Bank.
It is 400 miles of farm land, mostly wheat, interrupted by some towns.
The largest town on 2 is Havre, around 10,000 live there, so it is not a big place, but the center of the area for commerce.
Going through Glasgow, population c3500, I saw a T-Bird on a Stick in front of a building.
Looking at it, there were markings from the 13th FIS, but pretty shabby.
The 13th moved from The SCAB to Glasgow in 1959, with brand new F-101B flying machines.
They were there from 1959 to 1968.
Anyway, the T-Bird really needs a redo.
But, doubt there is much interest, as the vet population probably isn't that large, and aging.
To-morrow we plan to drive under Glacier National Park, on our way to Bonners Ferry, Idaho.
If you did not get my blog, only a handful did, and are interested in my observations of what is going on in the Oil Patch of North Dakota, send me a PM and I will send them to you.
Looking forward to getting together with an old friend from the 5th on Sunday after-noon.
He is a member of the forum, but not active.
Maybe I can convince him to participate more.
Jim Too
:god_bless_usa
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:patriotic-flagwaver 
