VA friends

[FireStillBurning]

Fall is a beautiful time on the Parkway, so you won't miss much if you need to wait.

So how did the kids (and the moms) get along on the train without you while you were traveling?? Don't know when I will get back to Roanoke this season, but if and when, I will definitely make time to go see the train in the park. Also I want to experiment with flying into DC instead of Charlotte, and then taking Amtrak to Roanoke. Probably a longer trip, but maybe more relaxing once I am on the train.

Bottoms Up!

In my humble opinion, Autumn is the Perfect time of year here in the Valley. I’m sure the kids (& moms) made out A OK in my absence. I only do it 2 Sundays a month.. then fill in if I can. We have friends here who drive to Charlottesville, fly to DC, then fly out to California on a regular basis ( 3-5) times a year. I also know that Charlottesville & Staunton have Amtrack service, but I don’t know how regular that is. Augusta county also has an airport with flights to DC & Chicago, but I don’t believe there is rail service close by it. Slainte

 

[StarGazer58]

I bet all the moms were asking where is that pipe smoking, beer drinking, good looking conductor this week? Fire, do you have train groupies you are not telling us about?

I once flew out of Roanoke and the damn mountain in the way was scary. I had better start practicing my "All Aboard" so I can yell it when Eowyn takes Amtrak from DC to Roanoke.

Gas prices are crazy. When does the price get so high that it breaks the economy? At some point it won't be worth it to commute to your job because gas will cost more than you make. I am in the market for a new car and I looked at electric cars. Besides the fact they are outragously expensive, I just don't believe they are ready for primetime. It would take forever to take a long trip since you can only go about 250 miles a day unless you can find one of those super chargers and there are not that many of them yet and they cost a lot. The electric grid cannot handle everybody going electric and when the batteries wear out around 130K miles the car is worthless unless you got $12k to buy new batteries. A lot of new infrastructure is needed to make electric cars viable in my opnion.

When I live in Colorado I visited Yellowstone. One side was beautiful and the other side was still a charred mess from the fire 10 years before. You are right about the volcano under Yellowstone. If it ever goes the U.S. will be blown in half. I did a tour into a Buffalo herd and they are big and they are stinky. I remember getting stopped in Yellowstone while the herd crossed the road and then turned back and returned to where they came from for unknown reason.

 

[FireStillBurning]

I bet all the moms were asking where is that pipe smoking, beer drinking, good looking conductor this week? Fire, do you have train groupies you are not telling us about?

I once flew out of Roanoke and the damn mountain in the way was scary. I had better start practicing my "All Aboard" so I can yell it when Eowyn takes Amtrak from DC to Roanoke.

Gas prices are crazy. When does the price get so high that it breaks the economy? At some point it won't be worth it to commute to your job because gas will cost more than you make. I am in the market for a new car and I looked at electric cars. Besides the fact they are outragously expensive, I just don't believe they are ready for primetime. It would take forever to take a long trip since you can only go about 250 miles a day unless you can find one of those super chargers and there are not that many of them yet and they cost a lot. The electric grid cannot handle everybody going electric and when the batteries wear out around 130K miles the car is worthless unless you got $12k to buy new batteries. A lot of new infrastructure is needed to make electric cars viable in my opnion.

When I live in Colorado I visited Yellowstone. One side was beautiful and the other side was still a charred mess from the fire 10 years before. You are right about the volcano under Yellowstone. If it ever goes the U.S. will be blown in half. I did a tour into a Buffalo herd and they are big and they are stinky. I remember getting stopped in Yellowstone while the herd crossed the road and then turned back and returned to where they came from for unknown reason.

That “ fantasy “ will Never happen. First of all beer consumption, as well as “ puffing on one’s pipe” are Verboten in the park. Hadn’t ever thought about “ train groupies” Thankfully there are a few breweries with large outside areas where it is permissible to indulge.
Could that area you refer to around Roanoke be Smith Mountain? I saw signs down there for a place called “ Smith Mountain Lake”.
My next scheduled appearance on the train is Sunday the 5th. Well it’s a rainy Friday morning here. Our dog won’t even go outside to “ take care of his business “, he will also be bummed about not going to the park this morning. Perhaps the afternoon. Happy Friday to All & let’s remember the Vets who sacrificed All on this weekend. Slainte

 

[StarGazer58]

I forgot to add kilt wearing which will bring the moms running because
They come runnin' just as fast as they can
'Cause every girl crazy 'bout a sharp-dressed man

I have been to smith mountain lake when I was a kid and would visit my relatives during the summer. There was also a bedford reservoir that had a beach and could go swimming there. I don't remember the name of it now. I also remember Lakeside Amusement Park in Salem VA which I believe has since closed. I went there one time when I was a kid.

Rainy morning here too but not cool out. Hopefully the whole weekend won't be rainy.

 

[Eowyn10]

Star, you are a poet! Who knew??? Smith Mountain Lake is a really beautiful place as evidenced by all the very high priced homes along the lake. I think David Baldacci has a place down there. John Grisham also lives along the lake. I met Tom Wolfe once in Richmond, He always dressed in white, We used to go swimming and water skiing on the lake many years ago. It was NOT a pretty picture when I tried to water ski. Sorry, Star, Lakeside closed many years ago and there are stores there now. It was a come-down. That’s where I learned to stay off roller coasters.
Fire, maybe you could create a new support group for the train: Mommy Groupies. Charge dues and everything.

I am up in cooler climes at Flagstaff for the weekend. In the 40s this am but that will change with the sun coming up. No bears, no cows wandering around by the forest this am. Beats 106 in the Valley.

Have a wonderful weekend and remember those who gave it all, including those who ran into the fire while others ran out, on 9/11. Bruce Springsteen did a wonderful album based on stories about 9/11, called The Rising. One song was a firefighter saying to the others as they were dying, “Meet you at Mary’s place, we’re gonna have a party”. He was Catholic, so the inference is clear.

Eowyn

 

[FireStillBurning]

I forgot to add kilt wearing which will bring the moms running because
They come runnin' just as fast as they can
'Cause every girl crazy 'bout a sharp-dressed man

I have been to smith mountain lake when I was a kid and would visit my relatives during the summer. There was also a bedford reservoir that had a beach and could go swimming there. I don't remember the name of it now. I also remember Lakeside Amusement Park in Salem VA which I believe has since closed. I went there one time when I was a kid.

Rainy morning here too but not cool out. Hopefully the whole weekend won't be rainy.

You have an Extraordinary memory, Good Sir. The kilt only comes out during the “ High Holy Daze” & at festival time. I must confess that I have received numerous compliments on it since I started wearing it. One does Knot wear it when operating the train . Enjoying a 5 hour window of “no rain”. Will be “ shuffling off to Buffalo” in the morning. Slainte

 

[FireStillBurning]

Star, you are a poet! Who knew??? Smith Mountain Lake is a really beautiful place as evidenced by all the very high priced homes along the lake. I think David Baldacci has a place down there. John Grisham also lives along the lake. I met Tom Wolfe once in Richmond, He always dressed in white, We used to go swimming and water skiing on the lake many years ago. It was NOT a pretty picture when I tried to water ski. Sorry, Star, Lakeside closed many years ago and there are stores there now. It was a come-down. That’s where I learned to stay off roller coasters.
Fire, maybe you could create a new support group for the train: Mommy Groupies. Charge dues and everything.

I am up in cooler climes at Flagstaff for the weekend. In the 40s this am but that will change with the sun coming up. No bears, no cows wandering around by the forest this am. Beats 106 in the Valley.

Have a wonderful weekend and remember those who gave it all, including those who ran into the fire while others ran out, on 9/11. Bruce Springsteen did a wonderful album based on stories about 9/11, called The Rising. One song was a firefighter saying to the others as they were dying, “Meet you at Mary’s place, we’re gonna have a party”. He was Catholic, so the inference is clear.

Eowyn

Please, let’s knot get carried away… a support group…. My luck I’d have more guys show up want to actually talk trains , rather then the ladies, just my luck
I have a cousin who was a member of the Flagstaff Fire Dept. A Lt. if memory serves. I believe he has retired the past few years. Took us to his firehouse 22 years ago when we did our last trip out to Arizona . Slainte

 

[Funlvr74II]

571 in NoVA

 

[Write_and_Wrong]

Just across the state line in NC. Once caught a 35-pound striper out of Smith Mountain. They grow giants there.

 

[Write_and_Wrong]

Fall is a beautiful time on the Parkway, so you won't miss much if you need to wait.

So how did the kids (and the moms) get along on the train without you while you were traveling?? Don't know when I will get back to Roanoke this season, but if and when, I will definitely make time to go see the train in the park. Also I want to experiment with flying into DC instead of Charlotte, and then taking Amtrak to Roanoke. Probably a longer trip, but maybe more relaxing once I am on the train.

Bottoms Up!

Don't take the train anywhere in NC. It's third world.

 

[Eowyn10]

Just across the state line in NC. Once caught a 35-pound striper out of Smith Mountain. They grow giants there.

Welcome! Nice to meet you. You must have been one tired puppy after pulling a 35 pounder out of the lake.
Lots of people come into Lit just to lurk and learn. "Perv" ing is a different skill set.

 

[Eowyn10]

Please, let’s knot get carried away… a support group…. My luck I’d have more guys show up want to actually talk trains , rather then the ladies, just my luck
I have a cousin who was a member of the Flagstaff Fire Dept. A Lt. if memory serves. I believe he has retired the past few years. Took us to his firehouse 22 years ago when we did our last trip out to Arizona . Slainte

Don't know any of the fire folks up there. Knew some down in Phoenix when I was at the hospital, and would visit some of the stations to bring goodies to the folks. Occasionally one of them would be hurt, or if police, killed in the line of duty, and that was always hard for all of us.

Please, let’s knot get carried away… a support group…. My luck I’d have more guys show up want to actually talk trains , rather then the ladies, just my luck
I have a cousin who was a member of the Flagstaff Fire Dept. A Lt. if memory serves. I believe he has retired the past few years. Took us to his firehouse 22 years ago when we did our last trip out to Arizona . Slainte

Fire, just show up at the first support group meeting in the kilt. Then stand (by accident, of course), in front of a fan. That will sort out the boys from the interested women really fast. Trust me.

 

[FireStillBurning]

Don't know any of the fire folks up there. Knew some down in Phoenix when I was at the hospital, and would visit some of the stations to bring goodies to the folks. Occasionally one of them would be hurt, or if police, killed in the line of duty, and that was always hard for all of us.

Fire, just show up at the first support group meeting in the kilt. Then stand (by accident, of course), in front of a fan. That will sort out the boys from the interested women really fast. Trust me.

Sounds like you yourself may have worn the ancient garb if the Scott’s at one time. I salute you. Made it to Mom’s OK. Gas in WNY is $4.86, was $4.69 going through Pennsylvania. Long day, will be turning in shortly. Slainte

 

[Write_and_Wrong]

Welcome! Nice to meet you. You must have been one tired puppy after pulling a 35 pounder out of the lake.
Lots of people come into Lit just to lurk and learn. "Perv" ing is a different skill set.

Nice to meet you. Yes, it was quite a fight bringing that bad boy aboard. I didn't catch another fish all day. I was too exhausted.
Lurking and learning, trying to improve all my 'skill sets.'

 

[StarGazer58]

Eowyn, unfortunately I am not a poet. Those are some of the lyrics to Sharp Dressed Man by ZZTop.

Fire, I hear you about it would be guys showing up. I have one amusing story and one Grrr story. Back before the dot com burst I was consulting for a company whose stock went public and made a few young guys millionaires. One of the guys I had become friends with told me he had been eyeing this porche so when he got his money he went to the dealer as was looking around. He was young so nobody was paying much attention to him until finally one of the salesman came over and asked if he needed help. He said, "Yeah, I want to buy this one off the showroom floor." It was about $90k so the salesman gave him a 'get out of here look'. Told him I will write a check for it now and when the dealership found the check was good all of a sudden they were all smile and bending over backwards for him. He gets the car and he figures that women will be falling over him when they see the car but he told me the only people excited were 12 year old boys who wanted to talk about the car. lol.

My grrr story is that a number of years ago I put up a pic thread in Lit thinking that I could attract more women. Of course the only people hitting on me were the gay dudes so I took the pics down. Grrrrr.

Wow, 35 lb stripper is a big fish. I never caught any near that big. I once caught a 15lb sand shark but that is about the biggest. I did look eye to eye with a 8 foot Mako shark about 3 feet away in Hawaii one time but I was doing a shark cage dive and he was outside the cage. lol.

Lurking is a good way to get a feel for the threads but feel to join in anytime with any thoughts.

 

[Eowyn10]

Eowyn, unfortunately I am not a poet. Those are some of the lyrics to Sharp Dressed Man by ZZTop.

Fire, I hear you about it would be guys showing up. I have one amusing story and one Grrr story. Back before the dot com burst I was consulting for a company whose stock went public and made a few young guys millionaires. One of the guys I had become friends with told me he had been eyeing this porche so when he got his money he went to the dealer as was looking around. He was young so nobody was paying much attention to him until finally one of the salesman came over and asked if he needed help. He said, "Yeah, I want to buy this one off the showroom floor." It was about $90k so the salesman gave him a 'get out of here look'. Told him I will write a check for it now and when the dealership found the check was good all of a sudden they were all smile and bending over backwards for him. He gets the car and he figures that women will be falling over him when they see the car but he told me the only people excited were 12 year old boys who wanted to talk about the car. lol.

My grrr story is that a number of years ago I put up a pic thread in Lit thinking that I could attract more women. Of course the only people hitting on me were the gay dudes so I took the pics down. Grrrrr.

Wow, 35 lb stripper is a big fish. I never caught any near that big. I once caught a 15lb sand shark but that is about the biggest. I did look eye to eye with a 8 foot Mako shark about 3 feet away in Hawaii one time but I was doing a shark cage dive and he was outside the cage. lol.

Lurking is a good way to get a feel for the threads but feel to join in anytime with any thoughts.

ok, Star, both of those stories were my laughs for the day. Many thanks!!
In a shark cage dive, inside the cage is where I would want to be....except, maybe up on the boat deck, watching the fools below who might be human sushi...

 

[StarGazer58]

ok, Star, both of those stories were my laughs for the day. Many thanks!!
In a shark cage dive, inside the cage is where I would want to be....except, maybe up on the boat deck, watching the fools below who might be human sushi...

The shark cage dive was very cool. Boat took us about 5 miles off shore, threw some chum in the water and then waited for the sharks to show up. Once they were circling around the boat, they lowered the cage with us in it. I actually reached out and touched one the sharks as they circled around us. Probably were thinking where is the can opener so we can get to our snack. I believe there were 6 of them, all Mako, hanging around us for about 15 minutes and then they just drifted away.

 

[FireStillBurning]

Greetings Gazer & Eowyn. Retired to the Valley a couple of hours ago. Had a great weekend back in WNY with Mom & sister. Sadly she is slowing down physically, but her mind set is full on Charge ahead. Wonder if I’ll be like that if I’m lucky enough to reach 87 . Ran into a couple of folks I know at the Memorial Day Ceremony in town. One was a Erie County Sheriffs Deputy. I also ran into him the first winter after we left. We were walking our dog in the park & he was curious about a Virginia plate. He is also the drummer in one of the Irish Bands I diligently followed. The other was the ex-boyfriend of my daughters from about 10-12 years ago. Really thought that they would get married, didn’t happen. But he spotted me & came over. Had a good 10 minute talk, introducing me to his wife & 2 kids.. Well it’s time to resume my position on the porch & begin the “ re-hydration “ process. Have a new live Junior Wells CD I’ll give a listen to. Slainte

 

[StarGazer58]

Glad you are back from your travels safe and sound. My weekend was pretty good but it went by way too fast. Had some good BBQ in Fredericksburg on Sat. Played in a team golf event on Monday and my team won. Will miracles never cease. I watched some of the movies on TCM over the weekend about WWII in honor of Memorial Day. Hope everyone had a great weekend.

 

[FireStillBurning]

Glad you are back from your travels safe and sound. My weekend was pretty good but it went by way too fast. Had some good BBQ in Fredericksburg on Sat. Played in a team golf event on Monday and my team won. Will miracles never cease. I watched some of the movies on TCM over the weekend about WWII in honor of Memorial Day. Hope everyone had a great weekend.

Greetings Gazer & Eowyn10. Had a small, but enthusiastic program in honor of the 78th Anniversary of D-Day at our museum today. Had about a dozen renactors , & 6 vehicles, mostly some superb WWII jeeps. At least 115 folks came inside. I even met & talked to a fellow from Switzerland , of all places.
You will be happy to know I return to the train tomorrow afternoon to yell out “ All aboard” to the Moms & kids. Trust all is well with the both of you. Time to retire to my porch. Slainte

 

[FireStillBurning]

Just wondering if anyone in the Valley saw the D-Day Tribute Flight yesterday. 2 DD-3’s & 2C-47’s

 

[StarGazer58]

Hey Fire, I am not in the valley but would have been cool to see. I was down at the beach years ago and they did flights from Dover AFB along the beach one memorial day weekend. They were flying low, less than a 1000 feet in the air so you could see the planes really well. The giant cargo plane looked like it was going to land on the beach it was so low. One time when I lived in Colorado they were doing flyovers at the Air Force Academy football game and a stealth figher flew over my house.

Have not been on too much lately since I was finishing up my latest story and it was published this week.

 

[FireStillBurning]

Hey Fire, I am not in the valley but would have been cool to see. I was down at the beach years ago and they did flights from Dover AFB along the beach one memorial day weekend. They were flying low, less than a 1000 feet in the air so you could see the planes really well. The giant cargo plane looked like it was going to land on the beach it was so low. One time when I lived in Colorado they were doing flyovers at the Air Force Academy football game and a stealth figher flew over my house.

Have not been on too much lately since I was finishing up my latest story and it was published this week.

Gazer, great hearing from you. I will admit I was a tad concerned about your well-being for the past week. Congratulations on you story being published . Can you mention the title or category?
Yes when those type of aircraft fly low like that it truly is an awe inspiring sight!!
Tomorrow I will be journeying to the Cross Keys Battlefield to mark the 160th Anniversary of Jackson’s ( & Ewell’s)victory there. There will be a number of guest speakers & an artillery unit will be demonstrating what it took to fire a shot. Despite the damp forecast I’m looking forward to it. Hopefully I will survive intact. Enjoy your weekend. Slainte

 

[StarGazer58]

Hey there Fire. My Story is called Voyeuristic Hotel Maid in Erotic Couplings.

How was the Cross Keys Battlefield? I have never heard of that battle. I bet the artillery demo was cool. I have seen them load cannon on TV before and it was quite the ordeal. Same with the smooth bore muskets. The tactics of two armies marching close together and then standing there firing at each other is crazy. Hard to believe how much weapons have changed in 160 years.

 

[FireStillBurning]

Hey there Fire. My Story is called Voyeuristic Hotel Maid in Erotic Couplings.

How was the Cross Keys Battlefield? I have never heard of that battle. I bet the artillery demo was cool. I have seen them load cannon on TV before and it was quite the ordeal. Same with the smooth bore muskets. The tactics of two armies marching close together and then standing there firing at each other is crazy. Hard to believe how much weapons have changed in 160 years.

5 Stars Good Sir. I enjoyed you story & left a review. Thanks
Cross Keys ( & Port Republic the next day) was part of Jackson’s Valley Campaign of 1862. The Confederate forces numbered about 20,000, & the 2 Union armies about 30-35,000. Large tracts of this particular battlefield are already protected, in fact there is a good chance there will be a State Park linking the various sections in the near future. We had a small, but enthusiastic crowd of about 60 folks. A damp morning, sunny afternoon. Yes the artillery demonstration was excellent. They used a “ 12 Pounder”. 9 men made up the entire crew & were great at answering questions & passing items around. An all around day
The tactics were from the Napoleon’s era. But the weapons had evolved from musket’s to the rife & mini-ball. Yes it took an unbelievable amount of courage, fortitude, guts etc. to do what they did… on both sides. Plenty to learn at these events.
I’m at a local brewery listening to a “ string-band”, they are just getting under way. Slainte