Vagabonds

"Oh to have been born with a silver spoon in my mouth!" It was an expression that my mother used to express a little envy of people in better inherited financial circumstance. They were thought to be living a life she perceived as "luxury."

I'm reminded of the expression each time I read the weekly blog of friends who are currently touring the perimeter of the United States. Blog being a kind of personal diary, complete with lots of pictures, written and published on the Internet for anyone interested in subscribing, normally for free.

Clark, a friend from bachelor days and his wife, Reba, have lived in a huge motor home, a diesel pusher as big as a bus, for probably the past 10 years. No real permanent roots, just a place to park near family when the wanderlust quits itching. Albuquerque is as close to "home" as they have. It is where they started and some day will return. On this adventure they left the snow of New Mexico drove south to Tucson, Arizona. Then on down to the Mexican border and turned right. The plan is to drive the road parallel and closest to the border/ocean shore adequate to support their huge vehicle. They stop at RV campgrounds and may stay several days to explore the local sites and points of interest. To visit friends, if any reside close by, and to probe the local attractions they extract their auto from the large enclosed trailer they pull behind their "house."

From the near desert of Southern California they turned right to parallel the Pacific Ocean and north to Seattle. Washington State at early spring brings low clouds and poor visibility so sight seeing suffered a bit. However things like the Boeing Factory, birthplace of the 747 and related wondrous modern machines, are highlights for old pilots like Clark and me.

Keeping in touch, paying bills, etc., is done through cell phones and the Internet with their computer(s). They also have mail and packages forwarded to post offices that they select for future stops along their planned route.

The latest blog had Clark and Reba headed east along the south shore of Lake Superior in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The U.P. is familiar, as we lived there for several interesting years. The nomads, though, were still complaining about road construction and many miles of mud that they had to slog through across North Dakota. Minnesota and more rain then brought hordes of mosquitoes and little black flies that bite and sting. There were good things, too -- beautiful scenic waterfalls, really interesting museums, special local foods, and the camaraderie of friendly people along the way. For the past several weeks they've been traveling in tandem with another like minded couple in a similar motor home. Then recently a grandson joined to share the adventure.

Clark and I became friends with a special interest in aviation while attending the Air Force Academy. He came to McCook to attend our wedding in 1959. Then, as a bachelor at pilot training in way South Texas, he bummed meals at our house on a regular basis.

His interest after pilot training tended more to helicopters and he took that career route through a variety of assignments including a year long trip to Vietnam. Sometime along the way he attended test pilot school, and flew the U-2 among other interesting aircraft. Eventually he was tapped to do the cold weather testing of the HH-53 more popularly known as the "Super Jolly Green Giant." That Jolly was loved for its ability in the air rescue role, fetching pilots from behind enemy lines. Incidentally all those huge helicopters have completed their service life and are now retired. Gee I guess that is rather like having your grandson retire; it makes one feel old!

Then this week we were privileged to host my cousin and her husband for a short three-day visit. They too own a huge motor home for which we provide electricity and water to enable them to park next to my hangar. They live on an "Air Ranch" near Ocala, Florida. That couple, plus their pet cats traveling in air-conditioned comfort, are on their way to AirVenture the largest "Fly In" in the world held each year at Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Mary and Ray planned their trip from Florida to Oshkosh via Phoenix, Flagstaff, and the Wisconsin Dells. Not exactly a quick straight line trip but the scenery is a bit more varied. (Who is your pundit to comment though when he wrote Brighton, Colorado, was on Highway 34 instead of I-76?)

What is this friends and relation with wanderlust, huge motor homes and the where-with-all to scratch the itch? I sometimes wish that I too was born with the silver spoon in my mouth so that Grannie Annie and I could join in the fun. Truth be known neither of the two couples above were born into affluent circumstances. Each did it the "Old Fashioned Way, They Earned it." Choices! Obviously they chose well to attain the life they dreamed.

I envy them not but it is fun to watch. The path that my wonderful spouse and I have chosen fits us and we are enjoying the ride. May each of you be satisfied as well.

That is the way I saw it.

Dick Trail