Road Trip Day Sixteen: Grandma’s Breakfast

 Last night, anticipating an easier drive I set my phone alarm for 7AM.  I learned early this morning that the previous occupant of my hotel room had set the hotel alarm clock for 5:45AM.  After a quick hotel coffee I was packed and on the road at 630AM. 

On Highway 70, shortly after leaving Terre Haute, Indiana I crossed into the southern tip of Illinois at the city of Effingham.  I hadn’t gone 5 miles when the Illinois Department of Transportation shut down the highway.  Fortunately, I was at an off ramp which was conveniently located next to a Cracker Barrell.  Breakfast sounded better than traffic.  At 715AM in the morning the Effingham Cracker Barrell is empty.  There were very few customers and it was fully staffed.  I was seated and served Grandma’s Breakfast very quickly. 

As I ate breakfast I remembered that my Grandmother, Rose, was born in Gibson, Illinois.  A quick check and I found I was only 90 minutes from Gibson.  I was tempted to make the side trip, but a three hour detour without proper research on what to look for or at, didn’t make sense.  I also remembered that I had at least one great uncle who lived for a time in Effingham. I overheard the information on Effingham and Gibson over 50 years ago and just couldn’t remember much of the substance nor context.  As I was eating I used the phone to research Effingham and found that I was only a half mile or so from the Effingham Masonic Lodge.

The construction of the Lodge was very interesting.  The exterior looks as if they only thing it houses is

a Lodge room.  It is situation East to West and the building simply looks like someone covered a lodge room.

Back on to the highway.  The southern tip of Illinois is pretty flat.  Small towns and hamlets are dotted between flat farm land consisting of acres and acres of corn.  I think corn fields are creepy.  Nothing good (except the corn) happens in corn fields.  Think Casino or The Get Away.  I crossed over the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers and was in St. Louis, Missouri. 

About the time I crossed into Missouri the Dodgers began to play Tampa Bay.  Coffee, Baseball and cruise control for three hours and I arrived in Kansas City, Missouri.  My hotel is in the northeast part of the city, right across from “Worlds of Fun” and “Oceans of Fun.”  I can see giant roller coasters looping in the sky from my hotel room.  Thus, the area is filled with families.  It feels like I am staying in a hotel in Anaheim across from Disneyland.

Tomorrow a tour of the Truman Presidential Library followed by a relatively short drive to Wichita, Kansas. 

Readout of Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks’ Travel to Maine, New Hampshire

 July 7, 2021

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Deputy Press Secretary Jamal Brown provided the following readout:

Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks met with representatives from Bath Iron Works in Brunswick, Maine, and Portsmouth Naval Shipyard and Pease Air National Guard, in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, to discuss and assess efforts to bolster U.S. warfighting capabilities and maintain maritime dominance.

While in Brunswick, Deputy Secretary Hicks visited the Bath Iron Works operations as well as the DDG 118 (USS Inouye) and met with troops.

In Portsmouth, Deputy Secretary Hicks spoke with key personnel at the structural shop at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard and the future Waterfront Support Facility, toured a KC-46 display at Pease Air National Guard and spoke with troops.

Today’s visits underscore Secretary Austin’s commitment to modernizing the Department of Defense to meet future threats.

Road Trip Day 15: The Kia Nav Hates Me

 It should have taken 9 hours to drive from Lamar, Pennsylvania to Terre Haute, Indiana.  It took 12.  The first problem happened a half hour into the drive with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation decided to close the turnpike.  The car’s nav saw the red-lined highway and suggested an alternate route.  Off the highway and through the Pennsylvania countryside. 

It was early and I was rested.  No problem.  Windows down, sunroof open and I drive 30 minutes through beautiful Pennsylvania farm country.  Seemed like a bonus, not an omen.  Back on to the highway in a couple of hours I was at the Ohio border.  I buzzed through Ohio: Youngstown, Canton, Columbus and Dayton.  Then I got to Indiana.

On 70, in an area called Spiceland the two-lane highway came to a complete stop.  There were signs warning of construction, but there have been a lot of areas of construction on the entire trip.  There was no sign that said they were going to close the highway for about an hour.  There I sat, me and hundreds of big rigs.  I checked the car’s nav.  It gave the error message “There are no alternative routes.”  That is Kia’s way of saying you are “f’d.”  It was that kind of stop on highway where people got out of their trucks and cars.  The next off ramp was AFTER the stoppage eight miles ahead and the previous off-ramp (presuming you could 4-wheel drive over the marshy looking meridian) was 5 miles back.  After an hour it started to move.  But, a wagon train of big rigs moves glacial rate.  Finally, I hit the open road about 200 miles from tonight’s stop.

As I approached Indianapolis, the nav said to take the 65 south.  As I approached the transition, I could see signs that said the 65 was closed, but usually the nav compensates.  When I got up to transition, I could see that the 65 was not only closed, it was gone.  There was nothing but concrete columns and debris.  It wasn’t under construction, it was under destruction.  The nav was still saying take the 65 south.  The Kia Nav hates me.  I had two options:  North to Chicago or follow the train of cars and trucks off the freeway into downtown Indianapolis.  I was already in the downtown lane.

Down the ramp and into truck driver hell on Ohio Street in downtown Indianapolis.  The nav adjusted and wanted to follow the line of trucks.  Like 50 of them, all waiting to make a left turn onto some street that paralleled the highway that wasn’t there.  One truck at a time, they made the left turn.  Slowly they turned, truck by truck. 

That’s it.  I turned off the nav.  Time to go old school.  As I sat there I looked at the map.  I could see that if I went 12 blocks west and then south on Capital Street I could pick up the highway.  But how do I get around 50 trucks?  There was no lane, but there was space.  I drove in the gutter between the wall of massive big rigs and the sidewalk filled with pedestrians.  I crept forward and made the first block.  One more to go.  The light turned green and I kept to gutter.  I looked in the rear-view mirror and I was now leading a parade of a dozen passenger cars.  We got through.

West to Capital Street and about 8 blocks south and I was back on the highway.  I made it to Terre Haute, Indiana.

Six-hour drive tomorrow to Kansas City, Missouri.  That is the staging stop for the visit to the Truman Library.  I have tickets for Friday Morning.  The short drive to Wichita for overnight.

Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Phone Call With Turkish Minister of National Defense Hulusi Akar

 July 7, 2021

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Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby provided the following readout:

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III spoke by phone today with Turkish Minister of National Defense Hulusi Akar to discuss bilateral cooperation and our ongoing drawdown in Afghanistan.  

Both leaders reasserted the importance of adequate security at Hamid Karzai International Airport and agreed to speak again in the near future on the topic.  

The Secretary reaffirmed the importance of the longstanding U.S.-Turkey defense relationship and thanked the Minister for his continuing communication.

Road Trip Day Fourteen: Sinkers and Wobblers

 When I left Augusta, Maine at 630AM it was a 52 degrees with a wet, light fog.  Straight through Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts and New York I drove without stopping.  About 200 miles.  With the driver assist (speed, lane and distance from the car ahead) engaged, I listen to podcasts and nurse a large Dunkin coffee.   

Just over the Pennsylvania border with New York I stopped in the Poconos Mountains. Well, if you live in the Western States you know there really not “mountains.”  I had not been paying attention to outside temperature so when I got out of my car I was surprised by the 92 degree humid Pennsylvania weather.  Forty degrees was an unexpected and drastic change. 

I got Fuel, coffee and a sinker.  If you don’t know what a “sinker” is – too bad for you.  Back onto the Pennsylvania Highway and I set the driver assist to 76MPH. The speed limit is 70MPH.  I set the “car ahead” to six car lengths. 

After about an hour, I was travelling the two-lane highway on a steep downgrade.  I was in the number one lane when my car detected I was within six car lengths from the car ahead.  The car began to slow itself. As I felt the slight weight shift forward, I saw a Pennsylvania State Trooper in the median, pointing his radar gun right at me.  I flip off the driver assist and the car began to slow a little more rapidly.  By the time I am 100 yards past him I am going to the speed limit. 

The fastest he pinged me would have been 76, but more likely 75.  I figure that’s not ticket worthy, But I watch the rear view mirror.  Damn, I see him pull into traffic and he is obviously accelerating rapidly.  He is coming on fast, right behind me.  Hoping against hope, I pull into the number two lane to let him go by.  He slows and gets right into my right rear quarter panel.  Okay, I am prey.

Fortunately, I planned for just such a scenario.  I knew I wasn’t going to crazy speed on the trip.  However, I also planned on roughly always 8% over the speed limit.  On a day like today, a nine-hour drive, that 8% is at least 30 minutes.  And, I figure at 8% over the limit I was at best a “Wobbler.”  Its not 90MPH, a clear speeder.  Maybe you cite, maybe you warn, that’s a wobbler. 

The cruise control is my first line of defense.  It is set and compensates for downhill/uphill, etc.  It keeps me in the wobbler zone.  My second line of defense is my license plate frame. 

My license plate frame says “Veteran” “United States Coast Guard.”  That’s true, I am a veteran of the USCG.  I was hoping that the license plate frame would be my thumb on the scales of justice.  Flipping the wobbler my way; no cite.

After 30 seconds in my rear quarter panel he zooms off.  I don’t know if it worked or not.  I think so.

Tomorrow is a little longer drive to Terre Haute, Indiana.

Teak Action Travel

 

An Air Force MC-130J Air Commando II takes off during Teak Action at Royal Australian Air Force Base Richmond, Australia, June 30, 2021. The bilateral exercise focuses on sharing tactics and procedures to foster increased interoperability across the Indo-Pacific.

Survey Provides Insight Into Reserve Component Spouse Satisfaction With Military Life

 July 6, 2021

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The Department of Defense recently released the results of the 2019 Survey of Reserve Component Spouses. The survey is conducted every two years, and along with the Survey of Active Duty Spouses, represents the scientific “gold standard” of surveys intended to identify the needs of military spouses.  

The Survey of Reserve Component Spouses provides valuable insight into issues and trends among Reserve Component spouses. These findings help DOD better understand how its programs, policies, and resources might better support and impact this important demographic.

As part of the 2019 survey, more than 50,000 Reserve Component military spouses across Army National Guard, Army Reserve, Navy Reserve, Marine Corps Reserve, Air National Guard, and Air Force Reserve were invited to participate, with about 15% responding.

Survey topics covered many key indicators, to include spouse support to stay in the military, employment and finances, activation and deployment, reunion and reintegration, and spouse and child well-being. Because the survey was completed in 2019, the effects of COVID-19 were not captured in the survey.

Many findings, for example spouse health and financial status, have remained consistent since 2017, but are important indicators to understand.

“The survey shows that 62% of Reserve Component spouses indicated that their health is very good or excellent, and 68% of Reserve Component spouses reported that they are financially comfortable,” said Dr. Paul Rosenfeld, director of the Center for Retention and Readiness within the Office of People Analytics.

The survey also indicated that current levels of personal stress are higher than average at about 37%, and that stress and loneliness were concerns among National Guard and reserve spouses whose husband/wife had been deployed in the past 24 months. These themes are also reported among active-duty spouses.

“Understanding trends among spouses and what really matters most helps DOD improve and prioritize policies, programs and resources to help military families thrive,” said Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Military Community and Family Policy Patricia “Patty” Montes Barron. “We are committed to engaging and listening to our military spouses. COVID-19 has provided an opportunity for us to reimagine processes for families and I want to ensure the voice we use is inclusive of military spouses.”

For important information about the military community, including survey results, infographics, research reports and demographics, visit Military OneSource.

About Military Community and Family Policy 

Military Community and Family Policy is directly responsible for establishing quality-of-life policies and programs that help our guardians of country, their families and survivors be well and mission-ready. Military OneSource is the gateway to programs and services that support the everyday needs of the 5.2 million service members and immediate family members of the military community. These Department of Defense services can be accessed 24/7/365 around the world.

Statement by Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III on the NFL Waiver for Cameron Kinley

 July 6, 2021

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Today, I have approved a plan by the Department of the Navy that will permit former Naval Academy midshipman Cameron Kinley to play professional football in the NFL.

This plan will see Cameron enlisted in the Inactive Ready Reserve for the duration of his football career.  Upon completion of his playing time, we look forward to welcoming him back inside the ranks as a naval officer.

In the meantime, we know Cameron will take every opportunity on and off the field to ably represent the Navy and the military to the American people and to assist us in our recruiting efforts. I applaud Navy leadership for finding this way to showcase both Cameron's athletic prowess, as well as the quality and professionalism of our student athletes and our personnel.

Road Trip Day Thirteen: Golden Nozzle

 Non-driving day spent with family.  The warm day was a stark contrast to yesterday and it facilitated two meals with two families.  Essentially, my daughter’s in-laws.  We would need a white board and a half hour to diagram out all the people with whom I became reacquainted or met for the first time.  Everyone was welcoming and gracious.  The meals were cooked and served outdoors.  My daughter and I talked a lot and we watched my grandson do eight-year old stuff. 

Between the early brunch and afternoon dinner, I left Grace and Justin to their last minute errands for their trip south.  I tried to get the oil changed.  No go.  Charlie’s KIA in Augusta, Maine is only accepting appointments.  Despite the service bays being completely empty, there was no room for a walk-on customer from California.  I was too tired to be frustrated.  Figured I would get the car washed, at least.

I haven’t seen a California Style car wash where they actually wash your car since I left California.  I’ve looked.  They are all some configuration of an automatic wash.  However, just inside Augusta, I saw a sign for a “Golden Nozzle” car wash.  Well, I have never had a Golden Nozzle.  When in Maine……

As I drove up the drive into the parking lot of the Nozzle I had to drive past a quick oil change type place.  There were three twenty-something oil change guys smoking at the corner of the building.  They looked in my direction as I began to drive toward them and they started motioning me to stop.  They were insistent that I stop; I thought maybe some part of the car was falling off.  They had never seen a Kia K5, they had only read about it.  We popped the hood, the trunk, opened the all the door.  They climbed all over the car and had great time. 

I drove up to the Nozzle tunnel and the guy asked me what I wanted.  While there are no people to wash your car, this long dark tunnel with its lights, mists and soft cloth brushes is controlled by a real human being who dials in your every wish, for a price.  I paid for hot walk, rim cleaning, underbody rinse and the soft cloth special. After all that, you have to do your own vacuuming. 

I worked out rewinding.  The highlight of which will be a visit to the Truman Library. 

 

date		location	miles	time
6-Jul	Tuesday	Lamar PA	566	9
7-Jul	wed	Terre Haute, Indiana	604	9
8-Jul	Thur	Independence, Missouri	400	6
9-Jul	Friday	Truman Library		2
9-Jul	Friday	Wichita, Kansas	219	4
10-Jul	Saturday	Alburqurque, NM	596	9.5
11-Jul	Sunday	Home	760	11

 

Tomorrow, when Justin and Grace leave for New York City, we are going to meet up and caravan (they have two cars to transport).  My grandson will ride with me as far as Hartford, Connecticut and then we will put him in Grace’s car and they will continue south while I turn west.

Road Trip Day Twelve: The Crinkle Cut Fry

 

I spent the day with my daughter Grace and her family.  My grandson, Liam and I went to Walmart.  He is very bright and energetic eight-year-old.  He has a vocabulary beyond his years; which he is not afraid to use.  He guided me through Walmart and made excellent suggestions about my purchases.  He and picked out a birthday card and gift for his mother.  After accomplishing our mission we reward ourselves at Dunkin Donuts. 

Grace’s in-laws, Ernie and Donna Dulac, graciously hosted a 4^th of July celebration.  They have a beautiful home in the forests of Maine.  The picture is looking down their drive-way.  Although it was in the high 50s and raining Ernie managed to BBQ hot dogs and hamburgers.  The Dulac extended family arrived throughout the afternoon providing a feast of side dishes.  The celebration was only marred by Grace and I verbally browbeating her husband over the issue of which is the best French fry.  The crux of the disagreement was the utility of the crinkle-cut fry.  We argued, rather forcefully, that for the purposes of purchasing, storing and preparing in the home, the crinkle-cut fry is without peer.

Tomorrow we have a Devil’s Breakfast planned the Dulac’s.  And, then an early dinner with other extended family. 

Road Trip Day Eleven: I Hate Moths

I hit the road just after 8AM and drive north on Highway 84 toward the Connecticut/Massachusetts border.  The apex for the road trip is a mere 254 miles away in August, ME.  Just before the state border I hit the 4000 mile mark for the first half of the trip.  4000 miles, 34 hours of podcasts and one tire.

I didn’t set out to review rest stops, but here it is again.  Just inside Massachusetts I decide to stop.  Traffic has been heavy including long stretches of Santa Monic Freeway style stop-and-go.  The 4^th of July weekend traffic is further slowed by the constant rain and occasional very heavy down pour.  I pull into the rest stop and it is packed; must be 150 cars.  I get out of the car and I need my coat; its in the very low 50s and drizzling.  As I walk up to the visitor’s center I can see a crowd of people at the far end of the stop, 50 yards away from the

The spots are moths

visitor’s center.  As I get to the center I see why.  It is closed.  The crowd is around the 4 portable toilets the State of Massachusetts has dumped in the parking lot.  Literally, in the parking lot taking up a few parking spaces. 

I get in line.  After moment, the lady in front of me points to the last toilet and says, “That one’s
available, if you’re brave.”  While we may never know the starting point of the current Covid pandemic.  I do know where ground zero is for the great cholera pandemic of 21.

The highway through Massachusetts is torture.  Two ill cared for lanes, heavy traffic, 50 MPH Speed Limit and bad weather. And, I am kinda tired of driving.  FINALLY,  I cross into the Live Free or Die State: New Hampshire.  I pay the toll, $2.75 cash and cross over to the four lane, well cared for New Hampshire highway.  Seriously, it is one of the best stretches of highway in the country. 

About an hour later, its over the Portsmouth Bridge and into Kittery Maine.  About 100 miles to go.  I

arrive at my Hotel about 2PM.  Check in and drop my kit.  But, something is off.  The southside of the hotel is covered in thousands of moths.  The northside gets the wind and rain, but I have never seen so many moths.  Turns out they are having the worst outbreak of the Brown Tail Moth in over century.  According to the Maine CDC, the moth has some kind of poisonous hair (as a caterpillar) that causes a rash similar to poison ivy. I hate moths.

A little later I attain the goal, I am with my daughter, son-in-law and grandson.  

Vaccination Time

 

Maryland Army National Guardsmen hold a vaccination event outside World Class Barbers in Waldorf, Md., June 25, 2021. Upon receiving the vaccine, residents received a 50% discount for a haircut at the barbershop.

Rainbow Chopper

A Seahawk helicopter takes off from the flight deck of the guided missile destroyer USS OÕKane during routine operations in the Pacific Ocean, June 19, 2021.

Security Setup

 

Soldiers set up security as part of Exercise Orient Shield at the Aibano Training Area, Japan, June 28, 2021.

General Officer Announcements

 July 2, 2021

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III announced today that the president has made the following nominations:

Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Christopher J. Mahoney for appointment to the rank of lieutenant general, and assignment as deputy commandant for programs and resources, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps.  Mahoney is currently serving as commanding general, 3d Marine Aircraft Wing, San Diego, California.

Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Stephen D. Sklenka for appointment to the rank of lieutenant general, and assignment as deputy commander, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command.  Sklenka is currently serving as the J-5, director for strategic planning and policy, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, Oahu, Hawaii.

Double Duty

 

Air Force Airman 1st Class Ryan West, left, and Tech. Sgt. David Burkman use screwdrivers to remove a panel on an F-16 Fighting Falcon at Prince Sultan Air Base, Saudi Arabia, June 11, 2021.

Window Washers

 

Air Force Airman 1st Class Sarah Miller and Senior Airman Austin Dihn clean the windows of a C-130J Super Hercules during Red Flag-Alaska at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, June 14, 2021. About 1,500 service members fly, maintain and support more than 100 aircraft from more than 100 units during the exercise.

Fiesta Flare

U.S. Army drill team members perform during a Fiesta celebration at Fort Sam Houston, June 20, 2021. Fiesta started in 1891 to honor the memory of the heroes of the Alamo and the Battle of San Jacinto.

 

Musical Mission

 

Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Kristine Hsia and Senior Chief Petty Officer Luis Hernandez perform with the U.S. Navy Band at the Washington Navy Yard, June 15, 2021.

Live Fire Focus

 

A Marine uses an M3E1 multipurpose anti-armor antipersonnel weapon system during live-fire training at Marine Corps Base Hawaii, June 24, 2021.