When I last updated you folks out there, I was telling the tale of being broken down in Goose Bay Canada. I will update you all on our further adventures in Goose Bay in just a moment. At the present however, I regretfully have to inform all four of my loyal readers of our current location.
No, we have not continued on to Greenland and Iceland. Not by a long shot. In a twist of fate, I find myself in the Starbucks in FALMOUTH MASS., once again, updating my blog.
That’s right folks….we have returned to Otis Air Force Base in Cape Cod.
Two days ago, our parts finally cleared Canadian Customs in Montreal and finally arrived in Goose Bay. Mike, our hard working mechanic, spent that afternoon installing the parts and tweaking the aircraft. Unfortunately for him as well as us, the part that the contractor sent was bad. But Mike, being the good maintainer he is, tried swapping components around and doing a little spark chasing in attempt to get things going. He was successful….the problem seemed to be fixed, since he and Hardy ran up the airplane and checked that all systems were a go. We were ready to buy Mike a bottle of Crown Royal.
Or so we thought. The airplane apparently had other ideas. The next morning (Sept. 20th) we rode out to the Goose Bay airport and made preparations to depart. Sure enough, when we started her up, the problem reappeared. Nothing we could do from the cockpit or anything that Mike could do would fix the problem. So we shut down, and went into the FBO (Fixed Base Operator…kind of like an upscale Truck Stop for pilots) to decide what to do. Rather than staying in Goose Bay, we decided out best course of action was to one time fly the ole bucket of bolts back to Otis AFB. The weather was good there, and there is a C26 maintenance base there. So we quickly got ready to depart and flew back to Otis AFB.
This was a good thing, because the weather was rapidly deteriorating in Goose Bay. As with a lot of Northern Locations, the weather here can turn on a dime. So we got out in the nick of time, because it would not be prudent to be flying around in the clouds with the type of malfunction that we had.
I promised an update on the further adventures in Goose Bay. We had time to have a few- On Tuesday of this past week, after we discovered that our parts were still in customs, we decided to take the Trans-Labrador highway out of town to a place we had heard about: Muskrat Falls. The Trans Labrador Highway runs from Goose Bay down to Montreal. It’s a very rural road….about 15 miles south of town the road becomes gravel and sand…and stays that way most of the way to Montreal. (It is a 35 hour drive to Montreal). Anyway, we took this road out to Muskrat Falls. You really get the sense that you are far removed from civilization, as there are no telephone wires, no streetlights, and no signs….just mile after mile of unpaved road over rolling hills. It is stunningly beautiful. We made our way down a steep trail of off the road down about a mile or so through the trees until we came to the river. It was nothing short of spectacular. The river was about a mile or so wide, and flowed over a fairly step set of falls. It wasn’t very high, maybe 30 feet or so but what a sight. It was at this point we started seeing fresh Bear tracks…and what I am convinced was wolf tracks. I suppose at this point you could say we had officially entered the food chain. After that we went back to Goose Bay for more pizza and Beer at the El Greco. I believe that Pauly is going to engrave our names on the table.
Saturday, September 22, 2007
18 September Goose Bay
At any rate, yesterday we went to the El Greco Italian restaurant, run by local city councilman, Paul Tsibidis, or Pauly. Pauly is quite the character-he claims the best pizza in town, and I can tell you it is that and much more. In fact, it is probably some of the best pizza I have ever had. He is a big guy from Greece-near Sparta actually. He is a big, loud guy without a hair on his head. He has had four bypass surgeries and has live in Goose Bay for over thirty years. At any rate, after our tasty dinner, Pauly filled us in on the history of Goose Bay and took us around town. We signed Town Hall registry and rang the town bell.
Who knows, if we stick around long enough, maybe we can run for city council.
Tomorrow we are going to drive out to the town dump and see if we can see any bears. Pauly had suggested that would be the best way for us to see any bears that might be in the local area.
Rob, Hardy and I are convinced that Pauly is running from the Mob and hiding out in Goose Bay.
Who knows, if we stick around long enough, maybe we can run for city council.
Tomorrow we are going to drive out to the town dump and see if we can see any bears. Pauly had suggested that would be the best way for us to see any bears that might be in the local area.
Rob, Hardy and I are convinced that Pauly is running from the Mob and hiding out in Goose Bay.
Saturday, September 15, 2007
Stuck in Goose Bay
Well here we go again. First let me apologize to all of you Tax payers out there who have been led to believe that we off on some great adventure, advancing the ideals of freedom and democracy.
At this point, our primary mission seems to be advancing the local economies of the locations we break down in by infusing vast sums of federal cash while awaiting parts to fix our airplane.
As most of you already know from reading Stacey's last update, our trusty aircraft has decided that it doesn't like Canada. Actually, I don't think it likes any of the places that we have been. Anyway, as we were on approach into Goose Bay-(we are actually in Goose Bay, Labrador as opposed to Gander.) It was supposed to be an overnight/fuel stop before crossing the pond. As fate would have it, it looks as if we are going to be here a while.
Our fate is in the hands of our trusty mechanic, Mike, and FEDEX. Well, also Canadian customs.
Poor Mike got shanghaied for this adventure when we were broke at Otis AFB in Falmouth Mass. His company is our maintenance contractor for the C26B. Unknown to him, his boss decided to send the mechanic we left Dobbins with onto Djibouti via commercial air. Mike shows up at the office last week to help us out fixing the airplane....and presto! He gets sent on his way with us. So now he is sharing in the fun of Goose Bay.
Where the $#%% is Goose Bay Labrador you ask? Well, its in the north eastern part of Canada just to the North of Newfoundland.
Anyway, not much happens here. More on that later.
We had a few adventures while stuck in Falmouth Mass. Its in the Heart of Cape Cod, somewhere I had never been before. The people were nice and the town had a real nice look to it...not to tourist like. The downtown area was full of shops, taverns and restaurants. We frequented the Roo Bar and the little Irish Pub next door.
I will say that I had a tough time with the New England accent at first. Eventually we got used to it and I think the local folks thought we were moving there. I never imagined on my journey to Africa in transiting all these exotic locales that my first series of overnights and sightseeing adventures would be right here in New England.
We did see Martha's Vineyard (and no, I didn't see the any of the Kennedy's or Martha Stewart)and all the the greater Falmouth Metropolitan area. This took all of half a day so we were forced to drive up Highway 28 to take a look at Plymouth Rock.
Ironically, in the birth place of our nation, just a short distance from Plymouth Rock....is an English Pub. So we all felt a little guilty sipping our Bass Ales near the original American home town.
But not too guilty. Beer, is after all Beer.
Actually, Hardy was contemplating opening a contracting business, I was planning on training for an Ironman and Rob was going to open a Puerto Rican restaurant. Our motto is rapidly becoming "Six months to get there and one day to get back"
Eventually, the parts came and off we went to Goose Bay. Finally!!!
Now we get to repeat the entire scenario, only this time in Canada. When we arrived in Goose Bay it was about 43 degrees outside and the wind was blowing at 27 knots gusting to 37 knots. Needless to say....I did not pack to many cold weather clothes....I mean we are going to Africa. Eventually.
In the meantime its just freezing. We are hoping that the parts for the airplane get here before the Canadian Winter. Otherwise, we may have to put in a supply request for long underwear, battery operated socks and sled dogs.
So far our time here in Goose Bay has been spent looking for Moose (we haven't seen any yet) and checking out the local area. It is absolutely beautiful here-just outside of town there is nothing but wide open bays, vast tracks of Canadian Boreal Forest and rolling hills. In season I bet this is a sportsman's mecca. We learned a little of the local history with a quick visit to the culture center. The people here are a mix of Inuit (think Eskimos), Innu, ( a mix of tribes from the traditional Indian peoples of North America)and the Metis, descendants of European settlers that intermarried with both tribes. Fishing is big here of course...but there isn't much Else here. Most people seem to make their living of the airport or several mines up North of here. The workers spend two weeks at a time in the mines and two weeks at home.
At this point, our primary mission seems to be advancing the local economies of the locations we break down in by infusing vast sums of federal cash while awaiting parts to fix our airplane.
As most of you already know from reading Stacey's last update, our trusty aircraft has decided that it doesn't like Canada. Actually, I don't think it likes any of the places that we have been. Anyway, as we were on approach into Goose Bay-(we are actually in Goose Bay, Labrador as opposed to Gander.) It was supposed to be an overnight/fuel stop before crossing the pond. As fate would have it, it looks as if we are going to be here a while.
Our fate is in the hands of our trusty mechanic, Mike, and FEDEX. Well, also Canadian customs.
Poor Mike got shanghaied for this adventure when we were broke at Otis AFB in Falmouth Mass. His company is our maintenance contractor for the C26B. Unknown to him, his boss decided to send the mechanic we left Dobbins with onto Djibouti via commercial air. Mike shows up at the office last week to help us out fixing the airplane....and presto! He gets sent on his way with us. So now he is sharing in the fun of Goose Bay.
Where the $#%% is Goose Bay Labrador you ask? Well, its in the north eastern part of Canada just to the North of Newfoundland.
Anyway, not much happens here. More on that later.
We had a few adventures while stuck in Falmouth Mass. Its in the Heart of Cape Cod, somewhere I had never been before. The people were nice and the town had a real nice look to it...not to tourist like. The downtown area was full of shops, taverns and restaurants. We frequented the Roo Bar and the little Irish Pub next door.
I will say that I had a tough time with the New England accent at first. Eventually we got used to it and I think the local folks thought we were moving there. I never imagined on my journey to Africa in transiting all these exotic locales that my first series of overnights and sightseeing adventures would be right here in New England.
We did see Martha's Vineyard (and no, I didn't see the any of the Kennedy's or Martha Stewart)and all the the greater Falmouth Metropolitan area. This took all of half a day so we were forced to drive up Highway 28 to take a look at Plymouth Rock.
Ironically, in the birth place of our nation, just a short distance from Plymouth Rock....is an English Pub. So we all felt a little guilty sipping our Bass Ales near the original American home town.
But not too guilty. Beer, is after all Beer.
Actually, Hardy was contemplating opening a contracting business, I was planning on training for an Ironman and Rob was going to open a Puerto Rican restaurant. Our motto is rapidly becoming "Six months to get there and one day to get back"
Eventually, the parts came and off we went to Goose Bay. Finally!!!
Now we get to repeat the entire scenario, only this time in Canada. When we arrived in Goose Bay it was about 43 degrees outside and the wind was blowing at 27 knots gusting to 37 knots. Needless to say....I did not pack to many cold weather clothes....I mean we are going to Africa. Eventually.
In the meantime its just freezing. We are hoping that the parts for the airplane get here before the Canadian Winter. Otherwise, we may have to put in a supply request for long underwear, battery operated socks and sled dogs.
So far our time here in Goose Bay has been spent looking for Moose (we haven't seen any yet) and checking out the local area. It is absolutely beautiful here-just outside of town there is nothing but wide open bays, vast tracks of Canadian Boreal Forest and rolling hills. In season I bet this is a sportsman's mecca. We learned a little of the local history with a quick visit to the culture center. The people here are a mix of Inuit (think Eskimos), Innu, ( a mix of tribes from the traditional Indian peoples of North America)and the Metis, descendants of European settlers that intermarried with both tribes. Fishing is big here of course...but there isn't much Else here. Most people seem to make their living of the airport or several mines up North of here. The workers spend two weeks at a time in the mines and two weeks at home.
Sunday, September 9, 2007
If it Ain't Broke....it Ain't Our Plane!
So, again, it is I, Stacey. But seeing how Al has been tied up for a few days, I thought I would provide you an update to the countdown and the take-off to Djibouti. Honestly, it's been a bit of a tough week. Al was set to leave on Tuesday, September 4th. So, we say our goodbyes, hard enough, only to find out, the plane is not adequately able to fly properly (I’m saying it nicely here). He is informed that it will be Thursday now before they leave since they are waiting for parts to come in. I take advantage of this day and take the day off - only to get home from work Tuesday night not feeling well. I wake up Wednesday feeling worse....I would like for Al to have gotten off and remembering me looking lovely, but that was not to be. He went into to work until noon and I slept until noon....great! Here we have this last day - this reprieve - and I am stuffy, congested, watery-eyed and just icky. LOVELY! I pull myself together and we spend the day together. Thursday comes....we say our goodbyes again - so sad. I head into work and knew Al was headed out at 10am. He promised he would call prior to getting on the plane...10am comes and goes. No call. I wonder if he really left. But since I don't hear from him by 2pm I assume he is gone and just didn't have the time to make that call. 3pm....I get a call from him, "Hey! Guess where I'm calling from! Not New Finland! I am at home." So, I get home Thursday night to not just Al but also Dupree (AKA Rob, our extended house guest). Now they leave tomorrow, Friday, 9/7. Friday comes, we say our goodbyes....AGAIN...trust me, this isn't easy to keep doing and he is set to take off around 10am. Again, he promised to call right before leaving. This time at 10:30am, I get a call. They are boarding their aircraft - so he is really leaving this time. A little while later it hits me - I have a breakdown moment, but compose myself quickly - I'm at the office afterall. He is now headed to Rhode Island to fuel and then headed to New Finland before crossing the ocean. Being a little concerned with the previous condition of the aircraft I urge him to call me when he arrives at his final destination that day - but he says he will email me. After work, I head down to Peachtree City for my 2nd Triathlon and don’t hear from him. This morning - Saturday 9/18 after the tri (which I finished slower by 40 seconds than my 1st one, but the swim distance was further...so I am okay with that - plus I was sick much of the week - notice some justification here? Okay, not about me....) I get back to my car and see 2 missed calls from Dupree's cell phone....I immediately try to return the call to get voicemail - I leave a vm. Al's phone service was suspended before his departure. As I am driving home Al calls...from guess where? Rhode Island...yeah, when they arrived there last night, the plane broke - now they have it at a navy base up there being repaired. If they got it done by 3pm they would head up to Gander, otherwise, he would overnight in RI. He told me he would call to let me know if they were leaving - it is now 8:26pm and I assume they got things under control and are headed that way. Of course, who knows if the phone will ring later this evening.
His Commander’s wife called me tonight to check on me and he is already there - so she confirmed that they have email access and phone time just as they did in Kuwait. His trip to Djibouti is expected to take 10 days - now at least 11 - it will be curious to see how many days a 10 day trip will take with their plane..
And just to wrap things up - I am sitting here (still sick in and out of sleep much of the afternoon - the race didn't help) watching the DAWGS play....losing now, but I hope they pull it out. In the 4th and down by a touchdown, um now by 10 points. GO DAWGS!!
Thanks to all of our friends who came over to see Al off. It meant alot to both of us. I appreciate the calls this week from all my friends who checked on my well being. And thanks for the prayers that have been said for Al. You guys have been wonderful and we are truly blessed to have so many wonderful people in our lives.
Hopefully, you'll have an update from Al soon!
His Commander’s wife called me tonight to check on me and he is already there - so she confirmed that they have email access and phone time just as they did in Kuwait. His trip to Djibouti is expected to take 10 days - now at least 11 - it will be curious to see how many days a 10 day trip will take with their plane..
And just to wrap things up - I am sitting here (still sick in and out of sleep much of the afternoon - the race didn't help) watching the DAWGS play....losing now, but I hope they pull it out. In the 4th and down by a touchdown, um now by 10 points. GO DAWGS!!
Thanks to all of our friends who came over to see Al off. It meant alot to both of us. I appreciate the calls this week from all my friends who checked on my well being. And thanks for the prayers that have been said for Al. You guys have been wonderful and we are truly blessed to have so many wonderful people in our lives.
Hopefully, you'll have an update from Al soon!
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