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.
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4 comments:
Hi Sweetie! Glad to see you got the Blog working - we miss you and look forward to hearing more.
Love, Stacey & the Boys
you rock!
Word on the streets in ATL is that you have been spotted by a moose. I hear you are contemplating starting a smoking habit.
Why do you guys keep tearing up the plane? No wonder my taxes are soo high. Maybe we could send a couple of the "Ice Road Truckers" over to help you boys out. And by the way, your team lost to a team who has a chicken for a mascot. Something to be proud of! But you did bounce back with a big win, although it was still close late, over Western Carolina.
Based on your blog, you guys are gonna be too drunk to fly when the plane is ready.
...O Canada, we stand on guard for thee....
TB
Dude, do you think Kelly can get me tickets to the Black Sabbath Reunion Concert? That be sweet. Take one for the home team and score me some ducketts, buddy.
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