A Day at the Racetrack

Saturday, 26 May 2012; Portland International Raceway --

Although Grumpy "laid some rubber" as he entered the gate onto the straightaway, leading to the infield parking area, he did not make even one lap around this fine race track. Sorry, the "spirit" of doing "some speed" just overcame him momentarily, and he exhibited poor judgement in front of his tallest Grandson.

Instead of watching automobiles roar around the track, this day was for Human Powered Vehicles, and their riders, to challenge each other's speed, endurance and acceleration. The day became both a humbling and a rewarding experience for the Old Grumpy One. But that tale will be told later.

"Gr-rr-r!!" says J.

The night before this event, four men with the "snarkiest-attitudes" toward facing facts, met at Fort Bale for a "gourmet" dinner (Swedish style) and a night of rest and relaxation. Wait, I almost forgot! There was no relaxation for a certain Uncle of two very determined offspring of the Tall One. 

Laughter: Antidote for defeat

First J. challenged the wrestling acumen of Uncle B, a former High School wrestling team member. Each time J. wound up folded and mutilated on the big leather sofa. Laughter seemed to be the antidote for any disappointment in this (inevitable?) take-down by Uncle B.

Stealth approach

Next came A. with the dogged determination of a true crusader. Despite his fierce countenance and unique, stealth approach, he too became wound up and tied in a knot to be deposited on the leather sofa.

The next day, after a (full?) night's sleep at Fort Bale, the caravan left for the PIR, where all four had already registered as competitors. Grumpy was conservative as to what events he would participate in, saving his best for the drag races in which he believed he stood a chance against all three of his young descendants. Yes, his thought was "old age and treachery will overcome youth and skill".

At first Grumpy tried to entice a spirit of true and fair competition from the decades-younger set by offering them what Grumpy thought to be a small handicap, considering his advanced age and decrepitude: give me a 50-foot head start. No takers. 

Race official advising T.O. how to beat Grumpy

Having to do battle manu-ad-manu, Grumpy first challenged the Tall One in his yellow streamlined, wing-tank-looking tricycle. Grumpy's thought was that the extra 100-plus pounds that this monster weighed would sufficiently impede TO's ability to accelerate from a standing start to allow Grumpy to get far enough ahead and capture his first blue ribbon and some bragging rights. 

Well, that strategy failed when the Tall, Gray-haired Grandson actually overcame a slow start to blow past the final gate about two wing-tank lengths ahead of the gritty Grumpy. 

#2 Son blazing away from his Dad without remorse

Oh well; there is still hope -- [the #2 Son is riding a bicycle that is new to him; I'll surely win with my greater skill and experience on this old Raleigh!] Here he is "up in the stirrups" so to speak, blowing by Grumpy before he could even get into second gear. Poor Grumpy -- no one cared about his dejection at being so blatantly humbled, now by two of the fearsome foursome that were "friends" when we came to this event.

Still negotiating the 200M drag race; clarifying the rules

Finally, the B-man came with hat in hand, offering a deal that would grant the Old Grumpy One some "breathing room". B-man would start and run the drag course (200 meters?) in just one gear -- no hands on the handlebars (to effect extra push/pull on the pedals), after getting up to stable speed. What a deal!! Still, it seems that B-man is seen here (right), trying to coax a little "blindness" on the part of the race official overseeing the start of these races. 

Accelerating out of the "chocks", pedal to the metal!

In the end, which Grumpy won by "a nose", B-man probably lost only because he chose a notch too low a gear and "over-revved" his pedals by the mid-point in the race while Grumpy was still able to  squeeze out a smidgen more acceleration as he blew through the final gate -- his final reward for a day of hard work. [Thanks B-Man; you made my day!]

More fun, more laughs and greater rewards are not to be had in any other company than a Grandpa in friendly competition with his Son and two Grandsons -- unless a Great Grandchild or two were to join us, that is! Maybe next year -- we'll see.

Great Day for a Baseball Game

Wednesday, 16 May; Little League Field --

On previous recent visits to Fort Bale, Grumpy had forgotten the yellow irises for his Favorite Swede, so he motored down on a sunny Wednesday to make this special delivery. Upon arriving in mid-afternoon, he discovered that he was "just in time" to go to the battle ground to see a fierce game of Little League baseball, featuring Grumpy's oldest Great Grandson who is a mixture of German and Swedish ancestor-age.

When J. came up to bat (#4 in the batting order) Grumpy was presented with the dilemma of a chain-link fence through which to try to take a photo (the camera likes to focus on the fence rather than the desired subject!), or to stand up and block the view of equally-intent parents sitting behind me. So, I missed this first base hit. But here he is working his way back to first base after the next batter fouled off a pitch.

Having achieved 2nd base on a passed ball, J. scurries to 3rd on another error by the visiting team. The dust is indicative of his lightning fast take-off from 2nd when his base coach spotted an error by the catcher of the visiting team.

Then, on another error, J. made it to home plate just beating a good throw from one of the opposing infielders.

 On a subsequent up-to-bat, Grumpy captured this snapshot showing J. just after he laid a monster to an empty spot in the outfield. He made it home this time, too!

Altogether, J. got three base hits and scored two runs. Playing 2nd base, he also made a critical catch and throw to keep a runner from scoring.

Grumpy hopes to witness some more of J's baseball games, but vows that he will wear his "long-johns" next time!

Memories from the Past, Recalled by the Present

11 May 2012; Locally --

Once upon a time, there were two brothers, born two years apart; one in August and the other in July. As they grew up in a small town in South Dakota they became "best friends", and were often seen together "goofing off" -- when not embroiled in a "battle of brothers", that is. 

Grumpy is on the left in this picture [Please note my black hair!]

Grumpy found this old black-and-white photo showing us in a "goofy" pose, with arms outstretched, leaning on each other. 

NOTE: the Bearded one on your left is Brother Bob.

Nowadays, about 70 years later, we still lean on each other in undertaking such exciting adventures as flying transcontinental between North and South America, over open ocean and impenetrable jungle.

And we are still "Best Friends".

Now What is Grumpy up to?

Week of 7-11 May; Up and Around the Pacific N.W.--

Uncle Bob flew his 1963 Mooney into the local airfield on Monday of this week, thus setting up a frenetic pace of unscheduled (and generally uninvited!) visits to the multitudinous descendants of the Great Grumpy. As has become usual when Uncle Bob and Grumpy fly together, I get to do all of the flying -- with careful oversight by the self-declared Captain (and OWNER) of the aircraft. [Grumpy once suggested that he (Grumpy) get to fly in the left-hand seat once in awhile since he is senior -- in years -- to his younger brother. Without hesitation, Bob straightened up to his full height and with stern declaration said, "No; when we were both little, you always took the first choice of toys, food and new clothes. This is my airplane and I shall remain the Captain!!" So that was that.]

Our first visit on Monday was with some of the most-local people, Bopop and Blief, with the latter of whom we enjoyed some Thai food. Although we had hoped -- and expected -- to get together later in the week, with Bopop and his Bride, regrettable other events as will be noted later prevented that.

On Tuesday we drove to the farm to visit with Rachel. While there, the up-coming trip to Brazil was discussed, with a lunch prepared by Rachel, and much-enjoyed music played by Rachel on her prized Steinway. We stayed late to share the evening meal with Susan and Steven.

Wednesday found us flying north to Arlington Airfield to visit Amy & John and the kids. Grumpy had reserved a compact, economy car for the 20-mile drive over to their house. When arrived at Arlington however, the car rental agency gave us a full-size, "Sporty" car (at the compact economy rate!) and we arrived for lunch in high-style. Grumpy, as usual, soon got himself in trouble by "riling up" the Great Grandkids with various mischief, such as running and screaming, inside the home. The kids enjoyed it while it lasted -- and so did Great Grumpy. For dessert after lunch, a delicious Lemon Meringue Pie was judiciously served by John. [I think he likes LMP's almost as much as Grumpy!]

On Thursday we flew south to Pearson Field next to the Columbia for lunch and a too-short visit with Grumpy's favorite Swede, "Stretch", J. and A. Of course "Stretch" had to play "hookey" from work around mid-day in order to join us for a "Mongolian Grill" meal. 

Back at the airfield, Uncle Bob took the Swede and two boys for a short airplane sight-seeing trip in which the challenge included finding where they lived. Since it is difficult -- even for someone as experienced as Grumpy -- to be able to identify ground objects from the air, they were not able to spot Fort Bale. Later, on the flight back to temporary base, Grumpy acted as spotter while Uncle Bob maneuvered the Mooney in steep banks over the supposed location of Fort Bale; Grumpy could not spot it, either!! 

This photo proves that, after all, he did the best he could. [Until Grumpy viewed this photograph, he did not realize that he had captured the proper location after all!]

Later that Thursday, Uncle Bob received a telephone call that summoned him back to the East Coast, so early Friday morning he fueled-up the Mooney for his long solo flight (2400 nautical miles) to his home base.

The two brothers pose together beside this airplane on which they have enjoyed so many good adventures.

Here Bob waves goodbye just before he boards his airplane.

Taking off and flying "over" Mount Rainier, Bob leaves for his duties in the East. As he gently turned toward the east, he waggled his wings as a final goodbye -- until we meet again.

May Day and the Foot Races

May Day; All Around Seattle --

And I do mean "all around Seattle"! And too much "foot-work", i.e., "walking". But I digress; let us get on with the story of this Great Adventure.

When Grumpy's favorite Swede mentioned last week that she and the boys would be in Seattle today on a school field trip, he jumped at the chance to get invited to escort them around their points of interest: The Space Noodle, Pike Place Market, and -- Grumpy's recommendation! -- Museum of Flight.

 In attempting to anticipate the problems of transportation between venues and getting the visitors back to their train before it left at 1730, Grumpy pre-positioned the Red Rocket at the Museum of Flight. He took Metro #124 from there to the train station to meet the visitors.

"Welcome to Seattle!"

Grumpy met the intrepid travelers at the train station at around noon. He had arrived early (his usual practice, lest he forget what he is doing!) and so had "nodded off" and did not get their actual arrival. But, in the interests of comprehensive documentation of this event, this photo of the happy group was dutifully taken.

Lunch in style -- atop the Space "Noodle"

First on the agenda: "LUNCH!!", cried the travelers. In the interest of saving time, Grumpy had fortuitously, stopped earlier to buy four deli sandwiches -- one, a true Vegetarian "Schlemmer sandwich" for his favorite Swede. But Grumpy insisted that we wait -- for what?? For the Space Noodle, that's what. And that's what we did; we bought "lift off" tickets to  ride the elevator to the observation deck, where we then had our lunch.

To get from the train station to the Space Noodle, we had to catch one of three buses -- at a bus stop about four blocks from where we were! [Leave it to good old Metro for not using any imagination for where potential passengers might originate!] It was a furious pace that we took, slowing only to ascend from 2nd Avenue up to 3rd where the stop was finally found. [Whew!!]

"What is that I see down there?"

Some of the sights seen on the outer deck.

After eating our lunch inside, atop the Space Noodle, and doing the mandatory walking [and telescopic viewing] tour around the chilly and windy outside perimeter of the deck, we scurried back to the bus stop for the short ride and short, fast walk to Pike Place Market.

At the Pike Place Market, the boys got to make a small (??) purchase and watch the "Flying Fish" market in action. At the Market, we heard rumors of a riot going on in downtown Seattle. [Well, we were sort of having a riot ourselves -- a riot of fun, though in our case!] We were told that it was focused around Westlake Center, a place that was not on our itinerary, so we soldiered on hoping to not get embroiled in this now-traditional form of Seattle recreation.

"Where in heck do we catch #124??"

Leaving Pike Place Market, we had a longer, more confused walk to find the bus stop for #124 which would take us all the way to the Museum of Flight. First we were misdirected (by a Metro driver) to the Bus Tunnel accessible via the bowels of Macy's. But when we finally get there Grumpy is told by a more knowledgeable Metro person that #124 did not run in the tunnel until later in the day (rush hour?), so we reascended the three or four flights of stairs back to 3rd Avenue and finally to the proper bus stop [which was only a half block from where we were when the Metro driver misdirected us!].

The long Bus ride to Museum of Flight finally got sort of crazy.

The ride on #124 was quite long, eventually eliciting the now-familiar [to Grumpy] question, "Are we about there yet?" But we did at last arrive at the last item on our itinerary and upon coming inside, the Swede insisted on paying for our admission. Perhaps surprising to her, Grumpy acceded -- but then he added that our admission was free since he is a life-long member [A charter member, called "Barnstormer"].

First we went upstairs to the Courage wing, where World War One aircraft and artifacts are featured. Among the items of interest here is a "flight simulator", which Grumpy had described to J. and A. during his visit last week. Grumpy had told how difficult it was to make a good landing with the particular WWI aircraft that was simulated. J had asked how to do a "good landing", to which Grumpy said that he would demonstrate to J. (and A.) how he did it and if Grumpy made a bad landing, that was how NOT to do it, and if he made a good landing, then that was HOW to do it. So that is what we did; fortunately, Grumpy made a good landing, bouncing a bit on ground contact but coming to a stop and remaining upright.

Not surprising to Grumpy, J. made a bad landing on his first attempt, tipping up on the nose [although Grumpy concluded that he would have been able to "walk away from it"; but J. made a good landing on only his second try [sooner and better than his GGpaZ -- but don't anyone tell him!], thus earning a Great Grumpy-promised ice-cream cone.

Rapt (two-handed) Pilot and Anxious Brother

Now it was A.'s turn. Grumpy was impressed with A.'s finesse on the stick and rather surprised that he didn't make a "perfect" landing more often. But the fickle Neuport airplane that was simulated was not to be satisfied today: she wound up on her nose each time. However, Grumpy was confident that A. would have been able to walk away from each landing (although his WWI Wing Commander would have probably required him to pay for several propellors and/or engine rebuilds if he wished to continue as a pilot), and therefore "earned" the coveted ice-cream cone. [NOTE: He and Grumpy would have both been called on the carpet for the same reason!]

After a cursory look at the rest of the exhibits of WWI aircraft, we descended to the main floor and the eagerly-anticipated "rewards" of an ice-cream cone for each of the "pilots" -- including Grumpy.

When the conversation mentioned the word "pilot", A. interceded with, "How about the 'Cookielets' ?" This turned out to be a logical question after A. pointed out that a 'Pie-let' was what was on his mind -- [Grumpy thought this to be OK as long as A. was thinking of Lemon Meringue Pie!!]

"Close the Hatch. Ready for Takeoff!"

"Hey, will this thing really fly?"

After the refreshments we went over to the Great Gallery where more modern, historic aircraft are on display, including: the Mach 3 SR-71 (a.k.a. "Blackbird"); the Boeing 247 (first dedicated passenger-carrying airplane); the bi-plane PT-17 (a.k.a. "Yellow Peril" -- what Grumpy learned to fly in); and cockpits of super-sonic aircraft in which visitors could sit.

Too soon it was time to hurry to the Red Rocket for a fast trip back to the train station and the end of an exhausting day of much fast walking, too much to see in one day and a delightful day after all for the old Grumpy. It is hoped that another "field trip" may be forthcoming to visit only the Museum of Flight, with Grumpy again hosting the tour. [Grumpy had suggested that the next time, there would be no need to visit the simulator. But J. and A. both objected; they wanted a chance to hone their skills -- and earn some more ice-cream cones! I guess Great Grumpy's "free" Barnstormer pass is not completely free after all!]