Navy – Live Laugh RV

We all have a past, a past quite often filled with fond memories and memorable experiences, experiences that can be character building and instill a sense of confidence or strength.

Back in the 1970’s, Al was pleased to call Corpus Christi, Texas home. This was a very exciting and memorable time for a young man in his early twenties. He was a flight instructor in the Navy.

Just two years earlier he was stationed in Pensacola, Florida, learning how to fly. At the time, in order for a Naval Aviator to earn his wings, he was required to fly on and off an aircraft carrier. For Al, that carrier was the USS Lexington.

The Lady Lex has since been retired and is comfortably docked in Corpus Christi Bay and has been turned into a museum.

A memorable time

Prior to visiting the Texas Gulf Coast, I did a little research on things to see and do, especially around the Corpus Christi area. Although Al did not encourage a USS Lexington museum tour, I knew a visit would be a special day filled with fond memories for him. I also knew it would be something he would very much enjoy sharing with me.

Thus, on a cool overcast January day, we set out to explore the Lady Lex from top to bottom.

When I first laid on eyes on the USS Lexington, she looked like a huge ship but upon closer examination and assessing the upper deck landing area, I found myself reacting with a, “Holy sh*t! You landed on this? You really ~~were~~ are crazy”. Al responded to my expletive filled comment in one of his lengthy and creative tales from those first days on the Lady Lex.

The stories began with the physical sensation one experiences taking off from an aircraft carrier followed by an explanation of G force’s. Next was the story of landing on her for the first time and his difficulty finding the moving ship in the open sea. She was definitely a little floating dot in a massive ocean. Think about it, all the while the ship is propelling forward, moving up, down and side to side, Al needed to find and land on this tiny, bobbing landing strip.

I don’t recall him not smiling the entire day during our visit. He was a wealth of information and the perfect tour guide.

He shared his knowledge on the various aircrafts and their uses over the years…… in an abridged version mind you…. perfect for my short attention span.

And although I was interested in the various planes, specifically the planes he flew, I was drawn to things like “the plank”.

I was also on a quest to see the living quarters and mess hall.

aircraft carriers — However did you manage to sleep and live in these quarters?

I couldn’t imagine Al living on this ship. You see, Al is over six feet three inches tall, not exactly a good fit for the tight nooks and crannies found on a ship. I envisioned Al bumping his head repeatedly if he failed to lower his head/body as he navigated the various levels and hallways on the Lady Lex.

The USS Lexington is rife with history. She was involved in some VERY important, life changing battles, one of which was the freeing of the Filipino people from Japanese occupation in the early 1940’s. Throughout the ship are displays and plaques commemorating her history.

Al’s face always lights up and the tales flow freely when he talks about those early years of flying in the Navy. Tales from chasing Russian submarines off the coast of Alaska to a training flight that had him flying UNDER the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco…. for real, not a simulator.

I did have a great time exploring this ship and realized no way in heck could you get me to go out to sea for even a day on the USS Lexington or any other ship for that matter. I can feel my stomach churning just thinking about it.

What a memorable visit!

Stay tuned for more adventures along the Texas Gulf Coast.

Ahhhh…… pure Colorado …… the grill was sizzling with a couple of steaks, the azure blue sky was touched with tuffs of white fluffy clouds, the grassy meadow was covered in yellow wildflowers, the air was crisp, clean, with just a hint of a campfire wafting in the air.

Ah yes, perfect! Well, not quite …. if only those darn little planes buzzing overhead would stop then life would have been perfect. What happened to my quiet, remote solitude?We were camped at Lowry Campground in the White River National Forest near Keystone, Colorado at an elevation of about 9,400 feet and everything but that annoying aircraft noise was perfect.

Hubby was relaxing in a chair outside and was more curious than annoyed by the little aircrafts dipping, climbing, and zooming back and forth. He was quick to determine these guys were practicing. Practicing for what, he wasn’t sure until another observing neighbor informed him of an impending air show.The Dillon Air Show was to be a small air show held near the Lake Dillon Marina. There was no fee. Basically it was pick a place on the grass in the park to sit and watch the planes. Sounded like an event right up our alley especially once we knew biplanes would be involved. It’s been thirty years since hubby and I last attended an air show. Thus, we were quick to add it to our next days agenda.Hubby has never regretted walking away from a career as a commercial Airline Pilot. He found the job to be somewhat boring, especially after the type of flying he did in the Navy. Now that…… his Navy days, he’ll talk about with a level of excitement. The mere sight of a biplane brings about that same kind of exuberance and excitement. His face will light up with delight.

We attended the air show the following day. As the biplanes started their maneuvers, Al was quick to explain the stunts and what a ‘scream’ this kind of flying is. He could practically narrate what the pilots next move would be. I heard repeated comments from hubby; “I’d love to get in one of those again”…. “Could I talk you into going up in a biplane?” NO ….. “Gosh, if I ever bought a plane, it’d be a biplane”. “Can we get one? Huh, huh, pretty please?” NO ….. “But why?” Because we can’t pull it behind the RV! Envision a dejected expression and frown …. however, that didn’t last long. That big smile was quick to return as the pilots performed their next stunt.The whole time these biplanes were performing, hubby had a smile from ear to ear that didn’t end until long after the air show ended. 95% of the time if you ask Al if he misses aviation, he’ll answer “no”, but if you ask him if he misses this kind of flying ….. stunts? He’ll respond with a resounding, “yes”!The air show was short and simple, but entertaining none the less. It was held among some beautiful Colorado scenery over Lake Dillon.

We loved our stay in this area very much. At camp, we felt like we were hundreds of miles away from civilization and yet everything we could possible need was within a 15-20 minute drive.

The towns of Dillon and Frisco offer plenty of grocery shopping possibilities including a Whole Foods and a Walmart. The town of Silverthorn boasts an outlet mall and a Target. The ever quaint Breckenridge is just a short drive down Highway 9 with plenty of small shops and restaurants.

There are plenty of hotels, Bed & Breakfasts, condos, vacation rentals, and even a high-end RV Park to call home during any stay. Yep, I’d say Summit County Colorado is a great vacation destination year round.

I believe we’ve stumbled upon yet another favorite location loaded with the opportunity to explore or relax….. the perfect combination ….. ahhh, this is what Colorado living is all about.