pegasus1300
Well-known member
I believe "CAF" is now Commemorative Air Force these days. They still do a nice job of preserving old war birds. Thanks for the writeups and the pictures.
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How I Spent My Summer Vacation
- Thread starter jdgretz
- Start date
mecsw500
Well-known member
Vietnam was before I emigrated here, it was just something on the TV news for a minute or two every couple of weeks. Until I came to the US I really didn't know much about it. I had no idea what it was really about.
From what I have subsequently learned as an American, I especially thank you for your service.
Travel safe.
From what I have subsequently learned as an American, I especially thank you for your service.
Travel safe.
jdgretz
Well-known member
OK, catch up time again. The hotel I stayed in last night didn't have working Internet, but tonight in Memphis I do, so here we go.
When last seen, our intrepid traveler was departing Round Rock for beautiful downtown Texarkana - a great place to live, work, and shop.
Taking the Interstate highways again I pass over beautiful Lake Ray Hubbard. It looked like a nice place to relax
Oh wait, you can't see the lake because of that stupid railing that makes this look like any other stretch of highway. *sigh*
A bit farther down the road near Cumby it begins to look less like big city Interstate and more like a two lane highway
Yeah, not real exciting, but it is progress toward Texarkana where I bagged another ToH bonus
I then headed to the Wyndham Gardens hotel. Not recommended. Besides the lack of Internet, there was some sort of stain on the ceiling, and the luggage carts both needed repair. On the plus side, 11am checkout time and a wonderfully comfortable bed.
On to Memphis.
Before I got out of Texarkana I had to take a couple of fun photos.
Here I am straddling the Texas and Arkansas border.
State Line Avenue is just that. If you look carefully, you will see the Arkansas flag on the right side of the street, and opposite, the Texas State Flag
One more just because I love old abandoned buildings.
When last seen, our intrepid traveler was departing Round Rock for beautiful downtown Texarkana - a great place to live, work, and shop.
Taking the Interstate highways again I pass over beautiful Lake Ray Hubbard. It looked like a nice place to relax
Oh wait, you can't see the lake because of that stupid railing that makes this look like any other stretch of highway. *sigh*
A bit farther down the road near Cumby it begins to look less like big city Interstate and more like a two lane highway
Yeah, not real exciting, but it is progress toward Texarkana where I bagged another ToH bonus
I then headed to the Wyndham Gardens hotel. Not recommended. Besides the lack of Internet, there was some sort of stain on the ceiling, and the luggage carts both needed repair. On the plus side, 11am checkout time and a wonderfully comfortable bed.
On to Memphis.
Before I got out of Texarkana I had to take a couple of fun photos.
Here I am straddling the Texas and Arkansas border.
State Line Avenue is just that. If you look carefully, you will see the Arkansas flag on the right side of the street, and opposite, the Texas State Flag
One more just because I love old abandoned buildings.
jdgretz
Well-known member
Since I'm trying to restrict my posts to around 6 photos, You get a bonus post today.
I picked up another ToH bonus in Arkadelphia. Had to work for this one a bit. There was a sloooooow moving freight crossing in front of the bonus. So I took this one:
Train number 1 finally cleared the way, but before the gates went up, another train going the opposite direction could be heard about to cross, so I snapped this one quickly
And since the bike and bonus are supposed to be in the same photo, or provide another photo showing why they could not be together, I added this one
I know it's still Interstate driving, but this is much more pleasant than West Texas
Tomorrow I'll grab some stuff around Memphis.
I had dinner at B.B. King's Blues Club - great BBQ and pretty good, if loud, music.
I don't know what it is with so many groups that think they have to be stadium loud when playing inside at a relatively small venue. As an aside, when I see Joe Bonamassa play the anniversary gigs at Maui Sugar Mill, or the Baked Potato, he is quiet. Usually it's him, Jimmy Vivino, a bass player, and drummer, and these are small venues, maybe 120 people tops. You can talk without shouting and don't need earplugs when listening to the music. It's like you're sitting in his living room listening to him jam with some buddies. OK, I'm better now, I got that off my chest.
jdg
I picked up another ToH bonus in Arkadelphia. Had to work for this one a bit. There was a sloooooow moving freight crossing in front of the bonus. So I took this one:
Train number 1 finally cleared the way, but before the gates went up, another train going the opposite direction could be heard about to cross, so I snapped this one quickly
And since the bike and bonus are supposed to be in the same photo, or provide another photo showing why they could not be together, I added this one
I know it's still Interstate driving, but this is much more pleasant than West Texas
Tomorrow I'll grab some stuff around Memphis.
I had dinner at B.B. King's Blues Club - great BBQ and pretty good, if loud, music.
I don't know what it is with so many groups that think they have to be stadium loud when playing inside at a relatively small venue. As an aside, when I see Joe Bonamassa play the anniversary gigs at Maui Sugar Mill, or the Baked Potato, he is quiet. Usually it's him, Jimmy Vivino, a bass player, and drummer, and these are small venues, maybe 120 people tops. You can talk without shouting and don't need earplugs when listening to the music. It's like you're sitting in his living room listening to him jam with some buddies. OK, I'm better now, I got that off my chest.
jdg
jdgretz
Well-known member
Running around Memphis after dinner, I came across Sun Studios! OMG! OMG!
I'm a big blues, Rock-and-Roll, and Rock-a-Billy fan, and here's where it all started. I had to take the tour before heading out of town for Nashville.
So I'm going to nerd out for a bit here. Sam Philips started Sun Records as a side gig to his day job. He was a DJ who hated the soft rock sort of stuff he was playing. He was looking for something new and fresh and energetic. He rented some space and recorded whoever he could. He did weddings, parties, whatever with a portable tape and recording machine.
He also let folks come in at night and make records for $4.00. What he made from this went to purchasing more recording equipment. Most folks know that Elvis cut his first records at Sun during those $4 sessions. What people don't know is that Sam didn't record Elvis those first few times. He was busy, but his secretary knew how to run all the equipment and she actually did the first few Elvis records. Marion Keisker is the lady. When she played the first records for Sam, he didn't like them as they were ballads, very similar to the stuff he hated playing. Marion had faith and eventually hooked Elvis up with Scotty Moore and Bill Black (legend says it was Sam who introduced them). Elvis started singing an old blues tune - That's All Right. Scotty and Bill gave it some punch and when Sam heard it he loved it. Marion made two copies of that recording - one went with Elvis, and the other Sam gave to a DJ in Memphis who played it that night, something like 14 times as people kept calling in and asking for it. Sam signed Elvis to a three year contract the next day.
Elvis left Sam after about 18 months as RCA purchased his contract for a lot of money. Sam knew Elvis would do better with a bigger label, and he was more interested in finding more new talent. And he did. His next find was Carl Perkins and Blue Suede Shoes. He also recorded the first distorted guitar playing on the Jackie Brenston recording of Rocket 88 with a young Ike Turner playing piano. The story of the distorted guitar is for another time.
He also recorded Howlin' Wolf, Muddy Waters, Jerry Lee Lewis, Little Milton, and a bunch of other, at that time, unknowns.
Sun Records is no longer in business, but one of Sam's sons still runs Sam Phillips Recording Service right down the street.
The studio still does recordings. Folks who want that original Sun Records sound come in and use the original analog equipment to get that sound.
This is the microphone that Elvis used, and is still used today.
This is the placement of the trio - Elvis on the X next to the mic stand, Bill with his bass on the left X and Scotty on the right X. Somehow, that placement was perfect for the room, and again, trios, or quartettes with a drummer (as placed), still use that exact placement to get the right sound.
The sessions can be recorded using the original six channel mixer going to the Ampex tape machine, or they can record to digital.
OK, enough on that.
jdg
I'm a big blues, Rock-and-Roll, and Rock-a-Billy fan, and here's where it all started. I had to take the tour before heading out of town for Nashville.
So I'm going to nerd out for a bit here. Sam Philips started Sun Records as a side gig to his day job. He was a DJ who hated the soft rock sort of stuff he was playing. He was looking for something new and fresh and energetic. He rented some space and recorded whoever he could. He did weddings, parties, whatever with a portable tape and recording machine.
He also let folks come in at night and make records for $4.00. What he made from this went to purchasing more recording equipment. Most folks know that Elvis cut his first records at Sun during those $4 sessions. What people don't know is that Sam didn't record Elvis those first few times. He was busy, but his secretary knew how to run all the equipment and she actually did the first few Elvis records. Marion Keisker is the lady. When she played the first records for Sam, he didn't like them as they were ballads, very similar to the stuff he hated playing. Marion had faith and eventually hooked Elvis up with Scotty Moore and Bill Black (legend says it was Sam who introduced them). Elvis started singing an old blues tune - That's All Right. Scotty and Bill gave it some punch and when Sam heard it he loved it. Marion made two copies of that recording - one went with Elvis, and the other Sam gave to a DJ in Memphis who played it that night, something like 14 times as people kept calling in and asking for it. Sam signed Elvis to a three year contract the next day.
Elvis left Sam after about 18 months as RCA purchased his contract for a lot of money. Sam knew Elvis would do better with a bigger label, and he was more interested in finding more new talent. And he did. His next find was Carl Perkins and Blue Suede Shoes. He also recorded the first distorted guitar playing on the Jackie Brenston recording of Rocket 88 with a young Ike Turner playing piano. The story of the distorted guitar is for another time.
He also recorded Howlin' Wolf, Muddy Waters, Jerry Lee Lewis, Little Milton, and a bunch of other, at that time, unknowns.
Sun Records is no longer in business, but one of Sam's sons still runs Sam Phillips Recording Service right down the street.
The studio still does recordings. Folks who want that original Sun Records sound come in and use the original analog equipment to get that sound.
This is the microphone that Elvis used, and is still used today.
This is the placement of the trio - Elvis on the X next to the mic stand, Bill with his bass on the left X and Scotty on the right X. Somehow, that placement was perfect for the room, and again, trios, or quartettes with a drummer (as placed), still use that exact placement to get the right sound.
The sessions can be recorded using the original six channel mixer going to the Ampex tape machine, or they can record to digital.
OK, enough on that.
jdg
jdgretz
Well-known member
Just outside of Memphis is another ToH site in Bartlett, TN.
I had planned to take back roads to Nashville, but the time at Sun Records put me behind schedule, so it was boring Interstate up to Nashville and my hotel for the next two days, The Millennium Maxwell House. Yep, the coffee folks.
Apparently, Teddy Roosevelt coined the term "Good to the last drop" which Maxell picked up as their slogan.
No trip to Nashville on a Monday can be complete without spending the evening at Third and Lindsley listening to the Time Jumpers.
The Time Jumpers are a group of A-List session musicians in Nashville who get together every Monday night and play the club. You don't often get to hear a better group of musicians. They had to change lead guitarists a few years ago as Vince Gill got a gig with a little group called The Eagles. That's OK, I'll be hanging out with Vince on Thursday night at the Ryman Auditorium. Fortunately Nashville isn't that far from Louisville.
jdg
I had planned to take back roads to Nashville, but the time at Sun Records put me behind schedule, so it was boring Interstate up to Nashville and my hotel for the next two days, The Millennium Maxwell House. Yep, the coffee folks.
Apparently, Teddy Roosevelt coined the term "Good to the last drop" which Maxell picked up as their slogan.
No trip to Nashville on a Monday can be complete without spending the evening at Third and Lindsley listening to the Time Jumpers.
The Time Jumpers are a group of A-List session musicians in Nashville who get together every Monday night and play the club. You don't often get to hear a better group of musicians. They had to change lead guitarists a few years ago as Vince Gill got a gig with a little group called The Eagles. That's OK, I'll be hanging out with Vince on Thursday night at the Ryman Auditorium. Fortunately Nashville isn't that far from Louisville.
jdg
jdgretz
Well-known member
Wednesday was a short trip from Nashville to Louisville by way of a ToH spot in Bowling Green, Kentucky - home of the Corvette.
I expected a number of things in Kentucky, but corn was not one of them. I just didn't equate corn with Kentucky, but there it was
A fella has to eat from time to time, and this looked like as good a place as any. Any yes, it was excellent. Way more food than I could eat.
I stopped by Mammoth Caves and really enjoyed the back roads. Smelled great and very relaxing.
The Mammoth Caves National Park is a stop on the National Parks Tour with the IBA. I have one calendar year to visit 50 National Parks and at least 25 States. Just to make things a bit more interesting, I'm adding in a Four Corners component - at least one National Park in California (that's easy), Florida, Maine, and Washington State.
Made it to Louisville and the Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Reunion. The Reunion hotel is the Galt House. We've been here before. Nice place. Tomorrow (Thursday) is laundry day and a trip back to Nashville to hang with Vince Gill at the Ryman.
jdg
I expected a number of things in Kentucky, but corn was not one of them. I just didn't equate corn with Kentucky, but there it was
A fella has to eat from time to time, and this looked like as good a place as any. Any yes, it was excellent. Way more food than I could eat.
I stopped by Mammoth Caves and really enjoyed the back roads. Smelled great and very relaxing.
The Mammoth Caves National Park is a stop on the National Parks Tour with the IBA. I have one calendar year to visit 50 National Parks and at least 25 States. Just to make things a bit more interesting, I'm adding in a Four Corners component - at least one National Park in California (that's easy), Florida, Maine, and Washington State.
Made it to Louisville and the Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Reunion. The Reunion hotel is the Galt House. We've been here before. Nice place. Tomorrow (Thursday) is laundry day and a trip back to Nashville to hang with Vince Gill at the Ryman.
jdg
jdgretz
Well-known member
Had a great reunion with my fellow Vietnam Helicopter Pilots. Met some folks who were with my unit way before me, passed out some decals/stickers I had made of out company patches and generally had a good time.
On Thursday night, I rode down to Nashville to see Vince Gill. Man, what a show. He started right at 7:30 and went straight through until 11:00. He walked off for maybe 30 seconds and then came back to do a three song encore, ending with 'Liza Jane. Incredible show. At one point, he said that, as a young opening act, he told himself that if he ever made it to be a main act, he'd play as long as they would let him, so that the folks who showed up got their money's worth. He certainly did that.
This is Vince accompanying his daughter. You can tell he is a proud father.
The last night of our reunions is our banquet. There is always the table set aside for our missing comrades - both those still missing and those confirmed killed in action or who have passed away.
Talking with the representatives from the group that does the work on recovering and identifying remains, there may be some movement on identifying, or at least locating, my six crewmembers lost on January 3rd, 1971. Nothing solid, but they have identified five individuals in Vietnam that they want to interview who may have some information on them. That would be great if it pans out.
I also spent some time with the folks from Texas Tech who house the Vietnam War archives about adding some of my letters and photos to the collection. Looks like I have some work to do when I get back home.
I am spending the night at one of my favorite hotels - the Edwin in Chattanooga. If you are ever down this way, check this place out. It's very cool.
This is my room
And this is the lounge upstairs next to the casual bar and restaurant.
I've stayed here every time I come to Chattanooga. Good location next to the Hunter Museum of American Art, the Walnut Street Bridge and Tennessee River.
Tomorrow I head to Florida to get together with a Marine buddy and former State Captain for California for the Patriot Guard.
jdgb
On Thursday night, I rode down to Nashville to see Vince Gill. Man, what a show. He started right at 7:30 and went straight through until 11:00. He walked off for maybe 30 seconds and then came back to do a three song encore, ending with 'Liza Jane. Incredible show. At one point, he said that, as a young opening act, he told himself that if he ever made it to be a main act, he'd play as long as they would let him, so that the folks who showed up got their money's worth. He certainly did that.
This is Vince accompanying his daughter. You can tell he is a proud father.
The last night of our reunions is our banquet. There is always the table set aside for our missing comrades - both those still missing and those confirmed killed in action or who have passed away.
Talking with the representatives from the group that does the work on recovering and identifying remains, there may be some movement on identifying, or at least locating, my six crewmembers lost on January 3rd, 1971. Nothing solid, but they have identified five individuals in Vietnam that they want to interview who may have some information on them. That would be great if it pans out.
I also spent some time with the folks from Texas Tech who house the Vietnam War archives about adding some of my letters and photos to the collection. Looks like I have some work to do when I get back home.
I am spending the night at one of my favorite hotels - the Edwin in Chattanooga. If you are ever down this way, check this place out. It's very cool.
This is my room
And this is the lounge upstairs next to the casual bar and restaurant.
I've stayed here every time I come to Chattanooga. Good location next to the Hunter Museum of American Art, the Walnut Street Bridge and Tennessee River.
Tomorrow I head to Florida to get together with a Marine buddy and former State Captain for California for the Patriot Guard.
jdgb
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