Found a flight from the NAS in Ft Worth. Wasn't sure if I would be able to get on it, so I took the Casita to Grapeland as that is approximately halfway there. Was able to board it and since they canceled the North Island, Ca stop, it went all the way to Hawaii. Stayed in the Air Force Inn overnight. I was totally beat and had to walk over a mile to the room they provided. A very nice couple saw me walking with my bag and stopped to give me a lift. It is great to be a member of the military family. Caught a flight to Kadena AFB on Okinawa the next afternoon. Stayed overnight at Kadena and then boarded a flight to Yokota AFB near Tokyo. Bored yet?
Since I was concerned about jet lag - I stayed at the Yokota Air Force Inn for 3 nights to recover. Great place to rest up as the Enlisted Club, Officer's Club, and the chow hall (excuse me, it is now called the "dining facility"), BX, and Commisary were all within walking distance and there was a base shuttle bus to also ride if I wanted to do so. The lady at the front desk gave me a suite with a kitchen, bedroom, and living area for only $41.50 a night. As I am very picky about my coffee, I went to the commisary and bought a terrific blend of coffee and milk and had some of the best coffee I have ever made. It was so good that I made coffee for each family stopover I made while there (I know, it doesn't take much to make me happy).
There is good news and bad news: The good news is that I arrived during the peak of the cherry blossoms arrival. They were fantastic! I have a couple of pictures if I figure out how to post them. The bad news is that it was so cold that there was frozen sleet on the ground a couple of mornings.
One morning I went to breakfast at the Enlisted Club and since I was early and they had not opened yet, I sit on the couch in the lobby and happened to strike up a conversation with a newly arrived DoD civilian that was also waiting for the restaurant to open. He was from within 7 miles of my home in Spring and went to school in the Klein ISD. Small world. He took me shopping off base with his wife and daughter that evening. I needed to get some small gifts for the family in Japan as I visited each of them. Great family and I hope they enjoy stay in Japan.
Even though there is a shuttle from the Yokota Inn to the New Sanno Military Hotel in downtown Tokyo, I elected to take the train from Fussa Station to Ikebukuro for old times sake. By accident, I got on the express train to Shinjiku Station and it went with a minimum of stops all the way to Shinjiku. Changed to the train for Ikebukuro and arrived with no fuss, no muss. My nephew met me at the Tabu Dept Store entrance within the train station (I wanted to walk to his home, but he insisted).
My brother-in-law Masao met us at Eibo's (my nephew) house and took me to the family cemetery to wash the marble stones, burn incense and leave fruit and flowers. Very moving experience.
I stayed at Eibo's home for 3 days and we did some sightseeing one day while I was there. It was great to get up early in the morning and wander through Japanese neighborhoods and business areas. They keep them so clean.
Next installment I will talk about what happened during my visit (some very nice and some things unexpected)
So long until then.
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Friday, April 2, 2010
Last Minute Details/Thoughts Before Launch
Woke up during the night and discovered I had a bedroom companion. About a 1' long snake under the edge of the bureau. Used a broom and dustpan to throw it outside. Good thing it is so cool on the tile floor that it was very slow to react. It was so skinny that it probably had been in the house for a long time without eating. I leave the back door open many evenings/mornings for the cool, fresh air. I guess it invited itself in one of those times.
Had Sunday breakfast with my oldest son at Harry's in downtown Houston. When we meet like that we do a lot more talking than when we get together at his house. I don't know why, but it just works that way.
Well, almost everything is in place for launch tomorrow. Just need to connect power to the Casita this evening to have the frige cool enough to transfer food from the house to the trailer in the morning and get some cash for the Japan leg of the trip. Did buy a trailer locking kit at Walmart yesterday. That is to secure the trailer while it is waiting for me at the air force base long term parking. If I don't catch the flight from the Ft. Worth NAS - I have decided to buy the Yamaha EF2400is generator for the trip to Ca. I was tempted to buy either a Generac 2000 watt or a Champion unit. All I need for this trip is something to keep the fridge cold, make coffee, operate the microwave, and keep the battery charged. But, upon reflection, I realized that living in Texas - if I was going to do any boondocking (for metal detecting) - I would need the air conditioning to be comfortable in the evenings and I like my morning and evening network news (NCIS also). While I won't have satellite TV for this trip, I will have it for later excursions.
Bought a Uniden Slimline phone for the Magicjack telephone adapter. The MJ will allow me to have U.S. telephone service while in Japan. Hooked it up to the notebook computer and used it yesterday to make sure that it worked okay. It is working fine. Answered/made several calls with it yesterday and no one could tell it wasn't a regular land line phone service. I will use email & Skype to communicate with the family in Japan as I work my way over there.
I just realized that I need to wear a watch on this trip as I won't have the cell phone telling me the time in Japan.
Living alone is for the birds. My father lived alone for many, many years and I really didn't think much about it. Now I understand much more about his lifestyle and am sorry that I didn't pay more attention to how he must have felt living alone. I miss him also.
Checking out for now, stay tuned for the next adventure filled chapter in the Next to Last Journey!
Had Sunday breakfast with my oldest son at Harry's in downtown Houston. When we meet like that we do a lot more talking than when we get together at his house. I don't know why, but it just works that way.
Well, almost everything is in place for launch tomorrow. Just need to connect power to the Casita this evening to have the frige cool enough to transfer food from the house to the trailer in the morning and get some cash for the Japan leg of the trip. Did buy a trailer locking kit at Walmart yesterday. That is to secure the trailer while it is waiting for me at the air force base long term parking. If I don't catch the flight from the Ft. Worth NAS - I have decided to buy the Yamaha EF2400is generator for the trip to Ca. I was tempted to buy either a Generac 2000 watt or a Champion unit. All I need for this trip is something to keep the fridge cold, make coffee, operate the microwave, and keep the battery charged. But, upon reflection, I realized that living in Texas - if I was going to do any boondocking (for metal detecting) - I would need the air conditioning to be comfortable in the evenings and I like my morning and evening network news (NCIS also). While I won't have satellite TV for this trip, I will have it for later excursions.
Bought a Uniden Slimline phone for the Magicjack telephone adapter. The MJ will allow me to have U.S. telephone service while in Japan. Hooked it up to the notebook computer and used it yesterday to make sure that it worked okay. It is working fine. Answered/made several calls with it yesterday and no one could tell it wasn't a regular land line phone service. I will use email & Skype to communicate with the family in Japan as I work my way over there.
I just realized that I need to wear a watch on this trip as I won't have the cell phone telling me the time in Japan.
Living alone is for the birds. My father lived alone for many, many years and I really didn't think much about it. Now I understand much more about his lifestyle and am sorry that I didn't pay more attention to how he must have felt living alone. I miss him also.
Checking out for now, stay tuned for the next adventure filled chapter in the Next to Last Journey!
Monday, March 29, 2010
Pre-Trip Jitters
It's been a few days since my last post because several things have happened. A spaceA flight out of the Ft Worth NAS going to Hawaii has been posted on their departure board. So, a decision had to be made as to whether or not to try to be on it. I have registered for it. I will take the Casita to the lake house, which is half way between Spring and Ft Worth. It will be ready to go if I cannot board the Navy flight. But, if I do board it - the trailer will be safe while I am gone.
Went to Austin last week to meet with Sportsmobile about doing some customization to the van. They appear very knowledgeable and professional. Also, left my puppy Lulu with my son while I am gone on this trip. He has a cat named Lulu - imagine their confusion when he talks to either of them.
Another decision has been made also. If I don't board the flight, I will order a Yamaha portable 2400 watt generator and have it delivered to me in Austin. I plan on not using campgrounds on the way to Ca except in Deming, NM. I will overnight at the LoWs ranch campground there.
Decisions, decisions! If I trailer to Ca, there is an excellent chance that I can catch a flight out of North Island NAS at San Diego that will take me to Hawaii, or even Kadena AFB, Japan. The military RV camp there will be undergoing renovations this fall and in the meantime, there is only dry camping (another reason for the generator). Supposedly, I can leave the van and trailer in the long term parking at the NAS if I catch a flight there. If a flight isn't available, then on to Travis AFB.
I have not been particularly excited about this trip up to this point, however the closer the jumping off point gets, the more I am looking forward to it. I have never had to plan any kind of a trip with so many contingencies built into it before. It reminds me of my military days, when I had to plan the installation of electronics/communications gear all across the country.
Whichever departure point I get to use - I will end up either arriving at Kadena AFB, or Yokota AFB. I have to have contingency plans for both arrival points. I have them already in place, but I will save that posting for later as I have to break off and finish packing a bag for the aerial portion of the trip.
So long for now!
Went to Austin last week to meet with Sportsmobile about doing some customization to the van. They appear very knowledgeable and professional. Also, left my puppy Lulu with my son while I am gone on this trip. He has a cat named Lulu - imagine their confusion when he talks to either of them.
Another decision has been made also. If I don't board the flight, I will order a Yamaha portable 2400 watt generator and have it delivered to me in Austin. I plan on not using campgrounds on the way to Ca except in Deming, NM. I will overnight at the LoWs ranch campground there.
Decisions, decisions! If I trailer to Ca, there is an excellent chance that I can catch a flight out of North Island NAS at San Diego that will take me to Hawaii, or even Kadena AFB, Japan. The military RV camp there will be undergoing renovations this fall and in the meantime, there is only dry camping (another reason for the generator). Supposedly, I can leave the van and trailer in the long term parking at the NAS if I catch a flight there. If a flight isn't available, then on to Travis AFB.
I have not been particularly excited about this trip up to this point, however the closer the jumping off point gets, the more I am looking forward to it. I have never had to plan any kind of a trip with so many contingencies built into it before. It reminds me of my military days, when I had to plan the installation of electronics/communications gear all across the country.
Whichever departure point I get to use - I will end up either arriving at Kadena AFB, or Yokota AFB. I have to have contingency plans for both arrival points. I have them already in place, but I will save that posting for later as I have to break off and finish packing a bag for the aerial portion of the trip.
So long for now!
Thursday, March 18, 2010
The Serious Preplanning Has to Begin
It's time to finalize the road trip portion of my trek to Japan. If everything falls into place, I will leave for Travis AFB, CA at approximately 1:00pm Friday the 2nd of April. My first overnight stop is San Antonio, Tx. Reservations have been made at Ft. Sam Houston RV Park. Really wanted to stay at the Lackland AFB RV Park, but they don't take reservations and I didn't want to show up there and not find a vacancy. Lackland would be a much better starting point the next morning to leave for Deming, NM, but life is full of compromises. The Loners on Wheels (LoWs) singles RV organization has a ranch south of Deming with a RV park on it. This will make for a rather long driving day, but it won't be the first time. After I arrive there I will post more about this singles RVing group.
On the trip to Travis, I don't plan on any sightseeing as I want to get there and get on a plane to Japan. On the way back from Japan I plan on doing some tourist type things in Hawaii, Ca, Grand Canyon and wherever else that might be interesting that I discover. Any ideas from you would be welcome.
Stopping in San Antonio for a couple of reasons. 1. There is a good friend there that I don't get to see very often. Roy is a neat guy and it is always interesting to get his take on life in general. 2. This will give me and the trailer a good shake-down in case I forgot something, or any obvious problems.
After Deming I plan on stopping in Tucson, NM to have dinner with a retired Army Warrant Officer buddy and his wife. Without his help it is doubtful that I would have made it through the WO technical school and graduated to become a WO myself. Bert disagrees with me, but that is because he is so modest. After Tucson, Phoenix is my next stop to visit with high school friends. I will get into that overnight stop in my next posting. Right now I have to go get a new battery for the Casita.
On the trip to Travis, I don't plan on any sightseeing as I want to get there and get on a plane to Japan. On the way back from Japan I plan on doing some tourist type things in Hawaii, Ca, Grand Canyon and wherever else that might be interesting that I discover. Any ideas from you would be welcome.
Stopping in San Antonio for a couple of reasons. 1. There is a good friend there that I don't get to see very often. Roy is a neat guy and it is always interesting to get his take on life in general. 2. This will give me and the trailer a good shake-down in case I forgot something, or any obvious problems.
After Deming I plan on stopping in Tucson, NM to have dinner with a retired Army Warrant Officer buddy and his wife. Without his help it is doubtful that I would have made it through the WO technical school and graduated to become a WO myself. Bert disagrees with me, but that is because he is so modest. After Tucson, Phoenix is my next stop to visit with high school friends. I will get into that overnight stop in my next posting. Right now I have to go get a new battery for the Casita.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Preparations for the Long Trip to Travis Air Force Base
As part of getting prepared for the trip to Travis AFB - I have made several weekend trips to some RV rallies in the local area. One to Columbus RV Park in Columbus, Tx, 2 to Cushatte RV Park near Bellville, Tx. The Casita performed flawlessly and to my pleasant surprise, I have not had any tire problems. The new Maxxis tires are holding their pressure very well.
To be ready for the trip, I need to attend to several minor items: Septic tank hose has a split in it and I need to replace the battery. Since I can't find a replacement hose I have tried duct tape to repair it. Not so successful. I bought some Gorilla super tape and I will put a plastic wrap around the hose and tape it tightly from end to end with the super tape. Hopefully, this will carry me through the trip. The battery will be replaced this coming week.
Oh, by the way - I was prepared to make this trip without any television since I never did get one of those digital-to-converters to use with my analog tv. On my last trip to Cushatte RV Park I was discussing electronics equipment for RVs and one couple mentioned that they had a converter that they weren't using. I got it for $10. The next morning as I was mounting up to depart the park, a friend asked me if I had seen the small TV sitting on a picnic table with a sign on it giving it away to whoever wanted it. I picked it up and took it home and plugged the converter into it and they both worked very well. Now, I may have some evening entertainment on the road. Some days, even a blind squirrel finds an acorn!
I need to plan the road trip portion of the trip and also prepare for the spaceA part of it. I will post about that next time we meet here.
To be ready for the trip, I need to attend to several minor items: Septic tank hose has a split in it and I need to replace the battery. Since I can't find a replacement hose I have tried duct tape to repair it. Not so successful. I bought some Gorilla super tape and I will put a plastic wrap around the hose and tape it tightly from end to end with the super tape. Hopefully, this will carry me through the trip. The battery will be replaced this coming week.
Oh, by the way - I was prepared to make this trip without any television since I never did get one of those digital-to-converters to use with my analog tv. On my last trip to Cushatte RV Park I was discussing electronics equipment for RVs and one couple mentioned that they had a converter that they weren't using. I got it for $10. The next morning as I was mounting up to depart the park, a friend asked me if I had seen the small TV sitting on a picnic table with a sign on it giving it away to whoever wanted it. I picked it up and took it home and plugged the converter into it and they both worked very well. Now, I may have some evening entertainment on the road. Some days, even a blind squirrel finds an acorn!
I need to plan the road trip portion of the trip and also prepare for the spaceA part of it. I will post about that next time we meet here.
Saturday, February 20, 2010
The Next to Last Journey Begins
Creating this blog in the beginning was to chronicle my journey from my home in Spring, Tx to the Tokyo area in Japan to pay my respects to my recently deceased wife's family (they are my family also) in Ikebukuro, Japan and the return trip to Spring.
But, after reflection, I realized that I am on possibly the final leg of my life's journey. So, I decided to see if chronicling this part of my life's journey can help me find a compass for life again. Without my companion of many years, I feel like a thistle in the breeze without any direction or firm plan, or even a desire for a plan for the days ahead for the first time in my life.
The first leg of the trip to Japan is to be done with my 17' Casita SD trailer pulled by my van to Travis AFB, Ca. There I will hopefully board a military aircraft using one of my military retirement benefits - space available travel aboard a military aircraft commonly referred to as "SpaceA ". Military retirees using this benefit are called "SPATS" (SPace Available TravelerS). After paying my respects to her brother and many nephews and nieces, as well as visiting some cultural sites (Shogun's home, temples, etc), I will return to Travis AFB - hopefully via Hawaii for a few days to partially recover from jet lag. Then I will return home in the Casita.
I will try to keep posting about this journey as it unfolds. I will not be the most disciplined blogger as I am fairly unstructured in my life.
This concludes my first post
But, after reflection, I realized that I am on possibly the final leg of my life's journey. So, I decided to see if chronicling this part of my life's journey can help me find a compass for life again. Without my companion of many years, I feel like a thistle in the breeze without any direction or firm plan, or even a desire for a plan for the days ahead for the first time in my life.
The first leg of the trip to Japan is to be done with my 17' Casita SD trailer pulled by my van to Travis AFB, Ca. There I will hopefully board a military aircraft using one of my military retirement benefits - space available travel aboard a military aircraft commonly referred to as "SpaceA ". Military retirees using this benefit are called "SPATS" (SPace Available TravelerS). After paying my respects to her brother and many nephews and nieces, as well as visiting some cultural sites (Shogun's home, temples, etc), I will return to Travis AFB - hopefully via Hawaii for a few days to partially recover from jet lag. Then I will return home in the Casita.
I will try to keep posting about this journey as it unfolds. I will not be the most disciplined blogger as I am fairly unstructured in my life.
This concludes my first post
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