Vacation

 Saturday, 05182019.
On the road at 0730.  Stopped at BK for sustenance.  Went to Wilby's for petrol and Lottery tickets.  Then went back home to retrieve JC's inhaler.  Back on road again, destination somewhere in South Dakota.  Drove west through Indiana on Highway 10.  we were intent on not visiting Chicago.  Beautiful, sunshiny day. Passed by the shores of Bass Lake on the western edge of Indiana.  Nice and big!  Made good time to Illinois and joined Highway 17 outside of Momence, Ill.  Nice trip to central Illinois to Interstate 39.  Took 39 north to Interstate 80 at LaSalle.  Ate lunch at Denny's and headed west on I80.  Drove past the "LARGEST TRUCK STOP IN THE WORLD" about 2/3 the way across Illinois.  Then we ran into very heavy rain and exited the Interstate for lack of vision.  We chilled in the Kohls parking lot for 20 minutes and the rain let up, so we headed out.  Before we even exited the parking lot, it rained so hard there was no visibility, so we pulled back in and waited for it to let up.  at first break in the rain we went into Wal-mart and spent about 45 minutes "shopping". ( cause we don't have a Wal-mart near home)  When the rain let up, again, we hit the road.  This time the rain was light enough to see.  We crossed a very swollen Mississippi River at Molene Illinois and proceeded west toward DesMoines Iowa.  After several more downpours and several miles of bright sunshine, we gave up for the night.  We ate some wonderful pizza and acquired a room in the Marriot at Altoona, Iowa.  We are about 12 miles east of DeMoines. Unloaded the luggage, lugged it to the elevator.  We step in and Jeannie attempts to pick our floor by pushing on the number two, several times.  I reach over and push the button next to the number and the door closes and the other guy in the elevator and I bust out laughing.  We reach our floor and eventually our room.  Jeannie takes the key card and cannot figure how to insert it ( it is a card that you simply swipe across the sensor).  We both bust out laughing as I press it to the sensor and unlock the door.  Yep, we are technically advanced!  Tomorrow we have our sights set on Mitchell, South Dakota and the Corn Palace.

Sunday May 19
Woke appropriately at 4 AM local time.  Even Jeannie was ready by 6, so she went to breakfast in the lobby area.  I loaded the luggage and started the car and went next door for gas.  I filled the car at the KUM N GO, no kidding!  It was closer than the GET N GO across the street,  Picked up JC and headed west.  About 30 miles from Iowa's western border, we came to a stop on Interstate 80.  We could see a couple semis scattered around on the road about a mile across the valley.  After half an hour, the Ambulance, wrecker and fire truck passed us on the berm headed to the scene.  After sitting motionless for over an hour we were on our way.  3 minutes later we hit an exit and made our way to a Caseys for a Pee break.  Back on the road with pizza in hand.  We crossed Iowa and hit Interstate 29 north to Sioux City and crossed into South Dakota.  At Sioux Falls in South Dakota we took an off ramp to the USS South Dakota Battleship museum.  Very nice place.  No Battleship, but a full scale deck layout and wonderful museum with tons of artifacts.  After the museum, we headed to the Plains Animal Zoo and Museum.  It was only mid forties and some of the animals were not out, but it was a very nice Zoo.  The Museum was full of "Stuffed" animals from all over the world.  From a gigantic African Elephant Bull to small squirrel type animals.  Very much worth the price of admission.  By this time it is late and we decide to stay here for the night.  We book a room at Holiday Inn Express (that's why we are so smart).  We slip over a couple blocks to Wendys for dinner and then back to our room for the night.  Mitchell and the Corn Palace are about an hour and a half drive in the morning.  We plan to hit it and the Pioneer Auto Museum in Murdo tomorrow and head west toward Wall Drug.

Monday 05/20/19
We drug our butts out of bed at 7:30 local time and readied ourselves for the day.  The weather was much improved with bright sunshine.  Breakfast in the hotel , gas at the nearest Sinclair station and we were on the road precisely at 9.  Mitchell was only 67 miles away from our entrance onto Interstate 90. About 15 minutes into our trip, we found ourselves at the Dino Mart for our first pee stop of the day. Back on the road the speed limit is 80 so we made great time and exited at Mitchell at a little before 10.  We followed the signs to the Corn Palace and parked in a mostly empty parking lot.  Seeing the Corn Palace brought back memories for me and made memories for JC.  It was just as cool as I remembered from 1961.  We spent several hours reading history and exploring the entire facility.  After purchasing a couple souvenirs, we headed to a archaeological dig of a prehistoric Indian  site.  Again, we watched a short film and viewed the artifacts and walked the grounds to the actual "dig".  We found the experience very interesting.  By the time we finished our sightseeing, we were hungry for a late lunch and found an old train station.  This housed a bar / restaurant and we enjoyed our lunch.  Jeannie ordered a "Hot Burger" and requested lettuce, tomato and mayo only to find that a "Hot Burger" is a burger Manhattan!  We chuckled over that.  I had gourmet mini corn dogs and fries.  I felt that was appropriate since we were near the Corn Palace.  We left Mitchell with our sights set on Murdo and the Pioneer Auto Show / Museum 154 miles to the west.  At 80 mph, we were there roughly 2 hours later after a brief stop for ice cream at a tiny town along the way. We pulled off the Interstate at exit 192 and pulled into the Pioneer Museum and checked hours of operation.  We planned to be there at opening in the morning and went a hundred yards down the street to a cool old motel and checked in for the evening.  The day was chilly (started the day at 34) and windy and we are both tired and ready to relax.  Tomorrow, after we spend most of the day here, we will try to make Wall SD for the evening.  We will watch weather closely.  Rapid City was in the midst of a winter storm.  6 to 12 inches of snow and 55 mph wind gusts are expected tomorrow.

Tuesday the 21st of May in the year 2019
We got up, got our make-up on and went to breakfast in the lobby.  It is windy, cold and rainy outside.  Being the hardy explorers we are, we headed to the Pioneer Auto Museum.  After a 1 minute drive, we arrived and went in.  The Museum covers 42 buildings and more.  Most of the buildings are not heated and some were receiving repairs from a very hard winter.  The scope of the collected artifacts and cars and tractors etc., is absolutely amazing.  To actually spend enough time to view most of it would require many days.  We went into every building ( they are not connected,so we were soaked and cold most of the day) and were in awe of the accumulated items.  If you name it, it was probably collected.  We ate lunch in the GTO Cafe and warmed up a little.  After shopping in the gift shop, we hit the road with Wall SD in our sights.  The rain was steady but not real heavy so we made good time.  We traveled at 70 MPH, well below the speed limit!  We could see the terrain and even some of the Badlands as we approached Wall.  We made our way to Wall Drug and luckily found a car just leaving and took their parking spot right in front of the Drug Store.  The place was very busy because bus loads of sight seer that were turned away from Rushmore (closed for snow and power outages) were brought to Wall in stead.  We explored the entire property and made some purchases in one of the dozen or so shops.  By this time both of us were tired and hungry, so we left and search for a motel room.  After we booked a room, we headed to the Badlands Cafe and Bar for dinner.  They had really good burgers and JC had a beer and I a Root Beer.  Back to the Motel, unload and flop on the bed to warm up and relax.  Tomorrows plan is a drive through the Badlands, past Rushmore, through Custer National Park, Wounded Knee and Crazy Horse Mountain before settling for the night in Rapid City.  Hope to see some sun and melted snow!

Wednesday May 22, 2019
We were up and at em and on the road by 8:00.  Destination....Badlands.  We drove east from Wall to 240 (Badlands scenic loop) and stopped at the Park Ticket booth.  After 20 bucks, we were off into what looks like another world.  The loop is 35 miles of unimaginable beauty.  JC had to stop at every view point and take pictures.  That was cool, but the temp was 40 and so was the wind.  Throw in some rain and we were cold and wet.  Fortunately, the rain quit shortly after our third stop and hike.  We stopped half way through at the ranger / souvenir post and shopped and walked the little museum.  For the last half of the loop, the skies lightened and the wind dropped to 25 mph. We saw Mountain Sheep, Bison and Prairie Dogs as we neared the end of the park road.  JC could not believe the incredible beauty of the place.  It is spectacular.  We exited the park about 6 miles from Wall and decided to get lunch there.  Our trip had lasted 4 1/2 hours.  After lunch at Red Rock Cafe, we were on the road to Rapid City.  A short hour later, we were pulling into the visitors bureau and picked up maps for the area.  We knew that Mt. Rushmore and the surrounding areas had received 24" of snow in the last 48 hours, but found out the roads were open.  Away we went, Mt. Rushmore and hopefully Mt. Crazy Horse also.  33 miles later we got our first glimpse of Mt. Rushmore and soon after pulled into the park.  The attendant in the booth advised us that the park was without power and none of the buildings were open, but we were free to see the monument.  We parked and walked up the walkway toward the monument.  Again, a beautiful sight. There was still well over a foot of snow left, but the walkways were partially plowed.  We left Mt. Rushmore and headed to Crazy Horse Mountain.  After 17 short miles we entered the park.  The size of the sculpture site is incredible and we could see the face in profile.  It cost an extra 30 bucks per to get a ride closer and a full frontal view.  As we were considering that, it began to snow and I wasn't in the mood for snowy mountain roads, so we headed out.  Shortly the snow stopped and we decided to travel the Needles Highway.  We found the southern end and headed across the scenic byway.  Six miles into the crossing the road abruptly closed.  We had to turn around and backtrack.  We saw lots of deer along the road where the grass was exposed.  We suspicion they were looking for food since there was still 20" of snow everywhere.  We returned to the main road and headed back to Rapid City.  We took a road back that looked good on the map, but was full of steep climbs and switch backs.  15 miles later we came to the first in a series of tunnels and pig-tail switchbacks.  Fun and beautiful.  The final tunnel was 50 yards long and as you traveled through it you realized that it perfectly framed Mt. Rushmore.  Stunning!  We finished our adventure at a Comfort Inn in Rapid City.  Long, yet amazing full day.  Tomorrows adventures are yet to be decided.

Thursday May 23
We got up, ready, ate breakfast and headed to Wyoming.  Destination, The Devils Tower National Monument.  We drove in the SUN!  Most of the trip was through very snowy country.  Some of the areas had received over 2 foot just 72 hours before.  Roads were clear and sometimes wet but we made good time.  As you round that first corner that you can see the Tower, you think you are almost there.  We  were close, 18 miles close.  At the park, we showed our pass and drove the three miles up to the base of the monument and parked in the lot.  It is hard to imagine the shear size until you witness it up close.  We walked maybe 1/4 mile of the 1.4 mile path around the tower.  It is breathtaking to witness up close.  After many pictures and plenty of time staring with our mouths hanging open, we reluctantly drove away.  We took a scenic rout east to South Dakota and Belle Fouche.  From there we headed south to Deadwood, Lead and Central City.  These are well preserved Old West Mining towns and quite a sight to see.  As we attempted to leave we (for the first time) headed the wrong direction and several miles later discovered our boo boo and had to retrace our steps to the correct road.  Once back on I90 headed east, we set our sights on Murdo for the evening.  We booked a room where we stayed on the way west and are in for the night.  Tomorrow, we have our sights set on the Quad Cities at the Mississippi on the Iowa and Illinois border. Then on home on Saturday.

It's Friday...woohoo
We left Murdo at 8 am local time and headed across South Dakota on our way home.  It is 49 degrees and lightly overcast.  By 11 o'clock we had covered the remaining 225 miles of I90 and headed south toward Iowa at Sioux City,  By noon we had crossed into Iowa and were heading for I80 and east.  We were on I80 headed east by 1:30.  The sun was now out and the temperatures were in the low 80's.  We crossed the Mississippi River at 5:30 and decided to call it a day at 6:30.  We checked into a Best Western and JC took a dip in the pool to recover from the roughly 700 miles we covered today.  We are on the edge of a front and possible severe weather tonight.  If we don't blow away tonight, we should be home in mid afternoon tomorrow.

Saturday morning, the 25th of May
We were up and ready by 7 am local time and Jeannie headed to the lobby for breakfast.  I headed to the local Casey's for gas and Dr. Pepper.  I picked JC up and we headed for Indiana and home.  The weather was violent last night, but the bulk was west of us.  The day was warm and sunny.  We had an uneventful trip as we retraced our drive from a week prior.  We arrived home at 3:20 and unloaded the luggage.  Dina stopped by (because she knew we would have gifts!) and we talked and reminisced about the spectacular Vacation we had just completed.

I had made that trip with my two Brothers, Mom, Dad and Grandmother Coy over 50 years ago and relived some of those memories.  I think JC was completely overwhelmed by the grandeur and beauty of the things we experienced on our journey and will have those memories to last her for a long time.   The weather was poor at times but was completely made irrelevant by the things we saw.  We are already looking forward to our next adventure.

Time flies.

I acquired my first job, outside of the home, when I was 12.  I started caddying at Tippecanoe Country Club just 1/2 mile from our house.  I was small for my age and had to rent a pull cart to be able to carry a bag in those days.  I was a caddy for 2 more years and eventually ended up working in the pro shop washing clubs.  At 14, I was old enough to work on the grounds crew and started raking traps with a 3 foot rake. (There were no powered trap machines back then.)  Tippy at that time had over 100 traps on the course, so it was hard to keep up.  By the end of that summer, I had moved on to mowing greens and night time watering.  Such was the start of my working career.

When I turned 16, I found year round work at Lyall Electric in North Webster.  It was a night janitor job, so I could do it after school.  In the summer I also worked part time at a local gas station.  While doing my janitor duties, I watched all the fascinating machinery running, most of which my Father designed, built or installed.  The night foreman was kind of lazy and more than willing to instruct me on operation of the equipment if I didn't rat him out and took over for him during his many breaks. Upon graduation from High School, I started working full time and eventually took over operation of those machines.  I worked on and off for Lyall for several years attaining plant manager and eventually general manager positions.  I was , fortunately for me, like my Father.  I have an innate ability to understand and create complex machinery.  I even spent time designing molding machinery for the company.

Lyall Electric could not always hold my interest and I tried several other paths between stints at Lyall.  When I was 22, my Father and his brother purchased a local Marina.  Dad felt I would enjoy working there and I foolishly agreed.  I had no formal mechanical training but agreed to be the service manager.  I was also the service technician and bathroom cleaner, etc.. With the help of service manuals and a natural ability to understand all things mechanical, I learned how to service and rebuild all manner of marine equipment. If I may say so, I was / am pretty good at it.  The Marina was a summer job and I tired of finding winter jobs after a couple years.  A Family friend ended up owning a larger Marina and approached me to manage it.  By this time, I really enjoyed the industry and accepted his offer of full time employment.  That Marina changed hands shortly, but, I was asked to continue.  The new ownership was very well financed and we grew quickly and expanded to a second location as well.  The managing partner was out of touch with the workings of small business and was forever meddling and creating problems.  After several years I left and made a return stint at Lyall.  The Marine industry called and I found myself helping at several local marinas.  During one of those stints I was approached by a representative from Brunswick Corp..  They were looking to replace their testing manager.  It sounded good and paid well, so I accepted.  Two months after starting, the Engineering Manager was caught taking money under the table and let go.  The Engineering Department was staffed by some very long term employees, but not one of them was interested in taking over.  The President asked me who I would recommend and everyone I suggested had turned down the job.  He said, I think jokingly, that he needed someone like me.  Someone with a boating background, work ethic and fresh ideas.  I looked him in the eye, winked and said "ok, I'll do it".  He must have felt trapped and agreed to give me the job.  I think he figured he could replace me when he found someone.

I was a natural at engineering and all but a few of the old timers were happy and we as a group were very productive.  After restructuring the department and instituting a thorough research, design and testing program we managed to lower warranty costs well below norms for the industry.  So much that we caught the eye of the Chairman of Brunswick, who insisted that we continue and advise other Divisions on how to do the same.  We manufactured four brands, a total of over 350 models at 3 plants as well as contributed to 2 other divisions.  I was invited to sit on the Technical Board of Directors for the entire Marine segment of Brunswick Corp.  At one point I managed one of the Manufacturing plants, headed Engineering, Design and Testing as well as contributing to the Corporate Technology Group.  I loved working there and devoted 7 days a week.  Unfortunately, uppermost management changes often in Corporations this size and our group suffered under fresh management that was unable to do the job.  Eventually the Group was sold off.  I was tired and decided to pursue consulting on my own and signed on to a project by Mercury Marine (owned by Brunswick).  As that project came to an end, I decided to find something new.  I was tired from the grind of 8 years on the constant go.

I dabbled at various jobs for a couple years.  Moved to Florida to take a job at a large Marina there.  My wife and I did not like living so far from home and moved back after a year.  I took a job as operation manager at a local boat builder and fell back in the 7 day routine,  Loved my job, but like so many places in my industry, the General Manager was over his head and soon replaced with someone I simply could not agree with.  I suffered my first heart attack and after recovery, I left the company. 

Again, I was footloose, suffering from a severe case of enlightenment that I was mortal and undecided on what to do next.  Again, a friend came to me and asked for my help in his fledgling business.  I agreed because there were set hours and little responsibility so I felt I could continue to rehab.  Shortly, the Marine industry came calling.  This time it was the owner of what used to be Dads marina.  He was desperate to get out and wanted me to consider buying the marina. You would have thought that by now I would be smart enough to resist something that would require unlimited time.  But, no.  Not me.  So we worked out a deal and I became owner of a small business that was basically dying from lack of interest.  Long story short (Haha), here we are 11 years later.

That brings me to the point I have led up to.

Jeannie and I realized 2 years ago that we did not have the energy or the social media savvy to continue to grow and were putting the business in danger.  A light bulb came on and we agreed to turn the marina operation over to someone.  Fortunately, our son was potentially available.  Having grown up in the industry and having been successful in many capacities we felt he would be perfect.  We came to terms and at last we had a succession plan that we were very happy with.

Now at this point I find myself attempting retirement.  I struggle with a sense of loss.  I don't have to get up and go to work every day.  This is a huge change after 55 years.  At times I feel completely lost.  I have no worry about the business being well taken care of, yet something is missing.  I have a couple hobbies that I always wished for more time to involve myself in.  I know that this withdrawal will eventually diminish.  I just have to be patient.

Retirement, a whole new world.  Time does fly.