Day Four: Rollin' Columbo

28 September 09

The rain had stopped by the time we got coffee'd up, but the wind was brisk enough at 60 degrees to forgo going topless today. With no real plan set, we just went out to bomb around Columbus.

The first thing we found was the AMA Museum, who had a Hollywood cycles exhibit going on. Surprisingly, I snapped a few pictures, but only put a couple of my fave customs on here. Wait a week and check my Picasa.

Once out in the parking lot, I decided I wanted to play with the camera settings a bit so Perry ran the 'Stang around the deserted lot while I shot close and at distance.

From there we headed over to Greenlawn Cemetery and check out the large sprawling grounds and pay our respects to the Ace of Aces, Edward V. Rickenbacker, who is buried there, with much of his family.

From there we went downtown, through German town, the Brewery district, and past Nellie's Ohio State University.
We then traded cars (because three adults cannot fit in a 2010 Mustang) and headed over to Columbus International Airport (That's for Michelle AND Perry ;) ) to pick up Michelle before heading out for dinner.
And the end of the night thus far??
MNF, baby.
Probably won't post tomorrow, as it's my travel day.

Ohio Trippin', Day 3

27 September 2009

Lazy, down day today.

Started off rainy.

After a while it cleared off and we went and got some coffee and I showed the Mayhem how the rental handled some fantastic twisting roads and rippling hills, which the Mustang just ate all up. Even passed a Ferrari 355 free and clear, with Perry acting as the photog. Once the sun came out we dropped the top to envoy the view better.

Rest of the afternoon was mainly Perry and I just chillaxin' and shootin' the shit. Hit over at Quaker Steak and Lube and watched football after bombing around the countryside outside Columbus a bit.

The 355. Vroom. Buh-Bye. Guy could NOT drive...I never even goosed the 'Stang or got over the speed limit.

Clapton's little house, lol.

Perry and Ellie goofing off. She's SO well behaved it's not even funny. Rocky needs to take notes. Of course, the dog loves me. She's got taste, lol.

Ohio Trippin', Day 2

26 September 2009
Dayton, Ohio
0600 hrs

Day two dawned foggy and wet. This was disappointing to Bri, Jye, Bob, and Rob, since it meant that a lot of the flying probably wouldn’t be taking place today. After hitting the nearby McDonalds for breakfast, we made a fun-looking convoy of three bikes, (Jye’s Aprilla Futura, Adam’s Honda Nighthawk 550 and Rob’s Kawasaki) and a Mustang and beelined it for the NMUSAF.

I pulled into the main lot ad the boys hit the motorcycle parking. The first open spot I found to park was right next to a 2010 Chevrolet Camaro RS. So I backed the ‘Stang in beside it and people showed up from around the lot to start taking pictures of the two modern muscle cars sitting side by side.
The boys met up with me and we locked the helmets and bags into the Mustang before heading into the museum.

Since I had been there the day before, I was elected the unofficial tour guide.
Walking in to the Early Years gallery, I was walking backwards like I had told them I was going to to see their impressions. None of the three had been here before, and they all came to a halt as one, nearly openmouthed.
It’s that kind of place, it just stops you in your tracks.
Once we had started into the Early Years Gallery, I told them I’d meet them in about an hour or so, then hustled my booty over to the Modern Flight Gallery to finish off the aircraft I hadn’t shot on Friday. Once done there I hit the Cold War Gallery and the Missile Gallery, before wandering outside to shoot the Air Park aircraft.

From there, the Boys and I jumped on the shuttle bus and headed down to the Dawn Patrol Rendezvous air show, which all four of us completely enjoyed….it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity to see these World War I ‘birds in their element. The sun decided it was finally time to come out during the airshow.

After the airshow, the boys and I parted, they heading over to Cincinnati for the night and me heading off to see Perry in Columbus, after stopping off at the Huffman Prairie airfield. Huffman Prairie, although technically a part of the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, is so remote that there were actually deer wandering across the access road. Didn't hit any, thankfully.
Now, one thing you might not know if the first airfields were not straight, but circular. It was amazing and historic, and a real sense of awe hung over the site.


Since the sun was out, I dropped the ‘Stang’s top (Christine, take notes ;) ) and hit I-70 over to Columbus. Luckily, THIS rental had cruise control, unlike the PT Cruiser from the San Antonio trip earlier in the year, so no speeding issues.

Arrived in Columbus safe and sound and reunited with Perry for drinks, steak, and movies.
And for the record, Day Two totaled 1183 photos, upping my 1-day record from Friday.
Thus endeth day 2.

Ohio Trippin', Day 1

25 September 2009
Tampa, Florida
0400hrs local

There is something amazingly clean and peaceful about Tampa in the pre-dawn hours, something you cannot see in this city at any other time.
There is a silence, a serenity, that exists at no other time here.
That is, until the burgundy 1998 Chevrolet S10 flareside rolls down Kennedy avenue, Metallica’s “Master of Puppets” pumping out of the speakers.
Knowing his friend is already in Columbus, as he had checked the tracker on Jye’s bike before leaving the house.
By the way, the S10 was mine, of course, and I was haulin’ down Kennedy at about 55.
I made it to the airport parking people I use, and they had an issue with the shuttle bus, so had to go get another one. Once that showed up, I was off to Tampa International.
I arrived at the airport with just enough time to check in and jog my happy ass upstairs and board the plane.
Yeah, My plane was scheduled for departure at 6am, we actually rolled at 5:50.
However, I ended up being the middle seat of three. But the brunettes on either side were hot, and quiet, so it was a great flight into Atlanta.
Figures, we land in Atlanta at 7:20, my next flight is supposed to leave at 8:15. We land at gate D3 or some shit and I had to chuck all the way to C2 to catch the Dayton flight. Tall ass bald white man chuckin' like at a track meet through Atlanta airport.
You KNOW I got some looks!
Got to my gate just as they called my flight.
Wander back to my seat, gorgeous redhead sitting in my row.
Of course, I’m in the middle again. About this time I’m starting to think this might be a pretty good trip.
I should know to keep my mental mouth shut.
Big ol’ mamajamma with a cute little baby was the window seat, and he shows up at the absolute last minute, of course.
However, the FA took one look at the situation, and, since there were only 85 people on the 737, she offered him his own row.
Valerie, I know you’re married, but I love ya for that! AirTran has AWESOME FAs!
So the flight taxies out, and the redhead dozes off.
I’m reading Rickenbacker’s autobiography when I notice something out of the corner of my left eye. I’ve scooted over to the window to give the redhead and I some room. She wasn’t short either.
I look out the window and can see another aircraft. SouthWest. Probably a good 1500 feet or more below us. Knowing FAA guidelines, he was probably more like 2000 below.
Grabbed the camera to take a shot of him, but he was going faster than we were, and was under the wing by the time I got the lens cap off. So I shot the wing, see?
Flight was uneventful, and e landed in Dayton early.
Bonus.
I wander over to enterprise, and I tell ya, that little woman behind the desk was as chipper and cute as a damn kitten. But she had bad news for me. They didn’t have anything left in the class range I had reserved. Someone had wrecked another car in that class, so they had given mine to them.
Would I mind taking a different car? They only really had this one left, they’d just got it in.:

So I took it.
Oh yeah.
For you non car people, this is a 2010 Ford Mustang convertible that had 200 mi on it when I took possession.
I think I’m in love.
So, I pulled out of the rental lot and found a quiet place to park and fiddle with all the bells and whistles.
Then I hit out for the Air Force Museum…..sorry, they changed the name a few years back. It’s the National Museum of the United States Air Force now.
Whatev, it’s still a lot of fun.
Today I managed to go on the exclusive Restoration and Research and Development tours. The Research and Development tour held many one of a kind aircraft, and was definately a highlight that I am glad to have hit. The Restoration tour was also amazing, but extremely close held, as was evidenced by the fact that once we were in the hangar, they padlocked the doors.

I also made it through the Early Years and Air Power Galleries, and halfway through the Modern Flight Gallery before my stomach reminded me that all I’d had for sustenance since dinner at 1830 last night was a couple of bottles of Mt Dew and a Venti White Mocha from Starbucks.
Oops.

So now I’m cross-loading the 1137 photos I took today and waiting for the Meier boys to get here, after having killed off a family size Lasagna at the Pizza Hut near the hotel, the Days Inn nearest the Museum.
So, enjoy the photos. Ben, Jim, Geoff, some of your requests are in here.

Tomorrow, I‘m finishing off the Modern Flight Gallery, hitting the Cold War Gallery, shooting the Dawn Patrol Rendezvous. And trying to do a Wright tour in the a.m., hitting the bike shop and Huffman Prairie, if I haul my butt out of bed early enough, plus whatever Jye and AdamBob want to do.

Weekend Update with Brian Kupfer...lol

Yeah, as most of you know, I became unemployed as of wed the 16th. Took them a little longer than they said it would. But, right now, I'm enjoying the time off. Already got my unemployment ppw filled out and the deferment info for my student loan. Have also already done a preliminary interview ;). However, enjoying being able to catch up on my sleep, reading, TV and writing.

Can't WAIT till NMUSAF next week, hanging out with Wolf and Mayhem, and then hitting VT the week after. Besides the Museum I hope to take a Wright tour and hit the Bicycle shop and Huffman Prairie ;)

Still debating whether I want to rent a car while in VT and drive over to Old Rheinbeck....the logical part of me is saying to wait until next year to do that, but its been an Early Years of Aviation-themed year thus far, so.....we'll see.

Anywho, thought you guys would like an update on the situ. Have not decided if I am going to shelve the Vegas plans or not......I'll have to see how things look closer in first. I mean, right NOW I can still afford it, but....we'll see how the finding a job goes. Ko, Jenna, Lacey, I'll let you know if I change that!

Two Weeks

Yes people, it's almost time. In two weeks it's time to chillax with Wolf, Mayhem, and the NMUSAF, then come back for four days, and then up to New England to spend time with Familie Kupfer from 3-10 October. Cannot WAIT for my vacation, even if it means I miss getting to see my niece whom i haven't seen since 2006, as she will be down the 24th-29th...grrr...however, nothing else will kill my mood between now and then...right Lacey? Only ups right now!!