After lunch I invited Norma and her friend to lunch. We chose to walk and saw a pickup with a full camaflage wrap as well as the enclosed trailer, and the interior. I told Jimmy "bet you an ice cream cone I can pick the owners out in 1 min. when we get inside. We walked inside and there was Norma and her friend as well as about 6 older folk sitting at a table, and over in the corner were 4 men fully decked out in camoflage from hats to boots. I turned to Jimmy and said "aww buddy, this is to easy. But your buying ice cream when we get to Aberdeen" After a mediocre lunch with Alaksan prices at the Sage Inn in Ipswich we bid farewell and headed East.
In Aberdeen we stopped for gas and TWO ice cream cones which I paid for because once again they didnt take Elf money. 8) (I think Jimmy knows this and akes advantage of it occasionally)
We passed the Amatuer Baseball Hall of Fame but it was closed, as was the agriculture museum so I realized maybe Sunday was a day to get ready to travel and Monday would have been a better day to take off.
After driving through South Dakota, Minnesota, and Iowa we finally arrived in Dubuque where I pulled over to consult the map. Acording to it there were no rest areas and so we were looking for a Walmart to park at. While looking at the map on the computer there was a tap, tap, tap and flashlight shining in the window. State Troopers had found us, oh no run, LOL
The lady officer was just making sure we were ok and told us how to get to Walmart but then told us just across the bridge in Wisconsin was a rest area. So we made it, Wisconsin, 20 miles from Cuba City , The Webers, and one of my favorite things. Flying a Hovercraft.
We arrived early and parked alongside the road and went for a walk. Soon we were met by the first Weber when he came out to go potty. Here's Niko prior to his haircut.
Then Linda and Verdon Weber came walking down the path. I just noticed Linda spent so much time being the perfect host and taking so many pictures she never got in front of the camera for a shot. So, sorry Linda, only pics of Verdon, Jimmy, and I.
Breakfast then guy stuff.
Guy stuff always includes a visit to the shop. I have always been impressed with Verdon's talents, imagination, and skill in a shop working with tools. Here he is showing us one of numerous puzzles he has created, and RC aircraft he continually builds and flys.
He delved into Solar Power and built a couple of solar water heaters for his house as well as this cooker and oven. The cooker (left) focuses the sun on a grill in front of the mirrors where you can place a pan or log (as we did) to cook whatever your little tastebuds desire. The oven (right) focuses the sun on an oven built into the rear which reaches temps of 425 degrees allowing you to bake for free whatever you like
Here is Verdon placing a log on the solar cooker.
Verdon took Jimmy for a ride on his homemade electric three wheeler.
I like this three wheeler. As i said it was designed and built by Verdon. It has pedals, and three separate electric powered systems. The right fron wheel has a smaller gear thus is "high gear" but also has a switch from 24 v to 36 volts for "extra high gear". The left front wheel has a larger gear for "low gear" and in the background you can see the winter cover or body for winter riding. The one he made for Linda is more of a standard bicycle with an electric front wheel. It too was wired for 24 volts but Verdon and I surprised her by adding another battery and making it 36 volts. It was a secret until she rode it again where she was pleased with the increased speed.
Awww, my favortie toy. The Weber Starcruiser. A Hovercraft designed and manufactured by Verdon and his twin brother Vernon Weber. They made 150 of these over the years. In fact that is how I met them.
(I see Jimmy snuck in the Hover to check it out)
In 2000 I was ready to enter the world of Hovercrafting. After checking the various models including both the kits and even toying with the idea of building my own I decided I wanted a Starcruiser. Contacting the Webers I found the price in the $11k area however there were 6 orders in line ahead of me.
But Linda, always the helpfull friend you just hadn't met yet, found me a very nice used one in Austin Texas.
So I purchased my 1998 # 89 Starcruiser. When I got it home I painted horizontal red and white stripes and a blue rear duct with blue stars and named it Airwolf. Eventually Airwolf had it's own fanclub, trading cards, and website telling of his adventures hovering the rivers, lakes, and even oceans around Haines Alaska. Airwolf was a nice hit in Hoverland and follwed by many as he plied the waters and areas of Alaska. He enjoyed giving rides and educational demostrations at the local schools, rides to many, and numerous hits on the webage. On Wednesday, January 5, 2005 Airwalf was in the garage in Haines when it caught fire and he was caught in it.
Verdon said "you want to go flying on the Mississippii?" I thought well duh? I think Jimmy actually said it but maybe I was thinking out loud. LOL
After lunch at Subway where Jimmy made some new friends. We went out for an amazing afternoon flying Verdons Hover along the Mississippi River.
Why do I like Hovers so much. Well they fly 8" or so above the ground, on ice, snow, water, dirt and whatever else you are on.Sideways, backwards, or spinning like a top. They are simply FUN.
The next day was spent hanging out at the Webers while Linda went to an appt. and Niko got a haircut. Verdon showed Jimmy and I how to play ladder ball
Jimmy didnt quite grasp the concept that we were slinging the balls at the ladder.
And as everyone but Jimmy expected and warned him about repeatedly he got bonked on the head.
The afternoon was spent shopping for some items and getting ready to leave for Montgomery Illinois to visit Tammy and her family.
1 comment:
Fun!
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