We went to the punkin patch, to get ourselves a punkin.

As some may already know from reading the movers and shakers magazine People Jimmy and I went to a costume party the other evening.

Jimmy had decided we should go as The Unknown Comic from The Gong Show era and made the costumes himself. Here we are in the limo moving out.

Then yesterday we went to Johansens Farm (The Pumkin Patch)

Here we are heading in. It was a really cool place.

Jimmy and Cody played hide-n-seek behind a big punkin. He still doesnt know how we found them LOL

He met some friends

Jimmy was so excited to see Pooh Bear, They hadn't seen each other since Storybook Land in South Dakota and wow Piglet was here. He wasnt in Storybook Land when we visited so that made it so mucho bettero.

We looked at some punkins

They said they were closing so Jimmy ran around saying bye to his new friends

We all piled into the bus and headed home. The end to another great day.

Oh yeah, Jimmy wanted me to say he is now 1 1/2 feet tall. And his foot is all better

Illinois days 1 - 3

Meet Tammy, she is my oldest daughter from my first marriage to Edrie (Skip) she's also the older sister of Carrie of Marysville Washington fame. Tammy is married to Duane Olsson (who is a great guy and has three kiddos. A 15 year old named Austin, a 3 year old named Haley, and Cody, who just turned 1.

I gave a tour of the Big Box to Tammy, Cody, and Haley.  Duane works construction and was in Michigan but due in tomorrow for Austins 15th birthday and the weekend.

Haley immediately fell in love with Jimmy and took him on a tour.

Duane has the front yard and house Halloween-ized. Here is the graveyard

A walk before we needed to head over to Oswego East High School for Austins football game.

Jimmy chose to stay home and work on his halloween costume.

Saturday was Duane's football game. He is # 33 and plays for a national flag football team in fact a couple years ago his team (Sudden Impact) won the National Championship in New Orleans. Today was 3 games plus other teams playing since it was a regional tournement. Teams traveled from Michigan. Ohio, Iowa, and Wisconsin to play. Duane had 3 games then a halloween party.

A busy family I am finding out.

Jimmy had decided we would go as the unknown comic from The Gong Show days.

On the way to the party a lady rear ended Tammy's Exibition. No real damage but Tammy's neck got whiplash as she was in the back with no head rest and since she had a rear ender at 17 that broke her neck and another accident a couple years ago there was concern about a re-injury so she was checked out. Jimmy was sad Tammy was hurt but happy to see the Police, Firetruck, Ambulance and all the lights. Tammy was ok as was everyone else so on to the party we go with a story to tell.

The husband at he party we went to is in an ongoing "compitition" with Duane on front yard decoration so his looked awesome as well.

Jimmy made friends and met people as did I. Even ran into a friend of Tammy's I had met years ago when we lived in Patagonia. Angie Geneoni. It was a fun night, a lot of interesting but good food, music, chatting, and tall tales. 1 a.m. seemed a good time to head home since 4 Police Cruisers pulled up with a noise complaint, and some very tired kiddo's including the Jimster.

Sunday is a beautiful day, I am doing this, Jimmy is zzzz as are the others except Austin who was seen walking around the front yard and getting something from the truck earlier.

More to come so stay tuned. 8)



Go East young man and Hover the Mississippi River.

It's a bright and sunny Sunday morning and time to leave Leola South Dakota and head East towards the Great Mississippi. Ol Miss as the river and a school were called. But first I had to head South to Ipswich as I had promised Norma I would go to her church and check out the amazing OLD stone building. And a really cool building it was. I had pictures but they seem to have evaporated or it could have been Jimmy since he was playing with the cellphone (again) and taking pictures of himself in various ideas for his Halloween Costume.

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.

County in County, County.

Here I sit in Wisconsin only 30 or so miles shy of my destination on this leg of my journey. Jimmy and I are headed for Cuba City Wisconsin to see some old friends, Verdon and Linda Weber of Weber Starcruiser Hovercraft fame. I originally met them when I purchased my first hovercraft which was a Starcruiser. # 89 I do believe. Over the years we talked about hovercraft, Starcruisers,, advice, etc. In fact right after I got mine home they came to Skagway on a cruise and I went over and picked them up, brought them to Haines and had a great day flying my hovercraft around. I learned a lot about how to properly do so from the expert, really shortened my learning curve.

I just spent a week in Leola South Dakota where I originally picked up my Starcruiser. I had purchased it in Texas and a friend had brought it up to Leola where i went to get it and bring it back to Haines. I sleep here tonight because it is a rest area and I can go find thier place in the daylight. They live on a farm outside of the small town. (The truck next to me is delivering seed corn to Cuba City in the morning LOL)

When I entered Iowa from Minnisota I entered a County called County and the County seat was a town named County. So, County in is County, County. LOL (I thought it was wierd anyway)

I passed the Amature Basebal Hall of Fame in South Dakota but was to early (by 5 hours) to see it. But it was cool none the less.

Like Napoleon I met my Waterloo in the form of a town on hwy 20 in Iowa.

And yes the Big Box did get clipped by a semi. He was making a wide turn into a truck stop and would have hit me in the drivers seat and all the way back since he wasnt slowing to turn, to avoid me, or anything, but I goosed it and turned right, away from him, and he clipped the left rear. A little fiberglass damage that I can repair, nothing else, and no open breaks. Jimmy was buckled in so he was jostled is all. Was certainly being watched over but then I feel this whole journey has been blessed and I have been watched over. By who? well duh !!!!!

It was a very nice drive from Leola, I turned over 8,000 miles on my trip so far, saw A LOT of corn being grown and havested. Nice people, even the two girls who were as shocked as I when they drove by honking  thier horn to get me to look at thier bare chests then to see I was just an old guy. LOL

Excitement every mile 8)

This is short and picture free and I apologize. Jimmy is cutting zzz's and i am going to join him after a shower.

Adios Leola, til next time ,,,

Well, I got up this morning and realized that yep, it was time to move on. Like all the times to move on I have mixed feelings. The excitement of hitting the road again and the sadness of leaving a great few days and a wonderful place with old friends, new friends, and those other people. LOL
Jimmy and I have enjoyed our visit here even if only a few days. The Threshing Bee was fun and seeing all the old farm equipment, watching the Threshing crew at work, eating the Kuchen, basically a fun afternoon.

Helping build new greens on the new golf course was fun and very informative. Even though I was asked to supervise I enjoyed it. (Supervise isnt what you think, it meant I didnt have the expertise for what they were doing and I should step back and observe) But I learned a lot about greens that I never even imagined it involved.

Getting rescued on the way to Aberdeen for Jimmy Day was fun and reminded what friends were all about. The people that stopped to help was great but knowing someone was coming was better. Even though the transmission blew up and Jimmy missed a day at Wiley Park it could have been so much worse. Not only did it break alongside a well traveled road, it did so in an area where people still stopped to help strangers, and I had a friend near by more than happy to drive out and rescue Jimmy and I.

I walked all over this town, every street, alley, and sidewalk. I enjoyed every minute of t. Came very close to buying a house yesterday she wants to sell, but not last night. So I am on the first right of refusal list..

Jimmy and I made some new friends, placed some faces to match voices we had talked to over the last 11 years since I bought the original house here, and became the story of the week in the local gossip groups. The other day when I took Jimmy into the cafe the gossip mill of 10 women sitting over across the room made us the flashing neon headline of the day. Look at that STRANGE MAN sitting over there making like that plaster elf is real and talking to Jim Schaffer. Boy we hope he doesnt buy a house from Jim because we dont think he'd fit in our community. But, they were so outnubered by the people who said welcome, good morning, and waved or offerred rides (they couldn't believe I was walking by choice lol) that the visit was great.

Now tis time to tary no longer and move on. Was going to go to Mt. Rushmore, Crazy Horse, and the Eye Of The Needle down by Custer in the Southwest corner of the state then head east but it's almost 400 miles and to see all that is another 100 mile loop so 900 miles to get back equal to where I started is $500 in gas so me thinks next spring when I come back may be a better time. Just make the circle go that way rather than up to North Dakota like this time.

A brief stop in Wisconsin to see some Hovercraft friends then Tammy's for a couple days then south. Thats the plan, at least for today.

Adios Leola til next time ,,,,,,,

Jimmy Day, afterall 8)

Today was to be a quite day. We (I actually) was getting everything ready to hit the road bright and early tomorrow. I was cleaning, arranging, securing, basically puttering around. Jimmy was very happy today.

Last night he gave me a scare because I could not find him. I looked all over the box and no Jimmy, under the bed no Jimmy, under the sink no Jimmy, under the dash no Jimmy, in the engine compartment no Jimmy, shower, closets, desk, everywhere no Jimmy. I mean I even looked in the toilet (yuk, double yuk) no Jimmy.

I was getting really worried and about to call John the local one and only Police Office to report a lost little Elf. I went out to the Jeep (since the transmission broke it's now my 4 wheel enclosed trailer LOL) to put some stuff in it and get it out of the way. As I walked up to it I saw these twinkly little blue spots duck down really quick so I snuck up on the Jeep and jerked the door open. "What are you doing out here" I gruffly asked Jimmy who was hiding between the seats. He immediately started crying so I softened up and said "sorry little dude I was just so worried I couldn't find you."  After a lengthy talk about the Jeep being broke and it not being his fault  again the ol Jimmy returned and he went to sleep smiling.

So, while I am sitting in the hot RV working Jimmy is out on the grass (where I can see him of course) running, jumping, spinning, and doing pirouette's. (Jimmy loves to pirouette more than anything and he is good) just as I noticed a small black thing in his ear it rang. The little monkey had my bluetooth thing in his ear. He answered the call and it was from out hosts and good friends Jim and Mary Schaffer.

After a brief talk he started giggling and in a sing song voice singing I'm going to Wylie Park, I'm going to Wylie Park, I'm goin ,,,,,,,,,,, He kept dancing and singing and pirouetteing and wouldn't answer me when I asked what the call was so I went back to work. A few min. later the Schaffers pull up and honk and Jimmy is off in a flash. Seems we were both invited to Wylie Park in Aberdeen. They wanted to make sure that Jimmy got to go before he left.

Now in case you dont know, Jimmy was born and came from Storybook Land and little did I know that Storybook Land was actually Wylie Park in Aberdeen South Dakota. In fact the Author of Wizard of Oz Frank Baumand was from Aberdeen. Jimmy was a cousin to Pinochio and though less publisized Geppetto loved Jimmy as much as Pinochio and on Oct. 31, 2005 gave him life.

So, to Aberdeen we go. On the way Jim was telling me about this place that had the best Italian ice twist cone he had ever tasted and as much as he tried to resist it there was a curve going into Aberdeen that through centrifical force made them pull in there everytime they went to town. Sure enough we passed McDonalds and he said hold on, here we go ,,,

and even though the speed was not fast the centrifigal force pulled us right into

The Twist Cone. (They are on facebook under Twist Cone) and we had amazing Strawberry Italion Ice and vanilla soft ice cream twist cones. Yum, yum, Jimmy finished his is a flash.

Here is our hosts Jim and Mary Schaffer and Jimmy as we had into Storybook Land (Jimmy's Home)

Thay have a Railroad but it's already closed for the winter. I litterally took over a hundred pics so will post some but this post will be more pics than typing. We met a lot of Jimmy's friends and will try and leave the first line of thier tale below thier pic. it's up to you to finish it, so put those thinking caps on from when you were a kid and traveled to Storybook Land through your very own imagination.

Jimmy's favorite cousin Pinochio and his dad Geppetto his favorite human, until, wait for it ,,,,,,, he became a little by too.

He loved this book as he was learning to read.

A few of his favorite friends. Tin man, Dorothy, Scarecrow, Cowardly Lion and my ex-mother-in-law. LOL Just joking actually the Wicked Witch was a pleasant lady with a complexion problem or so Jimmy says.

Jimmy loved Cinderella and said her stepmother scared him but the sisters were afraid of her too and just did what she wanted.

Pooh Bear, looked for Piglet but couldn't find him. Jimmy says he was probably on a Honey havesting trip

Bambi and the other woodland animals

"Whats up Doc?" or that Wascally Wabbit. We couldn't find Elmer either

Hey diddle diddle ,,,

Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall ,,,,,

Jack and Jill went up the hill ,,,,

Mary had a little lamb ,,,,

Mary, Mary, quite contrary ,,,,

Little Ms. Muffet ,,,

Hickory Dickory Dock,,,,,,

Jack be nimble ,,,

The was an old woman ,,,

Rapunzel, Rapunzel ,,,,

Mother Goose. Jimmy says he loves her like a Mom, she looked out for everyone in Storybook Land.

Jimmy ran into Santa and ya wanna know what he told him? He said he was so happy today that he wanted nothing for Christmas. He wanted to spend the day celebrating the birthday of Jesus like it was supposed to be and thinking how wonderful most people are.

Jimmy said, just like the Mouse who removed the splinter from the Lions paw even though he was frightened more than he had ever been in his life, he was so glad that Geppetto loved him enough to give him life. And even though he'll stay a little boy forever he has met nothing but wonderful people who will do whatever is needed to protect, take care of, or save those that they love. Just like Geppetto, Mother Goose, Pooh Bear, and the others in Storybook Land and now Sleg (his best bud). (aww thanks little elfdude), and those that he has met like the Schaffers in Leola, St. Clairs in Missoula, Freeman's in Marysville, Williams in Philomath, Ewings in Juneau, Hales in Juneau, Hamlin in Tucson, and those he hasn't met yet. he is such a happy little guy today because he got to go home, see family and friends, and we talked about whats to come and who there is still to meet. and he is so excited.

Little Elf Dude is asleep, he was so tired he couldn't even eat the Peanut Butter, Strawberry Jam, Banana, Cheese, and Oreo Cookie sandwich I made him. Sleep tight little buddy because we all love you too.

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz  !!!!!!!