Okay, open Forum, off-topic, or whatever (grab a cup and sit)

[Rene Schweitzer]

Turbo,

Glad everything is going well. It's amazing what medicine can do these days. Hope things continue on the up and up.

As for articles in other scales, sure! I know Marc H. is always interested in other scales outdoors, but they can be harder to find. Wild Bill, do you have pics? Send them to Marc ([e-mail]). Anyone else have another scale outdoors?

[RhB_HJ]

G'day all,

Geeeeez TOC, I saw the coffee shop thread on the MR forum. Just had to check here, was quite sure someone had started one. [}:)][:D][:D]

Well gang, since this is all TOT (Totally Off Topic - or could be "dead" in German) here is my weather update. After unseasonably mild weather things are starting to cool down, actually there was some snow this afternnon up on the mountain. Just as well, tomorrow is "Loppet" day and having a trace of new snow will be nice.
You can check how the races are going at http://www.sovereignlake.com/webcam.html
Start is at 10AM PST
I'll be doing the 30km race (Classic), not good enough, yet [;)], at skating for that distance.
If the thread's still going on Sunday, I'll report how old I feel. [:o)][:o)][:o)][:)]

[TurboOne]

HJ good luck on the race. Hope you survive.

Let us know how things come out.

Tim

[Curmudgeon]

We have been fighting to keep my submarine Cobra in Puget Sound for quite some time.
We were getting close to having fresh-water moorage in Kirkland.

Unfortunately, the owners informed me Friday night they have sold the boat to San Diego Maritime.
They take ownership Sunday, 20MAR05.

3 years, and it's gone.

[Anonymous]

[TurboOne]

Hello Garden folk. Hope everyone is doing well.

Curmudgeon, that maritime also has the midway carrier, they did an excellent job on her. Sorry it got sold, are they bringing it down here ? If you come down, time it on a third sunday, and we can go to the Garden Club train club. I would invite you to the train museum, but they don't have G scale. O and lots of HO and N.

Take care all,

Tim

[Anonymous]

Don't worry TIC
You still have your G scale trains!
Troy

[grandpopswalt]

Speaking of submarines and carriers, I just learned that my old ship, the carrier America CVA66, is going to be taken out of the Philadelphia mothball fleet . The plan is to tow her out to deep sea and conduct various weapons tests on her which will eventually result in her sinking.

We had hoped she'd be converted to floating museum, but at least this way she'll once again be serving her country.

Walt

[Anonymous]

That's interesting Walt.
My brother -in-law is a navy diver/bomb disposal expert.The royal navy decided to sink some ships to create a reef to help marine growth.He is currently setting up his own company todive on the ships he used to serve on.Nothing wasted eh
Troy

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by grandpopswalt

Speaking of submarines and carriers, I just learned that my old ship, the carrier America CVA66, is going to be taken out of the Philadelphia mothball fleet . The plan is to tow her out to deep sea and conduct various weapons tests on her which will eventually result in her sinking.

We had hoped she'd be converted to floating museum, but at least this way she'll once again be serving her country.

Walt

Hi grandpopswalt
That is a shame I went on board the carl vincent (spelling) on one of those good will type tours they sometimes do when visiting a friendly port.
You gould get quite a museum in an air craft carrier which is what I asume you are talking about..
It would be all the more real for visitors by being on a ship.
regards John

[Rastun]

TOC,
Sorry to hear about your Sub being sold. Try and talk them into letting you go along with it for it's trip to it's new port.

Walt,
Wow, I wouldn't think they would do that to a carrier. Tell them you want your piece of the ship before it's to deep to be able to get to it. I'd have to imagine that also means they have taken all of the systems and the like out of the ship already and it is little more than a hull now.
Later,
Jack

[Curmudgeon]

The Maritime Museum does not control the Midway. Separate deal.
They have the ferry, tall ships, and one small ship.
They have been playing games for a long time with this deal, and they actually think they can tow it.
SINKEX.
TOC

[Anonymous]

TOC
For what it's worth.With any saving /restoration project .--if you don't own it,then be prepared for complete and utter double crossing.
Whatever you may feel for me---I really do feel sorry for you.
My father has saved loads of vehicles from destruction.
It comes down to money at the end of the day!
troy

[Capt Bob Johnson]

Troy's got that right, my partnership once donated an ex USCGC to an outfit that was gonna make a museum/school out of her, and once out of our control she was sold several times and allowed to lay around and rot. last I heard some outfit down in FL bought her.

[grandpopswalt]

Hi Guys,

Regarding the carrier America, from what I can gather, all of the usable and secret stuff was removed before she left Portsmouth, VA after her decommissioning in 1996. The recent photos I've seen suggest that only the hull and island are left, all the electronic and defensive goodies are long gone.

The tests and test site are being kept secret so there'll be no documentation of the actual sinking, and it will be done in deep, deep water.

I once calculated that as a commissioning crew member I was entitled to about 75 tons of steel in lieu of that wooden deck plank that was promised.

Walt

[vsmith]

TOC

Bummer about the Cobra, put your sweat into a project only to see it get sold to the highest bidder. At least you have alot of memories and experiences from it.

[RhB_HJ]

QUOTE: Originally posted by TurboOne

HJ good luck on the race. Hope you survive.

Let us know how things come out.

Tim

Hi Tim et al

Thanks!
Only the good die young![}:)][;)] A fact that doesn't apply to TOC or myself. [:o)][:o)] Of course TOC is a bit closer, at least he has some "Good" in his name. [;)][:D][:D]

Well gang, it was an interesting race.

After the trace of snow on Friday, Saturday dawned clear. Not a good sign for someone who had decided to do the 30km in Classic style.
I applied two coats of Klister grip wax, ironed it in and headed for the mountain, picked up my bib, stepped into the skiis and went for a try-out.
OK, wax is correct, but need more. Apply two more coats.

Race starts at 10 AM and off we go. Turns out there were 102 skiers in the 30km. I was in no hurry, since the skating crowd would leave me far behind anyway, but I had set myself a pace to stick to: 5:00 to 5:20/km which should get me to the finish in 2:40:00.
So far so good, the track is faster than blazes and I know the snow is very abrasive. So I double pole as much as possible, the downhill sections are super fast! I know the course like the back of my hand, since I skihost on weekends.

Welllllllllllllllllllllllllllll, come km 13-14 a lot of my wax ist gone, by km 16 just about all my wax is gone and it is Plan B as I now get to tough it out to km 22, where I will get to re-wax.
There goes the time!!!
The downhills are still lightning fast, the real uphills are now tackled herring bone style, slight uphills I skate, on the (very few) flats I double pole (push with my arms and glide = it's the XC ski version of the "Armstrong" method.
I finally get to the liquids/food station by the lodge, my wife runs for the wax box, I rewax and about 10mins later I'm on the way for the last 8km. [;)][:)]

Sooooo, as expected I came deadlast in 3:12:39; but that's OK.

Oh yeah, today I was skihosting and got to apply the perfect wax to some peoples' skiis who absolutely wanted to go Classic.
Me? I used my skate skiis! I may be crazy, but not stupid! BTW they had perfect wax, not so sure it would have lasted for more than 12 km. [;)][:)][:D]

Of course this was also my first XC Ski race in 20 years. Next year I have no-wax skiis or I'm proficient enough at skating so I can hack the 30km.

[Anonymous]

Hi all
I will not be as comunicative as I would normaly for a little while as Cath was Flown to Royal Perth Hospital This morning By the Royal Flying Doctor after having some kind of fall yesterday.
While I was away the trip got cut real short as you can imagine all I know at the moment is a broken wrist and severe bruising to the face the next door tell me she was found in the front garden leaning against the front fence.
I would be greatfull if those with religiouse beliefs would add Cath to their prayres
While I try and find out whats happening the medical fraternaty dont seem to want to tell me anything.
I spoke to Cath this afternoon and that has not really helped much.
but at Least I know she is still with it if you know what I mean
Not very happy at the moment I cannot even go and see her.
so I ask your tollerance for a little while
regards john

[Anonymous]

Hope everything is ok John & Cath gets home soon. Everyones thoughts will be with you and for you.
Kim

[Anonymous]

JOHN
HOPE EVERY THING TURNS OUT WELL FOR YOU PEOPLE , YOU ARE IN OUR PRAYERS. KEEP US UP TO DATE BEN

[TurboOne]

Good morning garden folk. Hope all is well.

John, Cath is added to prayer list at bible study.

You take care and keep us posted.

Tim

[vsmith]

Hope all turns out well, John. Come back when you can.

[Rastun]

John,
Talk to us when you can. We'll be thinking of you and Cath here. Hope she gets back soon.

Jack

[grandpopswalt]

John,

Our thoughts are with you and Cath, let us know how everything turns out.

Walt

[Anonymous]

Thoughts and prayers are with you and yours!

[Anonymous]

Very sorry to hear about this John.Let's all hope for a happy outcome.
Best wishes,Troy

[powlee]

John
My very best wishes to you both and a speedy recovery to Cath.

Ian P

[aljay]

John,
Sorry to hear about this. Thoughts and best wishes to you and Cath. And a speedy recovery.

AJ

[Anonymous]

Hi all
Just a quick line to let you know Cath is in good spirits.
And was a little surprised about the good wishes coming in from around the world.
They brightend Cath's day no end.
They have also helped me no end in a dificult time.
I spoke to my boss today and he is sorting things so i can take off on an open ended leave form.
So important question from a computor higerant
Is there a way I can select the good will
messages and print them or do I have to print tne whole topic??
As I would like to take your good wishes too Cath when the boss has squared away my disapearance from work
regards John

[Anonymous]

Hi John,
I've tried a few ways of printing just one message but to no avail, it looks like you have to print the whole page. Go to a page, I tried page 8, hit print and it will print that page, headers and all. Best wishes to you both.
Cheers,
Kim
[tup]