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 Blue arrived at 1830 and made it in
time to have a bellyfull of Robin's Chicken Fried Steak. Blue and
Robin compared tatoos, the location of which has not been revealed. More
to come...
Click on photos for full-size view:
 
Blue Robin's daughter, Roy and Robin's squeeze. Roy, Blue and "ol Smokey"
 
"Everything's big in Texas, son..." (huge teak rocking chair near the Ator
home. Roy, Robin and Blue (not much left in the bottle of ol Smokey).
3/15/2004 Dave Stoops: Picked Blue up at the Cavalla where we
had a great time with John and Billie McMichael. Got a royal tour of the
Cavalla, Stewart, and saw the plans of the memorial plaza which is under
construction. We were also treated to John's troubleshooting and plumbing
skills as he drained the lake which formed between the two vessels during the
rain squall.
Judy Beeghly was having some pain so could not make it to supper so we went to
our favorite dive in San Leon, Gilhooley's and had some cold brews and great
local fare!
Had a few beers at Doc's house and some stale peanuts and took Blue to Houston.
Today we went to Space Center Houston, out to lunch for some good Cajun food, a
few cold Shiner Bocks, and then to the Mall so Blue could do some shopping. I
might add that Blue sat down at one of the "trainers" and successfully landed
the space shuttle in Florida!
Will travel north tomorrow to meet up with Warshot and Gil Raynor at another
unique restaurant called The Potato Patch! Good Texas family cookin'. Was very
sorry that I didn't get to meet up with the Ator's when they were down. June
needed to get started back to DFW before we could get down to Galveston but she
did leave me one of her delicious pecan pies and a bag of pecans to go with
them! Thank you June!!!
  
The Steward and Houstan (we have a problem.... Blue!)
Blue: Well here I am successfully landing the Shuttle, what did
you expect for a retired Aussie diesel boat submariner? Give me something
harder next time, like driving on your roads downtown. Had a real nice time
with Dave Stoops and his nephew, Mike, touring the NASA Space Center here in
Houston, very interesting. Those space suits cost 12 million dollars EACH!
Whilst a the Mission Control, I was amused to find out those message pods that
they send various messages around, can take 15 minutes to get to their
location, within the same building!! And this is at the same time you guys were
putting man on the moon - I found that to be very amusing indeed!
  
Blue: Well who do you think took Neil Armstrong's picture as
he left the Eagle to take the 'alleged' first step on the Moon? Me of course,
here is a picture proving I was there. On our visit to the CAVALLA and the
STEWART, Boy did it rain and after our tours, the rain had stopped but the 'car
park' was flooded as you can see. Doc is wading out to retrieve his truck so I
don't get my feet wet.
  
Doc Beeghly waded out to his truck. Blue, Stoops, McMichael and Doc. Topside on
the Cavalla.
  
Stoops and Blue hanging out at Doc Beeghly's place in Galveston.
 
Doc Beeghly and Blue put on the morning feedbag. Blue with Terry and Dave
Stoops
3/15/2004 Blue: G'day Don, After leaving the Mitchell's in the
snow up there in Wisconsin, I flew to Fort Worth/Dallas via Atlanta. Whilst
there I was amazed to be asked for my I.D. when ordering a beer...."surely I
don't look under 21" I thought, but I was dismayed to find out it is a State
law, no matter your age/looks....damn!
Roy Ator was there waiting for my arrival, he took me home and there waiting for
me was a meal cooked by his lovely daughter, Robin. Unfortunately Robin would
be busy over the next day or two so I only saw her that first night.
Light drizzle for the next day, saw the worlds largest rocking chair, made from
Teak (will send pictures when I can) and then a tour of the local County. Saw a
few Coyotes strung up on fences and went to the damn where Robin's boyfriend
works.
Next day we drove down to Galveston, 7 hour trip and although I offered, Roy
wouldn't allow me to drive, drats! I would have shown him a trick or two! lol
Arrived safe and sound (thanks to Roy driving) at Doc Beeghly's place and had a
few drinks downstairs whilst the women folk spent time together.
Next morning, Roy and June bid their farewells amidst the pouring rain...("not
guilty your Hounour"), hell, it rained and rained. Doc and myself went out for
breakfast and then made our way to the USS CAVALLA and I met John McMichael and
his wife. Did the tour of the boat, and also the USS STEWART.
It had now stopped raining but had flooded out part of the car park, will send
you a picture sometime of Doc wading out to his vehicle. Back to Doc's for a
beer or two and then Dave Stoops took me to his home. Today, we go out to the
NASA Space Center and sometime soon hook up with Ron 'Warshot' Smith which I am
looking forward to. Will send pictures when I am able to.
Best, Blue *_*
3/16/2004 Blue meets Warshot (along with Dave Stoops):
  
Dave Stoops: Blue and Warshot met at a great lunch at Potatoe
Patch, where the steaming hot rolls and muffins are thrown to you across the
room! Lots of lies, I mean sea stories were exchanged along with jokes,
stories, etc. Gil Raynor couldn't make it so he missed out. Blue got to try
fried green tomatoes and fried okra also.... Afterwards we stopped by Fry's
Electronics, a store that makes Compusa look like a Mom and Pop operation.
Those in Dallas or Portland will know what I'm talking about! Pictures are at
lunch and Ron signed Blue's Travelogue shirt.
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