Memorable Moments
We all have memorable experiences in our life that we flashback to on occasion and I wanted to write some down while they were fresh in my mind.
The David
when Betty and I were traveling around Europe in our VW van one of our favorite destinations was Florence, Italy. There was a wonderful campground in Florence located on a hill overlooking the city and we could walk down the hill to the covered bridge and be in the heart of Florence. Everyone has seen pictures of the statute of David, but it was an entirely different experience to see it in person. As you enter the Accademia Gallery of Florence (Galleria dell'Accademia di Firenze) where David is on display you pass several fascinating and beautiful statues. But then you come to The David and it literally takes your breath away. Something you never forget.
Windsurfing in Panama
I have literally thousands of wonderful memories about the 12 years that Betty and I spent cruising on Expectation, but one stands out. We normally anchored in a sheltered cove, but on this occasion, we were anchored off the coast of Panama in wide open water but behind a reef that was just below the surface swell so the anchorage was quite comfortable. We were about a mile from a beautiful tropical island. The windsurfing conditions were perfect. There was enough wind to make it exciting but not enough to overpower me. Because of the reef the waves were manageable. I had one of my greatest windsurfing days and eventually landed on the beach of the deserted island and it was perfect. Undisturbed white sand backed by beautiful palm trees. I sat in the sand and realized how lucky I was to be alive.
The 9/11 attack, December 11, 2001
Betty and I had checked into the Oxford Hotel in Denver as we had a flight to catch early the next morning. She had the TV on while I was doing some work and her morning news program was interrupted when the first plane hit the New York trade center. She called me over to watch and we were stupefied to see the second plane hit and the collapse of the building. We didn't go anywhere that day—just stayed glued to the TV.
Pearl Harbor, December 7, 1941
It was Sunday and my parents allowed me to walk to the Waldo theater with two friends to see a cowboy movie. As we were passing the radio shop, we heard the news that the Japanese had bombed Pearl Harbor. Us 10-year-olds did not think it was a big deal as we were sure the little Japanese soldiers would be no match for Americans and we went on to watch the Lone Ranger and Tonto take care of the bad guys.
Roosevelt dies April 12, 1945
My friend, Richard Miller, and I were practicing the shotput in the grassy area by Ward Parkway in Kansas City when someone in a passing car stopped to give us the news. At 14 we were not too concerned about it but I will always remember where I was on that fateful day.
Kennedy assassinated, November 2, 1963
I was in my car following Joanne Lyon on our way to meet her dog groomer, as Joanne thought he would do a great job of grooming my Newfoundland dog, Priscilla. I wasn't listening to the radio but Joanne was and signal me to pull over so she could give me the bad news. We went on to the groomer who was so impressed with Priscilla that he took her to the St. Louis dog show the following week where Priscilla won best-of-breed and went on to become a champion.