Travel Log: Into the Wild Blue Yonder

(Niceville, Florida; June 12, 2021) – Visitors to Florida’s Fort Walton Beach area can soar high into the wild blue yonder by visiting one of our hometown area gems—the U.S. Air Force Armament Museum. Located outside the main gate of Eglin Air Force Base, the museum is the only museum in the United States dedicated … Continue reading Travel Log: Into the Wild Blue Yonder

Travel Log: Under the Guns, Part 2

(Niceville, Florida; June 9, 2021) – Some of the biggest guns ever to go to sea will have you in their range once you’re within 20 miles of Mobile, Alabama, and USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park. Commissioned in August 1942, the ‘Bama’ had her genesis long before the war began. Owing to stipulations in the … Continue reading Travel Log: Under the Guns, Part 2

Travel Log – Under the Guns, Part 1

(Niceville, Florida; June 9, 2021) – Drive within twenty miles of Mobile, Alabama, and you’ll find yourself in range of some of the biggest guns in naval history. USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park is a hub for naval history in Mobile, Alabama. Originally the final home for the battleship USS Alabama (BB 60), the park … Continue reading Travel Log – Under the Guns, Part 1

Travel Log: I’m not Kidding Around!

(Niceville, Florida; May 28, 2021) – Spending a day aboard the USS Kidd (DD 661) will transport you back to the hot, sweltering days when our sailors fought and won World War II with hard steel, heavy munitions, and zero air conditioning. World War II is receding further into our collective rear-view mirror. Although my … Continue reading Travel Log: I’m not Kidding Around!

Mental Health: Another Shipmate has Fallen

(Silverdale, Washington; Oct. 29, 2020) – Today’s column was supposed to be about the minor success I’ve had with my first novel, Proud Lion, and my plans for book 2, The Norfolk Murders. Sadly, the tragic death of one of my shipmates from the real-life USS Ponce (LPD 15) upended my plans. I served with … Continue reading Mental Health: Another Shipmate has Fallen

Travel Log: Meeting Adam

(Port Ludlow, Washington. Sept. 4, 2018) – A confluence of events and problems ranging from a very ambitious travel schedule between Montana and Washington State, and the loss of Internet connectivity temporarily in Washington, has put me behind in my columns. But I’m back! Meeting colorful and incredible characters is one of my favorite experiences … Continue reading Travel Log: Meeting Adam

Travel Log: A Plainly Great Education

(Miles Creek, Montana; Aug. 18, 2018) – Montana is on fire. Glacier National Park is burning, so Montana joins California, Idaho, and Canada in the wildfire club of 2018. These fires are sending a nasty haze all the way east to Minnesota (where I was yesterday). Today I did get some clear skies early on, … Continue reading Travel Log: A Plainly Great Education

Travel Log: Oh, Canada! Eh?

(Sault Saint Marie, Ontario, Canada; Aug. 4, 2018) – Before you say “Salt Saint Marie,” it’s actually French and pronounced “Soo.” So the town is properly known as “Soo Saint Marie.” “Soo” refers to the rapids on the St. Marys River at this point. Prior to the War of 1812, the Ontario town and the … Continue reading Travel Log: Oh, Canada! Eh?

Travel Log: The Maine Event!

(Bangor, Maine; July 27, 2018) I have waited 28 states to use that headline! I’ve wanted to visit Maine since I was five years old in 1977. That was the year the Disney live action/animated combination film Pete’s Dragon came out. My family was still living in San Angelo, Texas, as my pop was stationed … Continue reading Travel Log: The Maine Event!

Travel Log: Airships and Aircraft Carriers

(Smithfield, Rhode Island; July 19, 2017) – The Hindenburg blew up and crashed in flames May 6, 1937 near Hangar No. 1 at the Lakehurst naval air station in New Jersey. The disaster killed 36 people (35 people on the ship, one on the ground). The 803-foot long ship, veteran of 62 successful flights, was … Continue reading Travel Log: Airships and Aircraft Carriers