Off to Branson

Galaxiedriver · 11-02-2011, 07:41 PM

The Sunline is all packed, tires aired, wheels greased water tanks flushed and filled and off to Branson tomorrow morning.

Should be a wonderful fun and patriotic weekend. Submarine Veteran's Tolling of the Boats Saturday at Branson Landing, and following that memorial I will be sounding Taps. Jan will be presenting a Quilt of Valor to a WWII submarine Vet who made 7 war patrols in the far western Pacific between 1943 and 1946.

Will be seeing several shows including one I am very anxious to see, Brule', a show of Native American music and Dance.

In between all that I hope to catch a few trout in Lake Tannycomo and in the evenings relax by a campfire.

Tolling of the Boats is a memorial service for all lost US Navy Submarines and crews. And there have been many.

**JohnB** · 11-02-2011, 08:57 PM

Have a safe trip Paul and Jan. Take pics...

so you can show some of your adventures.

John

Galaxiedriver · 11-02-2011, 09:28 PM

Thanks John, will do!!

Ed · 11-03-2011, 03:03 AM

Paul

Were you a submariner. Ed

Galaxiedriver · 11-03-2011, 07:20 AM

Yes Ed. 1965 to 1972. Was on USS Thomas Jefferson, SSBN 618 and USS Sam Rayburn, SSBN 635.

Poppy & Nana · 11-03-2011, 07:46 AM

Have a wonderful trip...

I laugh my Mom (84 years young) has decided she wants to go to Branson and I should take the camper and take her.....I could/would do that BUT she is not a "camping type person" and we would be in a motel in no time at all!!!!

Ed · 11-03-2011, 04:54 PM

Hi Paul
I got out in1963, I served 4 years on USS Fulton AS 11 sub tender tied up at State Pier right below Sub Base, USS Nautilus SSN 571 was in our squadron and we had USS Skate SSN 578 that's the boat rendezvoued under the North Pole with a boat from the west coast. What a home comming New London had when those guys came home. Well shipmate hope you have a great camping trip. Ed

Galaxiedriver · 11-13-2011, 04:08 PM

Small world Ed. I spent all my time in the north Atlantic our to Holyloch. Made one Med run and following that did our crew turnover in Rota. That is where I drank my dolphins in Nov. 68.

Galaxiedriver · 11-13-2011, 04:09 PM

Here is a link to a news paper article about our Branson Submarine memorial.

Submarine veterans remember the lost - Branson Tri-Lakes News News Free - Submarine veterans remember the lost: News Free

Galaxiedriver · 11-13-2011, 04:38 PM

Here are a few photos from our trip. The F150 has 67000 miles and the Sunline made her grunt on those hills. Almost has me ready to shop for something with more guts. These are not big hills relative to some.

Just because I'm transplanted from Pittsburgh to Missouri doesn't mean I can't watch my Steelers while camping.

Due to cold fronts and weather changes the fishing was rather poor. I did manage to put one nice rainbow trout in the freezer, caught a nice brown but the limit is 20 inches so threw him back. The best fight was from this golden trout. Threw him back too as I just didn't feel like cleaning it.

Here is a photo of our Tolling of the Boats setup. One model for each submarine that has been lost.

**JohnB** · 11-13-2011, 07:26 PM

Hi Paul,

Yup, those hills and a higher slide camper uses HP and torque. And it is when yo get one right after another that won't let up that's when you really feel it.

That last pic of yours, God bless our veterans and their families. That one stops ya in your tracks when they think about how many where in those boats.

Glad the trip came out OK.

Thanks for sharing

John