«
»

SEARCHING FOR GRANDPA YEAGER’S HOUSE

July 13th, 2010 . Posted in Chuck Yeager's family history, Daily Life with Chuck Yeager | Comments Off on SEARCHING FOR GRANDPA YEAGER’S HOUSE

General Chuck Yeager. Ask him who his heroes were growing up and he’ll tell you. Grandpa Yeager. He could do anything. He could fix anything. It used to take 5 hours to walk to Grandpa Yeager’s. That’s if they didn’t get a ride up Mud River. And a ride literally up the creek – the road was in the creek. In this search, we got 50 different opinions. It was up the left fork, no the right fork. It was this house on the flat. It doesn’t exist. There was  root cellar. No, there wasn’t a cellar. There was an overhang over the creek where they put their milk and perishables.

It was 9 miles up the creek. No 9 Mile was the name of the road. Maybe it was 9 miles from Hamlin or Branchland or Hubble.

We drove up the left fork. The houses, only one lived in, were too close to Mud River and only the one on the flats looked old.

General Yeager wandered around it. I could tell that it was familiar but not familiar. We were told numerous times it had been Grandpa Marion’s house and the chimney had fallen down only 2 years before. Darn.

There was a gas well on the other side of the creek. But no, Gen Yeager said it wasn’t the house.

Three distant relatives came by and said it was. Or that they  had been told it was.

We drove all the way – even past the very, very rough spot. Gen Yeager was looking at the safety of driving over the 50 yds that looked rather rocky. I ran on ahead to see what was around the bend. Another bend. But the road got more drivable. So I turned around – there was John, our driver. He was mostly concerned with a place to turn around even if we got past the rough spot. Yes, I said. I think I see a place. Well. Sort of.

I just didn’t want to give up.

Gen Yeager got out of the car and walked up the 50 yds. John got in the car and drove it up – he made it! What a GREAT ad for that make of car!

We came to a fork. We took it. Seriously, big debate, right or left. We thought we’d go one way and then back the other. We went left. (We never did go back right). A big gas construction of buildings. We passed it and went up every off shoot road. (All gravel as this point).

The third one was a beautiful graveyard. A hundred gravestones. Ninety of them were Yeager.

The rest were mostly Adkins. An Adkin had married a Yeager.

We had found Yeager Cemetery.

Many more gravestones were so old and small, they weren’t marked.

While John looked for some good shots with Gen Yeager, John’s wife Karen and I explored the building over yonder. Could it be Grandpa Yeager’s house? Probably not – we had left the creek long ago – and we did know it was on a creek. We knocked. There were three chickens – or was one a rooster. Yes. I crowed. It crowed.

We walked back, joined John & Gen Yeager, and drove to the next house over yonder farther. I got out, went towards the front door. Karen got out and went to the people on the back porch whom I had not seen. I got no answer and then woke up – sunglasses seem to limit my peripheral vision – and notice John & Karen approaching the side porch. Lotta smoking – probably why I didn’t see them – thru the haze and I avoid smoke.

The guy there said that Dorothy (Adkins? – lotta, I mean lotta Adkins in the area) Yeager had lived there and before that “Big Frank Yeager”. Well, “Big Frank Yeager” to us – was General Yeager’s great-grandfather who had had 27 kids. This guy led us back to the house. Gave us wrong directions – that left turn was after the right turn he didn’t mention – but we caught up with him. He said the structure near the home – had been the house but it had burned down. I felt a little sad but glad we had found the place. Then realized we hadn’t – there was no creek. Hmmm.

This “Big Frank Yeager” most likely was General Yeager’s “Big Frank Yeager”’s son but “Big Frank Yeager” to the next two generations.

We drove back down on the gravel road instead of back the way we had come.

We want back and drove up two other forks. One way – we found a no-shirt Robert, who jumped on his ATV to show us Grandpa Yeager’s house. He took us back to the house on the flat.

We checked it out again. No. Just wasn’t 9 miles up the creek. Couldn’t be the house.

Robert said finally Grandpa Neuman Yeager. We said, No Grandpa Marion Yeager.

We finally figured out that Neuman was Marion’s brother. Both were named Marion.

Marion Neuman Yeager

and

Marion General Yeager

Neuman had a few wives apparently and they called him a Mormon. One of the wives lived in the house which was now the barn-looking structure.

Marion General Yeager was General Chuck Yeager’s grandfather. Marion General Yeager had 9 kids.

The next day, we went back to the cemetery, back to the house on the flat.

That day we sent a recce up the left fork after Pansy Lee, Chuck Yeager’s sister, told the recce team that Grandpa Yeager’s house was up that fork. She told them some more details of the topography. Karen thought she had found it but didn’t give enough details to us to be certain.

So we took photos of General Yeager in front of Neuman Yeager’s house. It was the right area anyway.

John and I walked up the left fork.

Someone was living up that fork with some rather vicious dogs which passing in a car didn’t matter. But walking….They were just doing their job. They didn’t chase you past the road that passed their property. At least they hadn’t in the car. But now we were walking.

I did the baby talk – nice dogs, here boy, nice to see you. At first it worked. But my fellow explorer said, I’m not good with dogs. The dogs heard him and saw him retreating frightened out of his wits. And turned back to now very vicious barking. I still talked nicely to them as my cohort retreated. To get a head start if we had to run, I realized later! We had a trooper escort – with a gun – I thought he was closer – he wasn’t close enough.

As the dogs inched closer, I backed up slowly in a zig zag. It was touch and go – 3 yards away. “Nice” wasn’t working. So I did my last option – hoping the bites wouldn’t hurt too badly and that help could come before I was too badly mauled – I yelled at them in my most commanding voice and pointed my finger and arm at their house: “GO HOME!”

They stopped short and then retreated a little. It was still touch and go. One wrong move…Then the dog on the left came at me again. The other dog opened its mouth to bite….and bit the other dog to stop him from advancing toward me. He knew they better go home and that I had retreated past the front of their property but wasn’t bait.

I yelled: ” GO HOME!” again as I continued my very slow zigzag retreat (trying not to look like I was something to chase – e.g. not running).

I called the neighbor a few days before our next attempt. He called the dog owner who was pleased his dogs were doing their job but would put them in the house.

This week, the dogs were kept inside…on the way up… but we were in a truck anyway.

Monday, we went up the left fork. All the way to the bad piece in the road – where it departs the creek. I climbed down to the creek. No, no place farther up the creek that would have a flat for a house.

We went back to the one house it might be. We explored the house. The two story part was new….ish. The one story…very old wood on the area showing the interior of the wall. Hmmm. We walked around outside. A shape in the side of the hill that would have held a root cellar.

We checked the creek – an overhang where milk could be kept. Beautiful, natural, multi-colored stone.

Wow. This has got to be it. But not a 5 hr hike. Wait a minute. This road wasn’t here. The road was in the creek – that is less direct. Could be 5 hours. From Myra. Or exploring up the creek.

Still not sure. The analysis could fit. But so could another analysis. Most of the houses would or could have these attributes.

We got out and walked most of the way back. We checked out a cave. We checked out a creek that came from a different holler – and joined this one. Walked up it as far as we could. I asked my cohort, Curtis, this time, how much he thought it would cost to get someone to clear it out for us. I was determined to find Grandpa Yeager’s house – or the foundation of it.

When we got one turn from the dogs, we saw the gas well that could have been the one Gen Yeager had said his Grandpa had had on his property. Noted. We got back in the truck. Good thing. We had backed up for them to explain a “root cellar” to me – there was one on this property – was this Grandpa Yeager’s foundation? No, it was too new a “root cellar” And then one dog came running. I told Adam to roll up his window. Adam did a little but stared the dog down. I was betting on Adam :-) It stopped short.

We drove on down. Then tried the other fork. There was someone we had met very briefly a few weeks before. Country folk that didn’t want to talk to us much but did tell us to whom to talk up that fork.

We drove up past one house, another house. Couple on the porch. There’s a theme here. The gal didn’t understand what we were looking for and kept giving us incorrect information. The fella gave us some great information. Basically couldn’t go much farther up the creek – even on a four wheeler – too many trees down.

We went along a little farther, till the driver, Adam, drove into a deep hole on the left front. We were able to back out slowly. Yup. Can’t go any farther.

We drove back to Hamlin. By the time we got back, it was 5:30pm and we had a call from a researcher. He had what we wanted. Wow!

We went back the next morning. More on this later….

c. GCYI

California Hall of Fame

July 11th, 2010 . Posted in Daily Life with Chuck Yeager, Famous People | Comments Off on California Hall of Fame
Tags: , , , , , ,

Last December 1, 2009; General Yeager was inducted into the California Hall of Fame induction.

The day started out with an interview from the Sacramento radio station. Two radio personalities talking a mile a minute. I worried Gen Yeager would just tell them to cut it out. He didn’t. He kept up and talked fast himself. Unusual for a West Virginian – they like to smell the roses.

Gen Yeager told a story about Carol Burnett – she, as a very young girl, was in the first USO or such like show that came to his base. Every one of the millions of GIs fell in love with her and wanted to marry her – she represented the girls they had left behind.

The female radio host said: You have just melted the hearts of millions of females listening to our radio show.

The evening was beautiful.  As we drove there I considered that perhaps I should wear make-up but doing other fun things with my husband left no time.

We got there early as usual (don’t want to miss the tanker) and were led into the Chuck Yeager display. General Yeager’s flight jacket and some of his medals, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom were on loan from the Smithsonian to which Gen & Glennis Yeager had donated much of his historic items in 1986. Thank goodness.

We spied Carol Burnett and I approached her, introduced myself. She was very pleased to meet me –a very special woman who is so gracious. I quickly introduced my husband. They had met a few times and gave each other a huge, larger than life, lovely, joyous hug as only Carol Burnett can do.

I mentioned she and I had met on the movie Four Seasons in Virginia. She contemplated that and later said: “That was in 1980.” I said 1979 wasn’t…it…no! You are so right 1980. I was graduating. She is quite sharp. She told me she has her second book coming out in April and she goes on tour – an evening with Carol Burnett to keep the gray matter active. And boy is it active. When she walked the red carpet, she was very gracious, vivacious, and engaging with all the fans.

When I met Carol Burnett the first time in 1980, I was so in awe. I was the Exec Producer’s assistant and driver. She just turned to me and stretched right into my face and said Hello, I’m Carol Burnett. My hero was speaking to me up close and personal. Wow!  I remembered myself just in time to prevent fainting, introduced myself but could not find any words to continue the conversation.

 I always heard that stars hate to be reminded of their age – so I didn’t say that she was my hero or that I was allowed to stay up late to watch the Carol Burnett Show. I LOVED her and her show as a kid. After Tuesday and seeing her in person and on stage, I still love her.

 I met Harvey Korman a few years after my first encounter with Carol Burnett – what a gracious fellow. He thought I was very talented and had sought me out after seeing me perform. I REALLY liked him after that!

At the rehearsal, which was more confusing than enlightening, I sat with Carol Burnett’s assistant on the road. She was saying what a real man Gen Yeager is even at 86. She wishes she could find a man like him. I told her, “Then you would understand why I didn’t marry until 45, after I met him.”

I told Carol and her assistant that Gen Yeager wears me out! He needs a younger model. They all laughed and could easily agree.

We also saw Coach John Madden – Chuck and he had done a commercial together for President Bush ’41 – John Madden won’t fly, he takes buses. And the idea was pairing opposites.

Coach John coached a lot of our friends: Jim Otto, Raymond Chester, MacFarlane Lane, Errol Mann. He said he could tell me a story or two about those guys. I guess not in front of so many people. So I told him about the three black players – Raymond, MacArthur, Jack making Gen Yeager an honorary soul brother! Gray Afro, boom box, big sunglasses.  Coach John got a kick out of that. Coach John also played on my childhood hometown team – the Philadelphia Eagles, so I felt a kinship – 2 degrees of separation twice! :-) His wife is delightful – we enjoyed some time together, too.

Secretary George Shultz was there. I first thought Charlie Brown – and thought I thought he was dead. And then remembered some more US history. I said to his wife, you should be in his positions. I always think it’s the wives who understand more and can solve problems better.

She smiled and said,” But let’s not tell them.” We had a good laugh. I didn’t know then that she is the Chief Protocol Officer for the State of California. Very elegant lady. Very appropriate position.

Four of our friends joined us. Sharing the evening with them – just made it even more magical. Two of them gave Gen Yeager a beautiful trophy re the California Hall of Fame that they had made up that is stunning – it is on our shelf even now.

Coach John Madden in introducing Chuck said, “Only in California can a guy who doesn’t fly introduce the greatest pilot of all time!”

Then Coach John read the rest of the introduction and ad-libbed: “Just before he got in the X-1 to break the sound barrier, go into the unknown, faster than anyone, they asked him what he wanted…and he said a stick of Beemans! Now just think about this: the most dangerous thing in a plane he’s about to attempt and he asks for a stick of gum!?!?!?

Outstanding!

Gen Yeager reciprocated and gave Coach John a photo of an A-380, which Gen Yeager had been flying a year before, doing stall work over the Pyrenees, and signed it with the note: I finally found a plane that could lift you off the ground- Chuck Yeager.

Coach John is football, in shape big – not overweight – so it was funny.

Gen Yeager told some great stories in accepting his award. He introduced another recipient Governor Hiram Johnson (1866-194?) by saying to Governor Schwarzenegger – we need to clone him about 400 times, then we’ll get some good government. Governor Johnson was best friends with the Owner and Editor of the Sacramento Bee. That helps. Esp to get you elected to the Senate and Governor and get your ideas supported and passed into law. Probably a good argument for going back to the old rules about not being allowed to own more than one media outlet in a marketplace. Imagine the power if you own all outlets! It’s okay if you agree with me, but if you don’t, I don’t want you to have that much power….:-)

Governor Johnson was responsible for the referendum and California being a more democratic state than others, among other things.

Danielle Steel, whom I could have sworn I had seen give a talk but she says she never has, was honored. She had nine kids, now eight and still looks fit and trim after all those pregnancies. She enjoyed my saying so.

George Lucas talked with Gen Yeager about his movie in post – The Tuskegee Airmen. Gen Yeager said: “And you are telling the truth – they shot down about 107 planes, not the 1000 some historian was saying?”

To me, if you overstate, you diminish their real contribution. 107 planes is great – 107 fewer planes to harm the allies. However, if you state 1000, it means you don’t think 107 is impressive enough. I do.

At Maxwell AFB, one of the Tuskegee Airman was there with Gen Yeager for the Gathering of the Eagles seminar. I had found some posters in the history office there that were being given away, one beautiful one about the Tuskegee airmen. I would have liked to keep it, but decided I’d give it to him. Good decision. When I knocked on his door just down from ours and gave it to him, he was stunned that I would be so thoughtful and so grateful. Heck, I was and am grateful for his service. But his reaction made me sure I had made the right decision and given it to him.

George also was very gracious – I had met him before just when he had just had a baby, in 1991, he reminded me. This evening he was wearing a suit – I would not have guessed he would dress up. But he looked downright almost too straight to be creative :-) Honestly, he looked great.

Rafer Johnson was pretty funny too. An inductee with Gen Yeager, his next job was to introduce George Lucas.

 He ad-libbed:”At rehearsal a beautiful blond lady was sitting next to me, where George was supposed to be sitting. And I thought, ‘Well, he is renown for special effects, maybe that is George Lucas.’ George, could you bring her back?

I loved talking with Henry Kaiser’s granddaughter during rehearsal. She said she lived in something, Washington. To my,” Oh!” she said, “Do you know where that is?”

I replied, “Well. I know where Washington is.”

We laughed. She explained: “The Olympia peninsula. It was supposed to be the port for Seattle. They built all those port and ship buildings but it never materialized so the second floors aren’t finished. It became an artists’ community.”

Me: I LOVE that. I’ll have to visit.

She: You know, the kind of place where they don’t care what you wear. Sometimes I wake up and wish that they did care just once. But they don’t.

Now what makes this sort of funnier, is that her outfit was wonderful but almost Pippi Longstocking-ish. So maybe she was edging towards outrageous or “out there” to draw a comment to show someone cares. :-)

I just realized I should have commented – she’s back in the land where we care :-)

We both bemoaned the fact that we used to know how to dress for events such as these…:-)

But that’s what made the evening so luscious – all the different personalities and styles and characters.

We all stood for all the honorees as they walked on stage. Gen Yeager got the biggest cheer, John Madden the third biggest with George Lucas a close second, and Carol Burnett the second biggest. But who’s counting :-)

First Lady Maria Shriver is very personable, with great energy. One of my first encounters with her long ago was at a Hollywood black tie fundraiser show. I gave her my seat. She was pregnant, VERY pregnant. She was surprised and grateful.

Another time, I met her at the Washington, DC Ford Theater show during Clinton’s inauguration festivities.

It was pretty funny when she called us to ask if Gen Yeager would accept the award. (Her people had called a few times before and we hadn’t had a chance to think about it, get some answers, and respond). Being the skeptics with good reason (experience) that we are, I asked,” What does Gen Yeager have to do, give a talk?” (Often awards can be bought or they want you to do a talk because it’s a façade for a fundraiser so basically they are using you to draw the crowd and the money. I only once arranged where Gen Yeager got an award, and a friend accepted for him – the organization didn’t award it only if Gen Yeager showed up for it).

She, being a celebrity herself, understood: No. All he has to do is accept a medallion from my husband.

OK. Just a minute. I went outside to where Chuck was enjoying our view and his handiwork and briefed him.

Gen Y: Oh..kay

I handed him the phone. He pushed it away: You tell her.

Me:  No, you tell her.

Gen Y:  YEAGER!

Maria: OH! OH! I’m actually talking to you. OH.  Well. Oh. I wanted to… and then she went into warp speed like any respectable New Englander and TV journalist who has only a few seconds before “they” cut to commercial.

But Gen Yeager is from WV and they talk deliberately. He almost threw the phone like it was a wiggly animal.

Wonderful!

They enjoyed a nice talk together.

At one point, it was our turn to walk the red carpet.  Lots of autograph seekers to whom I said: Not today. Please go to our website www.chuckyeager.com and it tells you how to get an autograph….Thank you very much!

We stopped at the first media station – Comcast, who was doing a documentary. She asked the usual: How does it feel to be honored tonight.

Ho hum.

I fed her some questions to ask such as what Gen Yeager gave to John Madden and what Gen Yeager says about Carol Burnett.  The interviewer got far more interesting answers. And she thanked me profusely. Smart, perky, attractive girl :-)

I wish I could convey to all reporters especially those starting out: Most people, but especially of Gen Yeager’s generation don’t express their feelings or even analyze them.

But the answers are the same.   I am honored….or….

I did the same as a young interviewer when I didn’t know the subject or didn’t even know what the homework should have been. I was working in Russia. A producer took me aside and had me watch an interview done by a veteran who had experience and had done his homework and then some. What a far more interesting interview! Mine wasn’t bad but depth is far more interesting. And makes it easier for your interviewee.

With the internet, it is much easier than before around 2000. So there are no excuses.

I’ve helped some big name interviewers – most are grateful. One was nasty even though the producer acknowledged the interview would have been deadly dull without me feeding the producer questions who in turn fed them to his “star” interviewer.

The next stops were a few TV and radio stations. Same question: How do you feel about being honored tonight? By the sixth one, I felt bad. I had run out of new pertinent questions myself and I knew we were tiring of the exercise. I threw the last one a few, but he didn’t follow up and he didn’t run the camera when he mentioned Gen Yeager knew his grandfather – they were huntin’ buddies. I would have.  So the on-camera interview was short – It was duty. The interviewer got tongue-tied. And that’s why we like to do press conferences – the questions are the same and get old and tired after the 3rd one – so the 4th, 5th, and 6th interviewers….unless you are paid millions as a trained, eager young actor with lots of time to treat each one like it’s fresh and new and who is looking for his/her next job….so you do the interviewer’s job for him or her.

Gen Yeager did keep telling the media that night his first memory of Carol Burnett, though.

Back in the museum, they took a photo of the 13 honorees in front of their larger than life photos. Danielle Steel and Chuck Yeager graciously held onto the body builder, Joe Weider, between them. Joe is in his 90s and looking pretty good but not too keen on standing too long. He was one of the first to popularize getting in shape and health eating. He was Arnold Schwarzenegger’s sponsor and patron. Gov Schwarzenegger owes his biggest breaks to Joe Weider.

Everyone was very approachable and interesting. I am sorry I didn’t get to speak to Andy Grove, or Rafer Johnson or Fritz Scholder’s sister, or Ms. Kroc’s granddaughter. She did an enthusiastic job of reading the intro for Henry Kaiser, putting a lot of inflection and emotion in it. It was fun.

Our guests did speak to Andy Grove. For more on these honorees, please go to:

http://www.californiamuseum.org/exhibits/halloffame/inductees

Harvey Milk was also honored. His nephew accepted and felt obligated to talk about himself (instead of the honoree) and to tell us he, too was gay. Very serious young man.

He introduced Carol Burnett – as with the other introductions, written by one of First Lady Maria Shriver’s staff. In it he said, Carol Burnett started off in show biz as an Usherette at the Chinese Theater and was fired. He went on to list her many  accomplishments, including being the first female to host a variety show (and extremely successfully) and finished with – when asked where she wanted her Star of the Walk of Fame, well, it was put right on front of the Chinese Theater.

Carol got her medallion, took the podium and said: I was a good usherette.

We all laughed.

She went on to regale us all with more details re that – it was engaging, clever, funny – it was Carol Burnett.

We loved it.

c. GCYI 

 

Peacocks – still there

July 11th, 2010 . Posted in Daily Life with Chuck Yeager, Wildlife | Comments Off on Peacocks – still there

I called my husband to tell him I had arrived safely in West Virginia and that I missed him. He wasn’t home. So I checked the messages. Our neighbors, ever faithful, had invited him to a pizza dinner. Pepperoni pizza. His favorite.

I called them. He had just left. So we chatted a bit till we figured he got home, hung up and I called home.

“Yeager!”

“Yeager, this is Yeager.”

Reminded me of Gen Yeager’s story of his first flight into Charleston after they named the airport Yeager.

“Yeager, this is Yeager.”

It took them some time to catch on. What a thrill for all though.

General Yeager told me the peacocks were still there and none of our neighbors knew from whence they might have come. He fed them some rice feed we had.

Ever practical, he said, they might cr– up a storm and leave a mess but what the hell. That male is BEAUtiful.

Hope they stay.

c. GCYI

Peacocks

July 11th, 2010 . Posted in Daily Life with Chuck Yeager, Wildlife | Comments Off on Peacocks
Tags:

Two peacocks – male and female – were at our back door this morning. They didn’t flee when they saw us. I think they were checking the place out – don’t know where they got the idea it was for sale or available. They are welcome to stay. Beautiful. I called Gen Yeager quietly and said, Look! I hadn’t seen peacocks in eons – and never in our neighborhood.

Gen Y noted they were male & female. I asked how he knew. He said: “The male’s the one with the plummage.” Show off. (I mean the male with the plummage. I mean the peacock. I mean the bird. I’m definitely kidding – I just couldn’t pass up a good joke or two or three.)

They clearly were tame. When we opened the door they moved off slowly so I whistled quietly at them. They ignored the whistle. Gen Yeager made some sounds which brought them back a little.

They walked around the garage and the female came within a yard but I had nothing to feed it and we were heading to the airport to drop me off so couldn’t take the time.

The cat had been whining at me but calmed down when I pet it. It crouched when it saw the peacocks. For a moment we wondered what would happen next. The female peacock turned toward it – in a friendly way but our cat, true to form – it’s why she’s still alive – took off to a safe distance. (Maybe just in front of us – I think at night or when we’re not there, she becomes 100 times her size and frightens off the other animals. I used to hear forocious sounds in the middle of the night – serious cat fights. I’d turn on the light, look out the back door, and there would be our cat lying down, lifting it’s head and calmly looking at me: “What?” )

I hope the peacocks stay. What a menagerie we have at our house.

c. GCYI

The 100 Dollar Hamburger flying

July 10th, 2010 . Posted in Adventures in food, Flying with Chuck Yeager | Comments Off on The 100 Dollar Hamburger flying
Tags: , , , , ,

If you don’t know this book and website, it’s kinda fun – $100 Hamburger. It has broadened my horizons – there’s a GREAT lunch spot near Quincy Airport. And the good part is you have to walk perhaps 1/4 to 1/2 mile so you get exercise too. (If you call ahead the airport people will help – it’s the tourist info place).

The hamburger is expensive even without paying for the fuel to get there. But is sure is good – ground sirloin.

One of my instructors up here told me in May he had only flown 10 hours all winter. Made me feel better – I’d flown a bit more, but not much – and certainly not soloing – the weather had been bad for flying. And our travel schedule keeps us away a bit.

And of course in May, the 3 planes I can fly solo or get lessons in were all down for maintenance at the same time during the good weather!!!!

 I did fly on two junky wind days.  The last time with Gen Yeager.

 It’s funny. Every time I fly with an instructor, on final, they move around to get comfortable with the sight picture of the runway in case they have to take over.

I did only three take-offs and landings. I figured after 3 landings his stress level might be too high. Really it was my stress level!

I mean it felt as there was no lift, no air, nothing, just drop like a stone, several times on final. I’m sure I exaggerate but…

The first landing, he said power just as I put on power and he finished with “That’s a girl!” and we landed about three times…not hard but…the lift, no lift. What happened was I pulled the power back and the wind also quit so we were sinking fast. I put on power and lifted a bit too much. So uncoordinated. I flew and then slowly pulled the power back but also pulled back the stick a touch too much so we went up. I put a little power on and got us on a good sink rate again, but the wind ducked out, so I had to put on power, and we floated. Eventually I was able to coordinate the wind, the stick and the power and we landed smoothly. I was ready to do a go around each time I put some power on but found it wasn’t necessary.

All this time there were gusts from the south – crosswind gusts – hence the extra bit of power.

Chuck reminded me: “Just fly the airplane. Make it go where you want it to.”

I had to roll out to turn around to take off on 2-5. We’re not allowed to take off on 7 (the owner of the Diamond’s rules).

 My take off was much better. The first one, a bit wobbly on the steering – just a bit, but very unusual for me. (It went into maintenance a couple days later so it was not just me).

On my second approach, I called downwind, I called base and then someone said taking the active on 25 to take off. I was landing on 7.  I called final very distinctly. (They hadn’t yet taken the active). Someone else jumped in to chatter about what they were planning on doing on and on. The other fellow repeated he was taking the active 25. I said more distinctly: DO NOT TAKE 2-5. I AM ON FINAL ON 7.

I was ready for a go-around.

He called in: I guess I won’t be taking the active 25. Holding short.

Did a “was I too distracted or distraught” check – decided no and continued on final.

Again, lotta maneuvering but I got it down fine. Not used to the weight of another person, let alone a gusty crosswind, with junky winds and such extreme variations of downdrafts and updrafts. Nothing dangerous unless you weren’t paying attention.

My next one I was even more coordinated and so as we shut down the airplane, Chuck said: “Your last two landings were good.”

I was stuck (pleasantly) on the thought he said they were good. I was really having to maneuver with the junky winds. I have to be reminded that sometimes it is the wind and not me – that causes the mild turbulence :-) Maybe I’m thinking about the turbulence in my head  :-) Esp. after I land: Like: what was THAT?

I still have not had much experience with a steady crosswind.

General Yeager sometimes says I go by the book – such as when he told me to turn on downwind and I said I needed more downwind time to settle down and set up. He’s got the best outlook. The last landing was yesterday’s news – as soon as he completes something , he forgets it, and concentrates on the present. I’m learning.

Anyway, I love flying with General Yeager.

c. GCYI

Touch & go’s

July 9th, 2010 . Posted in Adventures in food, Famous People, Flying with Chuck Yeager | Comments Off on Touch & go’s
Tags: , , , ,

Today we tried our new ice cream making machine again. We did everything the same as the old one except a few changes according to the new machine’s directions.

Not quite as good as the old machine. We sure hope our friend can fix the old machine. Still pretty darn good ice cream though.

This afternoon we went flying.

Hadn’t done much flying as PIC (pilot in control) for 4 mos except one time 3 wks ago where it was too windy for more than one landing.

Today Gen Yeager was in the right seat of the 2 seater nose gear airplane. It wasn’t back from its x-country training flight by 4pm – even tho’ we were told 3pm and had given it an extra hour. So we went up to say hello to Patty Wagstaff & deliver a couple of signed Yeager books to Patty and the firefighters.

Patty said they’d be watching my landings and rating them with plaques.  Oooh. Pressure’s on. Patty is very supportive – she was glad I was going out to practice.

We saw the plane land so headed back to its parking place, used the ladies’ room (always do that before a flight – you never know), grabbed some water and pre-flighted the plane.

The mechanic came out to do something – asked if I minded if he turned on the master. I said no – as long as you rush out here with the battery charger if I can’t get it started due to not enough juice. We laughed. He did have to do that once right after I got my license.

I took mental notes of what I needed to do before I did them. That plane has barely room for one person, let alone two. And it’s hard to get into. But Gen Yeager at 87 managed without much fanfare.

Starting it took a few tries – I followed the checklist – but it was a hot engine so the regular start flooded it. I knew what to do – turned off the fuel primer, turned off the mixture, started the engine and as it caught or tried to, put on the mixture. It worked! Woo hoo!

We each checked our brakes and taxied up to the run-up area. Did run-up and took the active, checked the mixture, and away we went.

Had to leave open the vents on the window – otherwise would have roasted – makes it loud though and I had to concentrate to and did succeed in not being distracted.

Take off was fine. Thought to myself – yikes, now I have to land it. Oh that’s right, I know how to do it.

Made all the calls. Flew fine. Was a little fast on final and perhaps a little fast on flare to compensate for the down draft.

General Yeager did the experience pilot as co-pilot wiggle which I always find hilarious. It’s preparing for taking over – and it’s trying to get comfortable with someone else flying, doing it a little differently than he would. Actually a little differently than normal for me too – I put in a cushion. But I landed fine – just not on the numbers. It was so light it never felt like it was down.

Annnnnnd we were on the go. I thought – one more touch and go, land and we’re good.

The next time around, Gen Yeager said keep the pressure off the nose longer after you land. I did as he suggested.  I still had a few extra knots so after the flare floated a little, not enough to have to power on (couple feet), so waited it out as it sank at a good rate and we landed.

Always funny to take off right after landing – the rhythm is different from a standing start (of course) because your speed is up.

Around again, landed after a float and we went in.

We went up to the Fire station again and Patty wasn’t there. But one of the guys said, “Saw your landings.”

I waited. Smiled. Waited.

He said: “Smooth!”

I like him.

General Yeager said – She was a few knots fast and didn’t land on the numbers but she doesn’t have to. We had to or we didn’t have enough runway.

I told him later that it’s a good challenge for me to land on the numbers – more precise flying.

My challenge today was land and take off safely or vice versa :-). Now I’m ready again to be more precise.

We headed home. And decided we hadn’t had a hot dog on the 4th so were overdue. Stopped at local diner and celebrated with a great hot dog. Gen Y had a polish dog with mustard, onions, relish, and sauerkraut. Delicious.

And then home. Great afternoon!

c. GCYI

Fireworks

July 6th, 2010 . Posted in Adventures in food, Daily Life with Chuck Yeager, Famous People | Comments Off on Fireworks

All weekend we played Mexican train dominoes, teasing each other, laughing, joking. And we did a puzzle. I came in as one got up from the table in disgust – the light blue and white stripes had did her in.

I sat down and immediately pushed them aside – she was right – and worked on other pieces. Have to start getting a feel for the puzzle and then it’s fun. She came back and was stunned at how well we were doing. I pointed out that the stripes were still undone – she had the hard part.

Still I can visualize pieces and see where they fit pretty well I guess – the others were stunned.

When we were taking our 15 pieces – one had been mixing the dominoes up face down. At one point, oddly a group was a bit separated from the pack. I turned to the gal across from me and said there are your 15 pieces.

They all counted & looked at me stunned – that I could see the correct number so quickly. Taking in a visualization so quickly.

Me (not kidding): What – can’t you all do that?

Apparently not. Wonder how I can put that talent to even more productive use?

Early July 4 morning – I went for a long hike on Venice Island and the guys went frogging – jigging away. We ate the fruits of their labor for lunch – gourmet frogs’ legs. Tastes like chicken. :-)

Early evening, we did a boat tour 1000s of boats, although not as many as last year, due to the economy.

We stopped at the barge from which the fireworks would be launched. They each, all law enforcement, thanked me for bringing Gen Yeager on the boat to say hello. They truly honor him.
 

 We watched the gauntlet – a channel through a group of boats which would hose you down with water! We had already all taken our showers for dinner so bypassed it.

A new member had the motto: Please like me, I’m trying so hard. One of the ironies of life. If he stopped trying so hard, we might like him more easily!  :-)

I asked how his wife and he had met. “In college” was the answer.

I asked, “Were you a frat boy?”
Him: No, I’ve only had this weight for about 5 years.

As I looked confused, his wife said to him: She said “FRAT boy’, NOT “fat boy”!
I guess he was a little self-conscious :-) (I can’t imagine asking someone if they were “a fat boy”.)

But he brought caviar so he was certainly pretty okay in my book!

We sure enjoyed the fireworks that night at Venice Island. Great fireworks with great patriotic music. Gen Yeager and I watched the fireworks in a couple of chairs on the lawn just outside our room. Lotsa ooh aahs. And then the finale. Wow. Great weekend!

c. GCYI

Landing in Nevada

May 31st, 2010 . Posted in Daily Life with Chuck Yeager, Flying with Chuck Yeager, Traveling | Comments Off on Landing in Nevada
Tags:

Today, General Yeager and I wended our way home. We took off, and climbed more slowly than ever. And were blown north. We figured without correction, we’d end up in Portland, OR.

We got to the south side of Tahoe and the other side was socked in. Gen Yeager said, Don’t worry. See Tahoe City? We’ll fly there – the top of the peaks around it are less than 9000 where we are.

We decided we could probably stay with our friend Ann, who lives in Truckee.

So we flew to Tahoe City and thru the pass to Truckee. With Truckee airport in sight, we decided to see how far we could get up I-80. Gen Yeager said we can drop down a little over I-80.

The farther we went, the better the visability – altho there was a thin cloud cover much higher. It was fun – we flew over Bowman, flew along a water canal – to an electricity generator.

Hadn’t flown this low before. Pretty.

We got to the airport – Nevada County – viewed the windsock and decided to land on 7. I did the radio calls. Seven is down draft city. And we had our share on final and then on landing – sinking too quickly, General Yeager put on some power -just the right amount – and we flew along till the wind quit throwing our wings around and greased it on. Wow. Such calm.

When I went into the airport office, L asked how was our landing. I said fine. Then I thought & asked: Why? Did you see it?

L: Yeah – your wings were all over the place.

Me: Yeah – I learned a lot about calmly flying your aircraft. Because Chuck ultimately greased it on.

We smiled. Happy Memorial Day!

c. GCYI

Newer Entries »