It’s very rare that Chris and I travel independently these days. But once we got to Eugene our paths would diverge for a few days.
You may recall that my father’s submarine veterans organization honored him by naming the 23′ model submarine (caution, that post may cause tears) they were building as a parade float after him. My father was very involved at a local and national level with submarine veterans, and he was deeply honored by this project.
In fact, he passed within hours of the naming ceremony that we live video streamed to his hospice bed. This was the moment that he chose as his time.
I made him a promise that I would do everything I could to make it back for the official commissioning and launch of the submarine in its debut parade.
Planning around Jello
The construction went a little slower than anticipated, and that debut was recently scheduled for ‘a parade in November’. My mother assumed it would be Melbourne Veteran’s Day parade on November 11, so we started thinking through logistics of how we’d fly back out to Florida when we had no clue what city we would be nearby or when.
After all, we’re routing entirely by serendipity for the next few months.
At that point, we had vague caravanning intentions down to the southwest with our buddies Nina & Paul. They offered to happily keep Kiki company for us and watch over the bus while we made the trip.
We had it almost all figured out where two RVers would end up so I could book flights, when in a surprise turn of events – the ‘November parade’ the submarine would be debuting in was actually a Founder’s Day Parade in the nearby town of Satellite Beach… on November 1st.
Ok, toss all that planning out the window!
Given that Nina and Paul already had an appointment with their RV repair shop near Eugene, OR – we decided it would be best for just me to fly out of Eugene, and then I’d meet back up with the caravan in Reno a few days later. This would help avoid some potential winter weather encounters by trying to extend our stay in Oregon any longer and kept our movement on track while I was away.
While we have done some solo travel before, this would be the first time with both of us in motion doing our own thing and meeting back up in a different town. And the first time Chris would be repositioning solo since I joined him on the road 8 years ago.
To Florida I Go!
Last Thursday Chris dropped me off at the Eugene airport, and my mother picked me up in Florida a half a day later.
The submarine vets further honored us by inviting my mother and I to ride behind the float in a convertible! We would also be pelting… err.. tossing… candy to parade onlookers. We had been practicing our queen’s wave too.
While the parade was a small town parade, it was so worth making the effort to attend. Seeing my father’s legacy make its debut was such an honor – and I know he was smiling down on us all with pride.
I’d be lying if I said there weren’t a few tears shed.
Very touching, and I’m so very thankful to all the folks involved with building this amazing model and dedicating their hard work to a man so special. The model is operational with spinning props, a klaxon ‘ooga’ horn and steam effects. A lot of effort and love went into building it, and I hope it makes many parade appearances!
I stuck around Melbourne for a few days of quality mother-daughter time – something one just can’t get enough of. We had a lot of great adventures and lovely memories made.
While I love my mobile lifestyle and the quality time with people it affords us, I so miss not being always near the ones I love too.
On my last day in town, we took advantage of the Kennedy Space Center’s resident special of admission for just $15 with canned food donations. The new Space Shuttle Atlantis display is now open, and I was itching to see it. Having lived on the Space Coast of Florida for many years before hitting the road, the shuttle program is near and dear.
The display is very well done – you watch a video on a big screen.. and then they open up the doors behind the screen. And there she is.. flying right at you! After you get over the overwhelm of ‘this is the real deal!’ – you can walk around and see the vehicle from all sorts of angles, and it’s just amazing to be so close to something so amazing.
My geek heart was touched.
And then I boarded an air shuttle of my own back to the west coast – greeted by Chris at the Reno airport after his 500 mile solo drive (caravanning with Nina & Paul – who just blogged about the trip) from Eugene over the past few days.
It’s been super fun catching each other up on our independent adventures, as we usually are sharing them together!
Chris will follow up with the exciting stuff he was up to. After all, I did leave him at a premier RV solar installation shop in the country with a credit card.
Wow, this makes the 3rd vehicle we have in common. You may not believe it but, we are involved with a two to three person submarine also! The first of it’s kind. Thanks go out to your Dad’s memory and your Mom’s continuation in life for and with him!
Great sub!
Very cool beans. Great tribute.
Great that you were able to make the trip work out so well after a date change on short notice.
Interesting, we had one of those ‘split up and reconnect down the road somewhere’ events too. Ours was an emergency med event back in July of 2013. Fast dancing and touch and go. Hope we don’t have to do it that way again.
Keep the great info coming, you guys are super.
Ahhhhhh-OOOOOOH-Gahhhhh!! Emergency Blow! [I was underwater with this post, Cherie!] And, YES! I did weep nearly a year ago over the prior post!
What a wonderful and appropriate tribute for your dad!! From the photos, you are DEFINITELY your Daddy’s Daughter! I do miss Central Florida sometimes… Especially since we’re going to be bumpin’ booty with temps in the TWENTIES before the week’s out!
So… What did the masculine DO with all that credit card POWER?!? [Urrrgh! Urrrgh! Urrrgh! …Think Tim Taylor and “…more POWER!”]
ETA: Did he also let the Kiki stay up late and eat junk food? Jus’ wonderin’. 😉
Very nice post. Submariners are of a special breed. You are so lucky to have your Mother to spend time with. Your web site has grown and at the same time has managed to keep its friendliness and authenticity.
Awww.. thank you. Comments like yours touch our hearts, and keep us inspired to keep sharing and keeping it real.
I like your blog, but I find the logo covers too much of the content. Is there a way to make it not so intrusive?
Jerry Arnold
Portland Oregon
I’m really not sure what you’re referring to.. what are you viewing on? It’s responsive on smartphones (and super small). And if you scroll down a screen, the logo scrolls off the screen. And it doesn’t cover any content at all. At least not on any of the major browsers we’ve tested on.
Awwww that is so sweet and am so glad you were able to go back and participate in that special event with your Mom. I am sure it meant the world to her and that your Dad was watching over you both. Small town parades are the BEST! Glad your trip was a good one.
Thanks.. it really was a special trip.
Nice piece on your father and very interesting. My father who we lost in 2012 he was 92 was a Mechanical engineer at Mare Island California near Vallejo during the war. Dad designed Many of the Submarines and submarine parts during the war. He wanted to serve in the Navy but when he went to sign up they put him at Mare Island instead because of his back-round.
Thank you for sharing your story and your fathers service to the country.
Dave & Doreen Walker
My father had many stories of being at Mare Island during retrofits.. it’s possible our dads crossed paths! Thank you for sharing a bit about your father too.
When I was the Library Director in Arkansas we (the library) partook in many small town parades and “Founders Day” events…nothing like a small town parade. In addition to candy, which we tossed out each year, for a number of years we also tossed library Frisbees, which the kids just enjoyed, from the roof of the bookmobile. Thank you for your dad’s service to our nation. –Dave (GoingRvWay.com)
Will the submarine be on public view between when not in a parade?
I believe it might eventually end up in a museum in Merritt Island.. I’m not sure of the details, or if that’s still the case.
Hi Cherie,
I find it so interesting–my dad was a life time submariner also! I wonder if the name Cherie is somehow associated with people who devote their lives to submarines (smile). Congratulation on the honor for your father!
Cherie
Now that is an amazing coincidence! One thing is for sure… great men have great daughters, and chose fabulous names 🙂
Will they have the sub in the Melbourne Veterans Day parade as well? Would love to see it and support the veterans, even if they are Navy!
Yes indeed… the submarine will be in the November 11th Melbourne parade as well, and my mom will be riding in the convertible behind it. Maybe she’ll toss a tootsie roll to ya 🙂
what a wonderful tribute to your father…
Indeed it was, and will continue to be. Thank you for taking a moment to stop by and comment.. much appreciated!
Didn’t have to reread the other post to find a few tears 🙂 A really wonderful and fun tribute to your dad – to be shared with lots of folks for years to come. I look forward to seeing the Shuttle when we get to that coast – it has to make one goose-bumply when they pull back the screen! Wonderful to have mother-daughter time, and to know that Chris and Kiki were well chaperoned in your absence. Hope Hwy 395 is showing you her good side!
You’ll love the shuttle display… goose-bumbly (hah, love that phrase) is exactly the right way to describe it!
Choke. Tear. Cool.
Yup, it’s just one of things that you can’t help but choke up and smile at the same time. Thanks for taking a moment to share in the emotion with us.
Small town or not, that sure looked like quite a tremendous honor to experience. What love those vets must have had for your dad (and for you and your mom now too!).
It really was a very special tribute.