Spectacular sunrise

Early morning sunrise and reflections on the Halifax River

ORMOND BEACH, FL - - Yes, we've returned home to OB.  Our time in West End, NC was cool...literally, according to the thermometer.  So, why return??  Well, Oct. - Nov. are doctor visit months as are Feb., Mar. and Apr. And if you're heading for your 78th birthday in Dec. then you want to make sure that the parts you have left are functioning...like having the oil in  your car changed; the tires rotated and a tune up.
 

Time to stop and smell the roses

 In this 2004 pic an elk, with a great pair of antlers, stops to smell (or munch) wild roses near Jasper in Alberta, Canada.

A look back..76 years ago today (10/6)

WEST END, NC - -  It started out as a trip to a BBQ we'd not been to before.  And ended up as a look back at two military heroes of Moore County, NC.   James Rodgers McConnell died 103 years in World War I.  Robert "Hoyle" Upchurch 'vanished' 76 years ago on Oct. 6, 1944 in WW II.

     The Pic 'N' Pig BBQ sits right alongside the 2,500' runway of the private Gilliam-McConnell Airfield.  If you want to watch small planes take off within touching distance, this is the place.  But what really caught my imagination was the memorial to the fallen airmen mentioned above

     McConnell was a member of the famous "Flying Tigers" who flew sorties in China to fight Japanese Air Force.  He crashed while over mountainous terrain on a mission.  His remains were recovered in by locals and, although the Chinese could not identify him, they gave him a heroes burial.  They honored the pilot on the anniversary of his death each year.

     He was identified 60 years later (through DNA)  by individuals searching for remains of American individuals listed as 'missing in action.'  He is now buried in High Falls, NC.

     Flying for France.  James Rodgers McConnell, was a native of Carthage and where the airfield (in part) bears his name.  He joined the French forces (before US involvement) and hoped to fly. Instead he started out driving an ambulance and ended up being awarded the  "Croix de Guerre" for bravery.

     Soon after, he and 6 other airmen, became founding members of the Lafayette Escadrille.  This squadron of American pilots flew for France against the axis forces.  He died in battle with German aircraft on March 19, 1917.

     The top mural  depicts McConnell in a military pose with his biplane.  The bottom mural depicts aerial action.  The winged statue, on the University of Virginia campus,  is  tribute to McConnell as the first UVA alumni to die in WWI.  

     Of note is the sculptor of the piece...Gutzon Borglum, who went on to  create the monument on Stone Mountain (GA) and spend a good part of his life designing/sculpting Mt. Rushmore.

    

     

People will collect anything...and Santa goes foer a train ride

WEST END, NC
 

Persimmons, anyone?? plus NC humor

Fresh persimmon fruit, right near our front door

Light, shadow and sunken wood beams

 

WEST END, NC - - Sometimes photo ops present themselves, but don't always fit into a theme.  In that case,  why not toss them altogether?  This is especially true when there are signs involved such as below

If it's concealed how do you know...??

Everyday can be a cupcake day

The 'Roast Office' happens to be close by

It's time to decorate for Fall

WEST END, NC - - Less than a mile from where we are staying is this farm stand with everything you need to decorate your home ...inside and out..for autumn and Halloween. And that includes fruits and veggies plus jams and jellies.  And did I mention the large selection of lawn statues.

 
 

Builld it yourself...from scratch

 A lot of do-it-yourself builders buy a kit and put the pre-made pieces together.  Then, there are the folks who obtain a set of plans; buy everything needed and then put the project together.  If you end up with things leftover...no real problem.  Unless it's an airplane you're building.  Then, comes the real test .. will it fly..because, if it doesn't you may end up as bug-splatter.

    

This experimental open-cockpit replica looked pretty nifty in the air and on the ground.  Unfortunately, I didn't meet the builder / pilot.

     A bit of research by a good friend found BowersFlyBaby.com.  The bare-bones info states that the design is from  1960 and describes it as: "a single seat, open cockpit, folding wing mono plane powered by engines ranging from 65 to 100 hp."