Category: Fun

Joining the ranks of the recently retired may seem like a simple concept to some.  With all of that newly found freedom, you just get up when you want and go do whatever you want, right? For the first few weeks, doing “whatever you want” could mean “doing nothing”. I tried that for about one week and realized that staying happy, active, and connected in retirement requires a plan.  Now that a lifetime of being driven by whatever was required for work and career is no longer a factor, some of that energy and creativity that was necessary for my livelihood needs to be brought to bear on “what’s next” or else my days will be spent in contact only with spouse, the TV, and maybe the mailman. I’m still working out the plan but realizing that I needed one is a great first step.  Fortunately, we’re able to travel, and that will be a large part of the plan for a while, but what fills the gap between trips is still a question that has not yet been fully answered.  We’ll explore the options in the weeks to come, so stay with us as we Ease Along.

There is one activity, however, that I didn’t have to add to the plan just to fill a void created by retirement. Sports, including football, have always been part of the plan. I’ve consistently held on to the belief that following sports is the one human endeavor whereby a person can devote complete and total passion with no consequence, and following University of Tennessee football is something about which I am unapologetically passionate. I have been a devoted Tennessee Volunteer fan for as long as I can remember, beginning around age 6 when a gifted athlete named Johnny Majors was dashing out of my Dad’s radio and running wild through our small living room.  I attended my first game at Shields-Watkins Field at around age 8.  It was cold, but I didn’t care.  Tennessee beat North Carolina 30 – 0 and I was happy. In my high school years, I sold programs in order to get into the games. In my college days, I would stay up nights to be the first in line to get student tickets the next morning. I served meals in Gibbs Hall (athletic dormitory) just to be closer to the program.

I’m not one of those with my hair dyed Orange and White, but I have stickers on my cars, souvenir mugs in my cabinets, and past schedules on my garage walls. With only one exception, every cat that has ever lived in my household has been orange and white. Thankfully, this is one activity that was part of the plan long before the plan was simply something to do later. Nevertheless, while the activity hasn’t changed, the act of watching it has changed a lot since I was introduced to it.  Ease Along with me here…

After I was released from active duty with the Army in 1976 and returned home to Knoxville, I was reading the local paper and came upon an advertisement announcing the opening of a section of seats in the newly constructed upper deck of Neyland Stadium.  The ad was seeking applicants for season tickets in new seats added to the south end zone.  The total price for the tickets also included a $25 fee for each season ticket requested. I don’t remember the price of the tickets, but I also have no clue where the money came from ‘cuz I didn’t have any.  Nevertheless, I filled out the form that accompanied the ad, cobbled together the money I got from somewhere and sent it in along with a note from me asking for seats as low in the upper deck as possible.

After a few months, I received my new tickets in the mail.  I went Big Orange Crazy with excitement when I saw that we had been issued tickets for Section JJ, Row 1, seats 7 and 8.  To say I was elated is a gross understatement. This is my 39th year in those seats.

The first season in those seats was not the best in terms of football.  The team went 6-5 and it was the last season for Coach Battle, a good man. Nevertheless, we had one helluva good time in Section JJ in spite of the record.  First and foremost, the seats were awesome.  We were sitting in the first row of the upper deck. There are two rows of box seats in front of us, but the aisle for those two rows are directly in front of seats 7 and 8 so we have an obstructed view of the playing field.

 

 

Second, but equally important, the people sitting around us in that first year, and for several seasons thereafter, were just a large amount of fun. Except for my lifelong friend, Rob, who sat two rows behind us, I knew every other fan only by their first name or by a nickname we made up.  Immediately behind us sat four miners from somewhere in Middle Tennessee. We gave them the nickname “Benny and the Miners”.  There were Benny and his nameless brother, plus another nameless guy who was raucous and rowdy, and “Dawg”, who always came well lubricated. These guys were true fans who loved their team as much as anybody and celebrated every positive play with another shot from the flask.  During one victory over Alabama, Helen got a Jack and Coke shower with every pass completion. After a few seasons, Dawg got married and his new bride took the seat of one of the nameless guys, and Benny and the Miners calmed down a bit. I hated that, but I didn’t have to carry a poncho for Helen anymore. I haven’t seen them in years.

About four seats to our left sat a fellow everybody called “Red” due to the color of his hair.  The nickname turned out to be prophetic because after every incompletion, fumble, or officiating call, not in our favor, Red would go into a rant until the color of his face matched the color of his hair. We love Red for his passion and his loyalty.

Behind Red sat a guy I named “Socks”. Socks, a big guy who arrived early for every game, always wore Bermuda cargo shorts regardless of the temperature. Those shorts were held up by a multi-colored pair of suspenders with numerous pins and buttons attached to them.  My favorite was a button that read “Kiss Me, I’m Stupid!”. Socks was so named because of a pair of white knee socks with vertical Orange letters spelling out Tennessee from his knees to his ankles. He wore them to every game. You can’t have enough fans like Socks.

Over the years there have been many others who came and went or, came and stayed. There were Tina and Terry from Nashville.  Terry knew a lot about football and I consulted him often about strategy.  Tina hated Gators with a ferocity unequaled by anyone. They moved on. There was also a guy who had one of the box seats to our front (nickname “Slapper”)who stood up the entire game, and high fived everyone in sight when Tennessee scored. He moved on as well, but I was in Los Angeles for a game with UCLA a few years ago and, seated about five rows in front of me was none other than Slapper.  He now was fist bumping instead of giving the high five, so I changed his name to “Bumper”.

In addition to the ebb and flow of the great fans surrounding us over the years, Neyland Stadium has undergone a transition as well.

The first big change was the addition of Skyboxes where small groups of fans with lots of money can sit in comfy, air conditioned seats behind a glass window and watch the game on TV screens. I have seen only one game from a Skybox and found it a little stifling. I had rather be with Benny and the Miners.

Next came the Jumbotron, a gigantic TV screen that features replays and various shots from around the stadium.  I like the Jumbotron even though I have to turn around to see it from where we sit.  That’s probably a good thing, otherwise, I might watch it all of the time rather than the action on the field.

 

The stadium got a facelift to include a brick front.  It looks great, but the old one looked fine. Inside one of the gates, a giant size statue of General Neyland was built in recognition of the contribution he made to the tradition that is Tennessee football. General Neyland might not have approved, he was a modest no-nonsense guy, but I’m glad they did it.

 

There have been many other changes in 39 years.  The food is better (but more expensive). The Athletic Department added Club seats and the Terrace for fans who also have a lot of money but preferred to stay outside.  They have great food in their section and TV’s to watch while they eat.

There have been a couple of changes over the years that I don’t think have been good.

There once was a tradition that began in the 60’s of having a Tennessee Walking Horse prance around the field before every game.  I loved it.  The horse always held his head high and seemed so proud to be there. I thought it was a marvelous way to salute the State of Tennessee.  The regular appearance was discontinued sometime in the 80’s and now we get to see our Walking Horse at homecoming only.  I miss this tradition a lot.

There is one other situation that leaves me scratching my head.  With the advent of cell phones, I am amazed at how much time the fans around me spend staring at them. They are forever texting, snapping selfies, or reading emails, instead of cheering on the team.  I hate this.  The Pride of The Southland Band is as good as always, if not better, but no one pays any attention to their performances anymore because they can’t tear themselves away from their precious cell phone.  Sad!

If I were suddenly made the Sultan of Big Orange Country, there is a change I would make on day one.  I have always felt that we don’t do enough at football games to promote the country and bluegrass music that Tennessee and our region is famous for.  I would LOVE to see country music stars, joined by talented student musicians and our beautiful dance team girls, put on a show for our fans somewhere outside the stadium before every home game.   Think about what that would do to impress the visitors who travel from all over the world to the games.  Think about what it would do for recruiting. ESPN would be here every week. Maybe it will happen someday.

After a lifetime of devotion and 39 years in the same seats, is it reasonable to think that this activity will end just because retirement has freed me up to do other things? No way! I’d be less than honest if I said I hadn’t considered it.  With TV timeouts and play reviews, the games are much longer now.  Night games sometimes end close to midnight. Parking is complicated. A flat-screen HD TV and a cozy fire in the fireplace is a temptation hard to resist…but I can.

No…I’ve thought about it, but I’ll be there. Red is a little grayer and a little calmer now, but he’ll be there as always. I can count on Socks too–he never misses.  After about twenty seasons, his white socks must have evaporated so he replaced them with an Orange and White checkerboard pair (Bermuda shorts to match) and still gets there before most of us. Most of the old guys are gone, so the Vols need the three of us to lead the fight in Section JJ.

I think of myself as a true team player…an old quarterback who can still grip the ball, but, in reality, I think the old ball has gripped me…

I’ll be Easin’ Along.  Bowl practice starts next week.

 

 

 

As all of us in the fraternity of Senior Citizens are aware, growing older does come with a few benefits…like discounts.  I vividly remember the time I went to McDonalds to order my first “Senior Coffee”.  I waited until no one but the clerk was within hearing distance, then muttered somewhat bashfully, “Uh, senior coffee, please…”. The young man, probably around seventeen, replied loudly enough to make the other senior patrons adjust their hearing aids, “ONE SENIOR COFFEE…HERE OR TO GO!?!”.  “Uh, to…go”, I whispered while looking around, somewhat shaken that my cover had been blown.  At that moment I was probably not fully aware that I had just passed through a lovely gateway into the very fertile land of senior discounts.  I took my coffee and hustled back to the car.

Over time, I became comfortable with discounts and accepted that they were one of many benefits available upon reaching another milepost in my journey forward.  Soon, I was in Publix on Wednesdays, Waffle House on Monday, and having my hair cut at Great Clips, all because I was now a member of a very exclusive group as one of the Oldies. I have a three-page list of senior discounts I received in an email once and use regularly.  I still haven’t made it to Massage Envy for the “Happy Ending” package, but I will (20% off).

On our recent trip up the East Coast, we discovered another benefit in the Oldie but Goodie box that did much to confirm our conviction that a big part of Slow Walking through the Golden Years is all about having fun.  Obtaining a National Park Senior Pass is a great way to add to that fun and, in addition, make it a little less expensive.

The Senior Pass Program has to be obtained in person.  It cannot be purchased by mail or online, but rather at a federal area where an entrance fee is charged, such as an office of the National Park Service or other entity like the National Forest Service.

Ours was purchased through a delightful experience on our recent trip.  We had made our way to the Wright Brothers Memorial at Kitty Hawk, NC (see previous post) and arrived at the gate to pay for our parking.  A pleasant young Park Ranger, “Smokey Bear” hat and all, took one look at me, and easily guessed my age as no less than 62. The Ranger asked if we had a National Park Senior Pass to which we replied that we did not.  Bearing a broad smile, he explained that we could either purchase tickets for the Memorial at $4 per person, or we could purchase one Senior Pass for $10 that would give the holder free access to any National Park, where a fee is charged, for a lifetime. Smiling once again he cautioned, this is providing of course, that the purchaser is 62 years old. I smiled back…this guy is good! The Ranger went on to tell us that one pass is sufficient because the pass holder may also bring three other adults, not necessarily seniors, into the parks for free. All he needed was a driver’s license (and $10) and we were set.  We were all in!

After we paid up, we were instructed to park and go to the customer service desk in the Museum and obtain a booklet called a Passport. The Passport is a guidebook to all of the National Parks in the country.  It is organized by region, with a listing of the parks in each state in that region, and pinpointed by a number on a map showing the (approximate) location of each park. The Passport also has pages for colored stamps which are printed each year featuring different parks making them fun to collect. There is a charge for the stamps and the funds help with maintenance and service of the parks.

In addition to pages for stamps in the Passports, there are also pages for ink stamp cancellations that can be collected at each park that has a cancellation station.  All of the parks we visited on our journey had a cancellation station and we made a point of obtaining a cancellation at every one of them. The cancellations bear the date of the visit and can be very helpful to a senior citizen trying to recall anything prior to yesterday (’nuff said). Collecting cancellations just add to the fun of a National Park visit.

One other bit of information was also shared with us when we picked up our Passports. The Senior Pass allows for a discount of up to 50% off of federal use fees that are charged for campgrounds, tours, boat launches, or parking. This is one sweet deal for us old “silver foxes”!

 

 

 

 

 

 

We had a wonderful day at the Wright Brothers Memorial and at four other National Parks and National Historic Sites as well.  These included the First Federal Lighthouse at Cape Henry, Virginia, The Cape Cod National Seashore, The Home of President Franklin Roosevelt, and Val-Kill, the home of Eleanor Roosevelt, all covered in earlier postings of Easin’ Along and available under the Fun tab on our home page.

These National Parks and the other 396 that make up the National Park system are gifts to ourselves and to the world.  At each one we visited, there were groups of tourists from many different countries there to see what we as Americans have preserved for the beauty and the history that these treasured sites represent. Buying a pass is a great way not only to see them but help to preserve them for future generations.

I may have been a little bashful about ordering a “Senior Coffee”, but you can bet I’ll brag about buying a National Park Senior Pass.

By the way, if you would like a copy of the Senior Discount List, send me your email address in the comments section below and I will send you a copy. 

Time for some Slow Walking so I’ll be Easin’ Along…have a great day!

 

 

 

 

In the interest of full disclosure, I am an Army veteran with 24 years of service, most of that as a reserve officer, and, as a result, have a deep and abiding interest in ALL things military.

In planning a trip to the northeastern portion of the U.S. we agreed that a trip through the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis was a must-see since Helen’s father graduated there in 1947 and went on to serve as an officer in the Marine Corps.

As for me, I had to see the United States Military Academy at West Point.  As a young Army officer stationed in Berlin, I served as the junior aide-de-camp to General Sam S. Walker, United States Commander of Berlin, who was born at West Point and later was the Commandant of Cadets there as a Brigadier General.  I had great respect for General Walker and wanted to see the place that had a significant and overwhelmingly positive role in forming the character and principles that guided an outstanding military leader.

An added bonus for us on our trip was the opportunity to visit the United States Coast Guard Academy in New London, CT.  Although our visit there was during a period of little activity on campus, the campus itself is lovely and our time in New London was equally as pleasant.

USNA, Annapolis, MD

On our arrival in Annapolis we were once again greeted by beautiful weather. Annapolis is a lovely waterfront town, and we had much exploring to do, but we had been told not to miss the formation of Midshipmen which was held every day at noon when the students are campus.  It was nearing 11:30 when we arrived and presented ID’s at the gate.  The gate guard told us that parking would be tight and he was right. We drove around for several minutes and finally located a parking meter where parking was only allowed for 30 minutes.  We knew we needed more time than that, but we pulled in and hoped for the best.

Not having a clue as to where to go, and knowing we were pressed for time, we spotted  groups of people walking with a degree of purpose toward the center of campus.  We soon caught up with a small group giving a tour to some prospective Midshipmen who told us to follow them to the formation in front of Bancroft Hall.

We passed by a row of charming and stately homes which served as quarters for staff leaders and department heads.  Being early in the school year, there was a lot of activity around the homes as people were getting prepared for fall activities and Flags and “Go Navy” signs were being hung on poles and porch rails.  We snapped a few pictures and headed on to Bancroft Hall.

The Campus of the Naval Academy is both quiet and beautiful.  The grounds on which we walked were covered by the canopy of a large number monstrous oak trees providing shade for the students who walked under them.  The grass and shrubs were neatly trimmed and there were flowers out in abundance. All in all, the campus took on the feel of orderly calmness.

We joined the small crowd in front of Bancroft Hall at around 11:55am.  There were gentlemen in jackets and ties there, presumably escorting dignitaries and VIPs visiting the campus.  There were one or two groups of parents and high school age men and women being led on a tour by very attentive tour guides answering questions non-stop.

There were approximately 4400 Midshipmen standing in formation on the right and left side of the brick terrace in front of Bancroft Hall.  At approximately 12:05 a detail composed of 10 Midshipmen carrying the US Flag and three other flags marched through the front portico of Bancroft Hall and walked in step down to the first landing and stood 12 steps above their fellow Midshipmen. Their leader was a female Midshipman bearing a sabre at her side. She lifted the sabre with precision and with authority in her voice, called for reports from the student commanders down the chain. Each commander reported with equally impressive authority. With all Midshipmen being accounted for, the Commander again lifted her sabre and passed the command for all to be marched into the dining hall for a 20 minute lunch.  (See video on Easin’ Along YouTube page – click here then scroll for USNA video)

USMA, West Point, NY

We arrived at the campus of the United States Military Academy late in the afternoon of a lovely late summer day.  We checked into the Five Star Inn which is an Army hotel located just outside the back gate at West Point and is actually in the city of Highland Falls, NY.  The Five Star Inn is a converted dormitory formerly belonging to Ladycliff College, a Catholic institution that closed in 1980. During my time as an active duty officer, I served with several graduates of the USMA who had married alumnae of Ladycliff, so I was familiar with the college, but I was not aware that it had closed. I was glad that the dormitory had been put to such good use, but I found myself wishing “If only these walls could talk”!

Arriving late meant that there wasn’t much activity on campus, but we decided to take a short drive around then find someplace for dinner. Driving around, it soon was apparent that the USMA is much larger than I envisioned.  Although I’m not certain about this, it seemed larger than the Naval Academy both in land mass and in the size and number of buildings.  I will try to verify this and post an update if I do. Nevertheless, we decided to book a bus tour of the campus to get a better idea of what we were driving by as dark approached.

We returned to the South Gate and Highland Falls where we parked in front of a small pub advertised as South Gate Tavern.  We entered, sat at the bar joining about five or six patrons watching a sports event on TV. We were greeted by Emen, the Tavernkeeper and owner.  Emen told us that the tavern had been in existence since the 1920’s and served great Italian food prepared by an Italian lady in the kitchen only after receiving our order.

He was right…it was delicious. Upon the recommendation of a gentleman seated next to us, we each ordered Stromboli. Helen (adorable wife) chose a spinach and artichoke and I went for the meat–pepperoni and ham. Once the orders were in we got into a lively conversation with several gentlemen at the bar who seemed to take an interest in us once they learned that we had traveled all the way from Tennessee. There was nothing specific in the conversation, but I think they just wanted to hear Helen’s southern accent. We had a grand time, and when we left, everyone in the bar shook our hands and invited us to come back. Oh, the Stromboli…it took a while to prepare since it was freshly made, but it was wonderful.  Helen said it was the best meal of the trip.  The Marinara sauce was heavenly. We waddled back to our car with our doggie bag of leftovers.

The next day we were up early and drove to Hyde Park, NY to the FDR Presidential Library.  Please see and earlier post on Easin’ Along about that very educational experience.

We planned to take a campus bus tour on the third day of our visit and I was at the Visitor Center early that morning to purchase tickets.  Prior to opening the ticket window, a lady announced that tickets could not be purchased for anyone not present at the time of purchase.  This was a problem.  Helen was still in the Five Star Inn.  Luckily, I was able to get her on the phone, and, to her credit, she hustled over to the Visitor Center just as ticket sales began.

The one hour bus tour was well done and our tour guide did a splendid job of pointing out the history and the highlights of the campus.  Our first stop was the cadet chapel, a stunningly beautiful structure that featured the largest pipe organ in America.  She pointed out the candle in the center of one section of pews that burned constantly in honor of all soldiers missing from all conflicts in the country’s history.  The crowd grew quiet upon hearing this.

We continued through campus passing the homes for the USMA staff, the library, the athletic fields, and finally arriving at the parade field and then Trophy Point. There was a class on the parade field in PT uniforms taking a PT test which required them to carry some weights from a starting point to a finish line about 100 yards away.  I envied both their strength and their youth.

 

Trophy Point is a scenic point overlooking the Hudson River and features Battle Monument, the largest granite structure in the Western Hemisphere, standing 46 feet tall and five feet in diameter. Battle monument was constructed in 1897. Around Battle Monument are several cannons bearing the names of over 2,000 union soldiers who fought in the Civil War. Trophy Point is an impressive site and on this exquisite day, the view of the Hudson River and the river valley was breathtakingly beautiful.

As we were returning to our bus for the trip back to the Visitor Center, I noticed a group of cadets seated on the ground several hundred yards away.  Evidently their instructor didn’t want to confine his students to the classroom on this bluebird day and allowed them outside to hear his lecture.  My kind of instructor indeed.

We departed West Point feeling good about our country.

USCGA, New London, CT

Having planned to visit the USNA and the USMA, and scheduling a stop in New London, CT, a visit to the United States Coast Guard Academy was a no-brainer. Unfortunately, we had several activities planned for the day, so we only had time to drive through the campus and get a feel for it. In the end, we regretted our planning, because the campus is impressive and we should have allowed ourselves more time to explore.

I have posted a few pictures taken of both the campus and of New London to illustrate the beauty of the area and say that we both would love to return for another visit.

 

 

 

 

While in New London, we took a ferry to Orient Point on Long Island, NY for a drive to the Hamptons.  This is a trip I would recommend to anyone.  The ferry ride is a great way to view the coastline, and the homes, the farms, and the small towns on Long Island made for a very pleasant journey to a part of the country that neither of us had visited previously.  Please see the picture gallery of these three memorable visits that follows this posting.