May 19th, Saturday – Finishing Up

Before we get into a thing about our day, even before we get into the rest of our trip to the Cole Transportation Museum, a reminder for all of us to continue to lift up in prayer the victims, their families and all involved days ago both in the horrific school shooting in Texas; and, the equally horrifying school bus crash that occurred the same day in New Jersey.  So many lives impacted, so many lives forever changed, so many promising lives lost forever.  When will we as a nation have the courage to stand up and take whatever action is necessary to ensure that these senseless acts of violence never occur in our schools again?

Moving on, like so many other days before today, started off in slow-mo since we had nowhere to be and nothing much to do.  Hey, did you catch the Royal Wedding?  What pomp and pageantry.  I got up to put the morning news on and, of course, the wedding was the news and all the news.  So I sat and watched.  Must say I was impressed.  The Royal family really knows how to do a wedding.  But what was with the Queen?  Never a smile through the whole ceremony.  You would have thought she was going to the dentist!

Today, I finished up my monthly maintenance list and even found something new to add to the list – waxing the shower stall!  OK, so maybe I’m a bit over compulsive but if

if by waxing the shower stall it makes the water run off even better  thus preventing mold and mildew and preserves the life of the fiberglass stall itself, I say so much the better.  You gotta love it!

We also got our grocery shopping done today.  The cupboards were getting a bit bare but after a trip to the local Walmart SuperCenter they are full again.  Check one more thing off the to do list.

Back to our trip to the Cole Transportation Museum.  There is so much more that could and should be written about the founder of this museum but space does not permit.  Google the name of Galen Cole and I guarantee you will be impressed with the life and accomplishments of this great man.  A successful business man who built Maine’s greatest over the road trucking company.  A civic leader. A man dedicated to educating young people about our many veterans, their wartime experiences and their continuing needs here at home.

For a fact, one of the most important rooms in the museum is the veteran interview program room where school children are invited to speak with veterans of all wars about their wartime experiences and to feel history truly come alive in the process.

One 8^th grader Amanda Gifford who interviewed a veteran in 2004 wrote of her experience:  I went into the Cole Museum thinking this was a waste of time, but boy, when I came out of there I was truly amazed and realized just how lucky I am.  She continued If you have been taking life for granted, stop and think how fortunate you are.  Think about the rights and privileges you have today and who may have been responsible for you having those rights.

So now, time to tour the rest of the museum.  We’ll start with the fire engines.  My dad, when he was alive, always wanted to own one, I wish I could have purchased one for him before he passed away.

Some examples of transportation used by the early settlers of our country.

There was an exhibit of bikes of all sorts, shapes and sizes.  And above them several soap box derby winners from various years.

There was what I call auto row.

On display was a real rare find, a Stanley Steamer

There were the smallest of cars.

There were the largest of cars.  Anyone remember these larger than life automobiles?  How about cars with tail fins?  Things have sure changed, haven’t they?

Did you catch the wheelbase?  And how about the weight?  The size of many class B motor homes today!

There were examples of trucks from the early years.

And here I am at the wheel of this very same truck.

We can’t forget the motorcycles.

A special motorcycle on display.

A display of early gas pumps.

And check out the price of a gallon of gas on the Atlantic pump on the right above.

There was even an early, really early RV.

Did you catch the fact that this was actually used from 1946 to 1961?  1800 miles a year?

There was a row dedicated to the Coles Transportation trucks.

Here is one of the more famous trucks that was in their fleet.

So many, many things to see.  The pictures above are just a tiny sample of what there is to see. We spent a good 2 hours there the first time and honestly I could go back and spend another 2 hours at least.  Those who have visited before me, echo my sentiments with comments like:  This is the most neat and well designed museum I’ve ever been at and another said This has been just flat out amazing.

So we’re up to date.  The day is now done, night is here with the pitter patter of rain on the roof.  The park is full from one end to the other.  It’s been another great day.   We’ve done what we’ve needed to do, we’ve done it together, and we’ve enjoyed every minute of this precious day that God has given us.   We’re on the road of retirement and enjoying every minute of every day and every mile.  In closing a thought for all of us:

So that’s it for now.  As always,  if you are coming to the end of your day with concerns and worries let me suggest that you turn them over to God.  After all, He is going to be up all night so why not let him handle them for you.

Time now for our evening prayers and some shut-eye.  Till tomorrow.  Thanks again for sharing our day with us.

These are the voyages of  Graybeard and it’s occupants, four paws and two humans.  Our continuing mission: to explore as many new states as possible, to seek out new acquaintances and make new friends, to boldly go where we have not been before