| Author |
Message |
    
Jack T. Paxton
Senior Member
Username: Jpaxton
Post Number: 713
Registered: 07-2003
Posted From: 24.27.231.67
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 22, 2009 - 07:48 pm: | |
Lew: You owe me! I knew someone with the wanderlust you (and Bonnie) have could not stand it to sit around. Will be anxious to hear about the trip as we have the same "lust for seeing the Alps. Our Europe trip this year convinced me that there are more places to see than Scotland (which I love). We will head westward this next year - probably after our Association conference in Reno and do Banf/Vancouver. Will be checking out hotels this coming January in New Orleans as the conference will be there in 2011. Good to finally hear from you. Best and great holiday season to you and Bonnie from Pat and I. |
Leland
Senior Member
Username: Leland
Post Number: 5494
Registered: 05-2006
Posted From: 98.218.147.237
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 22, 2009 - 07:29 pm: | |
Yay, Lew! |
Lew Wirfs
Intermediate Member
Username: Lew
Post Number: 128
Registered: 06-2003
Posted From: 12.77.94.138
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 22, 2009 - 06:59 pm: | |
Well Jack Paxton got it right, We just csan \,t stand to sit around the house in January so we will try our luck about Jan 10 . We will take the bus tour thru the Italian Alpsto Vicenza, we have seen the Alps in summer (no snow) now we will try for the snow,
Lew |
Michael F
Intermediate Member
Username: Caretaker56
Post Number: 107
Registered: 03-2009
Posted From: 208.111.200.70
| | Posted on Saturday, October 17, 2009 - 04:32 pm: | |
Thanks for the great info Lew |
Jack T. Paxton
Senior Member
Username: Jpaxton
Post Number: 653
Registered: 07-2003
Posted From: 79.153.239.114
| | Posted on Friday, October 16, 2009 - 11:56 am: | |
Lew: I will make you a side bet that this will not be your swan song. After talking to you in Ramstein I know you will be doing it as long as you can draw a breath. We're sweating out PatEx tonight from Rota to Norfolk. As expected, people are coming out of the woodwork! There is a C9 tomorrow to Norfolk via Ireland, New Foundland, etc. |
Lew Wirfs
Intermediate Member
Username: Lew
Post Number: 127
Registered: 06-2003
Posted From: 80.148.23.226
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 07, 2009 - 02:29 pm: | |
Bill, the first spats gathering was in Helen Ga. Dirks mother prepared food for 50 and there were abouut 11 of us present. It's a wonder it did't stop there and now it has become an insitution.
I'm in Ramstein now, got to see and stay in the new Ramstein inn, Many new rooms opened Reservations said alll rooms should be open by Nov.1
Correction, the correct phraise is,"MAY YOU HAVE FAIR WINDS AND FOLLOWING SEAS"!
LEW |
Bill Terry
Senior Member
Username: Bill_terry
Post Number: 556
Registered: 06-2003
Posted From: 72.216.28.21
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 06, 2009 - 02:24 pm: | |
Lew, it has been a privilege to have met you and the missus at the Eglin Space A get-together in 2003. You are an original..... Here's the group picture from 2003 and Lew is the far left gent on the last row.
 |
Lew Wirfs
Intermediate Member
Username: Lew
Post Number: 126
Registered: 06-2003
Posted From: 94.71.123.60
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 06, 2009 - 06:54 am: | |
Summary of status at Souda bay
1. On arrival security will brief you and issue a 24 hour pass, the number will start with "A"
It is absolutly essencial that you donot lose it!!!
2. Get a new pass BEFORE the old pass expires! and ask for twice your planned stay!
3. Car rental on base is 25 euro daily and
23 euro weekly all insurance included.
4. you can eat in the mess
5. Put your name room number and destination(s)on a "post it" and give it to the terminal and they will call you of any changes.
6. World wide Defense switching network (DSN) available in terminal and lodging office.
7. Transient lodging limited do to renovation
8. Computors in the library
9. space-a can use exchange (we did!)
10.Space-a can't get ges coupons as before!
11.Ferry trip to Athens, Ferry departs Souda 2100, arrives Athens 0600, obtain 1 day mmetro pass 3 euro or three day pass euro ? and ask for metro map at rail station at end of pier good for on and off all day. Ferry returns at 2100 Fare $100. but remember you save 2 nights lodging bring cost to about $60.
Athens is a must see, suggest 2 days
for newbies suggest you print and save
Lew |
Jack T. Paxton
Senior Member
Username: Jpaxton
Post Number: 636
Registered: 07-2003
Posted From: 80.148.26.86
| | Posted on Monday, October 05, 2009 - 06:37 am: | |
Lew: Pat and I now at Ramstein (hotel) call us if you make it. We will probably be here most of the week trying to get to Rota or Sig. Best...Jack |
dinotars
Senior Member
Username: Dinotars
Post Number: 6094
Registered: 06-2003
Posted From: 173.169.147.17
| | Posted on Sunday, October 04, 2009 - 09:11 pm: | |
Lew,
Keep in touch and post on the board.You have plenty of experience of value to the board members.Best of luck in your retirement. |
Margie Weathers
Advanced Member
Username: Margie
Post Number: 382
Registered: 06-2003
Posted From: 64.85.188.215
| | Posted on Sunday, October 04, 2009 - 08:58 pm: | |
Wow, Lew, still traveling at 86! My hat's off to you. You must be the same kind of old sailor my Daddy was. |
John D.
Moderator
Username: John_d
Post Number: 3344
Registered: 06-2003
Posted From: 95.208.72.23
| | Posted on Sunday, October 04, 2009 - 06:44 pm: | |
Lew,
Your last trip may be your swan song but that doesn't mean you can't still pass on your advice and wisdom by continuing to post. I, and am sure many others, have benefited from your experience shared via the internet over the last 13+ years (as long as I can remember)! |
Robert Flynn
Member
Username: Bobnbarbara
Post Number: 43
Registered: 06-2003
Posted From: 72.187.228.112
| | Posted on Sunday, October 04, 2009 - 03:59 pm: | |
Hi Lew,
I, too, benefited from you wisdom and observations. You will be missed.
Cheers, Fair Winds,
Bob Flynn |
John R Garrison
Senior Member
Username: Majorg
Post Number: 1995
Registered: 02-2006
Posted From: 208.81.157.86
| | Posted on Sunday, October 04, 2009 - 02:16 pm: | |
Lew:
Thank you for your trip report and a big thank you for all the informative and timely contributions you have made to the Board! You will be missed. May you and your wife have wonderful and blessed "sunset years".
Happy travels, John |
Lew Wirfs
Intermediate Member
Username: Lew
Post Number: 124
Registered: 06-2003
Posted From: 94.71.123.60
| | Posted on Sunday, October 04, 2009 - 01:20 pm: | |
I originally planned to start travel in October,I knew that the summer rush would end middle Sept. but I also knew that their would be a cat VI rush after labor day.
Subsequently I learned about the Cat B {also knon as Rotator, charter, Patriot Express which was prostituted to Pat Ex} schedule change on Oct. 1 so I decided to start Sept. 15 as I wanted to go to Souda Bay for one week not two
I scanned thie flight schedule for Charleston {Chs} and headed to Charleston from Atlanta {a seven hour drive for me} next day We got on to Rota, found lodging scarce as the SPATS were meeting Got three nights ( one nignt at a time) and got to Sigonella (Sig)on day four The Mess hall is temporarally closed to retirees as the Sea Bees are doing a project for an estimated six months. I ran into Jack Doeshier (an olt timer on this board) We shared a car and saw some sites and after four days we mamaged to get to Naples where there was a mission to Souda Bay (Souda)the next day. At this point I will degress a bit, On the lodging string a past lodging agent stated (paraphrased) If there is a room we will give you a room. Lodging said no rooms, Jack persistedfor for several minutes after which the two clerks consulted and gave a room with a pull out bed We got the bed room and Jack got the pull out bed. The mess is permanently closed in Naples next day we made it to Souda (Chs to Souda in nine days!!!)
I Souda we ran into Jack Paxton Jack Doeshier Guided us on a day trip th Athens (A must see but two days sugjested We have been here nine days, two trying to get to Ramstein or McGuire then to Chs (No way to get to Chs from here)
Had a mission to Ramstein today but No female pax because they had no palatized toilet, How many of you have experienced the toilet behind the curtain on tha ramp? any way no go and nothing for two days which will makke us twelve days travel in seventeen days to date (this is adventure)!
Upon arrival on a Saturday in Souda we were briefed by security at the terminal and assigned a base pass for ond dat with a number starting with "A" this indicates that you flew in and intend to fly out
The NVRO (pass) office is now out side the gate in Souda. I wen out side to renew my pass as my current one had expired and was advised I COULD NOT ENTER THE BASE WITH OUT A SPONSOR, BIG PROBLEM, eventually I got it resolved. lesson do not loose ant pass paperwork especially the one with tha "A" on it or you can be outside looking in! If you arrive on a weekend
on Monday get a pass for twice your planned stay
You can exchange $ for Euros and back again in the exchange in Souda but they will make a believer out of you
The mad rush for The KMCC hotel may be slowing, I called this morning and was first on the Que and got three days now I must call and cancel!
A lesson in lodging reservations,
If you call the day before and it's NO rooms call again early day of need (Their local time, then again after 1100 (check out time) and again at 1800 hrs and again at 2300 hrs This is something the initiated don't talk much about!
By the way, in The Souda terminal speak to no one except "Virginia" when she is on watch, she is knowledgible and goes the extra mile for us
This is my swan song , after visiting Alaska, Hawaii, Panama, England, Germany, Turkey,
Greece, Italy, Spain and Portugol? about thirty trips in all my (our) legs are gone (No wonder I'm 86 year old)
I'not going to spell check this post (never figured how on this board.
I want to thank Dirk Pepperd and the many contributors to this board that have enhanced my travels, If this board has been of help to you you can say so by sending Dirk a small token of appreciation (like a check) As they say in Hawaii "you can't live on sunshine alone"
MAY YOU HAVE LIGHT WINDS AND FOLLOWING SEAS (an old sailors wish
Lew |
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