Seeing that the old corn drying barn in the background of Justin's video is STILL standing got me thinking...
*WARNING* I HAVE TO JACK THIS THREAD
*WARNING*
Over the years that barn which i had heard was slated for demolition, has meant alot to me...I travel quite a distance to attend QCRS launches and, it has been a great refuge from the wind, drunken farm boys cruising roads at 2am and, a great staging place to prep for some of the Sunday launches i have attended over the years.
It was never uncommon to arrive late Saturday night or early Sunday morning and, hide my Pickup truck behind it awaiting "The gathering of the fellow worshippers of Holy speed and, Ungodly acceleration."
THREE TRUE STORIES-
1. I know for sure that more than a few UFO sightings in that area can be attributed to me. See i sometimes bring a few Chinese Sky Lanterns and, have on occasion tossed a few up around 1am- 3am local time to wake the neighbors.
"Look Ma! There's ANOTHER ONE! Looks like it came out of the corn and, it's heading south towards Princeton!"
"Call the Cops NOW!"
2. One year after a very HEALTHY diet supplement at Wildman's Van Orin residence i retreated back to the barn to get ready for Sunday...Hey, its cheaper than a motel and, my cab and, a half pickup is very comfortable on road trips.
Well- About 3am i heard a guttural gurgle...then another...Oh BOY! :shock: Grab toliet paper and, flashlight it's time to get "Animal".
The next day Speedy comes up with a horrified look on his face...
"Gus? You live in the country...right?"
Yah...What's up?
"There's a MONSTER PILE behind the barn...could you help us identify the animal that may have left it?"
Sure, where's it at?
"Right there."
OH MY GOD! That's a Mountain Lion!
"MOUNTAIN LION!" :surprised:
Yep, i'd say about 160-170 pounds...pretty much a man eater....
"I didn't think they had Mountain Lions in north central Illinois!" :surprised:
Yep, coyotes, fox, wolves...sometimes even a Mountain Lion or two....
"ATTENTION EVERYONE...We have a slight problem. It has been verified that we MAY have an active Mountain Lion in the area and, to be on the lookout when recovering your rockets today!"
MOUNTAIN LION!??
Yeah! Guys, when your around those drainage ditches...IF YOU HEAR something behind you...START MAKING NOISE AND, FAN YOUR ARMS! Its scares them off! Be carefull, im telling you!
I thought i would take that one to me grave.
3. One year after a fresh heavy snow i decided to *trample out* an image in the snow for my first onboard video that i was prepping for. See, i had just bought a small camera and, after hose clamping it to the side of my newest 6" dia. rocket i was ready to have my first captured launch from the rockets view!
There's David Reese and, i behind the barn as i'm working on this artwork in the snow with David dying laughing! :lol:
"Your NOT RIGHT!" :lol:
Hey Dave, its all about the fun? Isn't it?...
So now here we are- My FIRST You Tube video of onboard captured video.
3....2.....1! Whoooooooooosh.....BOOOOOM! Ground- Barn- Giant Wing Wang Doodle... *spin* Ground- Barn- Wing Wang Doodle...*spin* Ground- Barn- Smaller Wing Wang Doodle....
Arcing over...Princeton, eight miles away and, apogee break!
Folks, i could'nt make this stuff up if i tried. I will see you all down the road of life at the next Sunday Princeton launch or maybe a few at Bong between now and, then. Take care!
