A few weeks ago, Pat and I took a two-day trip to Mission, TX. It’s right on the Rio Grande and is about 175 miles SW of Rockport. We spent our first winter of retirement in Mission.
The trip had three goals:
- Visit friends
- Attend a polka jam session at 8am Wednesday morning
- Scout possible places to spend all or part of another winter
First, we visited the park where we stayed that first winter and our friends who got us there in the first place. They have a park model and are still there, 12 years later. We attended the jam session at their park, J-5. About 30 musicians participated!
Goetsch & Williams
We also visited Gary and Mary Goetsch. He’s the son of the late Henry and Pearl Goetsch and a friend of mine from high school days. Ham radio and the USAF were the common interests which enabled the friendship in the beginning and has kept it going.
Gary made the USAF a career. Although that was my initial intent, I changed my mind before my four-year enlistment was up. He was an air traffic controller; I was a Chinese linguist. For some months in 1960-61, we were both stationed at Maxwell AFB, Montgomery, Alabama. They invited me to their home from time to time, where I enjoyed a home-cooked meal and their little daughter.
Now, Gary and Mary live in Farmington, MN—about three miles from Pat’s sister. that gives me an opportunity to visit them occasionally. The picture is of the four of us having a good time at a local barbecue restaurant.
Pat even went along to the polka jam! Would you believe 14 accordions on stage? Unfortunately, no tubas that day; guess we’ll have to go back!
There’s another story of our visit coming soon; stay tuned!