Drove the Countryman (F60) to work today. On a long windy uphill road, I was surprised how quick the car really is. Really very little drama in going uphill very quickly and "sporty", but reasonably safe speeds. Got to my office parking lot and realized how difficult it is trying get it to fit in a small car parking space and not be in danger of getting dinged or putting a dent in the car next to you. I ended up parking it in a big(ger) car spot.
Thank you all for the prayers and the comments, I agree a majority of folks do not know what our young men and women are doing to protect our freedoms and many of the older men and women too. My son-in-law is a 15 year Army guy, he knows the good and bad of the Army, he has just hit a major patch of bad. A little background, Army right after graduation, the regular stuff a new recruit does in that first year, he went into a helicopters very early and became crew a chief flying with an air group out of Hawaii, 3 full deployments to Afghanistan and 2 to Iraq, came back whole and not to nuts. My daughter met him in the 9th grade and said he was the guy she was going to marry, much to my surprise since he was on my "no date" list as he was popular, a jock and wild in high school (wealthy family, yada yada). So, when my daughter graduated from college, she was successful in getting a full scholarship to University of Hawaii, little did I know she would hook up with my now son-in-law and follow him to the NightStalkers BlackHawk group at Ft. Campbell. After 3 years of various duty in that group, he decided another group with a bit more black in it's Army assignments was in order, so after living in TN, I helped them move to Virginia, new air group and working on many assignments, similar but not similar to work the Night Stalkers were noted for doing, taking out bin laden with the seals etc. Anyway, he was hurt in a training parachute mishap. A major one, he has about 1800 jumps and is a Master rated jumper, I don't know all the circumstances, but it was a low level jump, new chute design. He was team jumping and hit at about 60 mph, he was conscious when his team member got to him and the medic was already there. He just spent 7 weeks in the hospital in Arizona and has three major surgeries each 9 to 11 hours behind him, maybe a few more ahead. Currently in his 6th day at the VA center in Virginia special spinal rehab unit then many months of rehab afterwards. Not sure of the long term prognosis, currently leaning how to use a wheel chair, not walking and not standing on his own. Medical and rehab team with support from his unit flight surgeon feel if his nerves regenerate he has a 50/50 on walking but it is all on him and how hard he works and wants to be whole. All the surgeries were on his spine and back as it was exploded on impact, spinal cord was ripped but not severed so there is light down the road. I am sure this was way more than you guys and ladies wanted to see written down, but a few more prayers would be appreciated. I am thankful he has lived, which was in doubt the first 2 weeks, it has been hard on my daughter and their two little kids who are 6 and 4, hard on this family. My wife is in Virginia and I maintain the home in Colorado. Thank you all again. Don
More prayers sent Don. I know you are far away but if I can help in any way please, please reach out. We will all be there for you and yours...
Thanks for the info Don. I continue my hopes and prayers for his recovery. I know he has a hard road ahead of him and it's gonna take all he's got, and the support of his family and friends to travel it. Best wishes to you and the rest of your family my friend.
The rain gods were angry so I washed the MINI.... The gods were impressed and produced hail and moderate lightning... now it is humid. MINI is in the garage and the beer is in the fridge Loving summer Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Got into the 20.00 menu and adjusted the fuel consumption parameter so that the mpg on the OBC is now accurate.
Don thanks for the update. Your son-in-law sounds like a tough guy & a fighter. He will get there one step at a time. Light shining in the tunnel is a good thing. We are here for you Don. Positive thoughts headed his way & yours.
Took my MINI out for a run today after a nice warm up as it was only 20 degrees when I went out for a drive.
Snowing here, the fire is on & we have beer, wine & groceries. I'll be staying here until Monday morning.
Sitting here looking at all the snow outside my window. And then Pandora started playing the official winter theme song. Great googley moogley!