Yesterday, US President George W. Bush visited Rochester, New York. As it happens, I wheeled into town with a load of scrap at about the time he was getting ready to leave.
There was considerable discussion on the CB radio (channel 19, the trucker's frequency) for a variety of reasons-- such as routing around the highway closure for the president's motorcade to reach the airport, actually seeing the motorcade, political matters, and so on.
I was parked and waiting at the metal recycling facility, which is a couple of miles from route 390, so I naturally assumed that I wouldn't be able to see anything cool, despite hearing the play-by-play relayed by fellow drivers. Someone mentioned a helicopter following the motorcade... shortly before said helicopter came into view. Well, I thought, at least I sort of saw something.
Several minutes later, I had repositioned the truck to face south for my attack run on the unloading area (and, indeed, had just entered the cab after determining that I couldn't back in to unload yet), when a comment came on the radio that sounded a lot like, "That's a big son of a bitch, isn't it?"
Air Force One then appeared over the treetops straight ahead, climbing pretty much right toward me, before turning east (by then directly away), and then finally south. I was worried that the prevalent clouds would deny a good view of the fantastically spiffy airplane, but that was only a problem for a few seconds while the plane was low and close enough to see much of, anyway.
So, I didn't even get to see the President leave*, but he sure does have a neat flying machine.
* Well, yes, I suppose I did see him leave, but I didn't actually see the President. I blame this poor use of language on being tired and shagged out after a prolonged period of being awake. Anyway, the most important people that I have actually seen are David Weber and 'Weird Al' Yankovic. Of course, they're quite arguably more important than any politician ever built, but hey...
Posted by Mitch at May 25, 2005 11:32 PMWell,
I suppose the cart didn't fit you, huh buddy? Glad to see a new update for RN this year ;)
I have heard AF1 is really, well massive. I saw AF2 once (when the VP visited Boston via Logan Airport which we both know is directly west of the Winthrop house)and thought "Gee that cargo plane really is tricked out. Where's XZibit when you need him?". Arent' they the same make and model?
Sooner or later you should write a post or two about your, um, East Coast adventures (prod, prod).
Glad to see SOMETHING anyhow,
KSM
http://comicsnexus.insidepulse.com/articles/37969