Sunday, September 6, 2015

Good-Bye Jay In VA


Silent Key
I believe that we don't meet anybody by accident. And everyone crosses our path of a reason. I met Jay online through Ron's blog retired in Delaware. After reading Jay in VA for awhile, blog post subjects would be about Amateur (HAM) radio. And I ask him if he was a ham, he said that he was. That got me corresponding more with Jay because I'm a ham as well. Before I go any further I should explain. In ham radio circles a silent key is any ham radio operator who has past on. Whether said person know Morse code or not. It's a carry over from amateur radio from 100 years ago, I hope that clears that up.                                             Early last year Ron organizing Bloggerpalooza 2, I was going to go. Jay ask me if I wanted to tag a long. Save me the trouble of renting a car and driving unfamiliar streets and highways. I told him I've driven the big city before, I've been to Chicago, LA and Toronto. But hey then I wouldn't have a engaging tour guide. I received the royal treatment as soon as I got off  the plane at Richmond. Saw some sights and met another blogger, Kelly at the Continental for an early supper and a few adult beverages. The next day Thursday (3-13-14) We drove to Lewes, DE, and on the way up stopped a place he wanted to try out. The Burley Oak Brewery in Berlin, MD.  Jay wanted to get a photo of himself from out front so he gave me his camera and I took this picture.
Jay in VA in front of Burley Oak Brewery Berlin,MD March 13 2014
I think we all had a grand time in Delaware, and I told everyone that I've never been to Delaware before. But all too soon we all had to part ways. Jay had to be back at work Monday. We got back to Richmond after dark the Sunday. Jay asked if I wanted to try Legends Brew Pub. If I remember it's in Shockoe area of town.
Good food and good friends out of a bite and adult drinks
I could not believe how quickly that week went by, I just got there and already time to head back to Nebraska. But Monday morning an ice storm had moved into the area. The roads were becoming difficult to drive to say the least. Jay still had to head to work though be it 2 hours later. I had planned to spend a night in a motel near the airport and fly out Tuesday. I got a cheaper flight that way. Even with a extra night's stay in Richmond. And it was just as well because of the storm Monday most flights out of Richmond were cancelled. Even on Tuesday I was delayed getting out and back home to Omaha.   
You don't know what fun is until you have to clean the ice off windows of your car!
This was the last picture I took of our friend Jay. After we got going Jay and I were headed to prospective destinations. He was going to drop me off at the airport Marriott then Jay was going to work which as luck would have it was less than a mile from the airport. Jay let me out at the front doors of my hotel. Before we parted ways he gave me a big ol' man hug! Today was the celebration and memorial of our friend Jay or some knew him as Trey's life. It saddens me that I couldn't make it. He had a lot of ham buddies there I'm sure, when we get together stories of past QSO's ( ham radio  Q-code, communications via radio or in person) start flying. Our friend Jay aka N4PAT will be very much missed. ;-( 

9 comments:

  1. Jay was in DC for a wedding last winter, I met him for breakfast, little did I know it would be the last time. Take care, stay in touch, DG

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank You David, I guess you just don't know when someone could be gone. But not forgotten.

      Delete
  2. Very well written ..... Hopefully Jays soul can now rest in peace!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks again for your kind words. And speaking of words after i published this post I found a few mistakes. All i can say is WOW and until me meet again.

      Delete
  3. this was a lovely post; thank you for sharing it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Spo, Thanks but I should have done it sooner. Not wait for my adventures to RVA and Delaware to be a post about a friends passing. And here's hoping the little Gremlin in your insides passes before you leave for S.D.

      Delete
  4. Randy
    A very nice post by a good man about a good man. I was so glad when I heard that Jay was going to be your tour guide during your East Coast stay and the Bloggerpalooza. All good memories, thanks for sharing Randy.
    Ron

    ReplyDelete
  5. Randy,

    Thanks for the nice tribute to Jay!

    -Andy

    ReplyDelete
  6. I just saw your post on Jay here. It moved me again to tears over how Jay left us.
    I still can't believe that dinner in July was the last time I had to visit with him and I'll never get a big bear hug from him in this world.
    Please stay in touch Randy.

    ReplyDelete