Kenny's Chuckwagon

[squirtthecat]

A large part of the reason we traveled out to Tacoma was to visit my MIL's cousin's husband, Ken.   His health is failing, but he keeps in good spirits and doesn't bother himself with worrying about things like that.

Ken likes to cook.  Any kind of cooking...  His favorite thing to do is to enter Chili cook-offs, cook for charity events, small party catering, etc.

This is his new baby...  Custom built by an acquaintance of his that does a lot of woodworking, black powder rifle hunting, etc.     It is a scale model Chuckwagon.





I wanted to get some closer shots here, but the trailer started to tip backwards under the load (it wasn't hooked to anything) and I had to dash around and provide 'ballast' until they got a jack under the backside of it.   :o


Anyway, poking my head in the front door, you can see the 'prep area':




They had to adjust the table height a bit, compared to the old ones.



He's looking forward to the chili cook-off 'circuit' which starts next month.


At the young age of 16, he shipped off to the South Pacific during WWII with the Seabees.  For 3 years, he was assigned to the Marines to help track enemy snipers/saboteurs that were hiding in caves on the nearby islands.  He told me a few hair raising stories about that, but most he keeps to himself.   He served again during/after the Korean War.

Ken turns 83 today.   He has to get another blood transfusion today, but he told me before we left he's looking forward to turning 84.    

I'd like to raise my drink and wish him a Happy Birthday.

[Quarlow]

Here's to one more year. I raise a glass to Ken. It will be straight up like a real man would take it. Which Ken obviously is.

[OU812]

I will raise my drink to Ken, straight up Jack, Ken is a true hero in my eyes.

My grandfather was in WWII also and wouldnt talk about it, I know he was on Omaha beach and Normandy and other hot spots but thats all he would say, he was ba hell of a guy.

Cool chuch wagon, thats some nice workmanship.

Wish Ken a happy birthady for me will ya.

[Tenpoint5]

Cup is up and waiting to see his chuck wagon loaded for business! Next year!

[TestRocket]

I took a sip just for Ken to his Birthday and his service to our country! Although I think he must have lied about his age when he joined up!   ;)

Beans and hard-tack for me please!  ;D

[hal4uk]

Wish Ken a happy birthday for me!

Ask him if he ever knew a guy named Jimmy Driver, my favorite uncle - deceased - was in the Seabees.
(Ya never know)...

BTW...  today is also Mavis's (Jimmy's momma/my grandmother) birthday!
She would be 105 if we hadn't buried her last year.
Awrighten.

[La Quinta]

Happy Day Ken...the chuckwagon is really kool...gotta be a lot of fun...good for him...83 years young!!!

[NePaSmoKer]

That is very cool

Cheers to Kenny

[wyoduke]

That is very cool

Cheers to Kenny

I hope he has great fun with the chuck wagon .

[KyNola]

That is way cool!  Sounds like Ken is a heck of a guy.  Happy Birthday Ken!

[muebe]

Very cool! Thanks for sharing ;D

[iceman]

Happy birthday Ken. That is one heck of a chuck wagon!!!  :)

[seemore]

WOW great looking chuck wagon ..keep it up Ken thanks squirt....
seemore