I got to John's about 3:40 about a minute and a half before he got home. The first thing I saw was his "toy". This is no toy, 2 TV's, cable, vcr, dvd, satellite mounted on the roof ready for when he wants to subscribe to a service. Shower big enough for me, Full sized bed, 2 Air conditioning units. And it all looks brand new. I can see why he gets excited about any trip he takes. You could live in this very comfortably, two adults and a kid or two. He has all the hook ups you'd expect in a top notch trailer park so when he has it parked at home it is 100% functional. In case of power failure he can also use it to power his house!
After noticing the bus right away I saw the hives. I saw that C3 was bearding and loooked like it was getting ready to swarm. John had tol me that C2 had allready done that and was about 70 ft up a tree next door and as a result C2 was the weaker hive.
John gave me the tour of Navy Lakehurst and I was very impressed. It would have been great to see a launch but thats the luck of the draw.
It is a very big facility (to me anyway) and there was a lot of ground to cover. I hope to get back there some day with my camera (which I forgot). The size of the hangers is incredible. The that I remember was about 720 feet long and 250 ft tall those are rough numbers.
Visiting with John was fun, he can talk about any subject and we touched on many. If there is one regret it is that we could have hung out longer, the time flew by. I met Johns wife Tracy and his Mom and they are both very sweet people. John also has a good pizzeria near him. I saw Beemaster central, got to watch John play a little poker (think I gave him some rotten luck with the cards) and in all had a great time. I hope John and I can get together again in the near future.
The ride home with the girls was pretty uneventful save for the drama of seeing which bees would make it clinging to the screened off top of the hive. braving 70 mph wind from the open window.
Here is the first pic I took the morning we are going to inspect and pack the hive.
C3 ready to swarm?
Me holding up a frame
C1+C2-C3
Notice the activity at the entrance of C2. C2 is getting the benefit of stragglers from C3.
C3 in position for crating
John hard at work crating up C3
He really took the lead and there was little for me to do. He's very good with tools.
C3 ready for the trip.
John saying goodbye to C3
Not a good picture of him. He was smiling a instant before. I believe this is the exact moment he is discovered that the screen we used was not sting proof
C3 strapped in and on the way. I noticed these eight bees hanging on for dear life to their hive. I was rooting for them.
Out of the car, on the handtruck ready to be placed. Notice there are still two bees on top of the screen, they hung on during about 6 hours at 70 mph, way to go girls.
The new home
The hive opened. This really doesn't show how many bees were in the air. It was amazing.
A few minutes later
About eight o'clock this morning
Have a drink on me!
I put a little honey in the sugar/water mix
IT"S NOT BEER!
John thank you for C3 and a great time!