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Published: October 11th 2018
Packed and ready to go
You can see the excitement and anticipation on their faces as they roll their luggage out the door to the car.Our daughter has had a yearning for years to visit Ireland. She has had a picture from Ireland, huge poster a Christmas present from her brother, hanging in her living room for years, got it when she was in high school. So when she announced that she and Kris were saving to go, we were excited for her. After graduation from her tough MBA program this spring, the trip would be the perfect reward. Then she asked if we would come and house sit (in our old house, still not sold, and now being rented to the kids.) Of course we said Yes. Oh, and take care of the 70 lb chocolate lab, Sophie. And the two outside cats.
So we knew the priorities--animals then house. We contacted our camping friends Dave and Bonnie Lodge and asked if we could leave our RV at their place in the country for the 3+ weeks we'd be sitting and they agreed. Our cat, Koko, was not overly thrilled with sharing a house he was not familiar in with a dog, but he had little choice. We drove up to VA in late August, dropped off clothes and cat and litter box, took
Careful packing
We've seen them pack more stuff for a week long trip to AL. But they will be renting a "small" car in Ireland. Kris had to fit clothes AND all his camera gear, but both did a great job of consolidating. the RV to Lodges, and came back in time to relax with the kids and enjoy Kim's home cooked meal from the crock pot.
We had a few days in Fredericksburg to acclimate ourselves, learn the routines, practice taking the dog to the doggie park for walks, and hearing all the planning for the trip. Finally, it was time to take the kids to the airport, on a Sunday afternoon. Not a lot of traffic on I-95, but enough to make me uneasy. At the airport, we watched the kids hustle off to the terminal and baggage check and we got in Kim's car to drive back south. I opted to swing a bit west and take back roads. It was slower, saner, and safer.
Upon return home, we discovered Sophie had expressed her displeasure with her people leaving by depositing a gift in a spare room. I cleaned it up and went around closing doors to closets and rooms not being used. No more "issues". We settled into a routine of re-visiting old haunts, visiting friends, and relaxing. We were happy to go see Dave and Bonnie at their home and float in their pool and enjoy
Bonnie's home cooked meal. We laughed and shared stories and caught up on events. And we made plans to visit them at Thanksgiving at their "winter home" in Punta Gorda, FL. There's another trip we're looking forward to.
We met with my old boss, Col Dave Darrah and his wife Kristi at the airport Dave manages, went out to pick up lunch, and then sat around the conference table at the terminal catching up. Dave gave us a quick tour of the facilities and we saw the plans for the new terminal and offices and the beginnings of the construction, already underway. Also from Japan, we touched base on a Sunday morning with Nancy and Paul Regan. They were in Iwakuni when we went back in 2000 and I hired Nancy as an analyst for our office. She was an excellent auditor/analyst and led several studies. Paul was a civilian engineer with the Army Corps of Engineers involved in the base runway relocation. Now retired, they live in Hawaii, but were back for a visit to friends across the US and we were lucky to reconnect, if only briefly.
One Sunday we invited Jonathan, Lindsey, and Alex back
Instructions from momma
Both kids trying to get stuff out of the car and into the terminal while Momma gives last minute advice (and best wishes) from Fairfax and their apartment to come for dinner. Jonathan is Kris's son from a previous marriage and Lindsey his girl friend. Both Jonathan and Alex had been living in the house prior to moving on to school at George Mason. We fixed a crock pot meal with enough leftovers the kids could take food for at least one night back to the apartment. It was fun to hear how they were settling in to living on their own. And one night we went to a Japanese restaurant to meet Joyce and Joe Lamantia and Kati, Joyce's grandaughter. Joyce is our realtor and friend, having helped us find and buy the house and then managing initially when we retired and moved to AL. Katie was just in elementary school when we first met, but was fascinated with our time in Japan and has maintained that interest ever since.
I took Sophie to the dog park for long runs along the river, where she could run, lap water, and take care of business in the thick woods. She came home each time tired and happy with her freedom. Koko eventually learned to accept the presence of a dog, but always
Hugs
SO happy Kim can finally realize her long time dream of visiting the Emerald Isle. maintained a wary approach.
Trish and I drove some old roads, visited a number of stores not available in Alabama, at least near us (Wegman's, Target, Barnes and Nobel, World Market) and, we dined at several of our favorite spots. We also did work around the house, trimming bushes and trees, moving debris from the yard, and hiring a contractor to investigate a leak in the ceiling and fix it.
One morning we drove in to Fredericksburg and wandered up and down the main streets, poking into shops new and old. It's a great town, rich in culture and history with neat little antique shops, boutiques, and even a great little used book store. Eventually we headed to a small cafe on the river for lunch and then home.
After three weeks, the kids finally flew home. They had kept in touch via FaceBook Messenger with phone calls and the ability to use the phone camera to show us the B&Bs, countryside, and .... how happy, excited and tired they were. All in all, they had one of the most wonderful trips ever. We were so happy for them. We picked up the RV from Lodges, brought
COP--Cat On Patrol
Our cat, Koko, is unfamiliar with the territory in VA but recognized our car, so feels safe surveying the scene from atop it. Yeah, and it just got washed (the car, not the cat.) it back to the house, and restocked the fridge, put clothes back in and got ready to leave. After re-living the trip, sharing photos, and one last trip to Kumo for Japanese food, we headed out early for Ohio and a chance to see Mom and Dad.
We opted to go via the Pennsylvania Turnpike from Breezewood to Ohio. Normally we take I-68, which is free, but wanted to make time and with the remnants of Florence still lashing the area, we realized the turnpike would be less windy and exposed. True....but PA roads are still crap. Bumpy, bouncy, narrow winding, and expensive. It was $40 to cover the short distance. We did make time, but it was some white knuckled driving with a LOT more truck traffic than on I-68. But we made it.
Got to Ohio to our favorite RV spot in Maywood Community in Chesterland. We called Dad to let him know we were in and then set up and relaxed. We spent a week in OH, spending time with Dad, seeing Mom, and visiting with friends. First weekend my brother, Steve, came from Detroit with wife Sandy and two grandkids from Washington state. When
Visiting the Darrah's
Col Dave was working at the airport, so we drove out to meet him. We all went to a Farmers Market and Dave bought lunch for all. Then back to the airport to eat, talk and relax. Great visit, but as always, too short. they showed up and we went to see Mom, she actually lit up and smiled, touched the kids and seemed engaged. But it took a lot out of her. After about 25 minutes she was tired and wanted to be wheeled back to her room. We ended up having a nice lunch with family in town.
That evening Trish and I went to dinner at Guido's with Dirk and Gail Smithisler. Gail is a high school classmate and lived next door to us when we first moved to Ohio in 1961. (Opps, showing my age.) Dirk was captain of the cross-country team the year I ran (slowly). It was good to catch up on our past and talk current events. Trish, usually reluctant to spend time with old high school friends, told me she enjoyed the encounter and hopes we can get together next time we are in OH.
We visited with teacher friends and camping buddies from the past (notice how I avoided insulting by not referring to them as "old" friends), Carla Durnbaugh and Carane Ladd. We squeezed in a couple of hours with Carla at her apartment as she was prepping to take a trip
Joe, Kati, and Joyce
Joyce is our realtor and Kati her granddaughter and our surrogate granddaughter. It's always fun to be with them all. Joe worked for Dept of Army and indirectly helped me get trained by writing the manual for new employees for ALL of the Army civilians years ago. We all met for dinner at a local Japanese restaurant. with her sister to the Jersey shore, and then a few days later had lunch with Carane and caught up on her exploits. Both ladies are special to us.
We took Dad to a Waffle House on Sunday morning. He had been almost a year earlier and was pleased to find they served poached eggs and creamy grits...just the way he liked them. The joint was hopping on Sunday morning, but we got seats and we all had our good as ever breakfasts. Later Dad wondered if the retirement community could set up a monthly bus trip to the Waffle House for the seniors there. He'd be first on board each time for sure. That evening we went to Todd's for dinner. We had considered going on a wine tasting trip Todd wanted to do, but since medical issues and medications preclude either of us from consuming much alcohol, we decided not to. So Todd grilled some great brauts, had potatoes and beans and sauerkraut. YUM! It was good to sit around and catch up and get better acquainted with Tammy, Todd's special interest.
Finally it was time to leave. We prepped the RV the night before and
First sip of sake
Kati is now legally able to consume alcohol. She wanted to try sake. Here is her first sip. Yep, a common reaction. Actually, it was quite smooth and tasty, but it may be an acquired taste. early Wednesday morning, hooked up the car and pulled out, heading south. Drive home was good with minimal weather issues. We spent the night in Renfro Valley, TN and got in Thursday to tall grass, fields all cut, hayed, baled and toted away. Then it was merely a matter of cleaning out the coach, cleaning the outside of the coach, and putting everything away.
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Candi Francisco Toth
non-member comment
A fun read!
Loved reading your blog, John! Hope I'll get a chance to read some more of your older ones one of these days. We've been stuck in Sullivan, MO... transmission went out in the truck! We will be able to continue our journey home in the morning!