Day 5 - Are we there yet?

Alarms went off at 7:00 am.  We got up, showered, and packed up to begin traveling again.  My brother and his son had to be at the airport by 9:40.  Luckily we were only about 25 minutes from the airport but it was Tuesday and we were talking Baltimore traffic!

Said our goodbyes to our dad and step-mother.  All in all it was a nice visit.  To bad it feels more like staying with friends then it does family.  Oh well, I've done the therapy thing and supposedly I'm cured..HA!

I dropped my brother and nephew off at the airport.  They are spending the next three days in Orlando at Disney World.  I do miss my brothers and nephews!!

I then begin the 75 mile drive to Frederick, MD.  I'm supposed to meet my mother in the parking lot of some motel.  How sleazy is that??  Anyway, it should be easy enough to find, there is a giant red horse in front of it.

I get to the hotel and I'm parked under the horse's butt (only shady place).  Ten minutes later my other brother shows up with mom.  She loads her stuff into the car and away we go. 

First stop - Washington, VA.  Formally called Little Washington (so as to not confuse it with D.C.).   Mother's plan for this trip is to share with me all the information she has about the area so that it will not be lost.  Here is some brief history:

In 1940 my grandparents bought a farm in Luray, VA.  My grandfather had family in the area and my grandparents would spend the summers on the farm or just go down for the weekend.  In 1940 it took several hours to get from Hagerstown, MD to Luray, VA.  So mother grew up with fond memories of the ride and the way things used to be.....
 
Back to my story, Mom had identified the Inn at Little Washington as the place we would have lunch.  Seems the grandparents used to eat there.  Well the freeway now bypasses the town but we pulled off and drove up to the Inn.  The restaurant is now only open for dinner. 
http://www.bpe.com/travel/n_America/eus_little_washington.htm

We ate at a small cafe (the only cafe) in Washington, VA.  It was very nice.  We thought it odd that on all the tables were snowmen.  Then we noticed that there were two nativity scenes in the windows.  Also, all the pictures on the wall were Christmas/winter scenes.  Ahhhh the small town life. 

We walked through the town (all of 3 blocks long) and talked about how this was the type of town mother and I wanted to live in.  In the middle of town was a small fountain and bench, underneath a HUGE sprawling tree.  Mother made several inquiries as to what type of tree it was...a couple from NY getting into their car had no idea, the postmaster's at the post office had no idea, the housekeeper at the inn had no idea.  We left Little Washington with no idea.

Back on the road, we laughed and had the best time.  My mother is only 17 years older than myself and we make each other laugh all the time.  I however have one advantage...never having had children seems to have an advantage when it comes to laughing and sneezing, when you are over 40.  My mother would threaten to make me go in and buy her adult diapers if I didn't stop joking.  OK, I'll stop!

Another fact (as I remember):

Going into Luray, you must cross over the mountains through Shenandoah National Park.  Now along the road is an OLD stone fountain.  I remember stopping there to drink water.  The fountain is fed by pure spring water. 
 
Also, the road up the mountain is continually "S" shaped going up and down the mountain.  I remember that I would get sick almost everytime we would cross the mountain. 
 
We began the ascent up the mountain.  Now if you ever saw the I Love Lucy episode where she, Ethel, and Fred were on the Staten Island Ferry, you may understand why I got sick as a child.  We'd go to the left, then turn to the right, then back to left, then back to the right. 

About 1/2 way up the mountain mother hollers stop the car!  I'm thinking she's going to be sick.  But no...there on the side of the mountain was the fountain.  The shoulder of the road was much smaller than I remember.  The stone fountain was overgrown with ivy.  There was now a small PVC pipe coming out the bottom of the fountain.  Water was coming out the pipe but not up in the fountain as it had years before.   Mother insisted on getting a drink.  She got out of the car and pulled the PVC pipe up so she could bend over and drink from it...well when she pulled it up, the water stopped flowing.    So what she did next...I'm so embarrassed...she laid on her stomach, next to the car, on the road and drank from the PVC pipe that was 3 inches from the ground. 

I'm in the car thinking...my God, what are the people passing us thinking??  I can see it now.  They are pulling over at the ranger station to report a gray haired woman laying face down on the side of the road.  I hollered "MOTHER, get in the car!!"  I get out of the car and help her up.  I then proceed to show her that if you make a cup with your hands, you can catch the water and bring it to your face!!  We laughed the whole way down the mountain.  

I'll continue day 5 tomorrow...it's to much for one person to comprehend in one reading!
 

Day 4 - Short and sweet

This was the most relaxing day of my visit.  Nothing to do.  Saw a whitetail deer and fawn (still with spots on it's back) in my Dad's back yard.  Went to my brothers house (he too has 2 Porsches, a BMW, and a Land Rover).  BRAT!  Both dad and Derek took my nephew on ride in their cars.  Went back home, had dinner and shot off more fireworks while drinking pina coladas!!  Now this is what I call a vacation.  I'm dreading tomorrow.  It's back to hectic times once again.

Day 3 - Sunday 7/4

7:00 am - I am awoken by the sound of tables and chairs being put together.  Seems on Sunday morning they have an elaborate brunch at the hotel.  I'm just grateful they didn't start at 4:00 am.  Mom and I shower (not together) and dress.  We head for the restaurant and have a nice breakfast.  We then head off to the church.  On the way out of the restaurant, we pass my sister-in-law, looking frazzled and mumbling something about having to get breakfast for one of my brothers and their two kids.  She obviously hadn't showered yet and they were planning to go to church as well.  Now her two boys are just the sweetest little things.  They are 4 and 1 and if I have a favorite, its the 4 year old.  Mom asked her if she needs help, and she says no she's going to let my brother get them ready.

9:00 am - arrive at the church.  It's a non-denominational charismatic church.  My mother who has been to church probably 10 times in her life will be in for a treat.  In spite of my mother trying to take someone's purse (that's another story) I was quite proud of her. 

11:00 - we had cake and punch in one of the classrooms after church.  My cousin, the one with the 9 kids (home schooled and self-sufficient family), had her eldest daughter make the cakes, make the floral arrangements, played the harp and cleaned up afterwards.  I'm telling you, she's the next Martha Stewart!!

1:00 - My uncle was then going to take everyone out for lunch.  My brother (the one with the 9 year old) and I decided we were going to spend the next 2 days with our real father.  Now without going into a lot of details, our father has...let's say....been lacking in the father department.  He remarried when I was 9 and my brother was 4.  They had two boys and my brother and I had moved to Texas.  So he pretty much wrote us off.  But I told my brother that it is important that his son know his biological grandfather.  So the three of us skipped lunch and off to Baltimore we went.

2:30 - It started pouring rain.  We were hoping it wouldn't since I told dad that we wanted to watch fireworks.

3:10 - arrived in Baltimore.  Had a nice visit.  My nephew staked out the place thoroughly.  He found the Porsche in the garage that my dad drives in road rallies.  Well he started his little whiney act ..Dad, would pop-pop take me for a ride in the Porsche?  Dad agreed but insisted on waiting until tomorrow when the roads were dry.  Thank goodness.

5:00 - My half-brother and his live-in girlfriend arrived for dinner.  It stopped raining and we ate outside on the screened-in porch.  My half-brother brought fireworks some of which were illegal.  He had bought a case of them.  Well my nephew was in hog-heaven.  He kept telling my brother that Uncle Derek was cool!! 

dusk - Dad made the best pina colada's I've ever tasted.  We then went out in the culd-de-sac to set off the fireworks.  We would light a few...then run into the house for fear of the neighbors calling the cops.  But no one did.  We had fun.

Ahhhh alcohol and explosives.....Happy Birthday America!!

All in all we had a nice visit and I was in bed and asleep by 10:00 pm!!  YEA

 

Day 2

3:50 am - The alarm went off and I staggered out of bed to the shower.  This is the second night in a row I am feeling sleep deprived.  After a quick shower and dressing, I jump in the car for the 2 hour drive back down to Baltimore. 
 
4:15 am - Saturday morning, how wonderful it was to drive through the countryside of Pennsylvania.  Just me and the truckers...if only the rental car had a CB...10-4 good buddy... (that's my extent of CB lingo).  I arrived on time to find my brother and nephew waiting by the baggage carousel. 
 
7:15 am - On the road again, like a band of gypsies we go down the highway.....Now my brother has been up since 7:00 am yesterday.  He worked 1/2 day and then drove 2 hours and caught a flight from Seattle to San Francisco and then from San Francisco he flew all night to Baltimore.  He was a little punch drunk.  My nephew on the other hand was ready to curl up and take a nap...and boy did he!
 
8:50 am - stopped at McDonald's for breakfast...checked my nephew's pulse..ate breakfast while the nephew slept.  Realized that we were supposed to be back in Lancaster for the formal family pictures at 9:00.  My brother insisted on taking a shower first.  So we left McDonald's in flash and away we went.
 
9:10 am - arrived back at the hotel.  Mom had left a note with the information on where we were to meet (10 minutes ago).  It told the exit to take and nothing else.  While the guys showered I changed clothes and got ready. 
 
9:40 am - we left to find the photographer.  Mother's instructions were to exit and cross back over the freeway.  We did that.  Now we looked for what was a park.  I saw a sign on the right for an industrial park (with a fountain) but thought surely that's not it.  About 3 miles later we come to a dead end.  There is an Amish family working in the yard.  I'm starting to become agitated but I pull a U-turn in the middle of the road and head back.  I turn on the street where I saw the fountain.  I'm now in a trailer park!!!  I'm tired!!  I'm lost!! I've forgotten there is a 9 year old child in the car and that I'm supposed to be a lady.  I get back on the road and take the street on the otherside of the fountain.  There ahead is the 1972 yellow VW Beetle that my mother drives.  Everyone is walking back to the cars.  We missed the pictures.
 
10:30 am - we now must go meet at some restaurant that I apparently passed on my way in.  I'm thinking about going to the Amish house for lunch. 
 
11:00 am - we all arrive for lunch (imagine that).  We are seated at various tables and are told to help ourselves to the buffet (it was very good!).  After lunch my 5 cousins get up and share stories and give thanks for their parents.   Some of the stories were funny, some sad, but all in all it was a very touching 50th anniversary celebration for my Aunt and Uncle.
 
4:00 pm - we head back to the hotel.  I'm taking a NAP!!  Ohhhh to the contrary my friend...There is a daytime wedding reception going on.  This one happened to be a much smaller reception.  The cake was a store bought cake and the music was from a jam-box.  I'm beginning to dislike Brick House and Celebrate.
 
7:00 pm - we go to dinner (I must say I hardly ever skipped a meal).  I tell my cousins that I want to be in bed by 9:00 pm.  I know that tomorrow we are supposed to get up and go to church with my Aunt and Uncle.  The church is recognizing their accomplishment to the congregation and we will have cake and punch afterwards.
 
9:00 pm - I hear music as I walk down the hallway to my room.  I open the door and find another freaking note.  It's another RECEPTION....I'm thinking is this the ONLY hotel in Lancaster PA where people have receptions???   I pray to hear anything but Brick House. Mom tries to cover her head with the pillow.  Actually this DJ is much more subdued than the one last night.  He's actually playing some Frank Sinatra.  
 
11:00 pm - the music stops.  I'm out as soon as I turn the TV off.
 
 
 
 

How I spent my summer vacation by Earth Dog

Due to popular demand, it seems I must blog my vacation. Please note that due to the length of my escapades, I will be blogging only 1 day at a time. So here goes!

Day 1

3:45 am - The alarm goes off...enough time for me to get in the shower, finish packing my toiletries and be ready for the shuttle to pick me up at 4:30 am.

4:33 am - I am ready! I am impressed!!

Now my ex agreed to stay at the house and take care of the animals while I was gone. He was sleeping on the sofa but soon woke up with all the noise I had been making.

About the shuttle, approximately 2 months ago I made these reservations for them to pick me up and bring me home. I pre-paid the $60.00 and was instructed to confirm my reservations. I called the day before and did just that. The voice said yes, we show both pick up and return trip and we show the pick up for 4:30 on Friday morning. I felt secure in knowing that all was well with the world.

5:00 am - I am still sitting. My flight is at 7:00 am and thanks to Al Quida, I have been instructed to be at the airport 2 hours early. I call the shuttle to inquire as to their arrival time. The sleepy sounding woman on the other end informed me that they had another client to pick up first and that they would be at my house in 15 minutes. OK.

5:20 am - I call the shuttle service and in my most professional voice I say...I am still waiting and if the shuttle is not here in 5 minutes I want a full refund. The woman on the other end of the phone advises that it will take the driver 7 minutes to arrive. I said fine, I will wait 7 minutes.

5:30 am - I'm loading up my car, screaming at my ex to get dressed and take me to the airport! I'm calling the shuttle service as I'm driving 85 mph down the freeway. The shuttle service agreed to a full refund.

6:10 am - arrive at the airport and sent to a special room for screening. I'm starting to hyperventilate!

6:20 am - I arrive at the gate to hear an announcement..."We are unable to board the flight at this time. The 5th flight attendant has not yet shown up for work. Once she arrives, we will begin boarding". I'm thinking...She's waiting for the FREAKIN SHUTTLE!!!

Noon (time change to Eastern time) - I meet my mother at the Baltimore airport. We have a nice visit and talk for the 2 hour car trip to Lancaster, PA.

2:00 pm - Visit with the Aunt and Uncle who are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary. They had a nice lunch for us and we caught up on lots of family stuff.

3:00 pm - Checked into the hotel. The room was comfortable. I thought about taking a nap before searching the hotel for my cousins. All the sudden I hear a piece of paper being slid under the door. It seems there is to be a wedding reception in the courtyard area of the hotel and the room I am in is one that will be directly impacted. I go over and open the curtains and sure enough...there outside my first floor window is a GIANT wedding cake. The note says there will be music until 11:00 pm.

The rest of evening was spent visiting and catching up with family members. Tomorrow's plans are to pick up my brother from the Baltimore airport at 6:43 am, photos, luncheon, visiting.

10:00 pm - I'm lying in my bed, listening to 50 people singing Brick House and Celebrate and a DJ who thinks he's Casey Casem. I set the alarm clock for 3:45 am so that I can get up and begin the 2 hour drive to the airport tomorrow.

11:00 pm - I'm tired. They've been playing songs I don't know at the wedding I was not invited to. I thought about getting up and going for a piece of cake in my pj's but mother talked me out of it.

11:05 pm - The music finally stopped. Good night for now. Day 2 will come later.