All most ten years ago to the day Pat and I met up at LAX in Los Angeles to begin our quarterly get togethers.
This is the picture the Apple Photo gremlins popped up on my feed yesterday to remind me of those halcyon days. Ah, such sweet memories.
Alas, there will be no such trip this year. I just can't physically endure the stress of flying out. I also can't afford it. But you know what I do have? A lot of great memories and fabulous pictures and videos!
Have a great day everyone.
P.S.
Pat was and is the only person (except for Bill) that I traveled with who didn't take off in search of someone else to be with during our holiday.
Bill and I didn't travel together that often. Bill was a homebody and when we did travel to his hometown or where my father was born he didn't take of either.
To my dying day I will always be thankful to Pat for his friendship and love.
I've finally figured how to easily transfer my Memory videos from my iPhone to my You Tube account. I have literally thousands of photos that can easily converted into short memory videos like this that I'm showing now. In the past I've struggled how to transfer those videos to my You Tube account. Those videos I was working from my iMac computer.
This morning, while checking my iPhone this Memory video popped up. It was from and trip Pat and I made ten years ago (that long ago?) to West Hollywood, California. I had just met Pat two years earlier in Lewes, Delaware when he found my blog and left a comment.
After we got to know each other and wanted to spend time together, we decided to get together four times a year (quarterly). One of those times was a trip to West Hollywood in California. The other trips were to Canada and Philadelphia. We no longer go to West Hollywood because of that lady (Nadege) that we're seated with in one of the photos of this video. She suggested to us to visit Palm Springs for Modernism Week. We did the following year and the rest is history. Once we visited Palm Springs, we felt right at home. In the ensuing years when we take our annual "California Trip" we go directly to Palm Springs. In fact the following two years after this video we split out time, half in West Hollywood and half in Palm Springs. By the way, the dark haired fellow at the beginning of this video is Tony of Silver Lake. Another blogger we used to visit during our annual West Hollywood trips. But I digress.
These days I don't know if I'll every make any more trips to California because of my increasing mobility problems and reduced household income. But I am so glad I have all these pictures and videos of my previous trips so I can relieve those wonderful trips. And Pat is just about the best companion I could ever have on these trips. Unlike ALL my previous trips in my earlier life, including some with Bill (he didn't like to take trips, he preferred to stay at home), Pat stayed with me. Friends who went with me on my earlier trips always hooked up with somebody once we reached our destination and I didn't see them again until it was time to come home. I always envied others that I would see with their friends on those trips that stayed together and enjoyed each other's company. I wasn't so lucky. I guess that's what happens when I have friends who are horny and having sex with strangers was their Number One Priority.
So now you my faithful readers (twenty years this blog has been chugging along), you can expect to see more videos like this. I have to get this personal history of mine before I exit this life. Also, I love looking at these videos because it brings back fond memories of the wonderful times I've had on those trips with Pat. And.......continue to do so. We're not done yet folks. Getting married, hopefully later this summer or early fall will be the ultimate memory video.
This time tomorrow I'll be in line to board my flight from Philadelphia International airport to Buffalo, New York. My Canadian Travel Buddy will be waiting for me in Buffalo to complete the final leg of my trip to his luxury condo in downtown Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. This is fifth annual trip to Canada to visit Pat. Packing for my trips are always a challenge for me. I'm one of those people who packs for "all occasions" and I always end up not wearing most of the shirts I've packed. Every trip, looking at my packed to the gills carry-on luggage I vow to pack less. Usually I take way too many shirts and pullovers. This is what I'm packing this trip:
5 sets of underwear (T-shirts, underwear)
5 sets of socks
1 pair of shorts
1 light windbreaker/rain jacket
3 pullovers/colored T-shirts
3 plastic see-thru plastic packets of toiletries including prescriptions pills
chargers for my iPhone, Macbook and Bose speaker
This is what I'm packing in my overhead bin carryon luggage. In my personal shoulder briefcase: Macbook DVD's (first season Game of Thrones) Passport TD Bank checkbook There, I think I've covered everything. I'll take a last check before my neighbor picks me up tomorrow morning at 7:30 am for the two hour trip to Philly International for my hour flight to Buffalo. Oh, I forgot! Plane tickets! I'll download those later today from my computer. I print the tickets and I also have the tickets on my iPhone. This is the first time I'm using my TSA pre-check app that I got last year. Let's see if that works. Sure would be nice to breeze through TSA security. I'll try to keep you all updated during mystery stay in Canada. Won't have as many photos to post though, I can only do that from my iMac here. No matter how many trips I take, I always get nervous. I got that from my Mother. Not nervous because of being afraid of flying, I've never had that fear. My nervousness comes from all the connections I have to make to finally arrive at my destination. Once I arrive in Canada, I actually feel at home. How about that? I feel the same way when we visit California and Philadelhia. I'm finally living the life I always looked forward to all those years I used to schlepp to work at my banking job in Philly. Like another blogger friend of mine I often thought "Can't wait until I retire so I can do what I want to do." I'm very lucky folks because I am retired now (my part-time job at the hotel funds these trips) and am doing what I want to do. And how lucky I am to do it with such a great guy like Pat?
Pat and I having breakfast at John's restaurant in downtown Hamilton, Ontario Canada
Two weeks from this Sunday I will be making my annual trip to my northern neighbor Canada.
I am taking a flight from Philadelphia International Airport to Buffalo, New York. Pat, my Canadian Travel Buddy, will take the forty-mile trip from his home in Hamilton and cross the border to Buffalo to pick me up. I fly to Buffalo because it is cheaper and a LOT LESS stressful than flying into Toronto’s Pierson airport. And now that Pat lives in Hamilton, the mileage to Buffalo to pick me up is less than if he had to drive to Toronto to pick me up.
Pat and I waiting for the bus to the Toronto airport last year
This is my fourth trip to Canada to visit Pat. The first two years I visited Pat at his home in Toronto. Last year I visited Pat at his new home in downtown Hamilton. Pat sold his home in Toronto and bought a fantastic condo, with spectacular views of downtown Hamilton, at the historical Royal Connaught hotel, which is in the process of converting to luxury condos.
Pat and I get together four times a year. Every quarter.
At the end of December Pat and I meet in Philadelphia. I rent a suite at the co-op of my longtime friend and former co-worker Don McKenzie. I used to live and work in Philly and love visiting and reliving old memories. Pat loves Philly. And we both like Don very much.
Don, Pat and me at Marathon restaurant on Spruce Street in Philadelphia, PA
In February Pat and I take a two-week trip to California. One week in West Hollywood where we make another try to get on “The Price is Right”. We spend a second week in Palm Springs. I’ve always wanted to punch a hole in the winter cold by spending a few weeks in warmer climes. Now that Pat and I together, I can realize this long-held dream of mine. Pat brought a condo in Palm Springs last year. He has it rented out for two years but after that rental obligation is up we may stay there in the future. I would love to spend a winter month in Palm Springs. Another dream of mine I hope to realize some day.
In the spring Pat takes a bus from Toronto to Philly. He rents a car in Philly and drives down here where I live in lower slower Delaware. We spend a couple days here, visiting Bill and our favorite restaurants in Lewes and Rehoboth Beach and Lewes, then we both make the trip back to Philly and that rental suite of our friend Don.
I am so happy that I can make these trips with Pat. Many years ago, when I was young and full of energy I used to make trips to Provincetown, Massachusetts. I started out one week in the summer, but when I ended going up four times during the summer. The last time I visited Provincetown for a three week stay (1986), I returned to my job to find out I was job eliminated. I haven’t been back since. I hope to return at least one time before I check out, with Pat. There are no furniture stores in Provincetown, but they have a great Tea Dance and fabulous restaurants. Now to figure out how to convince Pat to add a fifth trip to our annual adventures.
Last Sunday my good pal Pat left Philadelphia to return to his home in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. Today I continue with my Memories, a compilation of photos and videos that I have taken of my recent travels with Pat. This video was taken last Sunday, June 3, 2018 as Pat left our rented suite at the 2101 Chestnut Street Co-Operative of our good friend Don McK. I walked with Pat down the almost deserted center city Philadelphia streets to the Greyhound bus terminal at 10th and Race Streets. Pat had a 7:00 AM bus to catch for his almost 24-hour journey back to his hometown in Canada. Coincidentally I encountered one of my cousins at the bus station. He was leaving his home in Coatesville, Pennsylvania to begin a new life in North Carolina. Which is ironic since my father (and his family) left North Carolina to live in southeastern Pennsylvania in 1930 to begin a new life. After I saw Pat off I walked back to our suite. On the way I took several pictures of the new center city buildings. I also stopped by one of our favorite Philadelphia restaurants, the Marathon Grill at 16th and Chestnut Street, to have a breakfast of veggie quiche, a breakfast alone without Pat. Returning to our suite I completed my packing in time to catch my ride back to home here in Delaware. A neighbor picks up at the door (door to door service) returning me home here in Delaware. This morning we have another doctor's appointment for Bill. Hopefully this is the last one for a while. Then I hope we can enjoy the rest of the summer without doctor visits. This fall I go on a trip again, this time to visit Pat in Hamilton. Rest assured there will be more photo and video complications. Have a great day everyone!
Selfie I asked Pat to take of himself this morning at the New York Port Authority while he was looking for his bus to Philadelphia
A few minutes ago I heard from Pat. He's in New York City changing to a bus to Philadelphia. This is the next to the last leg of his twenty-four hour journey that began 3 o'clock yesterday when he boarded a bus from his home in Hamilton, Ontario to Toronto to catch a bus from Toronto to Buffalo, New York City. When Pat texted me this morning he was looking for the bus to catch to Philadelphia. After he arrives in Philadelphia then he has to take a train from Suburban Station to Narberth, Pennsylvania, ten miles west of Philadelphia. He's rented a car from Enterprise Car Rental. He said he got a good deal in Narberth on a car rental. Then he begins the last leg of his annual trip to my home in southern Delaware. He should arrive here about 3 o'clock this afternoon. Thus ending his 24 hour journey that he began yesterday from his home in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. Me? I would take the plane but he, that's me. Pat will be very tired when he arrives here later this afternoon. He doesn't get much sleep if any, on the overnight bus. A couple years ago we decided to take the Red-eye plane flight from Los Angeles to Philadelphia, our annual trip to the Hollywood and Palm Springs. I can tell you from experience one doesn't get much if any sleep on these overnight trips. Pat will be here for a few days then we depart from here to visit our friend Larry in Claymont, Delaware located a few miles outside of Philadelphia. This year instead of taking our annual old time photo shoot in Rehoboth Beach, Pat and I will be taking Larry and his wife Lois out to lunch. Several years ago I started the annual tradition of taking Larry out to lunch after an old time photo session. However, this year the trip down here to Delaware is too onerous for Larry who has ALS. Also, this is Memorial Day weekend which is the beginning the nightmare of tourists and traffic descending on our fragile shores. Not that we don't appreciate all that business but it's just as well we don't get into that mix. This is the time of year we locals stay close to home. However, Pat and I may try to get into Rehoboth this weekend for a visit. At least a lunch at Lori's Cafe and maybe a walk on the boardwalk. Hopefully this time we won't have a repeat of what happened last time we took a walk in Rehoboth - a car load of guys (I assume straight), rode by and shouted "Hey fag!" One year when Larry and I were walking on the boardwalk and my friend Larry, who is straight, was ogling the girls in their skimpy two piece bathing suits,
Larry ogling the scenery on the Rehoboth Beach boardwalk
one young guy who was sitting on one of a park bench with his friends loudly whispered to his friends "There's two!" I was tempted to stop and confront him and correct him that there was only ONE gay, but then I thought better of it.
Rehoboth Beach boardwalk
Maybe I should have stopped. You know folks, for all the so called progress claimed by the local gay organization Camp Rehoboth that Rehoboth is a more "inclusive place", is just so much blather. Camp Rehoboth is a self-promoting, money raising, never miss a chance to get guys in drag organization, exclusive cliquey gay club. When two non effeminate men walk together in Rehoboth Beach and are still subject to epitaphs by young straight me who are seeking to impress their friends by gay bashing, nothing has changed from the day in the late 70's when I was subjected to the same taunts while sitting by myself on the boardwalk near Poodle Beach. Lots of money raised, self-congratulations, dances and men in drag but not much has changed in being subjected to homophobic taunts. Wow, did I ever veer from my original subject of this blog. But that's me folks, when I begin a blog post I go wherever my thoughts take me. That's why you read this, right? Except of course for the ever increasing number of spammers I receive in comments on this blog.
Larry continues to ogle
But back to the original subject of this morning's blog. Pat's on his way and we're going to have a good time, both here in Delaware (in spite of the homophobes) and Philadelphia. I'll try to keep you up to date with regular blog postings but no promises.
I'm back! We arrived yesterday afternoon at Philly International airport. No flight delays but I had the "baby noise" on my WHOLE six hour flight back. That's right folks, one the way out to California two weeks ago I had a little boy whining and crying the WHOLE six hours. On the way back I had a little girl doing her whole range of noises from baby talk ("da da") to whining and an occasional piercing scream that only little girls can do. I've including one short video of my experience here in this blog posting. Oh I know I won't gain many fans from my constant whining about the baby noise that I am trapped with on these flights, but man oh man, after enduring the stress of going to the TSA security checkpoints the LAST thing I needed to hear for six plus hours was baby noise. My version of Hell, sitting on one of those tight airline seats subjected to baby noise behind me for eternity. I'm still getting settled here at home and I go to work today. But folks, the two week stay in California - GREAT! Now to get those head phones to cancel the baby noise and put in my application for TSA recheck, which I am told is well worth it even if I only use it a couple a times a year. Talk about the MeToo movement, after going through the security checkpoint yesterday, I felt totally violated, especially after I was called back for a second pat down. And here I thought when you're over seventy-five years old you didn't have to remove your shoes, belt and dignity. Much to tell about our stay in beautiful, sunny California. More to come!
This photo has nothing to do with this post. I found it this morning while going through my thousands of photos. It was taken at the Tipton Family Reunion October 9, 2011. Again, I am always surprised at how fast time goes by. This was SEVEN years ago! Where will I be seven years from now?
\Well, we got through another holiday season. Now life can go back to normal. I'm not a total bah humbug for Christmas and "the holidays", which actually starts with Halloween. But I'm always glad when life can go back to the normal routine. Well, as normal as one can expect in today's world with the Orange Monster In The White House sending reckless Tweets out putting the world on edge for a nuclear war. Yes, I said it. Are you as embarrassed as I am that Trump represents us in the world? I'm not only embarrassed but I lose sleep at night wondering what the next outrage will come from the adult day care center that is now the White House. But enough of this worry, I'm going to try and live my life as normal as I can. Today that will be a challenge. We're expecting a nor'easter snowstorm to hit the eastern coast here later tonight. I'm scheduled to work at the hotel tomorrow afternoon. Do I go in now and stay overnight or do I take a chance that the major portion of this winter snowstorm/cyclone will bypass us here on the eastern coast of southern Delaware. I'll make that decision later today. As some of you probably know that county is in the grip of Artic temperatures. We have the fireplace going here at Casa Tipton-Kelly. On sunny days like this my bedroom has a delicious comforting solar heat that I luxuriate in. In fact right after this blog posting I'm going to indulge in that satisfying warmth. Next up on my agenda is preparing for my annual trip to sunny California next month. That's right folks, this year we're (my Canadian Travel Buddy Pat) spending two weeks in California, one week in Los Angeles (West Hollywood) and a week in Palm Springs. And as luck would have it my good blogger friend Dr. Spo and his entourage will be in Palm Springs the same time Pat and I are there. Spo and his buddies will be staying at Indulge. Pat and I will be staying at an Airbnb with a pool! Yes folks, I will take my bathing suit with me. This should be interesting since I haven't worn since I developed a pot belly. Where did that pot belly come from? Comes with age folks. Old guys get it. Now to get through this snow storm.
Folks, I have returned! Yes, I'm back from my week long sojourn in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. And as usual I (we) had a FABULOUS time! I just got up from a much need nap about an hour ago. Didn't take any naps while I (we) were in Philly so I have a lot of catching up to do. Pat just texted me. He's still on his way back to his spectacular condo in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. He caught his bus out of Philly this morning at precisely 7 AM. Yes, it takes him over twelve hours to get home. He just texted me a few minutes ago from Buffalo, New York. He's about to go through customs before entering Canada. Customs is tough, I hope they don't strip him looking for contraband. I need a lot of recoup time. I'll write more about our stay in Philly and it's environs in the coming week. Right now I need some dinner. Ah, it is so nice to be home. Nice to go on trips and all that adventure but also very nice to come home with this new appreciation of my home. Life is good folks but I am tired. I can see the time where I will no longer be able to make these trips. But for right now I'll take these trips and experience and enjoy all these new adventures that I have with my good friend Pat and share those experiences with you, my loyal blog followers. Love you all!
And believe me, I did contribute generously to the local Philly economy this past week!
Back to California folks! I still have many photos and videos to share of our annual January trip to sunny California. Today the photos are of the day we spent at the fabled Santa Monica Pier.
Pat at Santa Monica Pier
This is the second year we have visited California. This is our annual tradition now, to "punch a hole in winter" and visit sunny California. However, this year there wasn't so much sun in sunny California but we had a good time anyway. Matter of fact, Pat and I always have a good time wherever we go. We're good traveling buddies.
Pat and Ron, the Intrepid Traveling Duo at the Santa Monica Pier selfie - hey! It was a little breezy that day
We don't have any set schedule of places we want to see prior to our flight out to California. We just meet up in Philadelphia, take the five hour flight, land at LAX, rent a car at Enterprise Car Rental, check in at the Hollywood Bed and Breakfast and go from there. Our only "must" is to eat at the Veggie Grill at 8000 Sunset Boulevard, right across from the legendary Chateau Marmot hotel.
Last year, we made it a point, actually I made it a point to touch the Pacific Ocean. Just because I live so near the Atlantic Ocean here. That we did. Regular followers of my blog probably remember that "Ron and Pat Show" video we made of that toe dipping adventure. When we were at the Santa Monica Beach last year I saw the famous Santa Monica Pier but we were too late. It was just about to close. So this year we got to Santa Monica earlier so we could partake of the Santa Monica Pier.
Is that a rainbow flag behind me? Well, I'll be!
So how did I like it? Of course I loved the Santa Monica Pier. I would go back again. Now next year's goal will be to make it to Venice Beach.
I'll pump it up for our visit to Venice Beach next year
Yesterday I had a wonderful day trip to my old hometown of Philadelphia. The weather was perfect and the price was right. I took the Sussex County Tech bus ("Old Retired People's Bus Trips) to Philadelphia. Cost was $39 round trip!
Independence Mall where the bus left us for our "Day in Philly"
I've taken these bus trips before with the big Jor-Lin buses. I stopped taking them about two years ago because they "cheaped out" and started using "short buses" which basically, was a big pickup truck with a top on it. I felt like a packed sardine taking the 2 1/2 hour ride to Philly. However, I decided to take my chances this time when I saw a "Day in Philadelphia" bus trip was going to take place in October. I signed up.
Thus I was pleasantly surprised when I arrived at the Sussex Tech campus in Georgetown to see that huge, COMFORTABLE, Jor-Lin bus waiting for us very early on yesterday's chilly morning for a 7:00 AM departure.
Our tour director giving us instructions were to meet up and catch the bus back to Delaware at 4:30 PM - I almost missed the bus!!! More about that tomorrow.
Look at this, I'm going on too long already on this blog posting and I haven't even gotten to Philly. I'll have to make this post a two-parter because everyone knows most people don't read a long blog posting.
I wanted to visit Philly for several reasons. The first being that Philly for many years was where I lived and worked. I love going back and revisit those places of my long gone youth. Oh the wonderful times (and sad) I had in that city of Brotherly Love.
The view from my friend Don McK's (the top of his head is at the bottom right of this photo) rooftop garden at the co-op where he lives in Center City Philly
I also wanted to visit my longtime friend Don McK. I've lost touch with him over the years because he doesn't have an updated computer. He hasn't updated because he's confused with all the options. My goal yesterday was to clear the confusion and get him that computer and FIOS (cable) service.
My friend Don with "Ed" at the Verizon store in Philly - signing up for FIOS service
My friend Don at the Apple Store in Center City Philly, signing on to his new iMac Apple computer
Mission Accomplished! I also visited Don for the first time at his co-op apartment in Center City. I didn't realize that he lived that close to where Bill and I lived in Center City Philly. Oh how I miss my former hometown. In fact, seeing how comfy Don was in his apartment I had a fleeting thought of moving back! Can't do it though folks. I'm committed to living in the wide open spaces but I tell you what. I've made a decision to visit Philly more often and my friend Don. He needs tutoring on his new iMac. More tomorrow!
Me and my friend Don at the "More Than Just Ice Cream" restaurant in Center City Philly where we always have lunch when I visit him annually
Me on the Canadian side of the border at Niagara Falls - 1967
I have a new goal set for myself at the beginning this summer, where most of the time I'll be inside Casa Tipton-Kelly, escaping from the heat and humidity of the Delmarva peninsula. And what might that goal be you ask? To finally sort out the 80,000 plus photos that I have on my iMac in iPhoto. My God, I'm running out of time and I should organize these photos so once I'm gone and in the big Bloggerpalooza in the sky, whoever settles me estate will know what to throw out, and throw out is what they're going to do, of that I am sure.
Niagara Falls 1967 (my photo)
So, on this monsoon, rainy Monday I went into "Events" on iPhoto and started to split events. Here is my first sorted event. This is the first set of photos, actually slides that I converted into a digital image last year. These are slides images from our "honeymoon" trip to Canada in 1967. Yes folks, I had a delayed honeymoon just like I'm having a delayed wedding (49 years delayed).
Yep! That's me (far left) and one of Bill's famous "distance shots" - The Niagara River 1967
As you will see from these photos, most of which Bill took of me (we was still very enamored of me), they are all in the "Bill Style" in that they are all taken from a great distance. Bill doesn't believe in closeups or is incapable of taking a closeup picture. He still is. The few times I ask him to take a photo of moi, he takes the camera and starts walking backwards as I'm saying "Where are you going?" He says "I'm getting ready to take a picture of you." I say "How about getting closer so I can be seen in the picture?" thus starting "can't you do anything right?" scene.
Niagara Falls and the Maid of the Mist - 1967 - It's hard not to take a good picture of Niagara Falls
I'm sorry to say nothing has changed over the years. Bill still backs up to take a picture when I ask him. Oh to have someone like Mark around to take photos, imagine all the great photos I would have now, and not just of me of course.
I took this picture from the tower on the Canadian side - 1967
Oh I remember this trip so well. We started out by driving to Boston, Mass. Then up through Maine and over the border to Canada. We stayed in Toronto, Montreal and Ottawa. Since this was before the Digital Age, I really don't have a lot of pictures. These are from Bill's old Japanese camera. He bought it in Japan while he was stationed there during his Air Force tour of duty in the early Fifties.
Bill and Johnson Air Force Base Japan 1954 - I was 12 years old and Bill was 25 - little did I know this was my future husband
One thing that was so memorable about this trip was it was the first time we argued. And yes, it was about driving directions. Bill got mad at me because he didn't think I was proficient enough in reading the map (he drove). Well, I wasn't proficient. In fact I hated reading the map. I wasn't familiar with all those roads. Give me a break. An again, this was before the Digital Age and GPS.
Bill at Mt. Fuju - Japan 1954
I remember one time especially, I think it was on the outskirts of Ottawa, and we just couldn't (or I couldn't) find the way to get to our rental place for that night. I threatened to get out and walk home. Can you believe it? Somethings never change. Oh yes, THOSE WERE THE DAYS.
My future husband Bill Kelly at base of Mt. Fuji Japan 1954
Yes folks, we are back home! And glad of it. Early this morning Bill was knocking at my door at the Hampton Inn in Chesapeake, Virginia (in Suffolk, near Norfolk). The time was 3:30 a.m. Bill wanted to get an early start. Man oh man.
The Hampton Inn Suffolk, VA early this morning while we were loading up the van to get out of Dodge
This is the problem with Bill, he can't sleep at night (usually gets up at 2 or 2:30 after going to bed at 7 pm). Then when we go away on vacation like this he gets all worked up on the last day that we're not going to get the rented van back in time. Enterprise closes at 12 noon on Saturday. Don't ask me why they don't stay open all day on Saturday since that's when most people bring their rental cars back.
Bill walking pushing the cart into the hotel early this morning even before the birds were up
I would have like to have had breakfast at the Hampton Inn (which starts at 6) but decided it was just as well we didn't because the hotel was invaded by a horde of Golden Oldies (one of those giant tour buses for senior citizens) last night. I can just imagine what breakfast would have been like this morning at the Hampton Inn. All those old folks doddering around (not that I'm not one of them of course).
Front desk checkout this morning - apparently we weren't the only ones up before the birds
So we take off early in the dark. Rev up our new Garmin GPS and we're off on the darkened Norfolk roads real early in the morning. We always have trouble getting through Norfolk but this morning, other than on missed turn (Bill turned too early as he is wont to do)we got out fairly easy with our new GPS and we were on our way to the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel. Even though we left early, there were still LOTS of cars out on the road. More than I expected. We have always found traffic very heavy in the Norfolk area. Must be all that government Defense Department largess poured into the Norfolk Naval Station. We enter the tunnel. By the way, the fascination of driving underneath the Chesapeake Bay has long since left me. I don't like it. No, not one bit. I am so glad when we come up out of that tunnel....twice.
Driving through the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel, not for the faint of heart
Eventually we arrived on land on the other side of the bay bridge tunnel. We were now on the Delmarva peninsula which we would travel the length of, approximately 2 1/2 hours. The sun was finally beginning to rise. I told Bill "Can you imagine what that breakfast area looks like now at the Hampton Inn with all those old gray and white haired people doddering about looking for sugar packets an coffee stirrers?" When I worked at the Hampton Inn in Lionville, PA we used to get those busloads of seniors. I dreaded it. Where I work now, we don't have that many rooms. I can handle a couple or more seniors but not a busload. They change when they get together in a hoard like that. But I digress.
Early morning on U.S. 13 in Virginia on the Delmarva peninsula
Shortly in on the sparsely populated lower Delmarva peninsula we see an Arby's glowing in the morning darkness. Bill says "Want some breakfast?" Well....yeah. So we stopped in the cold (they must have just opened it) Arby's which already had a few local farmers parked at a couple tables. For the first time on our vacation, we as two men, did not elicit That Stare. You know the one I'm talking about. The star two men get when walking together in one of the "family resorts". That star that says "Do you think they are gay?They don't look gay. I hope the gays aren't planning on taking over our 'family friendly' (like gays don't have families) resort." You all know what I'm talking about . That Stare that says "Uh oh, they're coming!" Hey folks, Disney is the only family resort I know now that has a "Gay Days" and I don't recall God turning the Disney folks into pillars of salt because some gay people were having fun at DisneyWorld. Well, anyway, it was nice not to get That Stare. We were entering friendly territory. Those farmers that were in Arby's know we're not going to threatened the "sanctity" of their marriage or turn their kids gay. But again, I digress.
Arby's - somewhere in the lower Delmarva peninsula right after the bay bridge tunnel
Bill and I had one of those biscuit and egg sandwiches with smoked sausage. Each biscuit probably contained about 1,200 calories, 850 fat calories. They tasted yummy though. Probably because I was HUNGRY. I slept most of the way back. We arrive at "the house" (Bill refuses to call where we live "home". He says "home" will always be our former house in Pennsylvania. He never misses an opportunity to express his dislike of living in Delaware which does become tiresome after awhile but he is not to be deterred). We arrive home. Now for the "fun" part, unloading the van.
We unload the van and I follow Bill down in my Subaru to Enterprise to return the van. I had to wait awhile once in the office. The Enterprise folks were dealing with a couple of customers who were in accidents and were returning damaged vehicles. While standing in like I thought "I am SOOO glad that's not me." I'm a good little boy, I return my rentals clean and undamaged. You know where this is going don't you? Uh huh. Now it's my turn. I hand the keys over to the Enterprise clerk. He takes them and says "I'll be right back." He goes out to check the van. Just a mere formality folks, a MERE formality. Then, as I am standing there in my smugness, he reenters the office and says "Mr. Tipton, could you step out here a moment?" Uh.....what is this? You guessed it. My rear bumper was damaged. WTF? I didn't see that before. Must have happened last night in the Hampton Inn parking lot. I was mortified, my "good little boy" image slowly fading into nostalgic memory. Well, the good news folks is that I'm one of those people who take the max insurance out that Enterprise offers. Sure, it's expensive ($15.99 a day) but well worth it this time. Phew! No contacting my insurance company, no deductible, no nothing. Dodged a bullet there folks. And there is someone Out There, and they know who they are, who obviously backed into our van last night in the Hampton Inn parking lot. I finish up that bit of unpleasantness and we both head back home. Bill to mow the grass and me to put our things away. Cameras, chargers, dirty underwear, the five short sleeve shirts that I didn't wear once, the polished pebbles I got from the Tallulah Gorge souvenir gift shop. So we're back folks. I took a nice long nap this afternoon, a really deep sleep. It was one of those sleeps that when you wake up momentarily you don't know what time of day it is or where you are. Nice to be home.
Today Bill and I "did" Tallulah Gorge. Such a beautiful day with clear blue skies and a mild crisp temperatures, how could we not? We left early this morning from the hotel after a breakfast of normal waffles (the regular breakfast hostess was back) and cheese omelet and sausage. No orange juice though, still had that rusty tin can in the container. We're only about thirty miles from the Tallulah State park. By the way, the famous actress Tallulah Bankhead was named after her great-grandmother who was named after the Tallulah Falls. Tallulah Gorge was NOT named after Tallulah Bankhead, regardless of how often she told that story. Bill and I visited Tallulah Falls a couple of years ago but we didn't descend the stairs to the suspended bridge. We did that this morning. What a thrill! Just fabulous. However, I have to admit I have developed a minor case of fear of heights in my advanced years. Today was a good test of that fear. Another problem I had was descending those stairs. I'm afraid my knees are weaker than I thought. No video will be shown of me struggling like an old man climbing those stairs. It's late now and Bill and I want to get off to an early start tomorrow morning. We're twelve hours from home base in Milton, Delaware. We're not going to make the trip in one day but split it up in two days. We hope to make eight hours tomorrow and reach the Hampton in in Suffolk, Virginia. That way on Saturday we only have to travel up the Delmarva peninsula and thus deliver our rental van back to Enterprise before they close at 12 pm. This has been quite a vacation. From starting out bad when my distant cousin threatened me and banned me from "stepping foot" on his parent's property (to interview them for my genealogy records and to introduce them to my cousin Bob T. and his wife Marie) to today where Bill and I had a truly delightful time. We also were able to go into Toccoa for lunch again. Bill does so enjoy visiting his hometown. I am glad we had the opportunity to do so several times. We've done it so often now it is beginning to feel like his home again.
On my way to the other side of the hospital this afternoon to the "labs" to get my blood work done
No, "today's drama" is not about the terrorist who is hiding out in a boat, bleeding, in a suburban backyard as I type this latest post. No, "today's drama" is about a phone call I received this morning. As regular followers of my blog know, I am scheduled for brachytherapy on May 2nd. Translated that means I am undergoing a ninety minute surgery where they put me out (the fun part) and insert 80 to 90 radioactive seeds in my scrotum (ouch) to treat my localized prostate cancer. Prior to the surgery I am to have blood work done. Okay. I thought I had that all resolved last week. I was told I could get the blood work the day Bill and I return from our road trip vacation down south (we leave tomorrow) on April 29th. Oh no, "Cathy" tells me. "I can't order the seeds until you get your blood work." I told her that I'm leaving tomorrow for vacation. She repeats that she can't order the seeds (I thought they had already ordered the seeds but hey, what do I know, that's what I was told) until I get my blood work. She asked if I had eaten today. Well....yes. I did have breakfast. Corn Chex with 2% milk and a banana, no sugar. She said I could get the blood work today but I would have to fast the rest of the day. Oh joy, just how I want to spend the day I'm in a quandary over what and how many shirts to pack for our week long vacation and I'm fasting. She told me to go to the lab at Beebe at 5:30. I asked her what do I have to do. She said "Just go there and tell them you need blood work." Uh huh. Why did I think this wasn't going to be this easy? I called the number of the lab she gave me and told the woman that I had to have blood work today. She asked "Are you fasting?" I said "Yes." She said "Come on down at 5:30 and get your blood work done." Why did I think this wasn't going to be this easy? So I fasted all day. Let me tell you, fasting during the day is a LOT harder than fasting overnight. Five o'clock rolls around. I get in my trust Subaru Forester, Bill in tow. On the way down I tell Bill "I bet I run into a problem. I just know it." Bill waits in the car. I go into the hospital. I get directions to the "labs" which is, of course, at the total other end of the building, next to the Emergency Room. No one is at the window. Figures. I wander around until I find someone who looks like they work there. I tell them I'm here to get "my blood done." She motions me to a window where there is NO ONE. I amble myself over to the window and viola! Someone shows up. I tell her I'm there for my blood work. She said "Where is your order? I can't do anything without an order." OKAY.....HERE WE GO. I knew it. A classic Catch-22. I'm supposed to get my blood work but I can't get it because I don't have an ORDER but I can't the ORDER because the woman from the surgical unit who told me that I needed the blood work before she could order the seeds was gone for the day. I knew it, I knew it and I KNEW IT. Rather than bore you with all the flaming hoops I had to jump through I will sum it up this way, I got her to call my doctor's office (which was closed of course). She got the "back-up" doctor. After much back and forth on the phone, he okayed me for a "verbal order." I got my blood work done, albeit an hour later. Time I got out of there and to my car in the hospital parking lot where Bill was waiting for me the time was 7 pm. I had not eaten since 6 am. Man, was I hungry. So here I am now, the lone surviving Boston Marathon terrorist is still holed up in that boat in a suburban back yard and I am exhausted. I am exhausted from watching the overkill of that situation. Just a thought here folks, we can't spend five minutes on a background check for a gun but we can close down a whole neighborhood of 300,000 people to hunt for one 19 year old terrorist who makes pressure cooker bombs? My pre-trip packing routine was thoroughly destabilized by my medical SNAFU (look it up) today. I just KNOW I'm going to forget something on this trip tomorrow. Oh, I'll remember what I forgot by the time we hit Virginia.
Me at the Delaware State Legislature prior to my testimony Wednesday. Is that my T-shirt showing? My God.
