In between leaving Oklahoma and arriving in New Mexico, we drove through a small part of Texas.
We weren't going to be staying the night in Texas but there was one roadside attraction that I wanted to make sure that we wouldn't miss.
Cadillac Ranch.
Originally installed in 1974, these 10 vehicles are the inspiration for Ornament Valley in both the movie, "Cars," and in Carsland.
It's going to be a grow photo spot.
"The Kids" don't want to come with me to see it up close. My Mom's wheelchair wouldn't be able to handle the cow pasture where it is located anyway.
We overshoot the location of Cadillac Ranch and have to double back on a surface road that is running parallel to the 40. It is a little confusing but we get to where we need to be. Jack pulls off the road along with all of the other highway travelers that are stopping here.
I grab my iPad and iPhone and I hop out of the car. My Mom is not doing well today and I don't want to take anymore time than I need to.
The Cadillac's are about 500 yards away from me and the ground feels really...strange.
I realize it is because I am standing on the flatest land I've ever been on. It feels as though I can see so far that the curvature of the Earth is visiable.
I feel like I could fall off the Earth.
It's a weird feeling and I try to shake it off as I head off to my goal.
The cars look puny in the distance and the rise up from the ground the closer I get to them.
Up close, the cars are covered in a cacophony of color.
They are beautiful.
I watch other people climb on, take pictures with, jump in, and otherwise explore the cars for a moment before I go to work and get my pictures.
There's one other thing that most people are doing.
They are spray painting the cars.
It has been encouraged over the years to do so and the cars have been tagged more times than concrete banks of the Santa Ana riverbed.
I take a bunch of pictures and I'm just about ready to head back when I realize something.
I need to tag one of the cars with something from "The Bucket Trip."
But I didn't bring any spray paint with me.
I look around.
There are discard spray paint cans everywhere.
I start checking the cans to see if any one of them have paint in them.
First can, no paint.
Second can, no paint.
Third can, no paint.
Crap! This would have been so cool but I'm running out of time. I need to get back to my Mom and Jack.
I decide that I'm just going to try one more can.
It's a can of black paint. I shake it back and forth to try to get whatever last bit of paint in there ready to go.
I aim and depress the nozzle of the can.
I've got paint!
I put a giant black "T" on the side of a cadallic fin.
I drop down to paint my next letter.
I add a giant black "B" just below my "T" and I'm thrilled.
I'm really going to do it. The Bucket Trip will leave a mark here!
I go to add the final "T" with a horizontal line. Success!
I have just one horizontal line left to make and I'll have "TBT" on one of the cars.
But nothing comes out.
The can is out of paint.
I snap a final picture of my work. No runs. No drips. No errors.
It would have been perfect if I could have gotten all three letters on there. It feels like I have unfinished business.
It's not a good feeling as I head back to the Jeep.
I pick up the pace as I get closer to the car and I promise myself one thing.
This will be the only piece of unfinished business that I have on this trip.
Nothing else will be left unresolved.
Sunday, August 19, 2012
Saturday, June 9, 2012
Day 21 - Santee, CA - Conclusion
So The Bucket Trip is over but our journey with ALS has just begun.
We will have doctors appointments and hospice visits to set up.
And my family will face this together. Next weekend, my Mom and Jack will come up and do what grandparents do.
They will watch my Madeline perform in a dance recital.
You might find the theme of the dance recital interesting.
It is all about Route 66.
There are no coincidences.
When I finally get home, something interesting catches my eye on the way into the house.
It is something familier but it is a little beat up. A little deflated.
It is a Mickey Mouse glasshouse balloon from Disneyland.
I don't know if someone in the neighborhood lost it or if this one flew all the way from the Happiest Place on Earth.
It doesn't really matter how it got here.
Because there are no coincidences.
We will have doctors appointments and hospice visits to set up.
And my family will face this together. Next weekend, my Mom and Jack will come up and do what grandparents do.
They will watch my Madeline perform in a dance recital.
You might find the theme of the dance recital interesting.
It is all about Route 66.
There are no coincidences.
When I finally get home, something interesting catches my eye on the way into the house.
It is something familier but it is a little beat up. A little deflated.
It is a Mickey Mouse glasshouse balloon from Disneyland.
I don't know if someone in the neighborhood lost it or if this one flew all the way from the Happiest Place on Earth.
It doesn't really matter how it got here.
Because there are no coincidences.
Day 21 - Santee, CA - Part Four
Dear Jack,
You sir, are my hero.
Thank you for taking care of my Mom.
Your son,
John
You sir, are my hero.
Thank you for taking care of my Mom.
Your son,
John
Day 21 - Santee, CA - Part Three
Dear Mom,
Words have been spilling out of me for three weeks and now as we end this journey, I don't know how to say what I want to say.
Most of all, I want you to know how sorry I am that this has happened. I really still can't believe it. It seems like a nightmare that we can't wake up from.
I can't imagine what you are facing right now. I just want you to know that you won't be doing it alone. We are all here for you.
Like every parent and child relationship, we've had our peaks and valleys. There is one valley that I wanted to explain to you.
When you and Jack got married without telling James and I, I got very upset with you.
The reason that I was so upset was not because you had done that.
It was because I wanted to be the man that walked you down the aisle to give you away.
In hindsight, I can see why you made the decision that you did. It was something that the 17 year old me would never understand. I hope you can forgive that kid.
I want to thank you for all of your help with my own children. It breaks my heart that they will not get the opportunity to grow up with Grandma Johni. I will do my absolute best to make sure that they never forget the love that you have always had for them.
Thank you for letting me go on this Bucket Trip. I will treasure this time for the rest of my life.
Your son,
John
Words have been spilling out of me for three weeks and now as we end this journey, I don't know how to say what I want to say.
Most of all, I want you to know how sorry I am that this has happened. I really still can't believe it. It seems like a nightmare that we can't wake up from.
I can't imagine what you are facing right now. I just want you to know that you won't be doing it alone. We are all here for you.
Like every parent and child relationship, we've had our peaks and valleys. There is one valley that I wanted to explain to you.
When you and Jack got married without telling James and I, I got very upset with you.
The reason that I was so upset was not because you had done that.
It was because I wanted to be the man that walked you down the aisle to give you away.
In hindsight, I can see why you made the decision that you did. It was something that the 17 year old me would never understand. I hope you can forgive that kid.
I want to thank you for all of your help with my own children. It breaks my heart that they will not get the opportunity to grow up with Grandma Johni. I will do my absolute best to make sure that they never forget the love that you have always had for them.
Thank you for letting me go on this Bucket Trip. I will treasure this time for the rest of my life.
Your son,
John
Day 21 - Santee, CA - Part Two
The Bucket Trip wouldn't have been possible for me without some amazing support. I would be remiss if I didn't take the opportunity to thank those who helped make this possible.
Catherine and Jamie, thank you for taking care of the kids in my absence. Each picture or video that you sent me of them kept my spirits up. I have missed them dearly.
I can't thank enough the amazing team that I have the honor of working with each day - both my leaders and my peers. Thank you again for not even blinking when I got my "ugly cry" on in front of you and asked for the month off to do this. As for my peers, I just want you all to know how fortunate I feel that I get to work with each and every one of you. I have learned so much from spending the last four years with you all on this time. The only other job that I had more laughs at was my first one at Disneyland (and most of the time in that job, we were laughing about pooh or vomit or a combination of the two). You are truly the gatekeepers of Walt Disney's dream and on a daily basis, you have the opportunity to change the lives of 11 people a day (one every 45 minutes). Thanks again and please, PEECK UP, PEECK UP, PEECK UP!
There is one person out there that, without his help, I simply couldn't have done the physical part of The Bucket Trip - Davey Albaugh. Davey has been helping me once a week for almost a year now at the gym to try to build up my overall strength. His encouragement and guidance put me in a position where I could do the heavy lifting on The Bucket Trip. I can't tell you how many times I had to support all of my Mom's weight and I could hear your voice telling me "YOU'VE GOT THIS!"
There have been so many friends back home that have been encouraging along this journey too: Rabbi Gary, Mike G, Traci, Cheryl, and Rueben. Thanks for checking in and helping me along the way.
Then there are the folks to that took the time while The Bucket Trip was going on to spend some time with me: Carolyn, Jenny, Anne and her family, Scott, and Jenny. It was amazing to see so many friendly faces while on the trip.
I hope the genuine affection I have for the Hatley side of our family came through in the blog. They were so amazing to us. I enjoyed spending time with each and every one of them and I can't wait to see them again.
The last group of people that I need to thank are all of you. Thank you for following along this journey. Your notes and your "likes" on facebook have been part of the fuel for me to keep going. You also helped turn The Bucket Trip into something larger than I ever expected. You honor me when you share the link on your facebook page. More than anything, I know that I have something special here. Something worth sharing.
From the bottom of my heart.
Thank you.
Catherine and Jamie, thank you for taking care of the kids in my absence. Each picture or video that you sent me of them kept my spirits up. I have missed them dearly.
I can't thank enough the amazing team that I have the honor of working with each day - both my leaders and my peers. Thank you again for not even blinking when I got my "ugly cry" on in front of you and asked for the month off to do this. As for my peers, I just want you all to know how fortunate I feel that I get to work with each and every one of you. I have learned so much from spending the last four years with you all on this time. The only other job that I had more laughs at was my first one at Disneyland (and most of the time in that job, we were laughing about pooh or vomit or a combination of the two). You are truly the gatekeepers of Walt Disney's dream and on a daily basis, you have the opportunity to change the lives of 11 people a day (one every 45 minutes). Thanks again and please, PEECK UP, PEECK UP, PEECK UP!
There is one person out there that, without his help, I simply couldn't have done the physical part of The Bucket Trip - Davey Albaugh. Davey has been helping me once a week for almost a year now at the gym to try to build up my overall strength. His encouragement and guidance put me in a position where I could do the heavy lifting on The Bucket Trip. I can't tell you how many times I had to support all of my Mom's weight and I could hear your voice telling me "YOU'VE GOT THIS!"
There have been so many friends back home that have been encouraging along this journey too: Rabbi Gary, Mike G, Traci, Cheryl, and Rueben. Thanks for checking in and helping me along the way.
Then there are the folks to that took the time while The Bucket Trip was going on to spend some time with me: Carolyn, Jenny, Anne and her family, Scott, and Jenny. It was amazing to see so many friendly faces while on the trip.
I hope the genuine affection I have for the Hatley side of our family came through in the blog. They were so amazing to us. I enjoyed spending time with each and every one of them and I can't wait to see them again.
The last group of people that I need to thank are all of you. Thank you for following along this journey. Your notes and your "likes" on facebook have been part of the fuel for me to keep going. You also helped turn The Bucket Trip into something larger than I ever expected. You honor me when you share the link on your facebook page. More than anything, I know that I have something special here. Something worth sharing.
From the bottom of my heart.
Thank you.
Day 21 - Santee, CA - Part One
No one realizes how beautiful it is to travel until home comes home and rests his head on his old, familiar pillow." - Lim Yutang
Day 21 - Casa Grande, AZ to Santee, CA - Daily Distance - 333 miles - The Bucket Trip Final Distance - 4063 miles.
Before I know it, it's over.
I thought we are going to have one more day on The Bucket Trip. Santee was over five hours away and that would be just about the most amount of driving that we've done in a day.
But my Mom wanted to get home. Be in her own bed.
We're going home.
And for the most part, we ride in silence.
Not a bad silence.
I don't know about my Mom and Jack but I disappointed that it was all over.
For three weeks, we had stopped time. Our real lives were on pause.
Now it felt like the fast forward was getting hit.
And there's no final resolution. There's no big learning moment.
We just pull up to their house and the trip is over.
We get my Mom into her bed and Jack and I sit in silence for almost an hour.
It is time for me to go.
I say goodbye to my Mom and we agree that I'll be back Tuesday morning to help again.
She thanks me for coming on the trip.
Jack has to move the Jeep so I can get out.
"I had a really good time," I say.
"Me too," Jack replies.
"We couldn't have done this without you."
I get in my car and start my drive back to Orange County.
As the sun sets on this day, I feel a new feeling begin to sweep over me.
I don't recognize what it is at first but then it comes to me.
It is joy.
A smile stretches across my face for nobody.
I am so happy right now and it just takes me a second to figure it out.
It is because there is only one way to describe what we did over the last three weeks.
It was fucking awesome.
Day 21 - Casa Grande, AZ to Santee, CA - Daily Distance - 333 miles - The Bucket Trip Final Distance - 4063 miles.
Before I know it, it's over.
I thought we are going to have one more day on The Bucket Trip. Santee was over five hours away and that would be just about the most amount of driving that we've done in a day.
But my Mom wanted to get home. Be in her own bed.
We're going home.
And for the most part, we ride in silence.
Not a bad silence.
I don't know about my Mom and Jack but I disappointed that it was all over.
For three weeks, we had stopped time. Our real lives were on pause.
Now it felt like the fast forward was getting hit.
And there's no final resolution. There's no big learning moment.
We just pull up to their house and the trip is over.
We get my Mom into her bed and Jack and I sit in silence for almost an hour.
It is time for me to go.
I say goodbye to my Mom and we agree that I'll be back Tuesday morning to help again.
She thanks me for coming on the trip.
Jack has to move the Jeep so I can get out.
"I had a really good time," I say.
"Me too," Jack replies.
"We couldn't have done this without you."
I get in my car and start my drive back to Orange County.
As the sun sets on this day, I feel a new feeling begin to sweep over me.
I don't recognize what it is at first but then it comes to me.
It is joy.
A smile stretches across my face for nobody.
I am so happy right now and it just takes me a second to figure it out.
It is because there is only one way to describe what we did over the last three weeks.
It was fucking awesome.
Friday, June 8, 2012
Day 20 - Casa Grande, AZ - Conclusion
Casa Grande put us within shouting distance of some other members in my family.
This time, it was my Dad's side.
I don't have any first cousins on the side of the family. My Dad had one brother and he never had any children. But my Dad's cousin's did and those were the cousins that I grew up with locally.
After my parents divorced, I really didn't have a lot of exposure to this side of the family. We typically spent the holidays with my Mom's side of the family.
In recent years, the only time that I've seen folks from my Dad's side of the family were at the five major funerals that this side of the family.
A great aunt and great uncle and their son.
My grandmother.
And my Pop.
It was going to be nice to see someone from this side of the family and NOT have it be at a funeral.
My cousin, Scott, was about an hour away from Casa Grande and when I got into town, he and his wife were willing to drive down to see us.
The only other time that I've seen Scott in the last 20 years when we weren't mourning the loss of a family member was a totally random moment when he ran into me while I was sweeping in Tomorrowland in 1992.
Scott and his wife make it to Casa Grande pretty quickly and they meet me at the hotel lounge.
And this is where I think facebook is so great.
We've been connected there for a couple of years and we've been able to stay up to date on so many things that have been going on in our lives.
Ten years ago, this would have had the potential to be an awkward get together.
Tonight, it was family just reconnecting.
My Mom and Jack get up after their afternoon nap and join us in the hotel's restaurant.
The food isn't amazing but it is a great dinner. It is so nice to catch up in person.
Scott does one thing that cracks me up. My Mom's first cosmo comes out and it is in a TINY glass.
We can all see her disappointment.
We she orders her second one, Scott asks the server if she can get it in a larger glass.
She says she'll ask and when it comes out, the second cosmo comes in a HUGE glass.
It's a great way to end one of our last days on The Bucket Trip.
This time, it was my Dad's side.
I don't have any first cousins on the side of the family. My Dad had one brother and he never had any children. But my Dad's cousin's did and those were the cousins that I grew up with locally.
After my parents divorced, I really didn't have a lot of exposure to this side of the family. We typically spent the holidays with my Mom's side of the family.
In recent years, the only time that I've seen folks from my Dad's side of the family were at the five major funerals that this side of the family.
A great aunt and great uncle and their son.
My grandmother.
And my Pop.
It was going to be nice to see someone from this side of the family and NOT have it be at a funeral.
My cousin, Scott, was about an hour away from Casa Grande and when I got into town, he and his wife were willing to drive down to see us.
The only other time that I've seen Scott in the last 20 years when we weren't mourning the loss of a family member was a totally random moment when he ran into me while I was sweeping in Tomorrowland in 1992.
Scott and his wife make it to Casa Grande pretty quickly and they meet me at the hotel lounge.
And this is where I think facebook is so great.
We've been connected there for a couple of years and we've been able to stay up to date on so many things that have been going on in our lives.
Ten years ago, this would have had the potential to be an awkward get together.
Tonight, it was family just reconnecting.
My Mom and Jack get up after their afternoon nap and join us in the hotel's restaurant.
The food isn't amazing but it is a great dinner. It is so nice to catch up in person.
Scott does one thing that cracks me up. My Mom's first cosmo comes out and it is in a TINY glass.
We can all see her disappointment.
We she orders her second one, Scott asks the server if she can get it in a larger glass.
She says she'll ask and when it comes out, the second cosmo comes in a HUGE glass.
It's a great way to end one of our last days on The Bucket Trip.
Day 20 - Casa Grande, AZ - Part Two
It was high noon when we rolled into Tombstone (no, really, it was).
My Mom and Jack missed their opportunity to grab breakfast and when I got directions to a diner, those directions took us make on to the interstate.
So by the time we do get into town, my Mom is getting hangry (that's hungry + angry if you are scoring at home).
They're aren't a lot of places here that serve breakfast all day but we do find one and decide on heading there.
We find a parking spot on the street that will give us the best chance of getting my Mom out of the car.
And I am introdued to our new arch enemy - gravel.
It is going to be a bitch to get my Mom around here in a wheelchair.
We roll her on the wooden planks that make up the sidewalk in this town. This causes her to jiggle all to the way to the tiny restaurant.
We have a breakfast. Not the greatest one we've had on the trip but it did meet the legal definition of breakfast.
As we leave the restaurant, there are some "citizens of Tombstone" that are trying to get people to go watch a gun fight.
It isn't the OK Corral reinactment but it is about to start so we go see it.
It was, without a doubt, the lowest form of show business that I've seen.
It is beyond corny and cheesey.
I'm almost embarrassed for these three "cowboys."
They use blanks in their guns during the show. What is funny about blanks though is that part of the blank comes out really fast so it could pop a balloon if one was close by.
When the cowboys pull that trick, I can't help but think of Jon-Erik Hexum. The actor that accidently killed himself on the set of the CBS show, "Cover Up." (I know, pretty random thought).
After the cornball show is over, he head around the corner to try a prickly pear margarita that a friend has suggested.
As we start rolling, Jack has to stop.
I ask him if he's okay and he just asks for a break and tell me to go on ahead to the restaurant.
I pause for a second and then decide to take my Mom to the margarita place.
Standing for that entire show took a lot of steam out of his engine. He needed the time to catch his wind.
We are pretty much alone in the margarita place and since we just had breakfast, we stick to chips and guac with the margaritas.
We haven't really done too much day drinking on The Bucket Trip.
I'm probably going to need a nap.
We discuss what the plan is for the rest of the trip.
Only two stops left.
The Bucket Trip is going to be over before I know it.
My Mom and Jack missed their opportunity to grab breakfast and when I got directions to a diner, those directions took us make on to the interstate.
So by the time we do get into town, my Mom is getting hangry (that's hungry + angry if you are scoring at home).
They're aren't a lot of places here that serve breakfast all day but we do find one and decide on heading there.
We find a parking spot on the street that will give us the best chance of getting my Mom out of the car.
And I am introdued to our new arch enemy - gravel.
It is going to be a bitch to get my Mom around here in a wheelchair.
We roll her on the wooden planks that make up the sidewalk in this town. This causes her to jiggle all to the way to the tiny restaurant.
We have a breakfast. Not the greatest one we've had on the trip but it did meet the legal definition of breakfast.
As we leave the restaurant, there are some "citizens of Tombstone" that are trying to get people to go watch a gun fight.
It isn't the OK Corral reinactment but it is about to start so we go see it.
It was, without a doubt, the lowest form of show business that I've seen.
It is beyond corny and cheesey.
I'm almost embarrassed for these three "cowboys."
They use blanks in their guns during the show. What is funny about blanks though is that part of the blank comes out really fast so it could pop a balloon if one was close by.
When the cowboys pull that trick, I can't help but think of Jon-Erik Hexum. The actor that accidently killed himself on the set of the CBS show, "Cover Up." (I know, pretty random thought).
After the cornball show is over, he head around the corner to try a prickly pear margarita that a friend has suggested.
As we start rolling, Jack has to stop.
I ask him if he's okay and he just asks for a break and tell me to go on ahead to the restaurant.
I pause for a second and then decide to take my Mom to the margarita place.
Standing for that entire show took a lot of steam out of his engine. He needed the time to catch his wind.
We are pretty much alone in the margarita place and since we just had breakfast, we stick to chips and guac with the margaritas.
We haven't really done too much day drinking on The Bucket Trip.
I'm probably going to need a nap.
We discuss what the plan is for the rest of the trip.
Only two stops left.
The Bucket Trip is going to be over before I know it.
Thursday, June 7, 2012
Day 20 - Casa Grande, AZ - Part One
We live in a wonderful world that is full of beauty, charm, and adventure. There is no end to the adventures we can have if only we seek them with our eyes open." - Jawaharial Nehri
Day 20 - Benson, AZ to Casa Grande, AZ - Daily Distance - 113 miles - The Bucket Trip Distance - 3730 miles
333 miles left
It only takes one text to suck you back into work.
We were getting our now normal late start to the day. My Mom is having difficulty breathing at night and that is keeping her up. So when she does sleep, Jack lets her.
Makes sense. We're not in a rush to finish The Bucket Trip.
I've been up since 5:00 a.m. I'm not sleeping well at all. I'm having nightmares every night now.
Last night was a vivid one.
I had a dream that I was backstage at Disneyland and I watched as a plan crashed into the Main Street Opera House.
The crash woke me up and I wasn't going back to sleep.
So I had a lot of time to get breakfast, get the car gassed up, and catch up with things on the blog and on facebook.
I don't get the heads up from my Mom and Jack that they are ready to go until just after 11:00 a.m.
I've got all of their stuff on a bell cart when I get the text from my best friend at work.
"I'm sorry to tell you but (name redacted) passed away yesterday."
I'm blindsided.
I knew she was ill and I knew it was bad.
I didn't think it was that bad.
I tell my Mom and Jack that a former co-worker has died.
They've got their own problems to deal with.
I hop in my seat and I reflect on my friend while we drive away.
We didn't really connect until after we started working together. During that period of time, she struggled in the role and I kept my distance because of it.
When we were going through layoffs after 9/11, we all thought that she would be one of the folks that got RIF'ed (Reduction In workForce for you non-HR people). We kept waiting to see if she was going to get called into a conference room and be told that was it.
But it never happened. She survived.
A few years later, we connected because both of us lost a parent. I lost my dad and she lost her mom.
This created a bond that remained until her own passing.
See, when you work with people that haven't gone through the loss of a parent, they don't get why you don't stop grieving. You can be totally bummed out like three months later and people that hadn't had this experience will be like "Dude, that was like three months ago? You've got to move on!"
Well, people that haven't lost a parent, YOU DON'T GET OVER IT!!!
Each day, the pain just becomes less and less.
My friend got this.
And whenever she needed to talk about her mom or I needed to talk about my dad, we would find each other.
It was our own little club. The Dead Parent Club.
I am very sad she's gone and I didn't get a chance to see her one last time.
Day 20 - Benson, AZ to Casa Grande, AZ - Daily Distance - 113 miles - The Bucket Trip Distance - 3730 miles
333 miles left
It only takes one text to suck you back into work.
We were getting our now normal late start to the day. My Mom is having difficulty breathing at night and that is keeping her up. So when she does sleep, Jack lets her.
Makes sense. We're not in a rush to finish The Bucket Trip.
I've been up since 5:00 a.m. I'm not sleeping well at all. I'm having nightmares every night now.
Last night was a vivid one.
I had a dream that I was backstage at Disneyland and I watched as a plan crashed into the Main Street Opera House.
The crash woke me up and I wasn't going back to sleep.
So I had a lot of time to get breakfast, get the car gassed up, and catch up with things on the blog and on facebook.
I don't get the heads up from my Mom and Jack that they are ready to go until just after 11:00 a.m.
I've got all of their stuff on a bell cart when I get the text from my best friend at work.
"I'm sorry to tell you but (name redacted) passed away yesterday."
I'm blindsided.
I knew she was ill and I knew it was bad.
I didn't think it was that bad.
I tell my Mom and Jack that a former co-worker has died.
They've got their own problems to deal with.
I hop in my seat and I reflect on my friend while we drive away.
We didn't really connect until after we started working together. During that period of time, she struggled in the role and I kept my distance because of it.
When we were going through layoffs after 9/11, we all thought that she would be one of the folks that got RIF'ed (Reduction In workForce for you non-HR people). We kept waiting to see if she was going to get called into a conference room and be told that was it.
But it never happened. She survived.
A few years later, we connected because both of us lost a parent. I lost my dad and she lost her mom.
This created a bond that remained until her own passing.
See, when you work with people that haven't gone through the loss of a parent, they don't get why you don't stop grieving. You can be totally bummed out like three months later and people that hadn't had this experience will be like "Dude, that was like three months ago? You've got to move on!"
Well, people that haven't lost a parent, YOU DON'T GET OVER IT!!!
Each day, the pain just becomes less and less.
My friend got this.
And whenever she needed to talk about her mom or I needed to talk about my dad, we would find each other.
It was our own little club. The Dead Parent Club.
I am very sad she's gone and I didn't get a chance to see her one last time.
Day 19 - Benson, AZ - Conclusion
There's no denying it. We are getting tired.
I tried to ignore it but you can see that we are slowing down.
We get up later. We drive less. We even call it quits after one margarita.
It is time to get my Mom home.
We check in to our hotel in Benson, AZ.
How is it that the cheapest hotel that we've stayed with on this trip turns out to be the nicest.
The only thing missing is the automatic pancake maker.
We get my Mom in and she's down for a nap.
I try to exlore Benson but I find it near impossible to find anything to do. Not surprising since more people work in my office building than live here.
Eventually, she's up from her nap and ready to eat.
Unfortunately, the choices are very limited. Yelp is no help. I go to the front desk and ask for a recommendation. He points out the two best restaurants in town and gives me directions.
One is a steak place. One is Mexican food.
My Mom chooses the Mexican food place. (Duh..margaritas).
Getting her out of the car, I really notice something that has been changing about my Mom.
She is really going gray.
At first it was a streak on the side of her head that she kept hidden.
Now, it looks like she is going gray overnight.
"You're going to need to have someone come in and color your hair."
She's replying in mostly one word sentences now. "No. Not anymore."
I think she will be completely gray within the month.
We get seated and order our margaritas.
I think it is hysterical watching my mom drink margaritas. She has to lean in and catch the straw with her mouth. Her eyes get so big and she starts to drink.
I start taking pictures again.
I get a really good one and show it to Jack.
He can't stop laughing either.
My Mom plays along and let's us laugh.
I love that, despite everything going on and how sad this truly is, we can still generate laughter that fills a restaurant.
I'm going to miss that most of all.
I tried to ignore it but you can see that we are slowing down.
We get up later. We drive less. We even call it quits after one margarita.
It is time to get my Mom home.
We check in to our hotel in Benson, AZ.
How is it that the cheapest hotel that we've stayed with on this trip turns out to be the nicest.
The only thing missing is the automatic pancake maker.
We get my Mom in and she's down for a nap.
I try to exlore Benson but I find it near impossible to find anything to do. Not surprising since more people work in my office building than live here.
Eventually, she's up from her nap and ready to eat.
Unfortunately, the choices are very limited. Yelp is no help. I go to the front desk and ask for a recommendation. He points out the two best restaurants in town and gives me directions.
One is a steak place. One is Mexican food.
My Mom chooses the Mexican food place. (Duh..margaritas).
Getting her out of the car, I really notice something that has been changing about my Mom.
She is really going gray.
At first it was a streak on the side of her head that she kept hidden.
Now, it looks like she is going gray overnight.
"You're going to need to have someone come in and color your hair."
She's replying in mostly one word sentences now. "No. Not anymore."
I think she will be completely gray within the month.
We get seated and order our margaritas.
I think it is hysterical watching my mom drink margaritas. She has to lean in and catch the straw with her mouth. Her eyes get so big and she starts to drink.
I start taking pictures again.
I get a really good one and show it to Jack.
He can't stop laughing either.
My Mom plays along and let's us laugh.
I love that, despite everything going on and how sad this truly is, we can still generate laughter that fills a restaurant.
I'm going to miss that most of all.
Day 19 - Benson, AZ - Part Two
It seems like eons ago that my Mom and Jack told me about going to see THE THING (mystery of the desert).
And now we were going to see THE THING.
We are leaving New Mexico and are headed in to Arizona. I'm not going to lie. I'm torn about going home.
I do need to get back to my life. There is so much to do there.
But I don't want this trip to end. It has been everything that I've hoped it would be.
I've played so many roles on this trip: Navigator, travel critic, personal shopper, care giver, valet, bell help, strong man, jester, photographer, travel agent, and my most important one...
Son.
I don't want this trip to end.
I don't even want to think about it.
So I don't. I focus on what is next. THE THING!
You can see the sign coming on the horizon from a couple of miles away. As the sign gets bigger, you can feel your excitment growing.
And...then....the...sign...is....riiiiiiiight......THERE!
WHAT IS THE THING???
(brought to you by DQ)
I fall asleep on the way to see THE THING (I'm not sleeping well) and before I know it we are there.
My Mom had fallen asleep too.
Now she doesn't want to go in. She wants to stay in the car.
Jack convinces her to come in.
We enter the storefront and Jack pays the $3 for us to see THE THING.
Now I'm not going to describe what is on display behind that door. It quite honestly defies description.
I will tell you that you could make an agruement that we did not receive a dollar's worth of entertainment.
But there was something interesting about THE THING.
There were people living there.
I couldn't be entirely sure about that. The three mobile homes inside the boundaries of THE THING could have been offices.
But then I saw all of the kids toys back there.
I can't believe that people were living with THE THING.
We leave THE THING head over to the adjacent Dairy Queen.
We each get a milkshake and take this respite to find out next hotel room.
We decide to stop in Benson, AZ since we can't get a hotel room with a roll in shower in Tombstone.
The hotel we book used to be a Holiday Inn Express but it isn't any more. It is also the cheapest hotel that we've booked on this trip.
I really hope that I didn't book ourselves into a fleabag hotel right at the end of our trip.
And now we were going to see THE THING.
We are leaving New Mexico and are headed in to Arizona. I'm not going to lie. I'm torn about going home.
I do need to get back to my life. There is so much to do there.
But I don't want this trip to end. It has been everything that I've hoped it would be.
I've played so many roles on this trip: Navigator, travel critic, personal shopper, care giver, valet, bell help, strong man, jester, photographer, travel agent, and my most important one...
Son.
I don't want this trip to end.
I don't even want to think about it.
So I don't. I focus on what is next. THE THING!
You can see the sign coming on the horizon from a couple of miles away. As the sign gets bigger, you can feel your excitment growing.
And...then....the...sign...is....riiiiiiiight......THERE!
WHAT IS THE THING???
(brought to you by DQ)
I fall asleep on the way to see THE THING (I'm not sleeping well) and before I know it we are there.
My Mom had fallen asleep too.
Now she doesn't want to go in. She wants to stay in the car.
Jack convinces her to come in.
We enter the storefront and Jack pays the $3 for us to see THE THING.
Now I'm not going to describe what is on display behind that door. It quite honestly defies description.
I will tell you that you could make an agruement that we did not receive a dollar's worth of entertainment.
But there was something interesting about THE THING.
There were people living there.
I couldn't be entirely sure about that. The three mobile homes inside the boundaries of THE THING could have been offices.
But then I saw all of the kids toys back there.
I can't believe that people were living with THE THING.
We leave THE THING head over to the adjacent Dairy Queen.
We each get a milkshake and take this respite to find out next hotel room.
We decide to stop in Benson, AZ since we can't get a hotel room with a roll in shower in Tombstone.
The hotel we book used to be a Holiday Inn Express but it isn't any more. It is also the cheapest hotel that we've booked on this trip.
I really hope that I didn't book ourselves into a fleabag hotel right at the end of our trip.
Day 19 - Benson, AZ - Part One
Travel is more than the seeing of sights; it is a change that goes on, deep and permanent, in the ideas of living." - Miriam Beard
Day 19 - Benson, AZ - Daily distance - 173 miles - The Bucket Trip distance - 3627 miles
Miles back home - 441 miles
Everything will be returning to normal soon.
Our new normal.
And there is nothing more normal that whet I'm doing this morning. It is time for the first scheduled maintenance for the Jeep and there just happens to be a Jeep dealership right next door to the hotel.
My cousin writes on my facebook check in here that you know it is a good road trip when you have to get the scheduled maintenance while on it.
He's right.
I'm there before they open and I think I shock the service manager when he arrives.
He unlocks the gates and I pull in to the service area.
"Do you have an appointment?" he asks
Rut roh!
I tell him that I don't but I quickly add the entire story. I don't think we should be driving another 500 miles without at least an oil change.
He agrees to perform the service.
But this is going to take a while. I'm glad I had breakfast before I left.
The breakfast area was pretty full today. Almost all men, all here on business.
There's no automatic pancake maker this morning. Instead, there is a waffle maker. And I'm struggle to flip over the waffle.
One of the guys in there sees me struggle with it and he comes over to lend a hand. It is a very kind thing to do.
He goes back to his table and his attention focuses on the news program on the tv. Just 30 seconds after helping me, he is raving at the television calling for the resignation of a Washington insider and refering to him as a "commie."
I'm still thinking about the experience while I wait for the Jeep to be serviced.
And wait.
And wait.
And wait.
It takes nearly two hours before it is ready and I'm on my way. The service manager wishes me a safe trip home.
I stop to get gas before heading back to the hotel.
Car serviced. Car gassed up. Normal, everyday things.
I can't wait for my life to be normal again.
Day 19 - Benson, AZ - Daily distance - 173 miles - The Bucket Trip distance - 3627 miles
Miles back home - 441 miles
Everything will be returning to normal soon.
Our new normal.
And there is nothing more normal that whet I'm doing this morning. It is time for the first scheduled maintenance for the Jeep and there just happens to be a Jeep dealership right next door to the hotel.
My cousin writes on my facebook check in here that you know it is a good road trip when you have to get the scheduled maintenance while on it.
He's right.
I'm there before they open and I think I shock the service manager when he arrives.
He unlocks the gates and I pull in to the service area.
"Do you have an appointment?" he asks
Rut roh!
I tell him that I don't but I quickly add the entire story. I don't think we should be driving another 500 miles without at least an oil change.
He agrees to perform the service.
But this is going to take a while. I'm glad I had breakfast before I left.
The breakfast area was pretty full today. Almost all men, all here on business.
There's no automatic pancake maker this morning. Instead, there is a waffle maker. And I'm struggle to flip over the waffle.
One of the guys in there sees me struggle with it and he comes over to lend a hand. It is a very kind thing to do.
He goes back to his table and his attention focuses on the news program on the tv. Just 30 seconds after helping me, he is raving at the television calling for the resignation of a Washington insider and refering to him as a "commie."
I'm still thinking about the experience while I wait for the Jeep to be serviced.
And wait.
And wait.
And wait.
It takes nearly two hours before it is ready and I'm on my way. The service manager wishes me a safe trip home.
I stop to get gas before heading back to the hotel.
Car serviced. Car gassed up. Normal, everyday things.
I can't wait for my life to be normal again.
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Day 18 - Deming, NM - Conclusion
It is too hot at dinner.
The micro-brewery does have ceiling fans that are wheezing along.
But it isn't enough.
"I'm totally comfortable here," my Mom proclaims.
It is just shy of miserable in here.
Dinner isn't the best one that we've had.
The server switched my order with my Mom's and neither one of us noticed until it was too late.
In the middle of dinner, I see a roach run across the dining room floor.
I don't say anything about it. I don't want my Mom to try to jump out of her chair.
Dinner is pretty quick and we decide what we are going to do.
We'll stop in Tombstone tomorrow.
And then Jack throws out one more stop.
"How about we take you to see, THE THING?"
I think that is the perfect way to end The Bucket Trip.
The micro-brewery does have ceiling fans that are wheezing along.
But it isn't enough.
"I'm totally comfortable here," my Mom proclaims.
It is just shy of miserable in here.
Dinner isn't the best one that we've had.
The server switched my order with my Mom's and neither one of us noticed until it was too late.
In the middle of dinner, I see a roach run across the dining room floor.
I don't say anything about it. I don't want my Mom to try to jump out of her chair.
Dinner is pretty quick and we decide what we are going to do.
We'll stop in Tombstone tomorrow.
And then Jack throws out one more stop.
"How about we take you to see, THE THING?"
I think that is the perfect way to end The Bucket Trip.
Day 18 - Deming, NM - Part Five
It's hot here in Deming.
I don't think that they know about air conditioning yet.
Sure, the hotel room has it.
But everywhere else we go, not so much.
We get my Mom into their room at the hotel and she's off for her now normal afternoon nap.
I take the Jeep out to do some recon.
I want to figure out where things are and where we can go to dinner.
There really isn't much to this town beside a Wal*Mart and more title loan shops than you could ever believe possible.
I find a little micro-brewery and head in to see if it will work.
There's a hostess / server and a bartender here and that's it.
It doesn't look like that they have a table here that will work for a wheelchair.
I ask the hostess what she thinks we can do and she tells me that she can set up a table in the corner.
That will work.
I have a beer before I leave here. There's one called Liquid Nap. That may be the greatest name ever for a beer.
While I'm there, another friends posts a link to Roadside America.
I'm within walking distance to a creepy WWII memorial.
I've got time. I go ahead and walk on over. It isn't on a main road and before I know it, I'm all alone.
The illustration is pretty creepy. It is a memorial for the members of the New Mexico National Guard that were killed during the Bataan Death March.
The two soldiers depicted look like two extras from The Walking Dead.
There's a tank and an anti-aircraft gun on display too.
I take my pictures and head on back to the Jeep.
I've effectively walked off the Liquid Nap.
I don't think that they know about air conditioning yet.
Sure, the hotel room has it.
But everywhere else we go, not so much.
We get my Mom into their room at the hotel and she's off for her now normal afternoon nap.
I take the Jeep out to do some recon.
I want to figure out where things are and where we can go to dinner.
There really isn't much to this town beside a Wal*Mart and more title loan shops than you could ever believe possible.
I find a little micro-brewery and head in to see if it will work.
There's a hostess / server and a bartender here and that's it.
It doesn't look like that they have a table here that will work for a wheelchair.
I ask the hostess what she thinks we can do and she tells me that she can set up a table in the corner.
That will work.
I have a beer before I leave here. There's one called Liquid Nap. That may be the greatest name ever for a beer.
While I'm there, another friends posts a link to Roadside America.
I'm within walking distance to a creepy WWII memorial.
I've got time. I go ahead and walk on over. It isn't on a main road and before I know it, I'm all alone.
The illustration is pretty creepy. It is a memorial for the members of the New Mexico National Guard that were killed during the Bataan Death March.
The two soldiers depicted look like two extras from The Walking Dead.
There's a tank and an anti-aircraft gun on display too.
I take my pictures and head on back to the Jeep.
I've effectively walked off the Liquid Nap.
Day 18 - Deming, NM - Part Four
I have a lot of downtime in the car.
Other than when I went on my own to Marceline, I haven't driven one leg of this trip.
So when I do have a connection to the 3G Network (which is rare), I am getting the feedback and the well wishes from family and friends that are watching this happen.
It definitely means a lot. Everyone should have an opportunity to feel the level of kindness that we are right now.
On the way the Deming, I get a message from another person that I used to work with in Custodial at Disneyland.
I've already shared here that those of us that worked in that department together have a different type of bond. It truly comes from having to deal with the worst that humanity has to dish out in a theme park environment.
My friend writes:
John, as you've let us come along on this amazing journey with you, Jack, and your Mom as you reconnected with family, I am reminded of the following: But what I hope most of all is that you understand what I mean when I tell you that even though I do not know you, and even though I may not meet you, laugh with you, cry with you, or kiss you; I love you. With all my heart, I love you. For Jack and your Mom and the cousins and Priscilla and the folks in Marceline.
I've lost track of the number of times I've cried on this trip.
And now, here was one more.
Other than when I went on my own to Marceline, I haven't driven one leg of this trip.
So when I do have a connection to the 3G Network (which is rare), I am getting the feedback and the well wishes from family and friends that are watching this happen.
It definitely means a lot. Everyone should have an opportunity to feel the level of kindness that we are right now.
On the way the Deming, I get a message from another person that I used to work with in Custodial at Disneyland.
I've already shared here that those of us that worked in that department together have a different type of bond. It truly comes from having to deal with the worst that humanity has to dish out in a theme park environment.
My friend writes:
John, as you've let us come along on this amazing journey with you, Jack, and your Mom as you reconnected with family, I am reminded of the following: But what I hope most of all is that you understand what I mean when I tell you that even though I do not know you, and even though I may not meet you, laugh with you, cry with you, or kiss you; I love you. With all my heart, I love you. For Jack and your Mom and the cousins and Priscilla and the folks in Marceline.
I've lost track of the number of times I've cried on this trip.
And now, here was one more.
Day 18 - Deming, NM - Part Three
When you don't know where you are going to end up, it truly feels like you are on a road to nowhere.
Today's goal was Tombstone, AZ.
We are not going to make it.
We got too late a start and now it is out of reach for the night.
We decide to break for a late lunch in Las Cruces, NM.
I look on Yelp for a place that has received good reviews.
It seems to me that New Mexico is really proud of their cooking in this state.
I have to say that I haven't really been impressed.
Other factors come into play now when choosing a place to dine at.
The biggest one is of course wheelchair accessibility.
The first restaurant I lock on to looks great, if only they were wheelchair accessible.
The second place with have to do.
We pass a Chili's on the way to it and ask if my Mom would rather go there.
She doesn't. I think she's had her fill of Chili's at this point.
We find the restaurant and are able to quickly get in.
It is mid-afternoon and there are only a couple of tables being used at this point.
The restaurant looks nice but there are flies buzzing around.
I wonder if that is a New Mexico thing?
My Mom is looking for the margarita menu here. It's a mexican restaurant so it is a fair assumption.
The waiter greets us and takes our drink order.
My Mom asks if they serve margaritas here.
He sort of chuckles and tells us "No."
We move on from the disappointment of no booze and start focusing on where we are going to go next.
It takes us almost twenty minutes to finalize a location.
Up to now, we've decided what town to stop in, find a Holiday Inn Express, call them, book the room, and then we were done.
We were having no luck today.
We call three different places in three different cities and we can't find something that is going to work for us.
Finally, we land on Dening, New Mexico. The Holiday Inn here won't work for us. They don't have a roll in shower. There a La Quinta in right next door to it and that will work.
We won't be driving as far as we want to but at least we now know where we are going.
Today's goal was Tombstone, AZ.
We are not going to make it.
We got too late a start and now it is out of reach for the night.
We decide to break for a late lunch in Las Cruces, NM.
I look on Yelp for a place that has received good reviews.
It seems to me that New Mexico is really proud of their cooking in this state.
I have to say that I haven't really been impressed.
Other factors come into play now when choosing a place to dine at.
The biggest one is of course wheelchair accessibility.
The first restaurant I lock on to looks great, if only they were wheelchair accessible.
The second place with have to do.
We pass a Chili's on the way to it and ask if my Mom would rather go there.
She doesn't. I think she's had her fill of Chili's at this point.
We find the restaurant and are able to quickly get in.
It is mid-afternoon and there are only a couple of tables being used at this point.
The restaurant looks nice but there are flies buzzing around.
I wonder if that is a New Mexico thing?
My Mom is looking for the margarita menu here. It's a mexican restaurant so it is a fair assumption.
The waiter greets us and takes our drink order.
My Mom asks if they serve margaritas here.
He sort of chuckles and tells us "No."
We move on from the disappointment of no booze and start focusing on where we are going to go next.
It takes us almost twenty minutes to finalize a location.
Up to now, we've decided what town to stop in, find a Holiday Inn Express, call them, book the room, and then we were done.
We were having no luck today.
We call three different places in three different cities and we can't find something that is going to work for us.
Finally, we land on Dening, New Mexico. The Holiday Inn here won't work for us. They don't have a roll in shower. There a La Quinta in right next door to it and that will work.
We won't be driving as far as we want to but at least we now know where we are going.
Day 18 - Deming, NM - Part Two
I need to get some sunglasses.
The dunes at White Sands are beyond bright.
They are hurting my eyes.
We drive along the designated path. Signs everywhere saying going off road is prohibited.
What vehicle could even make it through these dunes?
Every few hundred meters, there is a turnout with signs posted so that you can learn more about the area.
Jack pulls up to them and my Mom reads them for him.
We move on.
There are signs everywhere saying that it is congested.
It isn't.
There are only a dozen other people here right now.
We see an RV and a couple of families enjoying ice tea and using discs to slide down the dunes.
At the top of one dune, three kids have buried themselves in the sand.
Why do I think that is so gross.
We turn around and head on back out.
Before we leave White Sands, my Mom needs to be changed. (Not of my Mom!)
It's a lesson for us - we come into this world needing to wear diapers and we leave this world needing the same.
Jack thinks he's got a plan to change her that will work in the front seat of the Jeep.
I hop out and start taking pictures around the entrance to White Sands.
A big guy pulls up on his motorcycle while I'm doing this.
I start to walk away.
He's taking photos too.
"Hey, buddy."
I turn and look back at him.
He's got his motorcycle set up in front of the sign for White Sands and he's holding up a little point and shoot.
"Can you take my picture?"
I can't even imagine how many pictures I've taken for people over the years while working at Disneyland.
After a while, it feels like you are wearing a sign that reads "Please Ask Me to Take Your Picture!"
I go ahead and take one for him.
And then I take one with my phone for me.
I hand him back his camera and he thanks me before taking off.
Jack's ready to go.
My Mom is in a good mood.
It's funny how these days, a dry diaper can make all the difference in the world.
The dunes at White Sands are beyond bright.
They are hurting my eyes.
We drive along the designated path. Signs everywhere saying going off road is prohibited.
What vehicle could even make it through these dunes?
Every few hundred meters, there is a turnout with signs posted so that you can learn more about the area.
Jack pulls up to them and my Mom reads them for him.
We move on.
There are signs everywhere saying that it is congested.
It isn't.
There are only a dozen other people here right now.
We see an RV and a couple of families enjoying ice tea and using discs to slide down the dunes.
At the top of one dune, three kids have buried themselves in the sand.
Why do I think that is so gross.
We turn around and head on back out.
Before we leave White Sands, my Mom needs to be changed. (Not of my Mom!)
It's a lesson for us - we come into this world needing to wear diapers and we leave this world needing the same.
Jack thinks he's got a plan to change her that will work in the front seat of the Jeep.
I hop out and start taking pictures around the entrance to White Sands.
A big guy pulls up on his motorcycle while I'm doing this.
I start to walk away.
He's taking photos too.
"Hey, buddy."
I turn and look back at him.
He's got his motorcycle set up in front of the sign for White Sands and he's holding up a little point and shoot.
"Can you take my picture?"
I can't even imagine how many pictures I've taken for people over the years while working at Disneyland.
After a while, it feels like you are wearing a sign that reads "Please Ask Me to Take Your Picture!"
I go ahead and take one for him.
And then I take one with my phone for me.
I hand him back his camera and he thanks me before taking off.
Jack's ready to go.
My Mom is in a good mood.
It's funny how these days, a dry diaper can make all the difference in the world.
Day 18 - Deming, NM - Part One
"Your lost friends are not dead, but gone before, advanced a stage or two upon that road which you must travel in the steps they trod."- Aristophanes
Day 18 - Alamogordo, NM to Deming, NM - Daily Distance - 121 miles - The Bucket Trip Distance - 3454 miles
Today, we got to do something that we hadn't had the chance to do yet on this road trip.
We stopped somewhere.
And all of us got out to see the sight, even my Mom.
Just like all of the other road trips my Mom and Jack have taken in the past.
Our first stop wasn't even ten minutes away, the White Sands National Park.
We head into the vistor site and begin to explore the displays. There's a film that runs continuously at one side and a gift store at the other.
After viewing the different displays, "The Kids" head into the gift store and start picking out the types of presents that grandparents give their grandchildren.
After buying the presents, they head over to watch the film that is about to start again.
I hang back becuase I'm starting to get hungry. I buy nature's perfect snack - an Uncrustable - and eat on the patio before going into the movie.
I'm not sure how much of it I missed but the movie basically covers why the White Sands area is so special and the people that have lived in this area.
Watching a movie that deals with a geological life span instead of a human life span can put your existance into perspective.
We are here for such a short moment in time.
White Sands has been here forever.
After the movie is over, my Mom and Jack are ready to take the driving tour of White Sands.
I look at my Mom and we are rolling out.
She is smiling.
"This is exactly what we would do on all of our other road trips."
Day 18 - Alamogordo, NM to Deming, NM - Daily Distance - 121 miles - The Bucket Trip Distance - 3454 miles
Today, we got to do something that we hadn't had the chance to do yet on this road trip.
We stopped somewhere.
And all of us got out to see the sight, even my Mom.
Just like all of the other road trips my Mom and Jack have taken in the past.
Our first stop wasn't even ten minutes away, the White Sands National Park.
We head into the vistor site and begin to explore the displays. There's a film that runs continuously at one side and a gift store at the other.
After viewing the different displays, "The Kids" head into the gift store and start picking out the types of presents that grandparents give their grandchildren.
After buying the presents, they head over to watch the film that is about to start again.
I hang back becuase I'm starting to get hungry. I buy nature's perfect snack - an Uncrustable - and eat on the patio before going into the movie.
I'm not sure how much of it I missed but the movie basically covers why the White Sands area is so special and the people that have lived in this area.
Watching a movie that deals with a geological life span instead of a human life span can put your existance into perspective.
We are here for such a short moment in time.
White Sands has been here forever.
After the movie is over, my Mom and Jack are ready to take the driving tour of White Sands.
I look at my Mom and we are rolling out.
She is smiling.
"This is exactly what we would do on all of our other road trips."
Monday, June 4, 2012
Day 17 - Alamogordo, NM - Conclusion
I was going to write about the stop in Roswell, going to the International UFO Museum, and then on to Alamogordo, NM.
And I tried to put it into words.
But I couldn't.
Because something else happened today.
Today, what I've done here with The Bucket List directly impacted my day with "The Kids."
I've debated about writing about this.
But the reason why The Bucket List resonates with you is because I'm being open about everything that is happening.
So why stop now?
So here's what happened.
I found out what some of you were up to.
I don't know the details but I know that some of you were trying to put something big together.
Something that came fromn a VERY kind and caring place.
Something that would be a surprise.
Something huge.
At first, I was so touched. I couldn't believe that people would want to do something like that.
But then, I'm not going lie, I got a little scared. I've been concerned from the get go about "The Kids" reaction to the The Bucket Trip.
They've been totally fine with it so far. But I didn't want anything to jeopordize the good will they had built up for the The Bucket Trip.
I had to put a stop to whatever was going on but I didn't know where to start. That's why I posted the status update that basically said "Hey, just send us your thoughts and well-wishes!"
I wasn't joking. They mean SO MUCH right now.
After that, I needed to tell my Mom and Jack what was going on.
So I sat down with them and explained the people just want to help. That I heard there was talk about donations or raising money.
My Mom smiled, "Money is the last thing that we need right now. The only thing I need is time."
They were amazed that people were thinking about doing something big.
And then I saw something that I hadn't seen on this trip.
Jack got choked up.
"If people wanted to make a donation in Johni's name to an ALS organization....well...that would be awesome."
For the first time on this trip, Jack is on the verge of tears.
Folks, you got to the "ungottable" tonight.
It was dinner time and none of the restaurants around her had strong reviews on Yelp so we decided that I would pick up some pizza and beer for dinner.
"The Kids" got a suite this time so there was plenty of room to have dinner in their room.
We figured out where are next stop is going to be and then I retired to my room.
On the way up, I saw that I had a message from one of you to check The Bucket List - The Finish Line.
And that's when I saw the candles, and the notes, and the likes.
And I went through every one of them.
Once again, with tears streaming down my cheeks.
You can't put a dollar amount on those messages.
They are precious and they mean the absolute world to me.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you.
And I tried to put it into words.
But I couldn't.
Because something else happened today.
Today, what I've done here with The Bucket List directly impacted my day with "The Kids."
I've debated about writing about this.
But the reason why The Bucket List resonates with you is because I'm being open about everything that is happening.
So why stop now?
So here's what happened.
I found out what some of you were up to.
I don't know the details but I know that some of you were trying to put something big together.
Something that came fromn a VERY kind and caring place.
Something that would be a surprise.
Something huge.
At first, I was so touched. I couldn't believe that people would want to do something like that.
But then, I'm not going lie, I got a little scared. I've been concerned from the get go about "The Kids" reaction to the The Bucket Trip.
They've been totally fine with it so far. But I didn't want anything to jeopordize the good will they had built up for the The Bucket Trip.
I had to put a stop to whatever was going on but I didn't know where to start. That's why I posted the status update that basically said "Hey, just send us your thoughts and well-wishes!"
I wasn't joking. They mean SO MUCH right now.
After that, I needed to tell my Mom and Jack what was going on.
So I sat down with them and explained the people just want to help. That I heard there was talk about donations or raising money.
My Mom smiled, "Money is the last thing that we need right now. The only thing I need is time."
They were amazed that people were thinking about doing something big.
And then I saw something that I hadn't seen on this trip.
Jack got choked up.
"If people wanted to make a donation in Johni's name to an ALS organization....well...that would be awesome."
For the first time on this trip, Jack is on the verge of tears.
Folks, you got to the "ungottable" tonight.
It was dinner time and none of the restaurants around her had strong reviews on Yelp so we decided that I would pick up some pizza and beer for dinner.
"The Kids" got a suite this time so there was plenty of room to have dinner in their room.
We figured out where are next stop is going to be and then I retired to my room.
On the way up, I saw that I had a message from one of you to check The Bucket List - The Finish Line.
And that's when I saw the candles, and the notes, and the likes.
And I went through every one of them.
Once again, with tears streaming down my cheeks.
You can't put a dollar amount on those messages.
They are precious and they mean the absolute world to me.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you.
Day 17 - Alamogordo, NM - Part One
"To travel is to take a journey into yourself" - Danny Kaye
Day 17 - Clovis, NM to Alamogordo, NM - Daily Distance - 227 miles - The Bucket Trip distance - 3333 miles
Years ago, we used to tease my Mom a lot due to her proximity to danger and death.
We would joke around calling her the Angel of Death.
It started with multiple car accidents that she was in that weren't her fault.
Then she was in Downtown LA when the riots broke out.
Then she was walking down the the street one day when someone jumped out a window and bounced off the sidewalk in front of her.
Then a plane crashed in basically her back yard.
And when you thought it couldn't get any worse, it did.
One time, my mom was stopped at an intersection a major intersection
The was a pedestrian crossing the intersection.
There was a semi truck speeding towards the intersection.
And he didn't stop.
The pedestrian never had a chance.
My Mom saw him get run over and then shot through the wheel well like a batch of salt water taffy.
I bring this all up because my Mom brought up this incident this morning.
We were getting on the road but Jack needed to make a stop in Walgreens for supplies before we moved on to our next stop. Last night had been an emotional night and she was clearly still down about what is happening.
"I think about that guy that I saw get run over. He had no chance. He knew two seconds before it happened that he was going to die."
"I just keep thinking about what is going to happen to me," she said.
I'm sitting in the seat behind her. I can't see her.
That probably makes it easier for me to talk to her.
"Mom, you know who I think of? I think of my Aunt Roberta."
My Aunt Roberta was actually my great aunt. She was in her early 80's when she was killed in an auto accident. I had seen her two weeks before the accident.
"Aunt Roberta was in great shape for her age. She had no idea that she only had two weeks left the last time I saw her. This is terrible that this is happening but we can't focus on what is going to happen. We have now. So let's do whatever we can do to make you happy."
She says okay.
Jack gets in the car and we are on our way.
I haven't dropped you once, Mom.
Now, I'm going to do what I can to make you happy.
Day 17 - Clovis, NM to Alamogordo, NM - Daily Distance - 227 miles - The Bucket Trip distance - 3333 miles
Years ago, we used to tease my Mom a lot due to her proximity to danger and death.
We would joke around calling her the Angel of Death.
It started with multiple car accidents that she was in that weren't her fault.
Then she was in Downtown LA when the riots broke out.
Then she was walking down the the street one day when someone jumped out a window and bounced off the sidewalk in front of her.
Then a plane crashed in basically her back yard.
And when you thought it couldn't get any worse, it did.
One time, my mom was stopped at an intersection a major intersection
The was a pedestrian crossing the intersection.
There was a semi truck speeding towards the intersection.
And he didn't stop.
The pedestrian never had a chance.
My Mom saw him get run over and then shot through the wheel well like a batch of salt water taffy.
I bring this all up because my Mom brought up this incident this morning.
We were getting on the road but Jack needed to make a stop in Walgreens for supplies before we moved on to our next stop. Last night had been an emotional night and she was clearly still down about what is happening.
"I think about that guy that I saw get run over. He had no chance. He knew two seconds before it happened that he was going to die."
"I just keep thinking about what is going to happen to me," she said.
I'm sitting in the seat behind her. I can't see her.
That probably makes it easier for me to talk to her.
"Mom, you know who I think of? I think of my Aunt Roberta."
My Aunt Roberta was actually my great aunt. She was in her early 80's when she was killed in an auto accident. I had seen her two weeks before the accident.
"Aunt Roberta was in great shape for her age. She had no idea that she only had two weeks left the last time I saw her. This is terrible that this is happening but we can't focus on what is going to happen. We have now. So let's do whatever we can do to make you happy."
She says okay.
Jack gets in the car and we are on our way.
I haven't dropped you once, Mom.
Now, I'm going to do what I can to make you happy.
Day 16 - Clovis, NM - Conclusion
I was just going through my list of things that I could have done wrong.
Why was the manager of a Chili's pulling me away from my Mom and Jack???
We sit down in a very tiny booth.
He's a big guy. Balding. Probably 5 years younger than me.
"John, it is really nice to meet you. My name is Mac and I'm the manager of this Chili's."
We shake hands. His friends have to call him Big Mac.
"I know what you are doing here."
My shock is now going in disbelief.
"I know about The Bucket Trip and what you are doing for you Mom right now."
My lip starts to quiver.
Tears are rolling down my cheek again.
"I just want to let you know how awesome it is. What you are doing. It is pretty amazing."
I get out a very weak "Thank you."
"One of your friends thinks it is pretty amazing too. He or she called us to let us know that you were dining with us tonight."
I checked in on facebook. Holy crap.
"I am pulling you aside to let you know that your friend has paid for your drinks tonight. I need you to sign this receipt acknowledging that you approve of this."
I don't remember signing this receipt.
I look at Mac.
"Who did this?" I ask.
"John, your friend requested to remain anonymous and I'm going to honor that. Just have a great trip and come back and see us sometime at Chili's."
I head back to our table, completely stunned.
"The Kids" want to know what is going on and I explain it.
And my Mom gets a smile on her face.
"I'm happy that you have friends that care about you." she says.
So. For the person who did this, thank you.
Your timing was so impeccable that if this had happened in a movie, people watching would have called B.S. on it.
They wouldn't believe that this could really happen.
You instantly brightened the darkest moment of this trip.
And most importantly, you made my Mom smile.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you.
Why was the manager of a Chili's pulling me away from my Mom and Jack???
We sit down in a very tiny booth.
He's a big guy. Balding. Probably 5 years younger than me.
"John, it is really nice to meet you. My name is Mac and I'm the manager of this Chili's."
We shake hands. His friends have to call him Big Mac.
"I know what you are doing here."
My shock is now going in disbelief.
"I know about The Bucket Trip and what you are doing for you Mom right now."
My lip starts to quiver.
Tears are rolling down my cheek again.
"I just want to let you know how awesome it is. What you are doing. It is pretty amazing."
I get out a very weak "Thank you."
"One of your friends thinks it is pretty amazing too. He or she called us to let us know that you were dining with us tonight."
I checked in on facebook. Holy crap.
"I am pulling you aside to let you know that your friend has paid for your drinks tonight. I need you to sign this receipt acknowledging that you approve of this."
I don't remember signing this receipt.
I look at Mac.
"Who did this?" I ask.
"John, your friend requested to remain anonymous and I'm going to honor that. Just have a great trip and come back and see us sometime at Chili's."
I head back to our table, completely stunned.
"The Kids" want to know what is going on and I explain it.
And my Mom gets a smile on her face.
"I'm happy that you have friends that care about you." she says.
So. For the person who did this, thank you.
Your timing was so impeccable that if this had happened in a movie, people watching would have called B.S. on it.
They wouldn't believe that this could really happen.
You instantly brightened the darkest moment of this trip.
And most importantly, you made my Mom smile.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you.
Day 16 - Clovis, NM - Part Three
Now I know what my friend had meant when she said this part of the drive would be "stinky."
I have never driven by so many cows in my life.
And the smell of them permeates the Jeep.
You know those times when you drive by something that smells and you think someone in the car ripped a fart?
There's no doubt about where the smell is coming from this time. Not one of us in the car makes any accusations.
The smell hits us all at the same time and we can not get out of her quick enough.
The hotel isn't just off the interstate like most of ours have been and it takes a little bit to get to it.
On the way in, my Mom sees a Chili's and that is what she wants for dinner.
It's been a while since she's had an El Presidente Margarita.
We get checked in and changed and we are on our way to Chili's.
Two servers are going to be helping us today. One of them is getting trained.
"Oh WE'LL help train you!" Jack says.
"The Kids" get their Presidentes and I get a margarita with a Coronita sticking out of it.
We are enjoying dinner and getting buzzed.
And that's when I step of the equivalent of an IED.
I bring up that I had the chance to talk with my daugther, Madeline, last night.
I see my Mom's mood instantly change.
A cloud of sadness passes over her and before Jack and I know it, she is crying.
"What's wrong?" I ask.
But I already know the answer.
"This is just THE PITS," she says through her tears.
I think bringing up my daughter has made her think about what she is going to inevitably miss out on.
But you can't focus on what you're not going to see, you have to focus on what we have now.
Because NOW is the only thing we are promised.
Jack tries to comfort her but there is no consoling her now. She is sobbing. The booze and the length of the trip probably aren't helping either.
She's tired.
I'm crying now too.
I hate seeing my Mom so sad.
And then the manager of this Chili's approaces our table.
You think it is awkward when a server comes up to you right after you've taken a bite of food? It is ten times more awkward to be in full "ugly cry" mode.
I think that he is just table touching because a new server is being trained.
I was wrong.
"Good evening, folks. I'm sorry to interrupt but do I have a John at this table?"
What. The. F*ck?
"I'm John." I reply.
"John, can you please come with me?"
I get up from the table and follow the manager around the corner.
We take a seat in a booth made for two.
And he proceeds to blow my mind.
....to be continued....
I have never driven by so many cows in my life.
And the smell of them permeates the Jeep.
You know those times when you drive by something that smells and you think someone in the car ripped a fart?
There's no doubt about where the smell is coming from this time. Not one of us in the car makes any accusations.
The smell hits us all at the same time and we can not get out of her quick enough.
The hotel isn't just off the interstate like most of ours have been and it takes a little bit to get to it.
On the way in, my Mom sees a Chili's and that is what she wants for dinner.
It's been a while since she's had an El Presidente Margarita.
We get checked in and changed and we are on our way to Chili's.
Two servers are going to be helping us today. One of them is getting trained.
"Oh WE'LL help train you!" Jack says.
"The Kids" get their Presidentes and I get a margarita with a Coronita sticking out of it.
We are enjoying dinner and getting buzzed.
And that's when I step of the equivalent of an IED.
I bring up that I had the chance to talk with my daugther, Madeline, last night.
I see my Mom's mood instantly change.
A cloud of sadness passes over her and before Jack and I know it, she is crying.
"What's wrong?" I ask.
But I already know the answer.
"This is just THE PITS," she says through her tears.
I think bringing up my daughter has made her think about what she is going to inevitably miss out on.
But you can't focus on what you're not going to see, you have to focus on what we have now.
Because NOW is the only thing we are promised.
Jack tries to comfort her but there is no consoling her now. She is sobbing. The booze and the length of the trip probably aren't helping either.
She's tired.
I'm crying now too.
I hate seeing my Mom so sad.
And then the manager of this Chili's approaces our table.
You think it is awkward when a server comes up to you right after you've taken a bite of food? It is ten times more awkward to be in full "ugly cry" mode.
I think that he is just table touching because a new server is being trained.
I was wrong.
"Good evening, folks. I'm sorry to interrupt but do I have a John at this table?"
What. The. F*ck?
"I'm John." I reply.
"John, can you please come with me?"
I get up from the table and follow the manager around the corner.
We take a seat in a booth made for two.
And he proceeds to blow my mind.
....to be continued....
Day 16 - Clovis, NM - Part Two
I'm glad I did a little exploring last night. It helps when Jack misses the on ramp for the interstate.
I direct him to stay on the historic Route 66 and it eventually takes us back to the desired interstate.
One of my friends writes that our drive today will be "stinky." I'm still looking forward to it.
There is something romantic about being on Route 66.
It brings so many iconic images to mind.
The TV show.
The Depeche Mode cover version of the song.
Every single road trip movie.
It's an exciting part of the trip.
Even if it is going to get stinky.
We are too far along in the trip before my Mom is ready for lunch.
She really hasn't had much of an appetite. We've gone up to 6 hours in between meals.
But she sees billboards for a steak place and she decides that she would like one last steak in the state of Texas.
Big Vern's is just off the interstate but right on Route 66. It takes no time to get there.
The area is a snapshot into the recent past of the American Southwest.
Structures look very familiar.
Because replicas are going into Carsland at Disney California Adventure.
We sit down for our meal and my Mom admits something that I had been fearing for a couple of days.
She doesn't think that that two incidents she's had with choking were just accidents.
She believes now that they may have been symptoms of the ALS.
That realization is pretty sobering.
I'm starting to feel the same way about this trip as I do about my Mom.
I just want more time.
I don't want it to end.
I direct him to stay on the historic Route 66 and it eventually takes us back to the desired interstate.
One of my friends writes that our drive today will be "stinky." I'm still looking forward to it.
There is something romantic about being on Route 66.
It brings so many iconic images to mind.
The TV show.
The Depeche Mode cover version of the song.
Every single road trip movie.
It's an exciting part of the trip.
Even if it is going to get stinky.
We are too far along in the trip before my Mom is ready for lunch.
She really hasn't had much of an appetite. We've gone up to 6 hours in between meals.
But she sees billboards for a steak place and she decides that she would like one last steak in the state of Texas.
Big Vern's is just off the interstate but right on Route 66. It takes no time to get there.
The area is a snapshot into the recent past of the American Southwest.
Structures look very familiar.
Because replicas are going into Carsland at Disney California Adventure.
She doesn't think that that two incidents she's had with choking were just accidents.
She believes now that they may have been symptoms of the ALS.
That realization is pretty sobering.
I'm starting to feel the same way about this trip as I do about my Mom.
I just want more time.
I don't want it to end.
Day 16 - Clovis, NM - Part One
"A journey is best measured in friends, rather than miles." - Tim Cahill
Day 16 - Weatherford, OK to Clovis, NM - Daily Distance - 291 miles - The Bucket Trip Distance - 3106 miles
Day 16 starts earlier than any of the other previous days.
A steady stream of a clinking sound wakes me up around 2 in the morning.
As I was falling asleep last night, western Oklahoma was under a severe thunderstorm warning.
And now it was here.
I get up to see what is happening out of my second story window.
A flash of light bathes me as I get there.
Ligthening. Lots of it.
The thunder that rolls in after isn't a sharp crack. It is the low rumble of a thousand motorcycles streaming across the plain.
And then I see the hail.
This may be a reference that you'll only get if you are my age or older but the amount of hailstones look like when the ping pong balls would drop on Captain Kangeroo. There is really is that much coming down.
I hope this storm woke up my Mom.
We've been fortunate to get one storm on this trip and this may be the last one that we get to experience.
I sit and watch for a while. I can see the cars still driving on the highway. I can't imagine what it might be like to drive through this.
I try to get back to sleep.
I don't want to be tired.
We have our own storm to drive through.
Day 16 - Weatherford, OK to Clovis, NM - Daily Distance - 291 miles - The Bucket Trip Distance - 3106 miles
Day 16 starts earlier than any of the other previous days.
A steady stream of a clinking sound wakes me up around 2 in the morning.
As I was falling asleep last night, western Oklahoma was under a severe thunderstorm warning.
And now it was here.
I get up to see what is happening out of my second story window.
A flash of light bathes me as I get there.
Ligthening. Lots of it.
The thunder that rolls in after isn't a sharp crack. It is the low rumble of a thousand motorcycles streaming across the plain.
And then I see the hail.
This may be a reference that you'll only get if you are my age or older but the amount of hailstones look like when the ping pong balls would drop on Captain Kangeroo. There is really is that much coming down.
I hope this storm woke up my Mom.
We've been fortunate to get one storm on this trip and this may be the last one that we get to experience.
I sit and watch for a while. I can see the cars still driving on the highway. I can't imagine what it might be like to drive through this.
I try to get back to sleep.
I don't want to be tired.
We have our own storm to drive through.
Sunday, June 3, 2012
Day 15 - Weatherford, OK - Conclusion
In every other town we've stopped in, there's been something to do or someplace to go.
Weatherford, OK appears to be the exception.
I look on Yelp for someplace to go and there really isn't that much to see.
I find a sports bar not too far away and decide to venture there.
Is it weird that there are now sports bars on historic Route 66?
I walk in just in time to see the OKC Thunder tie their playoff series with the Spurs.
I sit at the bar and wait to get served.
And wait.
And wait.
And wait.
It is almost like they can sense that I'm a Laker fan.
After 15 minutes of waiting, I head out.
I stop by a Walgreens and pick up a Coke Zero and head back to the hotel.
Once back there, I catch up on facebook and twitter and find a really nice note from Claudette on the video of Priscilla.
John, I just watched this video. Amazes me how happy it made me feel just to hear your laughter. I have many people in my life I love and am so happy you have become one of them. Life is certainly strange. I would have never dreamed I would have the chance to spend some time with you after all of these years. Love you.
Amazing.
This week, I've been given the gift of a cup 'o soup insta-family. I sit back and think of everything that happened this week and wonder.
When do I get to come back?
Weatherford, OK appears to be the exception.
I look on Yelp for someplace to go and there really isn't that much to see.
I find a sports bar not too far away and decide to venture there.
Is it weird that there are now sports bars on historic Route 66?
I walk in just in time to see the OKC Thunder tie their playoff series with the Spurs.
I sit at the bar and wait to get served.
And wait.
And wait.
And wait.
It is almost like they can sense that I'm a Laker fan.
After 15 minutes of waiting, I head out.
I stop by a Walgreens and pick up a Coke Zero and head back to the hotel.
Once back there, I catch up on facebook and twitter and find a really nice note from Claudette on the video of Priscilla.
John, I just watched this video. Amazes me how happy it made me feel just to hear your laughter. I have many people in my life I love and am so happy you have become one of them. Life is certainly strange. I would have never dreamed I would have the chance to spend some time with you after all of these years. Love you.
Amazing.
This week, I've been given the gift of a cup 'o soup insta-family. I sit back and think of everything that happened this week and wonder.
When do I get to come back?
Day 15 - Weatherford, OK - Part One
"Travel is glamourous only in retrospect." - Paul Theroux
Day 15 - Joplin, MO to Weatherford, OK - Daily Distance - 265 miles - The Bucket Trip Distance - 2815 miles.
She chocked again.
This time I wasn't around.
I'm surprised that she told me.
My mom was drinking water and it went down the wrong pipe again.
Typically, there would be no need to be alarmed.
But the ability to swallow would be something that she will be losing as this disease progresses.
I really hope that we've just had two normal choking incidents.
And that the disease is not progressing.
But I have a bad feeling about this.
The drive to Oklahoma is pretty uneventful. Jack threatens to sing songs from the musical as we cross into the state but my Mom shuts that business down.
We have been making our hotel room reservations on the fly and for the first time with Holiday Inn Express, we run into some problems.
We were trying to get all the way to Clinton, OK but that Holiday Inn doesn't have a roll in shower available for my Mom.
We instead cut our trip short today by 15 miles and stay at the Holiday Inn Express in Weatheford, OK - the first place that I've seen on our trip that celebrates historic Route 66.
And the probelms continue with Holiday Inn. It takes about 20 minute to make the room reservations. I'm speaking directing to their front desk and my expectations levels regarding the customer service we are going to receive are dropping by the minute.
Eventually, the booking is made and we have our final destination for the night.
Upon arrival, one thing is perfectly clear to me.
We are in the middle of nowhere.
This is not a true final destination.
This is a stopping point for people that are too weary to continue on.
The hotel is sold out tonight and travel zombies are circling in the lobby trying to either find a room that is clearly unavailable or brains.
We make it past the travel zombies and get into the rooms.
My Mom and Jack struggle with the air inside their room. It won't turn on.
Eventually, Jack convinces the front desk gal to come up and check it out. Turns out a breaker needed to be switched. She leaves slightly disgusted that Jack couldn't figure this out.
Looking at the rest of her guests and the travel zombies in the lobby, I think that this will be the easiest problem that she has today.
Theres's a faux Route 66 diner within rolling distance for us. It is nice that we don't have to get back inito the car.
We have an okay dinner and "The Kids" have their usuals (Mom - Two Cosmos, Jack - Two Stellas) and then my Mom is ready for bed.
We roll back to the hotel and they head off to bed.
It's too early for me to go to bed.
But what can you do when you are in the middle of nowhere?
Day 15 - Joplin, MO to Weatherford, OK - Daily Distance - 265 miles - The Bucket Trip Distance - 2815 miles.
She chocked again.
This time I wasn't around.
I'm surprised that she told me.
My mom was drinking water and it went down the wrong pipe again.
Typically, there would be no need to be alarmed.
But the ability to swallow would be something that she will be losing as this disease progresses.
I really hope that we've just had two normal choking incidents.
And that the disease is not progressing.
But I have a bad feeling about this.
The drive to Oklahoma is pretty uneventful. Jack threatens to sing songs from the musical as we cross into the state but my Mom shuts that business down.
We have been making our hotel room reservations on the fly and for the first time with Holiday Inn Express, we run into some problems.
We were trying to get all the way to Clinton, OK but that Holiday Inn doesn't have a roll in shower available for my Mom.
We instead cut our trip short today by 15 miles and stay at the Holiday Inn Express in Weatheford, OK - the first place that I've seen on our trip that celebrates historic Route 66.
And the probelms continue with Holiday Inn. It takes about 20 minute to make the room reservations. I'm speaking directing to their front desk and my expectations levels regarding the customer service we are going to receive are dropping by the minute.
Eventually, the booking is made and we have our final destination for the night.
Upon arrival, one thing is perfectly clear to me.
We are in the middle of nowhere.
This is not a true final destination.
This is a stopping point for people that are too weary to continue on.
The hotel is sold out tonight and travel zombies are circling in the lobby trying to either find a room that is clearly unavailable or brains.
We make it past the travel zombies and get into the rooms.
My Mom and Jack struggle with the air inside their room. It won't turn on.
Eventually, Jack convinces the front desk gal to come up and check it out. Turns out a breaker needed to be switched. She leaves slightly disgusted that Jack couldn't figure this out.
Looking at the rest of her guests and the travel zombies in the lobby, I think that this will be the easiest problem that she has today.
Theres's a faux Route 66 diner within rolling distance for us. It is nice that we don't have to get back inito the car.
We have an okay dinner and "The Kids" have their usuals (Mom - Two Cosmos, Jack - Two Stellas) and then my Mom is ready for bed.
We roll back to the hotel and they head off to bed.
It's too early for me to go to bed.
But what can you do when you are in the middle of nowhere?
Saturday, June 2, 2012
Day 14 - Joplin, MO - Conclusion
I've been told that I needed to have toasted ravioli (or T Rav, as the cool kids say) before I leave Missouri.
While "The Kids" didn't need anything additional to eat, I was ready for something before calling it a night.
So I looked up the closest place that was serving T Rav.
There was a local pizza chain that was about 3 miles away from me so I decided to go there by myself.
I could check off the T Rav quest and I'd get to see a little bit more of Joplin.
There is a curiosity factor in play when you are in the location of a great disaster. I wanted to see a little bit of where the unthinkable had happened. Driving down South Ridge Line Street, there were pockets of nothing that were most likely caused by that tornado.
Empty commercial pads of property that were just wiped clean.
In the morning, I would see the remnants of the street signs that lined the street. It is unbelievable that a year later, the evidence of the chaos and destruction is still present.
I find the pizza place and walk in to a mostly empty restaurant.
It is being run by 4 girls, none of them is older than 19.
One invites me to take a seat anywhere and I find a booth for two.
Tonight, my server introduces herself as Kaylie. She's a tiny thing. Still has braces on and is shy with her smile. She can't be more than 16 years old.
She asks what I'd like to drink and I see her struggle with coming up with what type of beverages she has to offer.
I order a Diet Coke and then I tell her that I'm here for the toasted ravioli but I don't know what else I'd like to get.
I ask her for a recommendation.
She sheepishly tells me that this is only her second day on the job.
I ask if this is her first job too and she nods.
I tell her to just go with the toasted ravioli and we'll see what we do after that.
Two boys from the local high school grab a booth next to me.
They both know Kaylie and they are here to flirt with her and give her a hard time.
The T Rav comes out sooner than expected. I got the small order and in no time they are gone.
I ask Kaylie for the bill and she asks if I'd like to take my drink to go.
I pay the and leave Kaylie a $5 tip.
It feels good to be spending some money in Joplin.
On the way back to the hotel, I notice something else about Joplin.
There are "Now Hiring" and "Accepting Applications" signs on every business.
While "The Kids" didn't need anything additional to eat, I was ready for something before calling it a night.
So I looked up the closest place that was serving T Rav.
There was a local pizza chain that was about 3 miles away from me so I decided to go there by myself.
I could check off the T Rav quest and I'd get to see a little bit more of Joplin.
There is a curiosity factor in play when you are in the location of a great disaster. I wanted to see a little bit of where the unthinkable had happened. Driving down South Ridge Line Street, there were pockets of nothing that were most likely caused by that tornado.
Empty commercial pads of property that were just wiped clean.
In the morning, I would see the remnants of the street signs that lined the street. It is unbelievable that a year later, the evidence of the chaos and destruction is still present.
I find the pizza place and walk in to a mostly empty restaurant.
It is being run by 4 girls, none of them is older than 19.
One invites me to take a seat anywhere and I find a booth for two.
Tonight, my server introduces herself as Kaylie. She's a tiny thing. Still has braces on and is shy with her smile. She can't be more than 16 years old.
She asks what I'd like to drink and I see her struggle with coming up with what type of beverages she has to offer.
I order a Diet Coke and then I tell her that I'm here for the toasted ravioli but I don't know what else I'd like to get.
I ask her for a recommendation.
She sheepishly tells me that this is only her second day on the job.
I ask if this is her first job too and she nods.
I tell her to just go with the toasted ravioli and we'll see what we do after that.
Two boys from the local high school grab a booth next to me.
They both know Kaylie and they are here to flirt with her and give her a hard time.
The T Rav comes out sooner than expected. I got the small order and in no time they are gone.
I ask Kaylie for the bill and she asks if I'd like to take my drink to go.
I pay the and leave Kaylie a $5 tip.
It feels good to be spending some money in Joplin.
On the way back to the hotel, I notice something else about Joplin.
There are "Now Hiring" and "Accepting Applications" signs on every business.
Day 14 - Joplin, MO - Part Three
It's drizzling by the time we get into Joplin.
It's been just over a year since a tornado put Joplin into the consciousness of Americans.
It's crazy how soon we forget the devastation when it isn't in our backyard.
But as we come off the interstate, we do not see much evidence of the tornado.
We've got the process of checking into a hotel down to a science.
We leave my Mom in the car while we get everything from the Front Desk.
There isn't a Holiday Inn Express here so we are staying at a regular Holiday Inn.
It's almost too nice for The Bucket Trip.
Once we have everything, we get back into the Jeep and follow the directions that the Front Desk folks gave us.
We end up having to park in a location that does not have disabled parking AND there is a two-inch lip to the curb that we will have to get past.
""$4,000.00 for every violation we encounter." Jack says.
This Bucket Trip could have been paid for by all of the ADA violations we've run into along the way.
We manage to get my Mom up and over that lip and into her room.
We had stopped at a Cracker Barrel for a big and late lunch so nobody is hungry right now.
But we do get a complimentary adult beverage at the little bar they have at this Holiday Inn.
We get my Mom up onto the bed in her room so that Jack can change her before going out.
In the two weeks that we've been traveling, she is losing more and more ability to help with moving her.
I'm having to be very careful now so that I don't hurt her.
And so I don't hurt myself.
I have her place her arms around my neck and I get into a bear hug position with her.
We now try to move on the count of three.
I can stand her up but I am supporting all of her weight.
I then need to slide her to the edge of a bed and place her in a sitting position.
Then, I can scoop up her legs and place her into a reclined position on the bed.
We have a pad underneath her and we use that to slide her over so that she's not at risk of falling off of the bed.
I leave then for a bit but in no time at all they are ready to go and we are off to the bar.
All of us have our iPhones out as we catch up on what has been going on outside of the Bucket Trip.
We quietly work on our drinks and order a second round when the waiter returns.
Jack gets out a napkin and pen to map out where we are going to go next.
Based on our experience in Denver, they both have concerns about visiting places that are at a high altitude.
The Grand Canyon is out.
My ears perk up though when Jack gets to one city that we will have to pass through.
Roswell.
I get REALLY excited about Roswell.
We HAVE to go there.
The opportunity to see cheesy alien kitsch is almost too much for me to handle.
I will LOVE it.
Jack makes a tentative plan with 5 to 7 more stops left on this trip.
And just when I thought that I all I had left for this trip was the end, I have at least one more THING to look forward to.
My excitement over this lightens the mood at the table.
We are all smiling again. Laughing.
Until my Mom starts to choke on her drink.
She has trouble clearing her throat.
Water went down the wind pipe.
It takes a few minutes but she recovers and tells us she's okay and ready to go to bed.
Jack wheels her back to the room while I stay to finish my beer.
Thie choking on the water could have happened to anyone but I'll be watching her closely at our next meal together.
Tomorrow.
It's been just over a year since a tornado put Joplin into the consciousness of Americans.
It's crazy how soon we forget the devastation when it isn't in our backyard.
But as we come off the interstate, we do not see much evidence of the tornado.
We've got the process of checking into a hotel down to a science.
We leave my Mom in the car while we get everything from the Front Desk.
There isn't a Holiday Inn Express here so we are staying at a regular Holiday Inn.
It's almost too nice for The Bucket Trip.
Once we have everything, we get back into the Jeep and follow the directions that the Front Desk folks gave us.
We end up having to park in a location that does not have disabled parking AND there is a two-inch lip to the curb that we will have to get past.
""$4,000.00 for every violation we encounter." Jack says.
This Bucket Trip could have been paid for by all of the ADA violations we've run into along the way.
We manage to get my Mom up and over that lip and into her room.
We had stopped at a Cracker Barrel for a big and late lunch so nobody is hungry right now.
But we do get a complimentary adult beverage at the little bar they have at this Holiday Inn.
We get my Mom up onto the bed in her room so that Jack can change her before going out.
In the two weeks that we've been traveling, she is losing more and more ability to help with moving her.
I'm having to be very careful now so that I don't hurt her.
And so I don't hurt myself.
I have her place her arms around my neck and I get into a bear hug position with her.
We now try to move on the count of three.
I can stand her up but I am supporting all of her weight.
I then need to slide her to the edge of a bed and place her in a sitting position.
Then, I can scoop up her legs and place her into a reclined position on the bed.
We have a pad underneath her and we use that to slide her over so that she's not at risk of falling off of the bed.
I leave then for a bit but in no time at all they are ready to go and we are off to the bar.
All of us have our iPhones out as we catch up on what has been going on outside of the Bucket Trip.
We quietly work on our drinks and order a second round when the waiter returns.
Jack gets out a napkin and pen to map out where we are going to go next.
Based on our experience in Denver, they both have concerns about visiting places that are at a high altitude.
The Grand Canyon is out.
My ears perk up though when Jack gets to one city that we will have to pass through.
Roswell.
I get REALLY excited about Roswell.
We HAVE to go there.
The opportunity to see cheesy alien kitsch is almost too much for me to handle.
I will LOVE it.
Jack makes a tentative plan with 5 to 7 more stops left on this trip.
And just when I thought that I all I had left for this trip was the end, I have at least one more THING to look forward to.
My excitement over this lightens the mood at the table.
We are all smiling again. Laughing.
Until my Mom starts to choke on her drink.
She has trouble clearing her throat.
Water went down the wind pipe.
It takes a few minutes but she recovers and tells us she's okay and ready to go to bed.
Jack wheels her back to the room while I stay to finish my beer.
Thie choking on the water could have happened to anyone but I'll be watching her closely at our next meal together.
Tomorrow.
Day 14 - Joplin, MO - Part Two
The mood in the car is unmistakeable.
A cloud of melancholy has dropped on us.
For my Mom, I think it is the realization that she has said all of the goodbyes that she is going to do on this trip.
There's nobody left for us to see.
For me, it's because there is only one goal left.
Getting home.
But once we are home, I'll have to return to my life.
I won't get the chance to be with her everyday.
I don't really know how Jack is feeling. I've never been able to read him (and I think I'm pretty decent about reading people). He always has his cards close to his chest. But I know one thing.
He just wants my Mom to be happy with this trip.
We ride in silence for much of the trip. I do start a conversation to get a better understanding of everything that we saw in the previous two days.
We've talked a lot of Grandma Hatley.
But I realize that we hadn't really spoken of Grandpa Hatley at all.
And then I remember one of the interesting things I discovered when my Mom did a bunch of the geneology work on her family.
"Wasn't Grandma Hatley like 13 years old when she got married?" I ask.
My Mom confirms that.
"And Grandpa Hatley was much older than her, correct?
She confirms that as well.
More than anything, it confirms what a different life people were leading just three generations ago.
It's amazing to think that over a 100 years ago, a 13 year old girl started to make this huge family.
A cloud of melancholy has dropped on us.
For my Mom, I think it is the realization that she has said all of the goodbyes that she is going to do on this trip.
There's nobody left for us to see.
For me, it's because there is only one goal left.
Getting home.
But once we are home, I'll have to return to my life.
I won't get the chance to be with her everyday.
I don't really know how Jack is feeling. I've never been able to read him (and I think I'm pretty decent about reading people). He always has his cards close to his chest. But I know one thing.
He just wants my Mom to be happy with this trip.
We ride in silence for much of the trip. I do start a conversation to get a better understanding of everything that we saw in the previous two days.
We've talked a lot of Grandma Hatley.
But I realize that we hadn't really spoken of Grandpa Hatley at all.
And then I remember one of the interesting things I discovered when my Mom did a bunch of the geneology work on her family.
"Wasn't Grandma Hatley like 13 years old when she got married?" I ask.
My Mom confirms that.
"And Grandpa Hatley was much older than her, correct?
She confirms that as well.
More than anything, it confirms what a different life people were leading just three generations ago.
It's amazing to think that over a 100 years ago, a 13 year old girl started to make this huge family.
Day 14 - Joplin, MO - Part One
Everything changes. Sometimes for the better. Sometimes for worse. - Priscilla
Day 14 - Oran, MO to Joplin, MO - Daily Distance - 313 miles - The Bucket Trip Distance - 2550 miles
313 miles
It sounds silly but I was going to miss this Holiday Inn Express.
You spend enough time in a small hotel, you get to know some of the people working there.
The housekeeping staff was incredibly friendly. They were mostly young African-American girls that had clearly been coached on how to greet their guests. The only shy one that I ran into was clearly just out of training.
With the peers that she has around her, she'll most likely come around.
But the one person working here that had stood out to me was Priscilla.
And I was not going to get the chance to say goodbye to her.
She was off yesterday and as I gathered up my clothes to do some laundry, I was a little bummed that I wasn't going to get one more chance to talk about music with her.
I was heading into the laundry area which is just across the hallway from the breakfast area when I hear it.
Someone is singing (off key) along to the one hit wonder, Dexy's Midnight Runners.
Looks like Priscilla is either working a sixth day or she has split days off this week.
I start my load of laundry and head over to my spot in the breakfast area.
I'm so excited that she is here.
Priscilla is doing her thing. After seeing her operate, I now understand that she has a spiel that she uses with all of her guests. The one thing that stands out is that about every 20 minutes, she lets all the guests there know that the breakfast gravy is made fresh every morning.
When you break it down, she has two different ways that she communicates with you. One where she is cracking a joke (and cracking herself up). And one where she is saying something serious but punctuates the end of the though with a "yeah" (similiar to how Billy Bob Thorton would speak in Sling Blade if that makes sense).
She smiles at me and says "HOW YOU DOING THIS MORNING!" and moves on to the work that she has to do. I set up my iPad to catch up on things and have what has become my typical breakfast.
The breakfast room clears out and soon, I'm the only one left there.
Priscilla didn't notice that everyone had left.
She exclaimed, "I don't know where they all went. I took a shower this morning before I came into to work!"
She's cracked herself up again which sends her spinning to her next duty.
I'm laughing now because she has cracked herself. It is hysterical to watch.
She is so genuine and real. She is honestly having fun with her job.
People could learn a lot from Priscilla.
She swings by on a regular basis and we primarily talk about the music that she likes. She has an eclectic and well-rounded group of bands and singers that she enjoys.
She speaks wistfully about Freddie Mecury.
And she is still pining for Steve Perry.
She's going on vacation next month to St. Louis and is hoping to see some concerts while she is there.
I tell her I on vacation too but we are on our way back to California.
I tell her why we are on this trip.
It's the first time that I see her not happy and I find myself cheering her up.
Before I know it, it is 9:30 and Priscilla calls out that breakfast is now over. She starts to break everything down.
I head back to my room and get ready to go. It's probably 11:30 before were are all packed up and ready to head out.
Right before we leave, I hear some random 80's rock blaring.
It's Priscilla in her car. She's leaving for the day.
She rolls down and shouts out her window to have a safe drive home.
I yell back my thanks and watch her pull out of the parking lot.
Singing all the way.
Day 14 - Oran, MO to Joplin, MO - Daily Distance - 313 miles - The Bucket Trip Distance - 2550 miles
313 miles
It sounds silly but I was going to miss this Holiday Inn Express.
You spend enough time in a small hotel, you get to know some of the people working there.
The housekeeping staff was incredibly friendly. They were mostly young African-American girls that had clearly been coached on how to greet their guests. The only shy one that I ran into was clearly just out of training.
With the peers that she has around her, she'll most likely come around.
But the one person working here that had stood out to me was Priscilla.
And I was not going to get the chance to say goodbye to her.
She was off yesterday and as I gathered up my clothes to do some laundry, I was a little bummed that I wasn't going to get one more chance to talk about music with her.
I was heading into the laundry area which is just across the hallway from the breakfast area when I hear it.
Someone is singing (off key) along to the one hit wonder, Dexy's Midnight Runners.
Looks like Priscilla is either working a sixth day or she has split days off this week.
I start my load of laundry and head over to my spot in the breakfast area.
I'm so excited that she is here.
Priscilla is doing her thing. After seeing her operate, I now understand that she has a spiel that she uses with all of her guests. The one thing that stands out is that about every 20 minutes, she lets all the guests there know that the breakfast gravy is made fresh every morning.
When you break it down, she has two different ways that she communicates with you. One where she is cracking a joke (and cracking herself up). And one where she is saying something serious but punctuates the end of the though with a "yeah" (similiar to how Billy Bob Thorton would speak in Sling Blade if that makes sense).
She smiles at me and says "HOW YOU DOING THIS MORNING!" and moves on to the work that she has to do. I set up my iPad to catch up on things and have what has become my typical breakfast.
The breakfast room clears out and soon, I'm the only one left there.
Priscilla didn't notice that everyone had left.
She exclaimed, "I don't know where they all went. I took a shower this morning before I came into to work!"
She's cracked herself up again which sends her spinning to her next duty.
I'm laughing now because she has cracked herself. It is hysterical to watch.
She is so genuine and real. She is honestly having fun with her job.
People could learn a lot from Priscilla.
She swings by on a regular basis and we primarily talk about the music that she likes. She has an eclectic and well-rounded group of bands and singers that she enjoys.
She speaks wistfully about Freddie Mecury.
And she is still pining for Steve Perry.
She's going on vacation next month to St. Louis and is hoping to see some concerts while she is there.
I tell her I on vacation too but we are on our way back to California.
I tell her why we are on this trip.
It's the first time that I see her not happy and I find myself cheering her up.
Before I know it, it is 9:30 and Priscilla calls out that breakfast is now over. She starts to break everything down.
I head back to my room and get ready to go. It's probably 11:30 before were are all packed up and ready to head out.
Right before we leave, I hear some random 80's rock blaring.
It's Priscilla in her car. She's leaving for the day.
She rolls down and shouts out her window to have a safe drive home.
I yell back my thanks and watch her pull out of the parking lot.
Singing all the way.
Friday, June 1, 2012
Day 13 - Oran, MO - Conclusion
The silence on the way back is broken by my Mom.
She wants a margarita.
She liked the one at El Tapitio but it is starting to rain and it is getting cold (for us, not you Missouri folks reading along).
I volunteer to go to El Tapitio and order some take out.
"But what about my margarita?" my Mom asks.
Jack suggests that I go get the pre-made Jose Cuervo margaritas.
"Do you know which ones I'm talking about?" he asks.
I think I do.
We carefully get my Mom on to her side of the bed and then I leave to pick up dinner.
I stop by the Food Mart (100% Employee Owned!) first to get the drinks.
And I don't find what I'm looking for.
I realize that I"m at a smaller version of this store so I head a little further down the road to another one that is much larger.
When you walk into the booze section here, they have motion detection alarms that go off as long as you are in that aisle.
It makes me want to get out of there as soon as possible.
I'm able to score here but now I'm faced with a decision.
Little bottle or big bottle?
I pick up the big bottle and some margarita salt and I'm out of there.
I then held over to El Tapitio to order food.
And that is when I see it.
In front by the cashier, there is a refrigerated display for the soda that they sell.
There are 12 oz. glass bottles of Coke in there.
I ask the host "Are those Cokes from Mexcio?"
"Si, senor."
"And it is made with cane sugar?"
"Si, senor."
As I place our dinner order, I get one of those Cokes.
My Mom was going to get one after all.
She wants a margarita.
She liked the one at El Tapitio but it is starting to rain and it is getting cold (for us, not you Missouri folks reading along).
I volunteer to go to El Tapitio and order some take out.
"But what about my margarita?" my Mom asks.
Jack suggests that I go get the pre-made Jose Cuervo margaritas.
"Do you know which ones I'm talking about?" he asks.
I think I do.
We carefully get my Mom on to her side of the bed and then I leave to pick up dinner.
I stop by the Food Mart (100% Employee Owned!) first to get the drinks.
And I don't find what I'm looking for.
I realize that I"m at a smaller version of this store so I head a little further down the road to another one that is much larger.
When you walk into the booze section here, they have motion detection alarms that go off as long as you are in that aisle.
It makes me want to get out of there as soon as possible.
I'm able to score here but now I'm faced with a decision.
Little bottle or big bottle?
I pick up the big bottle and some margarita salt and I'm out of there.
I then held over to El Tapitio to order food.
And that is when I see it.
In front by the cashier, there is a refrigerated display for the soda that they sell.
There are 12 oz. glass bottles of Coke in there.
I ask the host "Are those Cokes from Mexcio?"
"Si, senor."
"And it is made with cane sugar?"
"Si, senor."
As I place our dinner order, I get one of those Cokes.
My Mom was going to get one after all.
Day 13 - Oran, MO - Part Two
Jim gets home a little later and playfully teased my Mom for being in his chair.
He's got a rifle with him and he puts it next to his gun safe.
It's been a long time since I've been around any guns.
He's puts away his lunch box and asks if he's missed supper.
It is getting close to time for us to leave.
But then Jim takes a seat and starts telling us hunting stories. We hear about the first time Clair shot a deer. The time when she stepped on a coyote. Another time with Mike and Jim wear up in a tree blind and could have spat on a deer that got so close to them.
I wish I could effectively re-tell those stories here.
I could attempt it but I wouldn't do the stories justice.
I do LOVE it when he describes one deer as "Charlie Bigbuck" in one of his stories.
I immediately post a status update on facebook that my new favorite phrase is now "Charlie Bigbuck."
And little old Claire sitting across from me "likes" my status update almost immediately on her iPad.
I'm hoping she doesn't bust me before we leave.
At one point, Claudette suggests that my Mom use a catheter on the way home. She thinks it might make the drive a bit easier.
"How would we get it out?" my Mom asks.
Jack makes a yanking motion and a sound similar to a pop gun going off.
The decide not to do the catheter on the way home. The risks outweigh anything advantages we may gain.
It's clear my Mom is all visited out and it is time to go.
We get her all loaded into the car. There are hugs that go all around.
It's at this moment that I realize that we aren't seeing Claudette in the morning.
This is really goodbye.
Claudette and my Mom are saying their goodbyes. My Mom holds things together most of the time in front of me but when she knows that she is not going to see someone again, she starts to sob.
I stay out of the car while they are doing this.
I shake Jim's hand and let him know how much I enjoyed my time here.
I look at Claire and say "You'd better not rat me out know, you hear!"
She just smiles at me and says that she won't.
Claudette leaves my Mom and comes over to me.
Tears start welling in my eyes as we hug.
I whisper in her ear.
"thank you."
She says in a normal voice "Thank you for bringing your momma home."
We're ready to go and Jack backs out of their driveway.
My Mom is sobbing as we leave.
Jack silently drives us back to the hotel.
I put my head in my hands and cry all the way back.
He's got a rifle with him and he puts it next to his gun safe.
It's been a long time since I've been around any guns.
He's puts away his lunch box and asks if he's missed supper.
It is getting close to time for us to leave.
But then Jim takes a seat and starts telling us hunting stories. We hear about the first time Clair shot a deer. The time when she stepped on a coyote. Another time with Mike and Jim wear up in a tree blind and could have spat on a deer that got so close to them.
I wish I could effectively re-tell those stories here.
I could attempt it but I wouldn't do the stories justice.
I do LOVE it when he describes one deer as "Charlie Bigbuck" in one of his stories.
I immediately post a status update on facebook that my new favorite phrase is now "Charlie Bigbuck."
And little old Claire sitting across from me "likes" my status update almost immediately on her iPad.
I'm hoping she doesn't bust me before we leave.
At one point, Claudette suggests that my Mom use a catheter on the way home. She thinks it might make the drive a bit easier.
"How would we get it out?" my Mom asks.
Jack makes a yanking motion and a sound similar to a pop gun going off.
The decide not to do the catheter on the way home. The risks outweigh anything advantages we may gain.
It's clear my Mom is all visited out and it is time to go.
We get her all loaded into the car. There are hugs that go all around.
It's at this moment that I realize that we aren't seeing Claudette in the morning.
This is really goodbye.
Claudette and my Mom are saying their goodbyes. My Mom holds things together most of the time in front of me but when she knows that she is not going to see someone again, she starts to sob.
I stay out of the car while they are doing this.
I shake Jim's hand and let him know how much I enjoyed my time here.
I look at Claire and say "You'd better not rat me out know, you hear!"
She just smiles at me and says that she won't.
Claudette leaves my Mom and comes over to me.
Tears start welling in my eyes as we hug.
I whisper in her ear.
"thank you."
She says in a normal voice "Thank you for bringing your momma home."
We're ready to go and Jack backs out of their driveway.
My Mom is sobbing as we leave.
Jack silently drives us back to the hotel.
I put my head in my hands and cry all the way back.
Day 13 - Oran, MO - Part One
"All journeys have secret destinations of which the traveler is unaware." - Martin Buber
The mornings seem to take more and more time to get the show on the road.
I don't mind. It gives me more time to write.
I like sitting in the breakfast area of the Holiday Inn. You see all kinds of people coming through.
I've been especially entertained by Priscilla, who maintains the breakfast area here.
I'm a little disappointed today though. She's got today off.
I worry that I'm not going to see her again. I'm not sure when we are going to leave for our return trip home.
I'm packed and ready to go when I get the word from "The Kids" that we are staying one more night.
It's a relief. I'm not ready to go home just yet.
Claudette has invited us over again and when we arrive there are fruit, vegetables, and sandwich fixin's all ready for us.
We sit in the front room with Claudette, Sandy, The Chicks, and two girls that are the girlfriends of two of Claudette's boys.
My Mom is back in the recliner that I picked her up in a couple days ago. If it very comfortable for her to be sitting there.
we have a nice lunch in there. I make it all the way until the last bite of my sandwich before a yellow dollop of mustard finds my belly.
You can't take me anywhere.
All of the girls but Clair head out to swim in the above ground pool. A storm is supposed to be coming through today but that doesn't stop them.
Another one of my Mom's cousins comes by to visit. Marie comes in and hugs my Mom before shaking both mine and Jack's hand.
She takes a seat next to my Mom and before I know it, she's whipped out a bunch of scratcher tickets. I think they are a present for my Mom but I missed how that happened.
Marie likes her scratchers!
We get a couple of winners and my Mom gives them to me to cash them in.
And we just visit about the normal things that families visit about.
After a while, my Mom's legs start bothering her. She had restless leg syndrome before the ALS struck and right now, it's bothering her.
"Would you like me to rub your legs?" asks Marie.
My Mom takes her up on it.
The conversation continues and I watch Marie use some kind of lotion to rub my Mom's legs and feet.
It is one of the kindest things I've seen somebody do.
She must have spent near an hour on them.
And Marie keeps talking too.
We get story after story.
But she never stops working on my Mom.
The mornings seem to take more and more time to get the show on the road.
I don't mind. It gives me more time to write.
I like sitting in the breakfast area of the Holiday Inn. You see all kinds of people coming through.
I've been especially entertained by Priscilla, who maintains the breakfast area here.
I'm a little disappointed today though. She's got today off.
I worry that I'm not going to see her again. I'm not sure when we are going to leave for our return trip home.
I'm packed and ready to go when I get the word from "The Kids" that we are staying one more night.
It's a relief. I'm not ready to go home just yet.
Claudette has invited us over again and when we arrive there are fruit, vegetables, and sandwich fixin's all ready for us.
We sit in the front room with Claudette, Sandy, The Chicks, and two girls that are the girlfriends of two of Claudette's boys.
My Mom is back in the recliner that I picked her up in a couple days ago. If it very comfortable for her to be sitting there.
we have a nice lunch in there. I make it all the way until the last bite of my sandwich before a yellow dollop of mustard finds my belly.
You can't take me anywhere.
All of the girls but Clair head out to swim in the above ground pool. A storm is supposed to be coming through today but that doesn't stop them.
Another one of my Mom's cousins comes by to visit. Marie comes in and hugs my Mom before shaking both mine and Jack's hand.
She takes a seat next to my Mom and before I know it, she's whipped out a bunch of scratcher tickets. I think they are a present for my Mom but I missed how that happened.
Marie likes her scratchers!
We get a couple of winners and my Mom gives them to me to cash them in.
And we just visit about the normal things that families visit about.
After a while, my Mom's legs start bothering her. She had restless leg syndrome before the ALS struck and right now, it's bothering her.
"Would you like me to rub your legs?" asks Marie.
My Mom takes her up on it.
The conversation continues and I watch Marie use some kind of lotion to rub my Mom's legs and feet.
It is one of the kindest things I've seen somebody do.
She must have spent near an hour on them.
And Marie keeps talking too.
We get story after story.
But she never stops working on my Mom.
Day 12 - Wardell, MO - Conclusion
"I'm going to show you why all of the men in the family drank."
We were on our way to tour the key sites of my mom's childhood ending with Wardell, MO. What happened in Wardell?
We started in Bell City where she went to elementary school.
Next up, we drove to the site of the farm that she grew up on. The home she lived in is gone now. It had a tin roof (busted!) and the outhouse was in the back.
"Those trees right there were planted by my Daddy."
I step out the car to get some pictures of the area.
I don't relate to this at all.
Next to this property lives Jimmy W. My Mom went to see him yesterday while I was in Marceline. I missed out on meeting him. He is four or five years older than my Mom and he clearly meant something to her.
I can't tell you how many times on this trip I've heard, "If I hadn't of left Missouri, I would've been pregnant at 15 by that Jimmy W."
We move on to Wardell. We aren't using GPS to find these locations.
We are using my Mom's childhood memories.
Once we get to Wardell, I understand why the men all drank here.
The neighborhoods that we've been in so far have been nice, middle-class homes.
This wasn't.
The homes were beat up.
Tape on broken windows.
Cars parked inside bushes.
It looks like a town on the verge of being abandoned.
It makes me value what I have.
We drive around an area that my Mom calls "The Colony." Both her mother's family and her father's family lived here at the same time. She's not sure how the two of them met.
Next stop is Grandma Hatley's place. The original house is no longer there. It is where my Mom was born.
"You know I was born here on the kitchen table?" she asks me.
"Yep. Was there a doctor there?"
"A drunk one!" she responds.
We pause here for a moment before Jack breaks the silence.
"Torn down or burned down? Jack asks.
"More like fell down." is my Mom's response.
We head back to the main strip. I get out of the car to take pictures of a bar with a Confederate flag hanging and a sign that indicates that we are at "Beer Belly Blvd."
Jack and I then pop into the little store on the main strip to get my mom a soda.
Growing up on the farm it was a rare treat to go into town and have her father buy them a soda for a nickel.
"I want a REAL Coke. Bottled and made with cane sugar!"
Jack and I head to the soda section and have no luck finding a real Coke.
I do get a bottled soda but it is a brand that I've never heard of and it is a cherry flavored drink.
We head back to the car with the 3 sodas to go along with 3 Moon Pies and head back to Sikeston.
While on the drive back, we are treated to the sight of a small plane crop dusting an area just to the west of the highway. It is another one of those sights that I've always heard about but never really seen.
I watch the plane circle the area and dump poison on the crops below.
And I can't help me think about my mom's situation.
There is a correlation between some pesticide usage and ALS.
Am I watching the act that is going to kill my mother?
Day 12 - Wardell, MO - Part One
"All travel has its advantages. If the passenger visits better countries, he may learn to improve his own. And if fortune carries him to worse, he may learn to enjoy it." - Samuel Johnson
Day 12 - Sikeston, MO to Wardell, MO - Daily Distance - 47 miles - The Bucket Trip Distance - 2237 miles
For a disease that has been around for 143 years, there is so much more that we DON'T know about ALS that what we do know.
10% of the people that get this disease have a version that is passed down through families.
A genetic defect that takes members of a family out like a bowling ball takes out bowling pins.
For the other 90%, there is no absolute reason why.
There ARE some groups that have been at a greater risk than others.
U.S. veterans are twice as likely than the civilian population to contract ALS.
People that grew up on farms or other areas that used the pesticide, 2-4D, have also been more likely to get this disease.
My Mom lived on a farm until she was 11.
Two other people that lived in the same area have also been diagnosed with ALS.
Maybe not enough people to classify it as an "ALS Cluster" but it is enough to give you pause.
Today, "The Kids" and I are heading to see the farm where she grew up.
Typically, it is about 11:00 a.m. before they are ready to go. Today, we start our day by going to Lambert's (Home of the Throwed Roll). They weren't here yesterday with Claudette while I was in Marceline.
Lambert's can only work in an area like this. If you had a restaurant like this in Southern California, nobody would believe it. It wouldn't be genuine.
The location itself is HUGE and there is not one inch of visible wall space. Licenses plates are EVERYWHERE. There is a mix of country and southern rock playing in the background. The place has just opened but the energy in the places is already building. Dozens of conversations are all blending in together to create blanket of sound that rises above the background music.
The people that work here are all charming. They all wear jeans an a collared shirt with red bow ties and suspenders.
Our server takes our order while the other workers come around to pass out the extra side dishes.
There is one that is passing out macaroni and tomatoes that is just beyond cute. Long blonde hair. A perfect smile that will be breaking hearts for the next 10 years. A sing song voice that sounds like came out of central casting for a country movie.
I'd eat anything that she puts on my plate.
There is one other person working there. Circling the restaurant. Looking for his next victim.
The roll thrower.
He pushes a cart but he doesn't look where he's going.
He's eyes are hunting for that next person that wants a roll.
For most, he will lob a roll underhanded to both older or younger guests.
But he is looking for that patron that he can launch a bomb at.
He sees me from across the restaurant.
I raise my hand.
Target acquired.
He launches a role from about 45 feet away.
I'm in a booth so my mobility is limited.
The roll sails a bit to my left.
I raise my hand.
The roll goes off of my hand, hits me in the side of the head, and bounces over to the next booth.
The roll thrower shakes his head in disgust.
Day 12 - Sikeston, MO to Wardell, MO - Daily Distance - 47 miles - The Bucket Trip Distance - 2237 miles
For a disease that has been around for 143 years, there is so much more that we DON'T know about ALS that what we do know.
10% of the people that get this disease have a version that is passed down through families.
A genetic defect that takes members of a family out like a bowling ball takes out bowling pins.
For the other 90%, there is no absolute reason why.
There ARE some groups that have been at a greater risk than others.
U.S. veterans are twice as likely than the civilian population to contract ALS.
People that grew up on farms or other areas that used the pesticide, 2-4D, have also been more likely to get this disease.
My Mom lived on a farm until she was 11.
Two other people that lived in the same area have also been diagnosed with ALS.
Maybe not enough people to classify it as an "ALS Cluster" but it is enough to give you pause.
Today, "The Kids" and I are heading to see the farm where she grew up.
Typically, it is about 11:00 a.m. before they are ready to go. Today, we start our day by going to Lambert's (Home of the Throwed Roll). They weren't here yesterday with Claudette while I was in Marceline.
Lambert's can only work in an area like this. If you had a restaurant like this in Southern California, nobody would believe it. It wouldn't be genuine.
The location itself is HUGE and there is not one inch of visible wall space. Licenses plates are EVERYWHERE. There is a mix of country and southern rock playing in the background. The place has just opened but the energy in the places is already building. Dozens of conversations are all blending in together to create blanket of sound that rises above the background music.
The people that work here are all charming. They all wear jeans an a collared shirt with red bow ties and suspenders.
Our server takes our order while the other workers come around to pass out the extra side dishes.
There is one that is passing out macaroni and tomatoes that is just beyond cute. Long blonde hair. A perfect smile that will be breaking hearts for the next 10 years. A sing song voice that sounds like came out of central casting for a country movie.
I'd eat anything that she puts on my plate.
There is one other person working there. Circling the restaurant. Looking for his next victim.
The roll thrower.
He pushes a cart but he doesn't look where he's going.
He's eyes are hunting for that next person that wants a roll.
For most, he will lob a roll underhanded to both older or younger guests.
But he is looking for that patron that he can launch a bomb at.
He sees me from across the restaurant.
I raise my hand.
Target acquired.
He launches a role from about 45 feet away.
I'm in a booth so my mobility is limited.
The roll sails a bit to my left.
I raise my hand.
The roll goes off of my hand, hits me in the side of the head, and bounces over to the next booth.
The roll thrower shakes his head in disgust.
Thursday, May 31, 2012
Day 11 - Marceline, MO - Conclusion
The drive back to Sikeston is a long one.
I'm tired and exhilarated at the same time.
Visiting Marceline was one of those things on my own Bucket List and now that was done.
I wasn't sure how my Mom's and Jack's day was going and I wanted to get back as quickly as possible.
As long as I avoid getting a speeding ticket.
I set the route on my iPhone and I'm off.
Unfortunately, I don't take a look at it before I leave and the iPhone takes me on a country road with pretty much nobody on it.
I'm not going to lie. It is nervewracking.
I just imagine this new Jeep breaking down and all of a sudden I'm the protoganist in a found footage horror movie fiding himself on the business end of a terrifying banjo player.
When my cell service picks up, a text from my Mom comes in.
She wants me to pick them up at Claudette's house.
I need to fill the Jeep up with gas first and then get checked back into our hotel.
Once I have that down, I'm off to Claudette's.
When I get there, everyone is in the front room. My Mom is in the recliner that Claudette's husband normally sits in.
She's comfortable sitting up for the first time on the trip.
They've already had dinner but Claudette fixes me a taco really quickly.
We just sit and visit in their front room. Claudette's granddaughters, "The Chicks," are haning out with us. There is a Cardinal game on TV that they are half-watching.
And for now, everything is normal.
There's no Bucket Trip.
There's no ALS.
There's just our family hanging out.
Claudette hss Madison put on a little show for us. She's been seeing a vocal coach for a while.
Madison takes the stages - or the top of the stairs to the kitchen that we had to carry my Mom up the other day - and she starts to sing.
She is better than good. Has an old country sound to her.
Now, I'm not into country music but I do know when somebody has talent.
At 11 years old, she can sing.
We don't stay too much longer. It is dusk when we leave and the lightening bugs are dancing across the street.
We say our goodbyes and load my mom into the car.
Driving down the country road back out to the main highway, the lightening bugs line the street like the landing lights at an airport landing strip.
It was a long one but I don't think this day could have gone any better.
I'm tired and exhilarated at the same time.
Visiting Marceline was one of those things on my own Bucket List and now that was done.
I wasn't sure how my Mom's and Jack's day was going and I wanted to get back as quickly as possible.
As long as I avoid getting a speeding ticket.
I set the route on my iPhone and I'm off.
Unfortunately, I don't take a look at it before I leave and the iPhone takes me on a country road with pretty much nobody on it.
I'm not going to lie. It is nervewracking.
I just imagine this new Jeep breaking down and all of a sudden I'm the protoganist in a found footage horror movie fiding himself on the business end of a terrifying banjo player.
When my cell service picks up, a text from my Mom comes in.
She wants me to pick them up at Claudette's house.
I need to fill the Jeep up with gas first and then get checked back into our hotel.
Once I have that down, I'm off to Claudette's.
When I get there, everyone is in the front room. My Mom is in the recliner that Claudette's husband normally sits in.
She's comfortable sitting up for the first time on the trip.
They've already had dinner but Claudette fixes me a taco really quickly.
We just sit and visit in their front room. Claudette's granddaughters, "The Chicks," are haning out with us. There is a Cardinal game on TV that they are half-watching.
And for now, everything is normal.
There's no Bucket Trip.
There's no ALS.
There's just our family hanging out.
Claudette hss Madison put on a little show for us. She's been seeing a vocal coach for a while.
Madison takes the stages - or the top of the stairs to the kitchen that we had to carry my Mom up the other day - and she starts to sing.
She is better than good. Has an old country sound to her.
Now, I'm not into country music but I do know when somebody has talent.
At 11 years old, she can sing.
We don't stay too much longer. It is dusk when we leave and the lightening bugs are dancing across the street.
We say our goodbyes and load my mom into the car.
Driving down the country road back out to the main highway, the lightening bugs line the street like the landing lights at an airport landing strip.
It was a long one but I don't think this day could have gone any better.
Day 11 - Marceline, MO - Part Four
I was running out of time.
It is a six hour drive back to Sikeston and it is already after noon.
This has been a fun diversion but this was not the reason for The Bucket Trip.
I need to get back to my Mom and Jack.
But before I do that, I have one last stop.
The childhood home of Walt Disney.
The volunteer at the Walt Disney Hometown Museum gave me a map of the city. Looking at it, I realize that I drove right past the house on my way in.
I get back in the Jeep and downtown Marceline quickly fades from my focus.
I need to find the house.
It seems to take forever to find the house but it really is only four or five minutes.
And then I'm there.
I pull over to the side of the road and hop out with my iPad to take pictures.
There's a sign out from designating this as Walt's childhood home. I start taking pictures and walk around to the east side of the property. There seems to be a barn there but it doesn't look like the one that I've seen on line.
I retreat back to the car.
I look a little further down the road and I can see signs pointing to the barn.
It isn't the actual barn that was on the property when Walt was here. That is long gone.
But it will do today.
I follow the signs and you first see Walt's Dreaming Tree.
Unfortunately, the Dreaming Tree was struck by lightening and it is dying.
But it is still there and they have harvested over a million seeds from this tree.
Someday, a Dreaming Tree will be back and healthy there.
And then you see the barn.
It's smaller than you think.
Looks newer than it should.
I walk up to the barn.
There's nobody else around.
When you enter the barn, you can't help but see all of the notes that have been left for Walt.
They are everywhere.
I walk around a look for an open spot.
I need to search out a spot higher than what most people can get to.
I find a beam that is about 9 feet off of the ground.
There's nothing on it. It's going to be mine.
I pull out the Sharpie and write my note of thanks and sign my name.
I place the Sharpie in a place that will be easy to find for the next person to come in and I leave the barn.
Walking out, there is a family on their way in.
I smile and say "Howdy" as I pass them.
I get back into the Jeep and start my six and a half hour drive back to Sikeston.
It is a six hour drive back to Sikeston and it is already after noon.
This has been a fun diversion but this was not the reason for The Bucket Trip.
I need to get back to my Mom and Jack.
But before I do that, I have one last stop.
The childhood home of Walt Disney.
The volunteer at the Walt Disney Hometown Museum gave me a map of the city. Looking at it, I realize that I drove right past the house on my way in.
I get back in the Jeep and downtown Marceline quickly fades from my focus.
I need to find the house.
It seems to take forever to find the house but it really is only four or five minutes.
And then I'm there.
I pull over to the side of the road and hop out with my iPad to take pictures.
There's a sign out from designating this as Walt's childhood home. I start taking pictures and walk around to the east side of the property. There seems to be a barn there but it doesn't look like the one that I've seen on line.
I retreat back to the car.
I look a little further down the road and I can see signs pointing to the barn.
It isn't the actual barn that was on the property when Walt was here. That is long gone.
But it will do today.
I follow the signs and you first see Walt's Dreaming Tree.
Unfortunately, the Dreaming Tree was struck by lightening and it is dying.
But it is still there and they have harvested over a million seeds from this tree.
Someday, a Dreaming Tree will be back and healthy there.
And then you see the barn.
It's smaller than you think.
Looks newer than it should.
I walk up to the barn.
There's nobody else around.
When you enter the barn, you can't help but see all of the notes that have been left for Walt.
They are everywhere.
I walk around a look for an open spot.
I need to search out a spot higher than what most people can get to.
I find a beam that is about 9 feet off of the ground.
There's nothing on it. It's going to be mine.
I pull out the Sharpie and write my note of thanks and sign my name.
I place the Sharpie in a place that will be easy to find for the next person to come in and I leave the barn.
Walking out, there is a family on their way in.
I smile and say "Howdy" as I pass them.
I get back into the Jeep and start my six and a half hour drive back to Sikeston.
Day 11 - Marceline, MO - Part Three
I've been very fortunate to have the opportunity to spend time with people that knew Walt Disney.
Typically, I would be interviewing them for our Video Communications team at Disneyland and these interviews would be broadcast to all of the Cast Members at the Disneyland Resort.
But I really haven't had the opportunity to have a private chat with one of these folks.
The opportunity to share just as much as I was going to listen.
And now, the opportunity was right there in front of me.
Kaye and I sit down and start eating the chicken salad sandwiches that Dorothy made for the three of us. Dorothy had to excuse herself as she had some other business that she had to attend to.
And now I'm here with Kaye.
There are pictures of her on display in the Walt Disney Hometown Museum. She is standing there with Walt during one of his visits to Marceline.
And while 50 years have passed since those pictures were taken, Kaye pretty much looks the same.
Short blonde hair that is still styled the same way she had it as a teenager. She's in her eartly 60's now but there is a sparkle in her eyes that is undeniable.
She's just a little bit younger than my Mom.
"What brought you to Marceline?" she asks.
And before I know it, I spill the entire story. Maybe it is because I've been writing so much on the trip but The Bucket Trip story just explodes out of me.
I share with her that I've worked at Disneyland for 24 years and with being this close to Walt's hometown, I had to be here.
She offers he condolences and then shares this.
"You know, John. Tuesdays are my normal day off. I'm really not supposed to be here today. I think your visit here is something that was just meant to be."
She has no idea how right she is.
We talk more about her story and how Walt Disney and his family used to stay at her hourse because they had the only house that had central air in Marceline. Initally, her mother was concerned about hosting the Disney's properly but once they got there, they learned that the Disney's were just country boys are heart despite all of their success in Hollywood.
She told me about going out to Disneyland to work for two summers. I asked her why she decided to come out.
"Walt called me and said that he bet Disneyland would hire me if I applied."
I can't imagine a recruiter at Disneyland declining THAT Casting Scout.
She worked in Attractions both summers. Once on the Matterhorn (she said she worked with Disney Legend, Chuck Abbott) and once in the Carousel of Progress.
We talked about the people working for the Company that we both know. I shared with her a little bit about what is going on at the Disneyland Resort and she shared that she was excited to come out there in July for the Disneyana Convention.
The longer we chatted, the more I realized how much in common the two of us had.
Kaye (along with some other dedicated residents of Marceline) were trying to keep Walt's memory alive here in his hometown.
Back in Anaheim, my job is to keep Walt's dream alive by finding the right people to do just that.
Before I know it, an hour has passed by.
I need to get back to Sikeston. Back to my Mom and Jack.
We exchange business cards and Kaye gives me some other collateral material.
Dorothy has returned and she offers me a homemade oatmeal cookie for the road.
Kaye asks if I've been to the Disney family house and barn. I haven't yet.
"Well you need to go on your way out and sign the barn!"
I ask if there is a place I can by a pen so I can sign the barn and before I can get the question out, Dorothy is handing me a sharpie.
"Just leave it in the barn for the next person," Dorothy says with a smile.
The kindness that these two ladies have shown me is unreal. I'm on the verge of tears as she gives me the pen to use.
I get up to leave and Kaye stops me.
"Before you go, let's have a Marceline HUG!"
I give both Kaye and Dorothy huge hugs and take pictures with them both.
I can't believe that all of this really just happened!
Typically, I would be interviewing them for our Video Communications team at Disneyland and these interviews would be broadcast to all of the Cast Members at the Disneyland Resort.
But I really haven't had the opportunity to have a private chat with one of these folks.
The opportunity to share just as much as I was going to listen.
And now, the opportunity was right there in front of me.
Kaye and I sit down and start eating the chicken salad sandwiches that Dorothy made for the three of us. Dorothy had to excuse herself as she had some other business that she had to attend to.
And now I'm here with Kaye.
There are pictures of her on display in the Walt Disney Hometown Museum. She is standing there with Walt during one of his visits to Marceline.
And while 50 years have passed since those pictures were taken, Kaye pretty much looks the same.
Short blonde hair that is still styled the same way she had it as a teenager. She's in her eartly 60's now but there is a sparkle in her eyes that is undeniable.
She's just a little bit younger than my Mom.
"What brought you to Marceline?" she asks.
And before I know it, I spill the entire story. Maybe it is because I've been writing so much on the trip but The Bucket Trip story just explodes out of me.
I share with her that I've worked at Disneyland for 24 years and with being this close to Walt's hometown, I had to be here.
She offers he condolences and then shares this.
"You know, John. Tuesdays are my normal day off. I'm really not supposed to be here today. I think your visit here is something that was just meant to be."
She has no idea how right she is.
We talk more about her story and how Walt Disney and his family used to stay at her hourse because they had the only house that had central air in Marceline. Initally, her mother was concerned about hosting the Disney's properly but once they got there, they learned that the Disney's were just country boys are heart despite all of their success in Hollywood.
She told me about going out to Disneyland to work for two summers. I asked her why she decided to come out.
"Walt called me and said that he bet Disneyland would hire me if I applied."
I can't imagine a recruiter at Disneyland declining THAT Casting Scout.
She worked in Attractions both summers. Once on the Matterhorn (she said she worked with Disney Legend, Chuck Abbott) and once in the Carousel of Progress.
We talked about the people working for the Company that we both know. I shared with her a little bit about what is going on at the Disneyland Resort and she shared that she was excited to come out there in July for the Disneyana Convention.
The longer we chatted, the more I realized how much in common the two of us had.
Kaye (along with some other dedicated residents of Marceline) were trying to keep Walt's memory alive here in his hometown.
Back in Anaheim, my job is to keep Walt's dream alive by finding the right people to do just that.
Before I know it, an hour has passed by.
I need to get back to Sikeston. Back to my Mom and Jack.
We exchange business cards and Kaye gives me some other collateral material.
Dorothy has returned and she offers me a homemade oatmeal cookie for the road.
Kaye asks if I've been to the Disney family house and barn. I haven't yet.
"Well you need to go on your way out and sign the barn!"
I ask if there is a place I can by a pen so I can sign the barn and before I can get the question out, Dorothy is handing me a sharpie.
"Just leave it in the barn for the next person," Dorothy says with a smile.
The kindness that these two ladies have shown me is unreal. I'm on the verge of tears as she gives me the pen to use.
I get up to leave and Kaye stops me.
"Before you go, let's have a Marceline HUG!"
I give both Kaye and Dorothy huge hugs and take pictures with them both.
I can't believe that all of this really just happened!
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