Traveling day. The whole house was awake and rocking by 6:00 AM, even the grandkids. Jake had been up and out before anyone else, policing the pool area, picking up towels and making sure there were no errant bits lying around. Ed arrived shortly after 8:00 to pick up the kids for the run to the San Diego airport for their non-stop back to Baltimore. We loaded up all the leftover food, soda, alcohol and excess paper goods to place in Ed’s vehicle for him to take home; it was surprising how little was left over. We had consumed most everything we purchased over the 5 day run. After their departure, we went through the entire house double-checking everything for last minute slip-ups.
Around 9:00, the Omaha Coverts loaded up their van for the run to the Ontario International Airport. Jake and Audrey departed shortly thereafter for the San Diego airport and their flights home to Detroit and Lyft ride home to Pleasant Ridge. Jeff and Glenda were left to close up the house. They were headed to San Diego to spend the day with friends and leave on Tuesday for their flight back to Lincoln. Besides, Glenda wanted to try out the huge master bath walk-in shower before she left.
The run to the Ontario airport included a stop at the dispensary along the way in order to pick up some needed supplies then on to the National Car Rental to return the van. We boarded the shuttle to the airport and were checked in well before departure time. Darcy was on a different flight via Southwest Airlines, so she headed, together with Abby’s bag, to another terminal. Abby, Deb and Mark walked to the assigned gate, with a stop at the coffee shop for a quick cup and a pastry to tide us over instead of breakfast.
The Denver leg boarded at 12:45 and took off at 1:30. The trip was uneventful and arrived a bit early. We had an hour layover in Denver and then onto Omaha. We arrived at 8:01 PM, a few minutes early. It had been raining in Omaha for the better part of two days (much needed as the whole state has been in drought status,) and it continued to rain throughout the night. Our dear friend Deb Duggan was there to meet us and drive the three of us, together with our 4 suitcases and two carry-ons home, dropping Abby first at her house and us to 6208. Darcy had safely arrived home about 30 minutes earlier as her departure from Ontario preceded ours.
We dropped into our chairs at home, after dragging our bags ups the steps, poured a glass of red wine, lit the fire in the fireplace, and spent the next hour reviewing our 11 day sojourn involving two criss-crossings of the country. Cleo the cat was really happy to see us, climbing all over Deb and demanding some action from those scratching attachments at the end of her human arms. We were tired, but happy. The family time was truly great, the accommodations ranging from adequate to outstanding and our hosts around the country welcoming and thoughtful. There were no issues, no drama, and plenty of love and affection.
We spent quality time with relatives on the east coast, attended one our closest friends’ son’s wedding in beautiful Charlottesville, and then spent 5 days with our children and their families. The only missing kids were Jake’s two children, Sabrina and Adrian, serving their country in the Air Force. This will rank as one of our most successful journeys!
