FROM THE PEN OF DENNISB
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Time to Go - by Dennisb
After months of planning it was now TIME !!!
Perth…4.30 am..Tuesday the 16th of August. The start of yet another adventure !!!
Leaving Perth on that first flight I wondered how I would be received by people I had never met. We had 'talked' so many times but there is a natural concern that 'things would not go well'.
That first flight took 4 hours and then the wait for the connection to LA. 14 hours later I stepped off the plane, in LA, tired and ready for some sleep. The next leg took me to San Fransisco and 'family' for a few days. After SF I was refreshed and ready for the long 'haul' to Anchorage…via Dallas !!!. This started a saga that would be repeated twice more !!!. Dallas..hot and humid..and me carrying that 'parka' and looking a tad foolish..it was 110°F there !!!
During the flight to AK we passed Mt Rainier..covered with snow and looking splendid in the sunshine..oh..if only I had any idea of what lay ahead. As we flew further north all I could see where mountains..so many that one could not count them all. Land, so much the result of earths turmoil, that took ones breath away..it was so beautiful to these eyes, used to so much 'flat land'. Snow and glaciers..more mountains..even more snow and ice..incredible views that stretched as far as the eye could see. I just knew I had 'fallen in love' with so much beauty and majesty.
Landing at Anchorage airport I was met by a perfectly delightful LADY, my 'new found sister' Margot J. I knew I was 'home'..then to meet the mate, who I had waited so long to hug, Wookie !! At last..I was here in Alaska AND with my 'far away' family. Emotions are hard to describe, at times, but it really felt like a 'home coming' for me. The two of them were so welcoming and the 'rush' we all felt will stay with me forever. Of course my bag was 'lost' (for the first time) but that didn't matter..we were together and that was the most important thing.
The next few days were like a dream !!! Living in a 'tent' was fun and the company was wonderful..so much to see and do..even breakfast at Harry's and THAT coffee !!!. I truly felt like I was really 'home' with them. We 'played' on the four wheelers…travelled to all parts of the Kenai Peninsular, taking pictures that will be my 'memories' for years to come. Talked..laughed..joked..and became so close..Margot and Wookie…you are really 'my family'..forever !!!. I must include others here who made me so welcome and were so much of the fabric of my stay in Soldotna. Kim and her two beautiful daughters,Chelsea and Coutrtney.. Jeff…the 'calm and efficient backup' for the working team and Hugh..another wonderful addition to 'our family' there. We did have fun 'guys' and I thank you all sincerely.
A few days later the rest of the 'intrepid' travellers arrived and thus started another chapter of this story.
Cindy, Lois and Smitty completed the 'gang'…and from the moment they 'arrived' it was all fun and laughs. And I do mean laughs !! We had a ball and the enjoyment just went on and on. Our hosts were wonderful. So much to see and 'feel'..so many views to take pictures of..so many delightful moments to enjoy. Life, was, indeed great !! Sadly..the time came for me to leave..and I left with a heavy heart..but with so many wonderful memories to carry me through until the next time I have the luck and pleasure of being with my close pals. Miss you 'guys' !!!
PS. This is where the 'spoon' story started..and I will get 'even' for that J
So..it was another flight..this time to Minneapolis (via Dallas of course..still carrying that parka..not used yet!!). Visit with more family then on to Halifax NS. Stay with Mary's (Goanna) daughter, Hazel (MsMum) for a few days. Next 'call' is to Smitty's (yes…thats right..for the third time I am in Dallas and still have that parka on my arm..just in case).
My host picked me up in Dallas and we journeyed to OK City and El Reno. This was a very nice gesture on Smitty's part..it is a long haul to Dallas..and very much appreciated on my part. We did have some of Smitty's favourite ice cream on the way too..love Braums J.
I guess we just about covered the main parts of OK City…including that terrible site where so many were needlessly killed and the monument they are erecting for the poor souls lost there. The inhumanity of those people who would perpetrate such a thing disgusts me..as it does with so many others. We visited Ernest in hospital. Hoping he will recover soon. Another highlight was having dinner with Bubba and Charlie (shotgun). The photos from that dinner were 'online' the next morning..tks to Charlie..quick work C2 J.
Oklahoma is much like 'our' country..very flat, in the main, and easy to drive the many enjoyable miles we travelled. Another 'visit' came to an end and it was time for me to head for Ohio and Charlie (cprbo).
NO…Smitty didnt hide his spoons'!!
Two flights later and I am picked up by me host at the airport and driven the miles to his 'retreat' in the wilds and countryside of Ohio. Not really that wild but it really is a 'retreat' from the hustle and bustle of 'city living'. I even had a huge pumpkin to greet me in the driveway..nice daughter you have Charlie J. More sights and sounds to savor and view..even to 'fishing' in the 'lake'.
We chatted and yarned our way through slow and easy days (too few I am afraid ). Met Sara (mag357) and hubby, Fred, (sauceman)..more talk and jokes..relaxed and feeling good.
Sadly, the time had arrived again for me to move on. Charlie drove me to the airport and I left yet another wonderful host and friend (who didn't hide the spoons either.
Another pair of flights and I met Jim (w3akr) for the first time and we 'hit it off' immediately. This was the second time my bag 'became' lost..it arrived that evening so it was no 'big deal'. Jim and I have so much in common that is it kinda scary really..almost twin lives in fact. I like the 'mall walk' in the morning before breakfast and the people I met..a great bunch who enjoy life to the fullest. Many would envy your life style Jim. Of course I met that 'dawg' we hear so much about J. Jim has lots of pals there and his life is full (this includes some 'hairy critters' too..his 'friendly squirrels'). Oh we talked and talked for hours..deciding the fate of the world over a beer or two..comparing lives..then having to make our minds up over where we should eat and stuff that is important to us 'fellas'!!. Jim took me around and showed me all the places of interest. I never did get to see those 'satin sheets' tho J. Love your RV Jim..maybe we can 'do a trip' one day . Jim carefully prepared an extra bedroom for the arrival of Jayne (JayneDoe)..who was going to drive me to Washington DC the next morning..but I dont think Jayne was that impressed..Jim is a real kidder. More laughs that evening and touring the next day until, yet again, I was on the move.
It was a delightful trip, to DC, 'my chauffer' is an excellent driver and I sat back and enjoyed the scenery and the chatter we made during the drive. Jayne left me in my motel and I settled in for more days of sightseeing and enjoying the company of some very nice people. I had been to DC before and had seen most of the 'highlights' of the Capital but really wanted to see the Smithsonian Museum of Flight and Space .
Next morning I headed off for the Museum and became totally immersed in the technical wonders of 'our' age. After this I was lucky enough to meet another of the 50+ 'team'..Abbie(Bluelady)..who accompanied me to view the monuments erected to honour fallen comrades in two 'wars'..Vietnam and Korea..plus the monument for your FDR. A very enjoyable afternoon was followed by dinner, with Jayne and her hubby, for the four of us. Time, for some reason, starts to blur here but we enjoyed the chatting and comparing all sorts of things. Had more meals together and visiting interesting places, including the 'Newseum' which was another highlight. Later it was decided that we should visit the Zoo..and this we did. Although it was very warm we had a very enjoyable time with all the animals and an even more enjoyable lunch..it was a festival of South American groups and the food was from all over that part of the continent. I am still not sure what I had but it tasted ok. This was my last night in the States and was made very enjoyable because I had dinner with Jayne and Bob. More chatting and then time for me to be taken back to my motel and pack. My 'chauffer' kindly took me to the airport for my flight to NY and thence UK..so ending an absolutely wonderful 6 weeks of total enjoyment and fun.
The stay, with family in UK, went by in, it seemed, a flash. I did manage a trip to shop in Harrods but mainly spent time with my Brother in Oxford and my Neice in Brighton. This is, possibly, the last time I will see them and so it was with regret I left them and headed to Rome.
How does one describe the 'Eternal City'…it is far beyond the ability of this soul to even try…except to say I was overawed by all the majesty and history I was privileged to see..so much history..places where Centurions walked..the actual 'race track' where they raced those chariots..and the massive Colosseum with it's 'gory' background. Of course I visited the Cisteen Chapel and gazed at the works of Raffael..and then the final inspiring sight..St Peters..in all it's glory. So much history !!
Time !! Time to take those final flights home and take with me so many wonderful memories. Far too many to tell here..so many 'small' things that made this trip so memorable..the wonderful people I had the privilege to meet and share experiences with..the hospitality shown, to an ordinary guy from 'down under', is treasured and I would love to return that hospitality here in 'my world' one day. I hope I have not missed mentioning anyone..if I have please forgive my 'forgetory'. It did have some 'overtime' to do and I probably have made many mistakes.
Thank you, one and all, for allowing me into your lives and making me so welcome. Now the TIME is right for me to close but I want to re-use a remark I made in one of my other 'stories'. We ARE all the same really..people who are living just like I do..trying to enjoy life to it's fullest and enjoying the company of friends. I am lucky..I have so many 'new ones' to enjoy !!!
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