Road Trip - Page 3

soopaman2 · 12-10-11, 03:56 PM

I miss Steve already.

I hope he brings back some cool toys for us to play with.

Jimbuna · 12-10-11, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by soopaman2

I miss Steve already.

I hope he brings back some cool toys for us to play with.

Behave yersel, we have junior aged members who frequent this community

Sailor Steve · 12-13-11, 03:12 PM

WOW! What a rush!

This ended up being much more than I expected. First, my sister offered to fly me down, but based on my flying experience to and from the Houston Subsim meet in 2008 I decided I'd rather take the bus. My sister thought this was crazy, but I am crazy, so what do you do.

I got on a Greyhound at 1830 Friday night. We made a couple of stops in between, and got into Las Vegas at around 0100 Saturday morning. The trip was great, the motor coach was new and top-notch, and I met some interesting people and talked all the way, planning to sleep on the second stage of the trip. Alas, the bus from Las Vegas to Los Angeles was old and beat up. The bathroom was foul, like it hadn't been cleaned in a month. The door was broken, so you had to hold it shut when you were inside, and when no one was in there it would swing open and let the smell leak out into the back part of the bus. The only good news was that both buses were half full at best, so everyone got their own pair of seats and no one had to sit next to anyone else.

We got into LA at 0825 their time (Utah and California are one time zone apart) and waited until 0900 for the bus to Long Beach. It was a fairly old bus, but was owned and operated by some local Mexicans who operate locally for Greyhound. They keep their older equipment in tip-top shape, so that was a fun ride.

My sister met me at the little Long Beach station, and the whole twenty minutes back to her house she kept reminding me that Jet Blue flies direct from Salt Lake to Long Beach, and that the Long Beach airport is only five minutes from her house. Of course I kept reminding her that I didn't have to come at all.

After I showered off sixteen hours of bus smell we headed over to my dad's house. The main part of this story is that my dad spent 36 years as a pilot for United Air Lines, was an avid golfer and loved to travel and kept very fit, and was always on the go. Nine years ago he was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease, and between that, the medication they put him on, and his current age, he can barely walk, let alone do any of the things he was fond of. My sister tried to prepare me for what I would see, but apparently the fact that I was coming for his birthday gave him renewed energy and my sister and stepmom both said he was looking and acting better than he had in weeks.

We had a good conversation and a mini-birthday party, and a pretty good time in general. They gave me a tour of the house, showing all the changes they had made since all three kids moved out.

A story: United moved us to Los Angeles when I was two. My dad rented a couple of places during the next three years, and in 1955 he bought a tract home while the neighborhood was still under construction.

Dad, mom and me, probably around 1954.

My mom and dad divorced in 1958. My dad remarried in 1961, and my sister was born in 1962 and my brother in 1964. This means that I was an only child, but I still had siblings. I was enough older than them that I ended up being a built-in babysitter. In 1965 my dad sold his first house and bought a very nice home further up the Palos Verdes Peninsula. They still live in the same house, and, say what I like about my stepmother, last August 1 was their fiftieth anniversary. Pretty wild, that.

A portrait of my dad in his prime.

And my dad now. His friend is my sister's dog Roscoe, who my stepmom callse The Red Rascal.

My dad and stepmom, Barbara.

Me, my dad and my sister Chelon.

A picture of a picture of the boat my dad used to own.

A funny pic from my dad's office.

The last time I saw my sister she was pregnant. Her daughter is now 12, so it's been awhile.

My sister Chelon, her husband Pedro and their daughter Danielle, from Chelon's FaceBook page.

I made a post last year about Danielle's hockey team. Here is Danielle decked out for battle.

Sailor Steve · 12-13-11, 03:13 PM

PART 2.

Sunday we drove up to Simi Valley for Danielle's hockey game.

Here's my niece in action.

But more importantly, my sister invited her niece, my younger daughter, and she came. Her two older kids stayed behind with a babysitter, but here is me, my daughter Michelle, her husband Dave and their youngest, baby Edyn.

I spent another day with Chelon and family, and Dad and Barbara came over for dinner, so I got to see my dad on his real birthday.

Hopped on the bus yesterday at noon, left LA at 1500, Las Vegas at 2200. Got back into Salt Lake at 0630, was home by 0730 and now here I am typing merrily away.

One last shot of me with my daughter and granddaughter.

Jimbuna · 12-13-11, 03:29 PM

Way to go Steve

Your restoring my faith in humanity....over the moon for ya mate

frau kaleun · 12-13-11, 03:38 PM

So great that you got to reconnect with some family. I know seeing that grandbaby must have been especially awesome.

Sailor Steve · 12-13-11, 04:03 PM

Well, holding her for a few minutes was even better.

Dan D · 12-13-11, 04:03 PM

Sailor Steve, you are my hero !

12-13-11, 05:21 PM

Glad you had a great time; welcome back. And just in time for National Monkey Day too.

Sailor Steve · 12-13-11, 05:30 PM

OOKA OOKA OOK!

Herr-Berbunch · 12-13-11, 05:41 PM

Stoppit Steve, I'm welling up! So pleased for you, hope you can all catch up again soon.

CCIP · 12-13-11, 08:12 PM

Great to hear you had such a good time with the family

Ironically, my folks were also in LA for a short visit at the same time as you. Heard the weather's been a little chilly/rainy last couple of days.

Sailor Steve · 12-13-11, 08:34 PM

It was nice Saturday, and Sunday wasn't too bad, though it did get fairly cold at night. Yesterday it rained pretty good.

Penguin · 12-14-11, 08:00 AM

Aye, he's back, get the grammar books out again, kids.

Though their where no reports of bed spelling while your gone, Steve!

I agree with Jim, I also got a little faith in humanity again, the story/pics felt very heartwarming.

Your father still looks very respectable in his high age - hope the both of you got along well.

I cannot see the content of two pics though, as your huge smile covers the whole area of the picture, from the left to the right - in German we say "smiling over both ears"

AVGWarhawk · 12-14-11, 09:14 AM

Looked to be a very fruitful trip for you!

12-10-11, 03:56 PM	#31
soopaman2 Der Alte Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: New Jersey, USA Posts: 3,316 Downloads: 61 Uploads: 0	I miss Steve already. I hope he brings back some cool toys for us to play with. __________________ If Hitler invaded Hell I would make at least a favourable reference to the devil in the House of Commons. -Winston Churchill- The most fascinating man in the world.

12-13-11, 03:12 PM	#33
Sailor Steve Eternal Patrol Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: High in the mountains of Utah Posts: 50,369 Downloads: 745 Uploads: 249	WOW! What a rush! This ended up being much more than I expected. First, my sister offered to fly me down, but based on my flying experience to and from the Houston Subsim meet in 2008 I decided I'd rather take the bus. My sister thought this was crazy, but I am crazy, so what do you do. I got on a Greyhound at 1830 Friday night. We made a couple of stops in between, and got into Las Vegas at around 0100 Saturday morning. The trip was great, the motor coach was new and top-notch, and I met some interesting people and talked all the way, planning to sleep on the second stage of the trip. Alas, the bus from Las Vegas to Los Angeles was old and beat up. The bathroom was foul, like it hadn't been cleaned in a month. The door was broken, so you had to hold it shut when you were inside, and when no one was in there it would swing open and let the smell leak out into the back part of the bus. The only good news was that both buses were half full at best, so everyone got their own pair of seats and no one had to sit next to anyone else. We got into LA at 0825 their time (Utah and California are one time zone apart) and waited until 0900 for the bus to Long Beach. It was a fairly old bus, but was owned and operated by some local Mexicans who operate locally for Greyhound. They keep their older equipment in tip-top shape, so that was a fun ride. My sister met me at the little Long Beach station, and the whole twenty minutes back to her house she kept reminding me that Jet Blue flies direct from Salt Lake to Long Beach, and that the Long Beach airport is only five minutes from her house. Of course I kept reminding her that I didn't have to come at all. After I showered off sixteen hours of bus smell we headed over to my dad's house. The main part of this story is that my dad spent 36 years as a pilot for United Air Lines, was an avid golfer and loved to travel and kept very fit, and was always on the go. Nine years ago he was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease, and between that, the medication they put him on, and his current age, he can barely walk, let alone do any of the things he was fond of. My sister tried to prepare me for what I would see, but apparently the fact that I was coming for his birthday gave him renewed energy and my sister and stepmom both said he was looking and acting better than he had in weeks. We had a good conversation and a mini-birthday party, and a pretty good time in general. They gave me a tour of the house, showing all the changes they had made since all three kids moved out. A story: United moved us to Los Angeles when I was two. My dad rented a couple of places during the next three years, and in 1955 he bought a tract home while the neighborhood was still under construction. Dad, mom and me, probably around 1954. My mom and dad divorced in 1958. My dad remarried in 1961, and my sister was born in 1962 and my brother in 1964. This means that I was an only child, but I still had siblings. I was enough older than them that I ended up being a built-in babysitter. In 1965 my dad sold his first house and bought a very nice home further up the Palos Verdes Peninsula. They still live in the same house, and, say what I like about my stepmother, last August 1 was their fiftieth anniversary. Pretty wild, that. A portrait of my dad in his prime. And my dad now. His friend is my sister's dog Roscoe, who my stepmom callse The Red Rascal. My dad and stepmom, Barbara. Me, my dad and my sister Chelon. A picture of a picture of the boat my dad used to own. A funny pic from my dad's office. The last time I saw my sister she was pregnant. Her daughter is now 12, so it's been awhile. My sister Chelon, her husband Pedro and their daughter Danielle, from Chelon's FaceBook page. I made a post last year about Danielle's hockey team. Here is Danielle decked out for battle. __________________ “Never do anything you can't take back.” —Rocky Russo

12-13-11, 03:13 PM	#34
Sailor Steve Eternal Patrol Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: High in the mountains of Utah Posts: 50,369 Downloads: 745 Uploads: 249	PART 2. Sunday we drove up to Simi Valley for Danielle's hockey game. Here's my niece in action. But more importantly, my sister invited her niece, my younger daughter, and she came. Her two older kids stayed behind with a babysitter, but here is me, my daughter Michelle, her husband Dave and their youngest, baby Edyn. I spent another day with Chelon and family, and Dad and Barbara came over for dinner, so I got to see my dad on his real birthday. Hopped on the bus yesterday at noon, left LA at 1500, Las Vegas at 2200. Got back into Salt Lake at 0630, was home by 0730 and now here I am typing merrily away. One last shot of me with my daughter and granddaughter. __________________ “Never do anything you can't take back.” —Rocky Russo

12-13-11, 03:29 PM	#35
Jimbuna Chief of the Boat Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: 250 metres below the surface Posts: 190,500 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 13	Way to go Steve Your restoring my faith in humanity....over the moon for ya mate __________________ Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something. Oh my God, not again!!

12-13-11, 04:03 PM	#37
Sailor Steve Eternal Patrol Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: High in the mountains of Utah Posts: 50,369 Downloads: 745 Uploads: 249	Well, holding her for a few minutes was even better. __________________ “Never do anything you can't take back.” —Rocky Russo

12-13-11, 03:38 PM	#36
frau kaleun Rear Admiral Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Skyri--oh who are we kidding, I'm probably at Lowe's. Again. Posts: 12,706 Downloads: 168 Uploads: 0	So great that you got to reconnect with some family. I know seeing that grandbaby must have been especially awesome.

12-13-11, 04:03 PM	#38
Dan D Grey Wolf Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: 9th Flotilla Posts: 839 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Sailor Steve, you are my hero ! __________________

12-13-11, 05:21 PM	#39
Randomizer Stowaway Posts: n/a Downloads: Uploads:	Glad you had a great time; welcome back. And just in time for National Monkey Day too.

12-13-11, 05:30 PM	#40
Sailor Steve Eternal Patrol Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: High in the mountains of Utah Posts: 50,369 Downloads: 745 Uploads: 249	OOKA OOKA OOK! __________________ “Never do anything you can't take back.” —Rocky Russo

12-13-11, 05:41 PM	#41
Herr-Berbunch Kaiser Bill's batman Join Date: May 2010 Location: AN72 Posts: 13,203 Downloads: 76 Uploads: 0	Stoppit Steve, I'm welling up! So pleased for you, hope you can all catch up again soon. __________________

12-13-11, 08:12 PM	#42
CCIP Navy Seal Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Waterloo, Canada Posts: 8,700 Downloads: 29 Uploads: 2	Great to hear you had such a good time with the family Ironically, my folks were also in LA for a short visit at the same time as you. Heard the weather's been a little chilly/rainy last couple of days. __________________ There are only forty people in the world and five of them are hamburgers. -Don Van Vliet (aka Captain Beefheart)

12-13-11, 08:34 PM	#43
Sailor Steve Eternal Patrol Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: High in the mountains of Utah Posts: 50,369 Downloads: 745 Uploads: 249	It was nice Saturday, and Sunday wasn't too bad, though it did get fairly cold at night. Yesterday it rained pretty good. __________________ “Never do anything you can't take back.” —Rocky Russo

12-14-11, 08:00 AM	#44
Penguin Ocean Warrior Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Rheinische Republik Posts: 3,322 Downloads: 92 Uploads: 0	Aye, he's back, get the grammar books out again, kids. Though their where no reports of bed spelling while your gone, Steve! I agree with Jim, I also got a little faith in humanity again, the story/pics felt very heartwarming. Your father still looks very respectable in his high age - hope the both of you got along well. I cannot see the content of two pics though, as your huge smile covers the whole area of the picture, from the left to the right - in German we say "smiling over both ears"

12-14-11, 09:14 AM	#45
AVGWarhawk Lucky Jack Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: In a 1954 Buick. Posts: 28,254 Downloads: 90 Uploads: 0	Looked to be a very fruitful trip for you! __________________ “You're painfully alive in a drugged and dying culture.” ― Richard Yates, Revolutionary Road