The Bad Trip
May. 25th, 2018 08:25 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
fossilfreak I'd planned a delightful trip. I would spend 5 days in Pittsburgh with the inlaws, going out around the area geocaching. After 5 days, and before they'd tire of me, I'd drive up to Canada, stopping in Rochester to see the Strong Museum and then on to Syracuse overnight, then the next day on to see the New York Merci Boxcar and then to Ottawa. I'd looked at maps and had a pretty good idea how to do all of this. My Canadian friends planned to take me to Parliament, which is the one thing I wanted to do besides hang out with them, and then they were going to follow me to the geocaching capital of Canada and see what I did, and stay at the resort I'd booked, too, before I said goodbye and drove back to Pittsburgh through Niagara Falls. Then 5 more days with the inlaws, hopefully seeing everyone in the area, before I came home.
I had my new passport, I had TSA pre-check and an Early Bird checkin with Southwest, I had Jordan almonds to share with my hosts, I had places booked and maps and guide books, I had loaded some 300 or more caches on my GPSr. I'd packed layers but made sure I had the boots and the winter coat. I got a TSA-approved luggage strap for the suitcase to keep it secure but also so I would recognize it on the baggage carousel. I was READY.
The one mistake I made was forgetting that my prescription for blood pressure medication was on its last refill, so they had to first call Dr. Camisa and then call Dr. Ullery and it was too late, so I went in on the Saturday to beg them not to throw it out or send it back, I would come get it on May 3. (Ha. Although it was only in back and took a few minutes.) Fortunately, I had blood pressure medicine from when I panicked in 2012 and got some in Walgreens in Salt Lake City. I actually had the right medicine with me that time, anyway, so this medication has been around ever since.
It all started to go south on April 16 when I couldn't find a parking place at the airport. Finally a shuttle driver told me to go closer to the terminals, and sure enough, there were lots of places there. But it meant I was late to get to the terminal. There someone helped me with printing up my own baggage tags, but he put a "late" tag on it. They said they'd try to put the bag on the right plane, but it might actually end up on the next flight, so I could panic about that.
Going through TSA was easy because of pre-check, and I raced to the gate and broke into the B line, which was boarding, since I had an A place. I got an aisle seat toward the front, and since my carry-on fits under the seat, I only needed the overhead for my winter coat. The plane filled up pretty much and then we were off to Phoenix.
In Phoenix most people, all but 7, got off. Once they were gone we could move around and change seats, so I went a few rows up (10C to 4C). We could then get off the plane and maybe get some food for about 15 minutes. I decided the lines at the food places were off-putting and I had brought trail mix bars anyway, so only got a big water bottle. Back on the plane, which filled up, and off to Pittsburgh. I could use the iPad to at least track the flight, though it was on the way back I had the right app. Going there Southwest captured my geocaching page and didn't let go until I reset the iPad in Pittsburgh on Saturday. That didn't happen on the way home.
In Pittsburgh! Hi, T-Rex! And yes! My bag made it! I called the house and spoke to Frank when I landed: "Lock the doors, the turkey has landed!"
So, I took my bag and wandered around looking for the Alamo counter. I started to get out my driver's license... but it wasn't there! I went through my purse, through my bag, through my pockets... again and again and again. I was in tears. No license. I went back to the Southwest area and asked if it was still on the plane. The plane was loaded, but they looked anyway. No license.
So I called Frank and asked for a ride. I told him I'd be waiting inside, but of course I couldn't, and went out after about 15 minutes. And almost took rides with other people before I saw him starting into the terminal. He'd had to go a different way because of road construction.
Carol comes home late from work and so didn't see my car, so wondered where I was.
I'd brought Jordan almonds as a hostess gift, and they ended up with all of them, and they did seem to like them.
The next day I made a lot of phone calls, to Doug and Nancy first off. I am still so disappointed about this. They had made wonderful plans. We were going to tour one of the Parliament buildings and then attend Question Time. They were going to go to the geocaching capital of Canada with me and stay in the motel I planned to stay in, as well. Sulk. Of course, I had to call the hotels I'd planned to stay in, too.
I called the California DMV, and later in the week I called Sacramento airport, and she suggested I call the TSA. Eventually, April 23, a week after I got to Pittsburgh, I learned they did have it and was told how to retrieve it when I got back.
I went shopping with Frank. I also walked a couple of miles. Vince FaceTimed me so I took the iPad down so he could say hi to the uncles and Carol.
On the Wednesday I'd commented that I had planned to visit the cemetery and Paul thought that was a good idea. Frank came too, and did the driving. I looked at everyone's grave and said some prayers, found out where Ed is buried, and the elder Yarnots. We looked at the house where Rich grew up and I learned that actually my father-in-law was NOT born in it (though he was young when his parents moved in.) I asked to stop at Herschel Field to geocache, didn't find one, but Frank was along when I found the other one. (Paul is overweight and short of breath and I worried about him. He had told me his A1C is about 80. Not that he does anything about that.) It was snowing and hailing during the day.
Phil called Carol for over an hour, all sorts of family drama. Also, when they'd had the Baptism party for baby Gabe, someone had stolen money from Carol, so I was warned when they come on Saturday to lock up. (As it happens, the people suspected didn't come.)
The 19th it was snowing. Later I went for a walk and found another geocache. Frank cooked veal cutlets for dinner. I don't eat veal, but it'd work on chicken, too. He's a good cook, though they use Velveeta and Miracle Whip, and never ever have green vegetables.
The 20th I went with Carol to the big Giant Eagle in Robinson Township. I bought beer and a big pack of Keurig coffee (though Frank drinks tea and Paul has, ick, instant coffee.) I remember caching with Rich there. That night I was starting to dry the dishes as Carol washed and Paul wanted to know what I was doing, and then he started raving about how we usually didn't help and Rich was an asshole. Grr.
So I confronted him when he was alone, the next morning, and he doubled down about how Rich never cared about HIM, and always contradicted, and on and on and on, so yes he was an asshole. I said that was no way to talk to his widow, and that I'd always liked all of Rich's brothers but was prepared to make an exception in his case, and from then on we didn't talk.(Beyond "please pass the butter" type things.) Shame, because he was always the kids' favorite uncle, and he's the one who's visited and came along to Vince's wedding, etc. But you don't call my dear husband names.
Of course, I needed him almost immediately because I re-set my iPad and he had the internet passwords. Argh.
I went shopping with Carol and Frank for some last-minute stuff and they had an open house so I could see all the locals. There was Ray and Sue (who came from something with Ken (who was the one I didn't get to see)'s family), Phil and Barb and Cindy and her family (except for the oldest girl), Robbie and his wife Bertha and darling Gabe who was not-quite-two, and who stayed late to continue with Carol and the family soap opera, and Nikki and her partner Elizabeth. Bonnie, Ed's ex-wife widow, was among the first to arrive, and it felt like old times with her, Sue, and me. Barb, not so much. (Bonnie and Sue told me, years ago, that when Phil married Barb he told his brothers that he was doing better than they did... and this hubris has definitely bitten him in the rear end.) Nevertheless, it was nice to see her. Bertha sat near me, reminding me so much of Niki (Vince's Niki) in her perkiness. She was going to Puerto Rico for her job the next week, and taking her neice so she could take Gabe. (And, that week, she posted a picture. Barb inquired what they were doing in Puerto Rico. It's a heck of a note when the aunt knows more than the grandma, but Barb's always been more interested in dogs.)
I begged Bonnie to take me away, and the next week indeed she did.
Sunday Carol and I went to 7:30 Mass, which turned out to be 7:38. We also went over to the Earth Day celebration at the local park. Diane and the kids (including the Flat Stanley owner Owen) came over. I called Bernadette and vented about Paul.
Monday I geocached at the local park, though I could only find two. And one involved jumping a creek and climbing a hill. But I did it. Back at the house, I talked a lot to Frank, ignoring Paul.
Tuesday the 24th Bonnie took me to lunch at Cracker Barrel and we talked and talked, then she took me to her house and I showed her my elephant ride video and the Camino pictures.
The 25th I walked way down Thorn Run and realized I'm never going to walk from Lourdes to Pamplona. I commented on this to Charles and discovered he has multiple myeloma.
My tiny hands managed to get something tiny that Paul had dropped into the disposal.
They caught the East Area Rapist!!!
The 26th Carol took a holiday (which she hadn't been going to do because I would be gone.) and we went to the Mattress Factory Museum, which was odd, and the Aviary. She'd never been to the Aviary! We also bought chinese food so Paul could have some Lo Mein noodles.
The 27th Shelly, a friend from the other side of Pittsburgh, came and we geocached in Moon Park, and also she took me to Burgatory, which is quite an experience.
Frank fixed butterfly shrimp for dinner. It was GOOD.
The 28th I took Carol (well, she drove) to the simulcast of Cinderella, the opera. I never thought I would like opera simulcasts, but this was fabulous, I will certainly do it again.
Church on the 29th and then we were concerned that Aunt Helen (Rich's Uncle Joe's widow, who has always been good to me) would back out, but instead she took us (Carol and I) to lunch and then to her house and treated us to ice cream. Her 50s-60s son Jay lives with her but Aunt Helen is the one who cooks and cleans.
Then the 30th, pretty much the last straw. I was going to make one last geocaching trip but instead I faceplanted on the nearby street. I picked up my (unharmed) GPSr and decided, since I was bleeding like mad, to go home. "Frank, can you help me?" He was great. They watched me all day. Carol happened to see my picture, so she wasn't surprised when she got home. I'd planned to surprise her so when she asked "what happened?" I could be puzzled and say "what?"
Tuesday we went to Urgent Care. They X-rayed my skull and nothing was broken. My eye was swollen shut when I went, but began to open a little so I would be able to drive home.
And then Wednesday the 2nd of May I rather relievedly went to the airport. They had curbside baggage checking! So once I went through Pre-check I was near the gate at 10, so had breakfast, a nice chat with people about my face, then in Baltimore no time to go to the bathroom. This time, because I knew I'd have to stop at TSA so no hurry, I sat close to the back, and the bathroom. A large group of Adventist Academy kids who had visited Washington were on the flight too. Sounds like they had a great time. In the event, they opened the back door of the plane so if one was OK with stairs down and then stairs up, you could go out that way, and I did. In fact, I was the first in the terminal!
NOT my best vacation ever. Rich always did the airline reservations and the rental cars. I got the airlines figured out in 2014 when I went to New England, but I still fail at car rentals.
My line is... "I can walk across Spain, but I can't walk across the street."
I had my new passport, I had TSA pre-check and an Early Bird checkin with Southwest, I had Jordan almonds to share with my hosts, I had places booked and maps and guide books, I had loaded some 300 or more caches on my GPSr. I'd packed layers but made sure I had the boots and the winter coat. I got a TSA-approved luggage strap for the suitcase to keep it secure but also so I would recognize it on the baggage carousel. I was READY.
The one mistake I made was forgetting that my prescription for blood pressure medication was on its last refill, so they had to first call Dr. Camisa and then call Dr. Ullery and it was too late, so I went in on the Saturday to beg them not to throw it out or send it back, I would come get it on May 3. (Ha. Although it was only in back and took a few minutes.) Fortunately, I had blood pressure medicine from when I panicked in 2012 and got some in Walgreens in Salt Lake City. I actually had the right medicine with me that time, anyway, so this medication has been around ever since.
It all started to go south on April 16 when I couldn't find a parking place at the airport. Finally a shuttle driver told me to go closer to the terminals, and sure enough, there were lots of places there. But it meant I was late to get to the terminal. There someone helped me with printing up my own baggage tags, but he put a "late" tag on it. They said they'd try to put the bag on the right plane, but it might actually end up on the next flight, so I could panic about that.
Going through TSA was easy because of pre-check, and I raced to the gate and broke into the B line, which was boarding, since I had an A place. I got an aisle seat toward the front, and since my carry-on fits under the seat, I only needed the overhead for my winter coat. The plane filled up pretty much and then we were off to Phoenix.
In Phoenix most people, all but 7, got off. Once they were gone we could move around and change seats, so I went a few rows up (10C to 4C). We could then get off the plane and maybe get some food for about 15 minutes. I decided the lines at the food places were off-putting and I had brought trail mix bars anyway, so only got a big water bottle. Back on the plane, which filled up, and off to Pittsburgh. I could use the iPad to at least track the flight, though it was on the way back I had the right app. Going there Southwest captured my geocaching page and didn't let go until I reset the iPad in Pittsburgh on Saturday. That didn't happen on the way home.
In Pittsburgh! Hi, T-Rex! And yes! My bag made it! I called the house and spoke to Frank when I landed: "Lock the doors, the turkey has landed!"
So, I took my bag and wandered around looking for the Alamo counter. I started to get out my driver's license... but it wasn't there! I went through my purse, through my bag, through my pockets... again and again and again. I was in tears. No license. I went back to the Southwest area and asked if it was still on the plane. The plane was loaded, but they looked anyway. No license.
So I called Frank and asked for a ride. I told him I'd be waiting inside, but of course I couldn't, and went out after about 15 minutes. And almost took rides with other people before I saw him starting into the terminal. He'd had to go a different way because of road construction.
Carol comes home late from work and so didn't see my car, so wondered where I was.
I'd brought Jordan almonds as a hostess gift, and they ended up with all of them, and they did seem to like them.
The next day I made a lot of phone calls, to Doug and Nancy first off. I am still so disappointed about this. They had made wonderful plans. We were going to tour one of the Parliament buildings and then attend Question Time. They were going to go to the geocaching capital of Canada with me and stay in the motel I planned to stay in, as well. Sulk. Of course, I had to call the hotels I'd planned to stay in, too.
I called the California DMV, and later in the week I called Sacramento airport, and she suggested I call the TSA. Eventually, April 23, a week after I got to Pittsburgh, I learned they did have it and was told how to retrieve it when I got back.
I went shopping with Frank. I also walked a couple of miles. Vince FaceTimed me so I took the iPad down so he could say hi to the uncles and Carol.
On the Wednesday I'd commented that I had planned to visit the cemetery and Paul thought that was a good idea. Frank came too, and did the driving. I looked at everyone's grave and said some prayers, found out where Ed is buried, and the elder Yarnots. We looked at the house where Rich grew up and I learned that actually my father-in-law was NOT born in it (though he was young when his parents moved in.) I asked to stop at Herschel Field to geocache, didn't find one, but Frank was along when I found the other one. (Paul is overweight and short of breath and I worried about him. He had told me his A1C is about 80. Not that he does anything about that.) It was snowing and hailing during the day.
Phil called Carol for over an hour, all sorts of family drama. Also, when they'd had the Baptism party for baby Gabe, someone had stolen money from Carol, so I was warned when they come on Saturday to lock up. (As it happens, the people suspected didn't come.)
The 19th it was snowing. Later I went for a walk and found another geocache. Frank cooked veal cutlets for dinner. I don't eat veal, but it'd work on chicken, too. He's a good cook, though they use Velveeta and Miracle Whip, and never ever have green vegetables.
The 20th I went with Carol to the big Giant Eagle in Robinson Township. I bought beer and a big pack of Keurig coffee (though Frank drinks tea and Paul has, ick, instant coffee.) I remember caching with Rich there. That night I was starting to dry the dishes as Carol washed and Paul wanted to know what I was doing, and then he started raving about how we usually didn't help and Rich was an asshole. Grr.
So I confronted him when he was alone, the next morning, and he doubled down about how Rich never cared about HIM, and always contradicted, and on and on and on, so yes he was an asshole. I said that was no way to talk to his widow, and that I'd always liked all of Rich's brothers but was prepared to make an exception in his case, and from then on we didn't talk.(Beyond "please pass the butter" type things.) Shame, because he was always the kids' favorite uncle, and he's the one who's visited and came along to Vince's wedding, etc. But you don't call my dear husband names.
Of course, I needed him almost immediately because I re-set my iPad and he had the internet passwords. Argh.
I went shopping with Carol and Frank for some last-minute stuff and they had an open house so I could see all the locals. There was Ray and Sue (who came from something with Ken (who was the one I didn't get to see)'s family), Phil and Barb and Cindy and her family (except for the oldest girl), Robbie and his wife Bertha and darling Gabe who was not-quite-two, and who stayed late to continue with Carol and the family soap opera, and Nikki and her partner Elizabeth. Bonnie, Ed's ex-wife widow, was among the first to arrive, and it felt like old times with her, Sue, and me. Barb, not so much. (Bonnie and Sue told me, years ago, that when Phil married Barb he told his brothers that he was doing better than they did... and this hubris has definitely bitten him in the rear end.) Nevertheless, it was nice to see her. Bertha sat near me, reminding me so much of Niki (Vince's Niki) in her perkiness. She was going to Puerto Rico for her job the next week, and taking her neice so she could take Gabe. (And, that week, she posted a picture. Barb inquired what they were doing in Puerto Rico. It's a heck of a note when the aunt knows more than the grandma, but Barb's always been more interested in dogs.)
I begged Bonnie to take me away, and the next week indeed she did.
Sunday Carol and I went to 7:30 Mass, which turned out to be 7:38. We also went over to the Earth Day celebration at the local park. Diane and the kids (including the Flat Stanley owner Owen) came over. I called Bernadette and vented about Paul.
Monday I geocached at the local park, though I could only find two. And one involved jumping a creek and climbing a hill. But I did it. Back at the house, I talked a lot to Frank, ignoring Paul.
Tuesday the 24th Bonnie took me to lunch at Cracker Barrel and we talked and talked, then she took me to her house and I showed her my elephant ride video and the Camino pictures.
I checked when we were in Pittsburgh before... 2 times in 2003, the first time I was alone (and that's when I went with Dave and family to find the Robin Hill cache), twice in 2006, August 2007, 2008. and October of 2009.
The 25th I walked way down Thorn Run and realized I'm never going to walk from Lourdes to Pamplona. I commented on this to Charles and discovered he has multiple myeloma.
My tiny hands managed to get something tiny that Paul had dropped into the disposal.
They caught the East Area Rapist!!!
The 26th Carol took a holiday (which she hadn't been going to do because I would be gone.) and we went to the Mattress Factory Museum, which was odd, and the Aviary. She'd never been to the Aviary! We also bought chinese food so Paul could have some Lo Mein noodles.
The 27th Shelly, a friend from the other side of Pittsburgh, came and we geocached in Moon Park, and also she took me to Burgatory, which is quite an experience.
Frank fixed butterfly shrimp for dinner. It was GOOD.
The 28th I took Carol (well, she drove) to the simulcast of Cinderella, the opera. I never thought I would like opera simulcasts, but this was fabulous, I will certainly do it again.
Church on the 29th and then we were concerned that Aunt Helen (Rich's Uncle Joe's widow, who has always been good to me) would back out, but instead she took us (Carol and I) to lunch and then to her house and treated us to ice cream. Her 50s-60s son Jay lives with her but Aunt Helen is the one who cooks and cleans.
Then the 30th, pretty much the last straw. I was going to make one last geocaching trip but instead I faceplanted on the nearby street. I picked up my (unharmed) GPSr and decided, since I was bleeding like mad, to go home. "Frank, can you help me?" He was great. They watched me all day. Carol happened to see my picture, so she wasn't surprised when she got home. I'd planned to surprise her so when she asked "what happened?" I could be puzzled and say "what?"
Tuesday we went to Urgent Care. They X-rayed my skull and nothing was broken. My eye was swollen shut when I went, but began to open a little so I would be able to drive home.
And then Wednesday the 2nd of May I rather relievedly went to the airport. They had curbside baggage checking! So once I went through Pre-check I was near the gate at 10, so had breakfast, a nice chat with people about my face, then in Baltimore no time to go to the bathroom. This time, because I knew I'd have to stop at TSA so no hurry, I sat close to the back, and the bathroom. A large group of Adventist Academy kids who had visited Washington were on the flight too. Sounds like they had a great time. In the event, they opened the back door of the plane so if one was OK with stairs down and then stairs up, you could go out that way, and I did. In fact, I was the first in the terminal!
NOT my best vacation ever. Rich always did the airline reservations and the rental cars. I got the airlines figured out in 2014 when I went to New England, but I still fail at car rentals.
My line is... "I can walk across Spain, but I can't walk across the street."
