wendygrace
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Feb 2, 2007
- Messages
- 954
I am still here and enjoying your report. I hope that the rest of the trip home wasn't as exciting as this one. LOL Thank you for sharing with us.
Driving 6000 Miles for the Magic: A Miracle Trip
- Thread starter eternaldisneyfan
- Start date
Our2Girls&Disney
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Dec 13, 2005
- Messages
- 985
Christamae:
My Mom tells this story of the my Mom and Dad driving home from FL in their RV a couple years ago when they just purchased their brand new RV. They were in NY driving over the George Washington Bridge. My Dad was driving and my Mom was admiring the view. She looked at the water and said, "Roy, look at the view." He did not reply, she looked over at him. He was white knuckled gripping that steering wheel, sweating profusely because there was no clearance on either side of him. If moved an inch to the right, he was in the water, or an inch to the left, he would be in lunch meat for that semi. He said, even when my Mom tells that story he starts to have chest pains. He claims it was the scariest trip ever. Here my Mom was oblivious to what was going on around her. Now, when they go to FL they take the long way around and avoid the George Washington Bridge. To make a long story short, my Dad can totally relate to your parents situation.
My Mom tells this story of the my Mom and Dad driving home from FL in their RV a couple years ago when they just purchased their brand new RV. They were in NY driving over the George Washington Bridge. My Dad was driving and my Mom was admiring the view. She looked at the water and said, "Roy, look at the view." He did not reply, she looked over at him. He was white knuckled gripping that steering wheel, sweating profusely because there was no clearance on either side of him. If moved an inch to the right, he was in the water, or an inch to the left, he would be in lunch meat for that semi. He said, even when my Mom tells that story he starts to have chest pains. He claims it was the scariest trip ever. Here my Mom was oblivious to what was going on around her. Now, when they go to FL they take the long way around and avoid the George Washington Bridge. To make a long story short, my Dad can totally relate to your parents situation.
and so scary on the bridge, glad you were all OK zigzagzerr
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jul 7, 2006
- Messages
- 519
Christamae,
I'm so glad you got past the semi with only minor damage! Hope the rest of your journey was less eventful.
I'm so glad you got past the semi with only minor damage! Hope the rest of your journey was less eventful.
Goofyluver
<marquee behavior=alternate><font color=red>Knock
- Joined
- Oct 31, 2006
- Messages
- 19,055
I hate baseball too! 
Who'syourMickey
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- May 15, 2007
- Messages
- 272
Christamae,
I've really enjoyed your trip report. I'm pming you with a career idea and my daughter's caringbridge. You are a true disney fan. Your passion for life just bubbles over! Thank you for sharing your story.
I've really enjoyed your trip report. I'm pming you with a career idea and my daughter's caringbridge. You are a true disney fan. Your passion for life just bubbles over! Thank you for sharing your story.
crgfsu1
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Mar 15, 2007
- Messages
- 600
Just checking in, I like getting you updates every weekend. I was off work today so my weekend started a day early and I am a bit "off". All day I was thinking it was Saturday.
Arent semi's jsut the scariest? I have driven along with some very polite ones, but there are some that are not so great. Either way, their size can be intimidating. Once I was "sandwiched" inbetween two (in a three lane road) and had one in front and in back of me - talk about nervous!
I'll come back later.
Cathy
Arent semi's jsut the scariest? I have driven along with some very polite ones, but there are some that are not so great. Either way, their size can be intimidating. Once I was "sandwiched" inbetween two (in a three lane road) and had one in front and in back of me - talk about nervous!
I'll come back later.
Cathy
eternaldisneyfan
<font color=royalblue>Have an Attitude of Gratitud
- Joined
- Oct 1, 2004
- Messages
- 774
Thank you for all your posts-makes my heart happy.
LeeLee2U: Thank you. That is great about your son's teacher! I hope the rest of the year goes well.
Tanya90210, Backstage Gal: Thanks. Semis always make me nervous. Sleep deprived drivers that have to make a deadline in massive vehicles.
SueM in MN: Good to have you back. Thank you for your comments...Disney music is the best! I PM'd you the link.
mrsksomeday: Semis are just intimidating. Glad Bill proved 'em wrong. All too many times, simple things are a big fight.
whogirl'smom: When we first moved to CA, we rented in Upper Lake-a tiny town of 1000 with windy roads and huge drop offs. In Oklahoma, if there is a deep ditch-they'll put up a guard rail, and in Upper Lake there were drops of thousands of feet in tight turns with nothing...Crazy.
Ozymoe: Welcome and thanks for those kind words. I PM'd you the link and the website has my e-mail.
KathyRN 137: Mom was a real trooper! Thanks.
Mr. The King: Welcome and thank you. One of my goals in writing this was to shed some light on common misperceptions to make the experience better for all...Required reading
...would that include an honorarium or perhaps yearly paid in full trips??? 
PittypatBR: Welcome and thanks for those kind comments...Believe me, I had a lot of worries but decided to take the plunge...
wendygrace, zigzagzerr: Still had some more excitement on the road...
Our2Girls&Disney: Thanks for that story. On Danielle's wish trip, Dad couldn't drive highway 1 and stayed curled in the fetal position while Mom drove it...And the first time Dad drove across the San Rafael bridge he freaked cause all he saw was sky.
DisneyJo: Thanks...seems like our family is a magnet for crazy adventures
Goofyluver: What about football? That's worse...Ice skating, gymnastics, and swimming-those are good. The occasional basketball or soccer game-but in general too long...
Who'syourmickey: Thank you. Die hard Disney fan
crgfsu1: Glad to see ya...We have been in the sandwiched position, too,
(gulp)
and 
to all
update comin' right up
LeeLee2U: Thank you. That is great about your son's teacher! I hope the rest of the year goes well.
Tanya90210, Backstage Gal: Thanks. Semis always make me nervous. Sleep deprived drivers that have to make a deadline in massive vehicles.
SueM in MN: Good to have you back. Thank you for your comments...Disney music is the best! I PM'd you the link.
mrsksomeday: Semis are just intimidating. Glad Bill proved 'em wrong. All too many times, simple things are a big fight.
whogirl'smom: When we first moved to CA, we rented in Upper Lake-a tiny town of 1000 with windy roads and huge drop offs. In Oklahoma, if there is a deep ditch-they'll put up a guard rail, and in Upper Lake there were drops of thousands of feet in tight turns with nothing...Crazy.
Ozymoe: Welcome and thanks for those kind words. I PM'd you the link and the website has my e-mail.
KathyRN 137: Mom was a real trooper! Thanks.
Mr. The King: Welcome and thank you. One of my goals in writing this was to shed some light on common misperceptions to make the experience better for all...Required reading
...would that include an honorarium or perhaps yearly paid in full trips??? PittypatBR: Welcome and thanks for those kind comments...Believe me, I had a lot of worries but decided to take the plunge...
wendygrace, zigzagzerr: Still had some more excitement on the road...
Our2Girls&Disney: Thanks for that story. On Danielle's wish trip, Dad couldn't drive highway 1 and stayed curled in the fetal position while Mom drove it...And the first time Dad drove across the San Rafael bridge he freaked cause all he saw was sky.
DisneyJo: Thanks...seems like our family is a magnet for crazy adventures
Goofyluver: What about football? That's worse...Ice skating, gymnastics, and swimming-those are good. The occasional basketball or soccer game-but in general too long...
Who'syourmickey: Thank you. Die hard Disney fan
crgfsu1: Glad to see ya...We have been in the sandwiched position, too,
(gulp) and to allupdate comin' right up
eternaldisneyfan
<font color=royalblue>Have an Attitude of Gratitud
- Joined
- Oct 1, 2004
- Messages
- 774
Monday, July 31, 2006
“Ooooook-lahoma, where the wind comes sweeping down the plains…” Today was the quest for Oklahoma. We really wanted to stay there for a rest day and to see friends and relatives. But we had to contact the RV rental place to extend the rental by one day.
Of course, we couldn’t easily reach the rental place…For one thing, Oklahoma is two hours ahead of California, where the agency is located. And we are getting closer and closer to Tulsa. We had to have an answer before we reached Tulsa, which was getting increasingly closer.
To stay or not to stay-that is the question.
While all this is going on, Mom and Dad are having an, uh, “discussion” about stopping. Dad is worried about the expense, the possibility that we won’t see anyone, and just wants to get home. Mom says that we really need a rest day and that he already mentioned to his mom that we were stopping. In the middle of their “discussion” the rental place calls back.
We rented by the month, so there wouldn’t be an extra charge!
We found a nice hotel- the Sleep Inn. Prices were low and we wanted a little extra room so we got one suite and one regular room.
I must say that Oklahoma was extremely hot and muggy. The heat just pressed against you suffocatingly. Air conditioners don’t work like the ones in Disney…
We checked into the hotel early afternoon. Thoughts of going to bed early and relaxing danced in Dad’s head and he started setting up all our stuff.
While Dad was setting up, we started trying to contact people. I had saved friend’s contact information on the laptop before we left. So Mom hooked up the laptop and got us online so we could check our e-mail.
Suddenly this sultry woman’s voice comes over the speakers,
“It’s warm…”
“It’s fresh…”
Oh no, we have a porno virus!
“It’s bubbly…”
Bubbly???
“It’s Listerine.”
At that point, I burst out laughing.
Since when did Listerine have a sex theme. I swear advertising relies way too much on that… Remember Uncle Ben’s Rice? And all the men’s deodorants like Axe? Ridiculous… 
After this distraction, I made my first phone call to my competitive speech coach, D (Jeanne DeVilliers, now Jeanne Scott). I was surprised at her southern twang-never noticed it before. D was having a hard time understanding my trach voice so I handed the phone over to Mom. D gave her love and hoped I was still spunky…She wasn’t sure if she could come-she had an appointment with an appraiser and her great niece and nephew were there.
I had received an e-mail from my good friend, Heather, indicating that much to her frustration and regret, the bank she worked at wouldn’t give her the day off. So I set off to call Katrina. I called several times and left a message. Danielle called her friend, Katie, and made arrangements. We also called Sandy Tuckett, the Lovells, and the Hales and left messages.
At this point, it was time to go to Grandma Mae’s for dinner. Grandma Mae lives in a nice retirement community in Jenks. I don’t remember what they ate (I wasn’t eating-tube fed). I do remember that I was unbearably hot and feeling sick.
I was exhausted. And I felt left out. Everyone was talking but I was on my vent and couldn’t talk and no one was making an effort to read my lips. 
The visit was getting longer and longer-pulled out pictures that I couldn’t see because I was on the outside of the group. I think at one point, I pulled into a different room and cried a little. 
Then I started to get irritated. 
It was getting late. We are coming back tomorrow. Let’s go already! Now, if I am being completely honest, I also wanted to try to contact Katrina again. I really, really wanted to visit with a friend. (all thoughts-I was a good girl). Finally, like at 8:30/9:00 we leave.
Once we get back to the hotel Dad calls Katrina again. A little bit later the message light on the phone comes on…Katrina left a message asking the location as there are two Sleep Inn’s and she needs a room number…Why didn’t the phone ring?!
The front desk informs us that the phone ringer is turned off at 10:00 so as not to disturb guests.
Well, turn it back on!!
Dad leaves another message with the requested information.
I go to bed not knowing.
I wake up in the middle of the night insufferably hot and can’t sleep. I am thinking and wondering about Katrina-“so close and yet so far”-and praying that things will work out…
Who will we see? How will it go?
The answers and pictures Saturday, September 8, 2007
Relaxation, Friendship, and Visiting with pics- Page 36, Post #526
“Ooooook-lahoma, where the wind comes sweeping down the plains…” Today was the quest for Oklahoma. We really wanted to stay there for a rest day and to see friends and relatives. But we had to contact the RV rental place to extend the rental by one day.
Of course, we couldn’t easily reach the rental place…For one thing, Oklahoma is two hours ahead of California, where the agency is located. And we are getting closer and closer to Tulsa. We had to have an answer before we reached Tulsa, which was getting increasingly closer.
To stay or not to stay-that is the question.
While all this is going on, Mom and Dad are having an, uh, “discussion” about stopping. Dad is worried about the expense, the possibility that we won’t see anyone, and just wants to get home. Mom says that we really need a rest day and that he already mentioned to his mom that we were stopping. In the middle of their “discussion” the rental place calls back.
We rented by the month, so there wouldn’t be an extra charge!
We found a nice hotel- the Sleep Inn. Prices were low and we wanted a little extra room so we got one suite and one regular room. I must say that Oklahoma was extremely hot and muggy. The heat just pressed against you suffocatingly. Air conditioners don’t work like the ones in Disney…
We checked into the hotel early afternoon. Thoughts of going to bed early and relaxing danced in Dad’s head and he started setting up all our stuff.
While Dad was setting up, we started trying to contact people. I had saved friend’s contact information on the laptop before we left. So Mom hooked up the laptop and got us online so we could check our e-mail.
Suddenly this sultry woman’s voice comes over the speakers,
“It’s warm…”
“It’s fresh…”
Oh no, we have a porno virus!
“It’s bubbly…”
Bubbly???
“It’s Listerine.”
At that point, I burst out laughing.
Since when did Listerine have a sex theme. I swear advertising relies way too much on that… Remember Uncle Ben’s Rice? And all the men’s deodorants like Axe? Ridiculous… After this distraction, I made my first phone call to my competitive speech coach, D (Jeanne DeVilliers, now Jeanne Scott). I was surprised at her southern twang-never noticed it before. D was having a hard time understanding my trach voice so I handed the phone over to Mom. D gave her love and hoped I was still spunky…She wasn’t sure if she could come-she had an appointment with an appraiser and her great niece and nephew were there.
I had received an e-mail from my good friend, Heather, indicating that much to her frustration and regret, the bank she worked at wouldn’t give her the day off. So I set off to call Katrina. I called several times and left a message. Danielle called her friend, Katie, and made arrangements. We also called Sandy Tuckett, the Lovells, and the Hales and left messages.At this point, it was time to go to Grandma Mae’s for dinner. Grandma Mae lives in a nice retirement community in Jenks. I don’t remember what they ate (I wasn’t eating-tube fed). I do remember that I was unbearably hot and feeling sick.
I was exhausted. And I felt left out. Everyone was talking but I was on my vent and couldn’t talk and no one was making an effort to read my lips. The visit was getting longer and longer-pulled out pictures that I couldn’t see because I was on the outside of the group. I think at one point, I pulled into a different room and cried a little. Then I started to get irritated. It was getting late. We are coming back tomorrow. Let’s go already! Now, if I am being completely honest, I also wanted to try to contact Katrina again. I really, really wanted to visit with a friend. (all thoughts-I was a good girl). Finally, like at 8:30/9:00 we leave.Once we get back to the hotel Dad calls Katrina again. A little bit later the message light on the phone comes on…Katrina left a message asking the location as there are two Sleep Inn’s and she needs a room number…Why didn’t the phone ring?!
The front desk informs us that the phone ringer is turned off at 10:00 so as not to disturb guests.
Well, turn it back on!!
Dad leaves another message with the requested information.
I go to bed not knowing.
I wake up in the middle of the night insufferably hot and can’t sleep. I am thinking and wondering about Katrina-“so close and yet so far”-and praying that things will work out…
Who will we see? How will it go?
The answers and pictures Saturday, September 8, 2007
Relaxation, Friendship, and Visiting with pics- Page 36, Post #526
Backstage_Gal
<font color=darkorchid>Let me rephrase the dog ste
- Joined
- Apr 8, 2005
- Messages
- 11,536
Dang, Christmae, 
Hope things improe!
Hope things improe!KathyRN137
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Apr 14, 2006
- Messages
- 7,882
Oh, I hope you get to meet up with Katrina! 
As the song goes, "Ya gotta have friends!"
Eating is such a social activity... it's bad enough having everyone else chowing down when I'm dieting; I can only imagine how frustrating it must be to be tube fed and just sit there while everyone else is having a meal together.
Your hotel kinda worked out... hot, but cheap. (Maybe the next ad campaign could use that one!)
Catch you next week!
Kathy
As the song goes, "Ya gotta have friends!" Eating is such a social activity... it's bad enough having everyone else chowing down when I'm dieting; I can only imagine how frustrating it must be to be tube fed and just sit there while everyone else is having a meal together.
Your hotel kinda worked out... hot, but cheap. (Maybe the next ad campaign could use that one!)
Catch you next week!
Kathy
eyeheartgoofy
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Sep 6, 2006
- Messages
- 2,041
You and your cliff hangers!!!! Of course, I'm loving it because I don't want this TR to end!
I look forward to tuning in every Satruday night. I work most Saturdays and it takes me about an hour to get home. Believe it or not, on the drive home I usually find myself thinking, "I wonder if Christamae updated." By the time I get home, the kids are in bed and sleeping, so I like to kick back with a snack and my computer.
I sure hope you get a visit with Katrina!
I look forward to tuning in every Satruday night. I work most Saturdays and it takes me about an hour to get home. Believe it or not, on the drive home I usually find myself thinking, "I wonder if Christamae updated." By the time I get home, the kids are in bed and sleeping, so I like to kick back with a snack and my computer.
I sure hope you get a visit with Katrina!
Tanya90210
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- May 6, 2006
- Messages
- 3,975
I know what it feels like to feel outside of all the conversations. Glad to see you got go stop in OK and I can't wait till the 8th to find out if you got ahold of Katrina
Echo queen
<font color=darkcoral>I like the idea of being clo
- Joined
- Feb 18, 2005
- Messages
- 3,080
Love your cliff hangers as aways.
zigzagzerr
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jul 7, 2006
- Messages
- 519
Its warm
Its fresh
Oh no, we have a porno virus!
Its bubbly
Bubbly???
Its Listerine.
Wow, gotta get me some Listerine now!!
Sorry about the frustrations with trying to get ahold of your friends -- I'm hoping that you'll have some good news for us in your next installment.
Hope you're having a nice Labor Day weekend!
eyeheartgoofy
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Sep 6, 2006
- Messages
- 2,041
Christamae, where are you???? I hope everything is okay ! I can't have my favorite trip report hanging out on page 3!!!
! I can't have my favorite trip report hanging out on page 3!!!
eternaldisneyfan
<font color=royalblue>Have an Attitude of Gratitud
- Joined
- Oct 1, 2004
- Messages
- 774
Thanks to all who replied...I haven't really been able to get in a writing mood. The last few weeks have been crazy and tiring...I think the last post was a little more negative than the day because I had had such a harrowing week. I always recuperate and feel better after Sunday so I am amending the next post to be posted no later then Wednesday the 12th.
I will post a clue at the end of the thank you post.
Backstage Gal: Thank you it does
KathyRN137: Friends are important... I never realized what a social activity eating was until I couldn't eat...The hotel was pretty nice-air conditioners have a hard time working in OK...I don't read pre-trippies but will check yours out when it comes to this board
eyeheartgoofy: Thanks...I'm glad that I give you something to look forward to.
Tanya90210: for feeling left out...I don't read pre-trippies but will check yours out when it comes to this board
Echo queen: Thank you
zigzagzerr:
advertisements like that are just silly and confuse me...BTW-I checked out your trippie & I like & will be officially checking in soon.
DisneyJo: Alas, even with today's technology some people are hard to get ahold of...I like your trippie too and will be officially checking in soon.
jlcd: Thanks
eyeheartgoofy: Thanks for the bump!
Clue
Details by the 12th
--Christamae
I will post a clue at the end of the thank you post.
Backstage Gal: Thank you
it doesKathyRN137: Friends are important... I never realized what a social activity eating was until I couldn't eat...The hotel was pretty nice-air conditioners have a hard time working in OK...I don't read pre-trippies but will check yours out when it comes to this board
eyeheartgoofy: Thanks...I'm glad that I give you something to look forward to.
Tanya90210:
for feeling left out...I don't read pre-trippies but will check yours out when it comes to this boardEcho queen: Thank you
zigzagzerr:
advertisements like that are just silly and confuse me...BTW-I checked out your trippie & I like & will be officially checking in soon.DisneyJo: Alas, even with today's technology some people are hard to get ahold of...I like your trippie too and will be officially checking in soon.
jlcd: Thanks
eyeheartgoofy: Thanks for the bump!
Clue
Details by the 12th
--Christamae
-
New Floats Inspired by Pixar's 'Elio' in Tomorrowland at Magic Kingdom
-
New 2025 Disney Celebration Pins Selling Out Fast!
-
We Need a REAL Pizza Planet at Disney's Hollywood Studios
-
Disney Cruise Line Unveils Details for Retail Spaces Coming to the Disney Adventure Ship
-
Fan-Favorite Coconut-Cream Cake Returns to Gideon's Bakehouse at Disney World
-
Celebrate PRIDE with 'Food is Love' Homecomin' Drink Bottles & Moonshine
-
Disney Jr. Let's Play! Returns to Disneyland Resort in 2025
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