Today is a travel day. We’ve crossed another time zone and are passing through Indiana as I write this. On our last day of this trip it’s like it always is on the last day. We’re all looking forward to being home but sad that our adventure is over once again. This morning on the bus has been filled with storytelling, jokes, reminiscing and surreptitiously passing thank-you cards and collecting tips for our driver and our tour guide.
One of the stories (actually quite a few) was from Dave. On one of their trips to Europe they were passing through the Frankfort airport. Since Irene had an injured leg, Dave was taking all the luggage himself. He had figured out a way to form a train by connecting the suitcases together and he headed up an escalator like a one-man Union Pacific, one arm loaded and the other dragging a trail of luggage behind him. Following him was Ruthie, a fellow traveler, also loaded down with luggage. One of Dave’s bags caught on something and catapulted him backward down the escalator. When he hit Ruthie a chain-reaction started and both of them went head over heels down the still-moving stairs, their bags and suitcases raining down around them.
Dave says “an angel” in the shape of a man came from somewhere and shut off the escalator. After the dust settled Dave and Ruthie got themselves untangled and, with the rest of their group gathered around, did an assessment to determine the damage. Other than a rip in Dave’s pants, all seemed ok. Since they still had quite a day of travel ahead, the correct suitcase was found and Dave hurriedly opened it and retrieved another pair of pants, which Irene had carefully rolled up when she was packing. When he whipped out the trousers and unfurled them, his extra underwear went flying. Ignoring them he gathered up the pants and headed for the nearest bathroom to change. One of his highly-amused and unsympathetic friends called out, “Hey, whose are these?” pointing to the underwear that had sailed out of the bag and across the busy airport waiting area. Dave ignored the comment and subsequent laughter, left the underwear, gathered his remaining shreds of dignity and disappeared to change his pants. According to him, he never did pick up the underwear and they may be in a corner of the Frankfort Airport to this day.
While the rest of us have relaxed and enjoyed ourselves Laverne and Martha have been working hard. Driving through places that were not built with buses in mind revealed Lavern’s skills for sure. Cave of the Winds was especially hair-raising but he did it well. And each evening as we all retired to our hotel rooms or scattered to restaurants for supper, he and Martha stayed behind to clean the bus, restock the water in the coolers, and prepare for the next day.
I listened to the murmur of voices as everyone visited with their neighbors on the bus or moved seats to talk to someone from up the row. Looking out the window, I could see a slight change in the leaves from when we left two weeks ago. Greens are giving way to golds, oranges, reds, and yellows. Autumn is my favorite time of year in Ohio. The only complaint most people have about fall is that it’s too short.
Paul has been talking about Wendy’s frostys for the past week and he promised repeatedly that if the bus stops at a Wendy’s he will buy everyone on board a frosty. This morning he mentioned it yet again saying that the offer expires tonight. We all laughed. With a big bus to maneuver one cannot just wheel in anywhere for a quick snack. Martha was passing around the mic and having everyone tell what their highlight of the trip was. Most of us were done with our turn when suddenly, just forty-five minutes from home, the bus turned right. Into a Wendy’s. Everyone burst out laughing.
Paul went in to order and Pearl videoed the poor guy at the counter when he heard that 26 frostys were needed. The look on his face was priceless and he had to call up the manager from the back but they assured us they could handle it. The last few were a bit thin but it didn’t dim our merriment any. It was a great finish to an altogether great time.
After Wendy’s one more thing happened that tied up another loose end that had been plaguing us. There is always a scavenger hunt paper passed out on these bus trips. This time though, no one was able to finish although Barb and Pearl had everything checked off but one: a black and white cat. In fact in over 4,350 miles, NO ONE on the bus had seen a black and white cat. Just a few miles from home Martha yelled, “A black and white cat!” and everyone looked to where she was pointing. Lo and behold, a black and white cat was running through the field to our left, alongside the bus, taunting us all. More laughing all around and the feeling that there really was nothing more to be seen to make this trip complete.
I have a lot coming up in the next few weeks and I’m ready to get back and get at it. We have several major transitions taking place in our personal lives and at work we’re entering our busiest time of year. Our annual Christmas Open House at the store is only a few short weeks away. And as anyone who has visited Amish country in Ohio knows, October is crazy. Some lodging places have bookings a year in advance. Festivals and homecomings are everywhere. And the scenery explodes with color, showing off its finery for all the tourists and locals alike.
Yes, I’m ready to be home.
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