Time flies when one is retired and on vacation at the same time, but not fast enough for us to have forgotten 9/11/01 - 9 years ago. All too vividly we remembered the moment that Doris' dad called us to say the Twin Towers had been hit by airplanes. We were still preparing for work while Lexi is readying to be taken to school. Turning on the TV, we saw the scene of horror. Holding each other, I remember telling Doris and Lexi that this country and the world would never be the same.
Our office was in semi-shock. None of us really knew what to say, nor did we know what we should do if more such incidents occurred. We did gather together, held hands, had a minute of silent prayer which became tearful. The closest to such feelings of fear and helplessness came once before when JFK was assassinated.
Today, 11 years later, the feelings and thoughts are still there. Too, it seemed a bit wrong in enjoying life as we do, especially when there is so much suffering. However, we must continue living and providing what we can to others less fortunate. We do that.
On this Saturday, we also met Don and Lucy, our Walmart neighbors from Maine. Fun stories of mutual backgrounds in business: tour business; truck driver; RV lovers. 3 months on the road from Maine to Yellowstone and returning home for 3 months before heading out again. When we left them to get our $9.99/day rental car, we promised we see each other again, probably in Maine.
 |
| Maine's Lucy & Don "captured" by Doris |
Where was the car? In nearby Horseheads, NY. I told you not to ask me how it got its name. Nobody seems to know, but they sure have a great car rate and a great Walmart Supercenter almost next door. Surrounded on 2 sides by expansive lawns to view from the front, we were staying a night in a more resorty space than many that cost big $$. This one only cost the purchase of a 1/2 gallon of milk. We feel soo guilty. Yeah, riiight.
Then its off to an awful lunch of what I delicately label "Airport Chinese Food". Fast, oily, tummy-rumbling stuff, timed to "do its thang" sometime after departure so that you can't return to pay your true respects for a meal gone wrong. In Doris's case: Very Wrong.
But, we traveled on to the Corning Glass Company's Museum in (can you believe it?) Corning, NY. Beautiful location and another incredible museum of glass products dating back to BC times. Familiar pieces and mind-boggling creations of the last 30 years. We also enjoyed viewing and being educated by superb glass blowing demos, flameworking, and optical fiber glass demo. The latter gave us the opportunity to sit down ... and we did, very coincidentally, behind Don & Lucy from Maine. What a surprise when I extended my hand between the two of them, handing them THEIR business card! Ha! They are the second fun couple that we've met more than once on this trip. It's a great and small community in which we travel.
 |
| Corning's classy & glassy wine drinker impressing his female companion |
Back to the coach. With approaching rain, I super-sprayed our satellite dome with a chemical to keep the TV picture in storms. Without the spray, rain causes electrostatic buildup on the dome, just the same as precipitation does on airplanes. (We pilots know that and make sure that the static "wicks" that protrude from the trailing edge of the wings and tail are in good shape before takeoff, thus assuring radio and navigation equipment continued reception/transmission.) Sure enough, the rains came and the TV picture remained perfect ... while I remained Doris's hero for another day.
No comments:
Post a Comment