Saturday, April 23, 2016

We were all starting out from our little corner of the world. Mom and Kathy from Oconto Falls. Their trip actually started on Friday afternoon, (mainly because they had several self-appointed stops along the way). They left Oconto Falls with the first stop being Leatherhead Brewing Company in Green Bay, WI for a traditional Wisconsin Friday Fish Fry and to bid farewell to Kathy’s son Jacob (The Brew Master) and Linda’s son Chad (Co-Owner).

After what they tell me was an amazing fish fry, Kathy and Mom headed to Milwaukee, WI. The next stop was at the home of Kathy’s son (Derrick) and daughter-in-law (Emily) to see the Grand Children (Simon and Lottie Lee) and give them their turn to give Grandma and Great-Grandma a proper sendoff. (All this before their travels began in earnest the next morning.)

See all the toys in the background? Those belong to Daddy Derrick, not the kids.

Not really sure of any other stops, but I know their final destination was the home of Gary and Sister Linda to enjoy a night of hospitality before the three departed Saturday morning for the Chicago airport. (By the way, I am certain it was Gary’s influence that decided our trip to Rome as opposed to Hawaii.)

The girls were picked up at 6:00 am by the airport shuttle and sent me this picture from O’Hare before I even left my home for the Dallas / Fort Worth airport.

When they sent this picture, I had very good intentions to have Jeremie (my shuttle service son-in-law) take a photo of me at the DFW airport, but somehow I simply forgot all about it when he dropped me off. That was a busy airport shuttle day for Jeremie, the airport is about a 35-minute drive from our house. Earlier in the morning he picked up Tod, the Mayor and I believe one or two council men to take them to the airport for a trip to Florida. The three had some business in Florida and then Tod had to drive to Port Charlotte and close on our condo. I really wish I could have been with Tod, but this is a trip I could never have passed up.

I flew from Dallas to Washington where I met up with the rest of the Jarvey girls. They had plenty of time in-between flights, I was not so fortunate. My flight out of Dallas was late so of course my arrival in Washington was late. I literally ran through the airport to get to my connecting flight on time, but I made it and joined my travelling companions in first class. I know I will not mind the flight, I can sleep anywhere and especially with seats that can lay down and a stewardess that is happy to bring you just as much wine as you care to drink. Once my travels started, I couldn’t wait to get to Washington to join my Mom and sisters and now, here we are, heading to Rome!

Wonder how we will all look after this 9 hour flight? I’m not sure, but I know I could get used to this.