I started to think about the trip. There would be a flight to Chicago with a four-hour layover, and then on to Seattle, where Bev and her husband Harry would pick us up, and where we would stay at her house for the three days.
We left on June 28 because of work and other responsibilities. We had to do a Pontifical Mass at the Faldstool on one day’s rehearsal.
“You mean it’s not going to be one flight but two?”
“Wait a minute. You mean it’s not going to be one flight but two?” Then there was a trip from Seattle to Portland by freeway. I was told it was a “stone’s throw” between the two cities.
A stone’s throw in the Northeast means 20 minutes. A stone’s throw past Pennsylvania is anything less than a half-day’s travel. That was something I’d learned on those car trips.
Leaving LaGuardia, I got my first taste of NSA screening. I’m always amused – and somewhat taken aback – every time a screener looks at your driver’s license, then you, back to the license, and finally signs off. I know it’s a bad likeness, but It’s me!
The trip to Chicago went without a hitch, but there was a four-hour layover.
Even with all the stores, boutiques and kitsch there’s not much to do at airports. Fr. C. and I had lunch as it was a way to kill time.
I was attentive the first leg of the trip, then this time I did what everyone else did – something else.
This time, rather than be scared stiff, I joked to Fr. C., “Padre, remember. Any trouble, and it’s a general absolution for everyone.” He looked and said, “What about me?” “You? You’re on your own.”
I learned first-hand about Chicago summers. A line of thunderstorms left us on the tarmac for more than 90 minutes. “Oh, this is what airline travel is like.” But the best was yet to come.
My first experience with turbulence happened while going over the Rockies. Now I know what popping corn feels like inside the popper.
We were shaken, rattled and almost rolled for about five minutes – or was it 20? I asked the good cleric if this was “normal.” He just looked a bit piqued.
Another Long Ride
Finally, we got to Seattle, got our luggage and found Bev and Harry. Now, even though it was a three-day trip, most of what we brought wasn’t for us. We had vestments, missals, the Pontifical Canon, and assorted other things. I dubbed it what I called it on all these field trips: The Traveling Salvation Show.
It was on to Portland, and another long ride.
REGINA | 65