THE Event @
TTP!
My Exciting Trip to TTP
by Diane (aka Disambear)
"What?! Are you crazy?"
"I can't believe someone who you never met sent
you a ticket to fly out as well. (Standby ticket)"
"You are going WHERE?"
These are the questions from family, friends and
co workers.
I was hemming and hawing about going, but when I
finally make a decision, I usually go for it, and I
was excited about going out to Virginia and meeting
some new people. What surprised me the most was
that I was meeting these people for the first time,
but it did not feel like the first time.
I started my exciting trip by taking the bus to
Chicago. It was very interesting since I have never
been to O'Hara. It's like I am here. Now what? My
flight wasn't expected to leave until 5:15 p.m. and
I was already at the airport at 1:00. Oh, my! I
have a couple of hours to roam the airport. By
looking at the flight departure boards, I happened
to ask if I can get on an earlier flight and presto
I was in D.C. before 5.
Ok, I am here. Now what. I am early. Well, it's
time to find a seat and wait. As I was walking down
the terminal. Low and behold who do I see walking
toward me, my sister, Sue. Wow.
Then comes the waiting game. We found Carolyn, then
Nina, but no Joan that night. We ended up driving
back to Sue's apartment (which took her over a
month to clean) minus Carolyn and found out that
Joan didn't make the flight.
Day 2. I met the rest of the strangers who weren't
strangers. Nina drove with Sue as navigator. We
picked up Debbie with her computer and found Joan
as well. If I had to fly into D.C., I would take
National over Dulles anytime. Dulles, whose PA
system wasn't working, forced me to take a shuttle
from one part of the terminal to another to find
Joan because we could not page her. National is
definitely a lot easier to fly into.
When we met Tracey at the motel, we were mean to
her. She had to put names to faces. I have to say
she did pretty good. I didn't get to meet Nancy and
her sister until the next morning. They were
already in bed sleeping.
Day 3. On our way to the TTP. Excitement. Nerves.
Whatever. We had to pull over and take a picture of
"Welcome to Boonsboro." People passing us in their
cars must have thought, Tourists. Carolyn and Jaci
were already at the TTP ... Nora was out on the
porch waving at us as we drove by prompted by
Carolyn. Wendy, bless her for the ticket, was
already there.
Nora was cool. (Trying to stay cool as well, It was
hot that day.) BW, Dan and Jason as well. Dan,
bless him, opened up his apartment and let us pile
our books in his place. It was an awesome day. I
could gush and gush.
******************************
Later, we ate, talked and were told by Mark, the
motel man, that we were being loud and had to be a
little more quiet. My bedtime is usually 10 or 11.
I made it to 1. Sue, Tracey, Debbie and Nina were
up longer. I talked to Jenn on the phone. Of
course, I can't remember to much of the
conversation except for the word, Sh** and Jenn
laughing.
Day 4. Well, I have no idea what time the others
went to bed. Tracey was in her bed sawing logs and
and I was wide awake. Ok, I need my coffee. I
bought all these books. I will read for a
while.
Instead, I knocked on Jaci and Wendy's door to say
Hi and decided instead of staying around the motel
and waiting for the others to get up, I would go
with Jaci, Wendy and Carolyn to Antietam. It was an
incredible day. It was "Artillery Weekend" at
Antietam. The park service actually fired one of
the cannons. We learned about "swabbing the piece,"
and it took an 8 man crew to load and fire the
cannon.
The best for last. We met Nora and Bruce for
dinner. Of course, Nora drove her BMW convertible
(which she left the keys in the car and parked in a
handicap spot). LOL What was even funnier was to
see the quick change of Jaci, Wendy and Carolyn in
the cars. Of course, Sue was tickled pink when Nora
asked if she wanted a ride in her car. I even got
my turn around the parking lot. Luv that car. Nancy
and her sister had to leave after dinner. They had
a long drive back to Michigan.
**************************
End. We had to say good bye to Carolyn, Jaci,
and Wendy that night. Plans changed. Instead of
flying back on Tuesday, I would be going home on
Monday. Sue and Nina took Debbie to her motel near
Dulles. Tracey, Joan, and myself drove to the
Sheraton near National and met up with Nina and
Sue. Joan had her own room since she was leaving
earlier the next morning. I had no idea when I was
flying out. I would just get on the first available
seat.
It was sad. I met these wonderful people and I
didn't want to go home. Funny thing was Joan and I
ended up on the same flight. Joan had first class
and I was in coach. I was grateful I made this
connection. Due to bad storms in the Midwest,
flights were being delayed. It was a very full
flight to Chicago.
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