MY SUMMER VACATION or THE FRIENDSHIP TOUR 2009
I know after posting what I did on my summer vacation many of my three readers will be very envious. It is not so much about where I went but more so the fact that I had no constraints on my time. I did not have to be in any one place at any given time. I was free to roam about the country and visit with many of my oldest and dearest friends from my childhood as I wished. They were all gracious enough to put me up in there homes and in many cases entertain me by either taking me canoeing (thanks Elaine) or by going out for dinner and drinks and reminiscing about things we did as kids growing up in River Ridge (Little Farms).
My first stop was in Louisville, KY and a visit with a friend from my service days in Germany back in the mid seventies. Jim Thomas was a civilian working for the Army in Heidelberg, Germany when I was a soldier also working there. We became friends and have remained so for the past thirty years. He is a gifted and intelligent being and knows not a stranger. I met many of his friends as we toured the areas around Louisville. Yes, we did Churchill Downs and the Louisville Slugger bat factory as well as a few fantastic museums. The last day of my visit we spent traveling the Bourbon trail sampling small batch bourbons along the way. What a wonderful way to start and spend the day.
My next official destination was Roanoke Virginia to visit one of the sweetest people from my past. My high school girlfriend's sister. On my way to Roanoke I made a stop in Lexington to have breakfast or brunch with my son-in-law's mother. We dined at the local Cracker Barrel. It was a very nice visit and did not put me out of my way for my next stop.
All of my visits have allowed me to catch up on what has been going on in the lives of my old friends. I wish dearly that I could say that their lives have been as blessed as my own, but the truth is they have not. That is not to say that they have not had many blessings but along with many of those blessings has come great heart ache. The fact that they have survived and come out stronger is a testament to their courage and fortitude. Elaine Mercer is a remarkable person and the kindest and most loving individual I have had the privilege to know. She did not deserve the pain she has suffered through divorce and then widowhood but what does not kill us only makes us stronger and she is a strong person. Did I mention that she is also very good looking. Truly!!
My next stop took me to Washington D.C. and a visit with my old friend Stephen Campbell. For my three devoted readers you must already know that Stephen was once married to Elaine and that marriage ended in divorce, hence the pain she suffered the greatest. High school sweethearts married for twenty plus years with three children. My what tangled webs we weave! My visit with Steve was a bit awkward because he is going through a divorce from the woman he left Elaine for. Their marriage lasted twelve years an produced one son. My prayers for them are that they come away from this not as bitter enemies for this would only harm the one they both love, Jack. He is a great kid and destine for great things if his parents allow it to happen.
My next stop took me to Washington D.C. and a visit with my old friend Stephen Campbell. For my three devoted readers you must already know that Stephen was once married to Elaine and that marriage ended in divorce, hence the pain she suffered the greatest. High school sweethearts married for twenty plus years with three children. My what tangled webs we weave! My visit with Steve was a bit awkward because he is going through a divorce from the woman he left Elaine for. Their marriage lasted twelve years an produced one son. My prayers for them are that they come away from this not as bitter enemies for this would only harm the one they both love, Jack. He is a great kid and destine for great things if his parents allow it to happen.
Because I was not committed to too many set tours I was able to roam around Washington freely. This allowed me to visit all of the museums I wanted to visit as well as the memorable places of interest to me. Holocaust Museum, Vietnam Memorial, Arlington Cemetery, Folgers Shakespeare Museum, National Cathedral, US Capitol, US Botanical Gardens, several Smithsonian Museums and most of all The Library of Congress. What a great week. Steve and I went out to dinner a few times but of course without his soon to be ex wife. On my last day in Washington I drove up to Gettysburg, PA. To a Civil War historian or just a Civil War buff this place is the Holy Grail. It was the turning point of the war and the truth be told we, the South, almost pulled it out. The battle wa a close one but the out come of the war was inevitable. I chose the CD audio tour and it was excellent. As I approached each numbered stop a Civil War historian explained exactly what took place on that spot and when it took place. It was storytelling at its finest. Oh, what a day I had! I spent my last night in Washington with Steve at his newly acquired, unfurnished apartment. Like the Corleone family in The Godfather, we took to the matresses, inflatable that is. Note to Stephen: The poison of hatred only poisons the one it resides within. God bless you Stephen.
The last stop on this vacation I have come to refer to as the Friendship Tour of 2009 is in Atlanta, Ga. and visit with my numero uno running mate from my youth: Richard Campbell, younger brother to Stephen Campbell. Richard's life has also been shaped by numerous divorces but he seems none the worse for wear. In fact, Richard looks great, by that I mean very healthy. If that masks some mental health I can not tell because he seems to be in fine spirits. He is in a relationship with a very interesting and lovely looking lady, Natalya. Richard was off of work both Sunday and Manday and we spent all of that time todether catching up. As a bonus to this visit I also was able to visit with the Campbell's baby sister, Kaye. She, too, looks great and seems to be enjoying life after divorce. God bless them all and I hope to have them all as my guest one day in Thibodaux. I have offered invitations to everyone who was so good to me on my trip. I hope they all take me up on my offers one day.
The downside to this entire trip was that I had to make it alone. I am lucky in that I enjoy my wife's company when we travel. She was not able to make this trip due to her obligation to teach a summer course at the university. Some people see that as been lucky but I disagree, although she probably would not have enjoyed some of the places I visited, especially Gettysburg because she is not a history lover as I am. The only good thing about being apart for so long is the returning home and knowing you were missed by someone other than the dog. It was obvious when I came through the door that my dog missed me as well.
It's great to be back home. I feel sorry for anyone who can not say that after been away for awhile. God bless all of the friends that made my trip so memorable. Lets do it again someday.
