See this bus?
I got to ride it from the Milwaukee airport to Madison two weeks ago and just had the best time! It seems like my whole life I have heard songs and read books that referred to someone getting on a bus and riding cross-country to a new experience or adventure. I’ve always thought it sounded like such a cool, novel-ish thing to do but until this recent trip, I never had the opportunity.
(Note: I thought It was especially fascinating that Badger Buses have been around since 1920. In the early days, the passengers sometimes had to get out and help push the bus up the hills!)
I sat at the very front of the top deck and for the first part of the trip, I was the only person up there. Such fun!
Our trip took us through Milwaukee and I loved seeing the buildings, the lights and all the sights from such a lofty height.
My favorite part of the trip though, was about 10 p.m. when we pulled into Madison (where my nephew was picking me up) and turned down the street leading to the brilliantly illuminated capitol building. Just as I grabbed my phone to take a picture, the battery died so I got this image from the web; it’s very much like what my amazing view looked like.
yourkamagraguide.com
When I took the bus back to Milwaukee to catch my flight home, I got to do the whole thing in reverse, except this time in the daylight. On the first part of the trip, the scenery was blurry because of my tears over having to leave Mom and my siblings. After a few minutes though, I regained my composure and enjoyed looking at all the Wisconsin sights along the way. (We all know how much I love Wisconsin scenery.)
There was one rare sighting that I wanted to share with you, one that you may or may not believe. Trust me when I tell you that this picture has NOT been Photoshopped. There was actually a guy waiting for a bus who was
. . . wait for it . . .
reading a real book instead of looking at his phone!
I know. I almost fainted. And if he had looked up at me, I would have given him a big thumbs up!
I was so excited to talk about the bus ride that I forgot to mention what happened in the Milwaukee airport as I was waiting for the bus to arrive.
As I ate my dinner in the terminal, I noticed that there was a bit of a hullabaloo going on around me consisting of folks grouped in lawn chairs, military people gathering, a small marching band warming up, and a collection of singers all dressed alike.
I kept looking around for an explanation and finally saw a sign that said it was an Honor Flight gathering. I had never heard of this organization and so I did a quick Google search. I was teary-eyed by the time I got done reading about it.
The bottom line is that 71 veterans from World War II were flown that morning from the Milwaukee airport to Washington, D.C. where they were taken on tour buses to view different war memorials. They were due to arrive back in Milwaukee at about 8:30 p.m. (Unfortunately, I had to catch my bus before they got back.)
Friends, family and military supporters had all gathered there so that when the veterans came off the plane and re-entered the airport, they would be greeted with hoorays and handshakes, a brass band, and people lined up on all both sides of the hallway to cheer for them and thank them for their service.
I had never heard of this national program before and was touched by this sort of thing being done to honor some of our country’s greatest heroes.
here is my sister on the drums, nephew on the bass, and my brother-in-law on keyboard, leading music in the church that Randy pastors. It is so much fun to get to hear music made by any family–let alone, by my own personal family!
Caleb plays trumpet, keyboard, bass, and also sings beautifully so he has definitely inherited the musical gene from his mom and dad.
One thing that amazes me with not seeing my family very frequently, is how quickly younger generations change between visits. I cannot believe how much Caleb has grown up since the last time I saw him. He turned into an adult when I wasn’t looking.
Mom was surrounded by four of her kids on her 82nd birthday. Even though I hadn’t planned the trip with her birthday in mind, I was grateful it worked out for me to be there. Some of the staff of the rehab place came out and sang happy birthday to her, too.
My sisters were in charge of the decorations for Mom’s little party. Decorating is not my gift and I am always so happy to leave it in the hands of trained professionals.
Well, I actually did fold the napkins. That was my one great contribution to the birthday beauty.
Mom loves opening gifts so we made sure we had a veritable plethora of presents for her. She always enthusiastically rejoices over every little thing.
One of the things I loved about Mom’s rehab place was that it was right next door to this barn! (Both buildings are both smack dab in the middle of town.) Life doesn’t get much better than having a barn next door.
Today, after almost a month away, Mom finally gets to go back home to her sweet little apartment in the assisted living center. Thank you for your prayers and kind words for her; she has been incredibly brave during this whole experience and all of us kids are so proud of her for working hard and staying strong during one of the most difficult seasons of her life.
this gal is certainly in an exciting season of life as new university student.
She emailed me Friday morning about the final exam for her Film Equipment Workshop. The class was only four weeks long, so the final exam had already arrived! In order to pass, she had to do all of the following things in twenty minutes or less:
The idea was to simulate how quickly they have to set up real-life shoots: camera, lighting, microphones, all of it. When we saw her Friday night, she said she had passed the final and the class. Hooray!
Here are a few more pictures from our visit. (Sarah has never been a big texter so it struck me funny to catch her and Steve on their phones at the same time.)
We surprised her and brought Summer along; Summer was quite relieved that her missing sister had been located. She will sit on our couch for long periods of time and stare steadfastly at the front door, hoping that Sarah will show up at any moment.
It was a beautiful night to walk around a lovely campus.
When it was time to say goodbye, I a little misty-eyed watching Sarah walk alone on the bridge back to her dorm. I wanted to scoop her up and put her in the back seat and ferry her on home.
But I have to remember that she is at her home-for-now, the place she needs to be for this season. And so I left her behind and instead, held my sweet doggie while Steve piloted us safely home.
here are a couple of pictures from our Cowboy Sunday event yesterday. I’ll post some more about it soon.
The guys from Dare Challenge were there and thought it might be fun to pick Steve right up off the ground– so they did!
Steve was, as always, in fine form. Never a dull moment.
What about you? Have you ever ridden a Greyhound type bus anywhere?
I love that bus, have never been on one. And have never heard of Honor flights before. I wish you had been able to witness the arrivals. I hope your mom is able to go home soon, it is so very hard for the elderly to get back to baseline.
Lesley,
Yes, I would have loved to have seen the arrivals but it was fun to imagine how great it would be, just looking at the enthusiastic people who were gathered.
My mom has been home two nights with one of my sisters staying with her. She is continuing in PT and doing well.
Oops, forgot about the Honor Flights. I think they are terrific! We had a lady scheduled to talk with our Pilot Club about them. She is from Tarboro, I think, and coordinates the flight from the area. She got sick and never was able to come. Would really enjoy going on one as a helper.
Ann,
Someone told me the helpers pay $500 each for the honor of assisting a vet. Of course, that money goes to defray the overall costs. It would be a great privilege to do that.
I rode a bus to New York in high school to the World’s Fair (1964, I think). I also have ridden to Washington, DC, for the National Relay for Life rally twice. I enjoyed that. While in high school we rode a train from Roanoke Rapids to Washington, NC, for a football game and from Weldon to Washington, DC, for a school trip. Enjoyed the train rides, too. I am so proud of Sarah. I agree that I have no idea what some of those things were she had to do. Enjoyed your pictures and so glad your Mom is doing well. God does answer prayer and He is always with us. Pray for safety during Matthew. When we were there for Sarah’s 16th birthday we had to evacuate and return home. We got it worse here that time than your area. Oh, I rode a bus from Phoenix, AZ, to the Grand Canyon while at a Pilot Convention as well as around Dallas, TX, for a tour and Chicago. All advantages of being in the area for a meeting and having trips scheduled during free time.
Ann,
I had completely forgotten that you had to leave here early due to weather! We are certainly keeping on eye on things this time around and preparing for whatever may come.
How exciting that you have actually been to a World’s Fair! Not many people can say that. And it sounds like you have had a lot of bus/train experiences in your life; you are blessed to have been able to travel so much. I know you and Jim still like to go around to different places and see the sights–enjoy all those happy moments together!
I love riding a bus and a train too, I love to get little glimpses of other people’s lives…..I am so glad to hear your Mom is returning home, on Thursday I slipped on milk in our local grocery store, fell directly on my hip, no time to brace for anything, turns out I broke my femur and broke my ball and socket, I had to have a complete hip replacement… I am now typing this to you from my room at Wake Med in Raleigh, every time I think the pain is unbearable I keep remembering your brave sweet mom.
Oh Dale, I am so sorry to hear about your accident. Ouch, ouch, ouch!
I am thankful you have your laptop to keep you company in the hospital and that you dropped by the blog and shared what is going on.
Thanks for letting us know that my mom is an inspration to you. That will make her day.
I have ridden a bus many times. the longest trip was from Lincoln Nebr to Russellville ark had to changes buses twice and on the way home had to wait out in a small town in Oklahoma for another bus driver. as our had driven as many hours as he was allowed and the one coming to relive him was in a serious accident on the way. this was before cell phones so was an adventure, no double deck bus on this trip. I rode to college on the bus and all alone to visit my grandma 30 miles away I was about 5 , and was entrusted to the bus driver.. couldn’t do that now……..I know you didn’t count city bus but I rode that for years to and from work.
Speaking of Sarah’s test. I don’t even know what all that stuff was, let alone set it up. Ha ha
Sharon,
Wow–you are a bus expert! And doing so much of that riding without a cell phone puts it in a whole new category of adventure, especially when you had to wait on that other bus driver in Oklahoma.
You were very brave to ride a bus when you were 5; you must have an adventerous soul!
I went to Missouri University my freshman year of college. I often rode the Greyhound from Columbia to KC where I had to change buses and take another one from KC to Nevada, MO. The KC terminal was in downtown KC, so not the greatest place to be. One time I got to KC late and my bus had left so I had to wait for another one to Nevada. Keep in mind this was either 1973 or 1974. I had about $2 to my name. I got something to eat in the cafeteria and then went to the restroom where I discovered it was pay toilets and I literally had spent my last dime on dinner. Well, I’m nothing if not resourceful so I crawled under the stall door.
My dad had the opportunity to go on an Honor Flight four years ago this past D-Day, also my mom’s birthday. He flew in and out of Springfield. It was a long day but well worth it. My aunt and uncle live in Springfield so they made sure my mom’s birthday was celebrated (I was in Tampa at that time). My cousin, two aunts, mom, two of my cousin’s granddaughters all met him at the airport so I got lots of pictures from them. Even got video of him walking between the people that had met him, shaking all their hands. In the background some patriotic song was playing. I believe it was Stars and Stripes Forever. Each veteran has a “guardian” assigned to them that helps them on and off the bus as well as pushes a wheelchair if needed. I remember my dad going to his orientation meeting a few weeks before the trip and telling me that a lot of the guys had caps that said Army, Air Force, etc. Well, I immediately got online and found a cap for him so that he had one to wear that day.
My brother and sister-in-law are both music teachers – he is high school orchestra, formerly band and she is middle school music. Their daughter has definitely inherited their musical abilities. She plays both piano and violin as well as having a beautiful voice. She plans a double major next year – piano performance and secondary education (English). She has a YouTube video of a Fine Arts Academy audition. Just search for Charlotte Lines.
Glad Sarah is thriving at school!
Phyllis,
I did look up Charlotte’s video and watched it. She is a lovely and gifted young woman–definitely didn’t fall far from the tree in the musical gifts department. I know you and your family are proud of her and can’t wait to see where her gifts take her.
How cool that your dad got to do an Honor Flight. I can’t imagine how meangingful that must have been for him and for all of you who gathered to cheer him on. And it was especially thoughtful of you to track down a hat for him. I know he wore it with pride and joy.
P.S. I loved that you slid under the stall door at the bus terminal. Desperate times . . . 🙂
I think of Sarah’s list, I could do the first and last ones – the others – have no idea what they are. Knew she would pass the test. My worst recollection of a Greyhound bus ride is when I was working in Fargo, ND and was fired from my job. When I was there for a couple of days, was outside and some kid said to me, “Are you working for ___). I said, “Yes.” “Man, it seems like they have someone new every 2 weeks.” When I was told I was fired (after 2 weeks), I was given my check and given a ride to the depot. I twas about a 45 minute drive to my home and had to walk home after arriving. Went in the back door and slept on the couch. Mom came down and wanted to know what had hapened – so through my tears, had to tell her I got fired.
Sharyn,
A Two-Week Boss is NOT good. I’m glad you got out of that situation in a hurry, even though I know it was traumatic at the time. Thankful you had a couch and a mom to go to!
I used to ride the Grey Hound bus back and forth from college to my home every weekend. I am a talker so had many interesting conversations during that 45 min. ride. One of the funniest was when I was speaking with a lady that had an British accent and told her how much I enjoy listening to her accent. She told me that she also enjoyed listening to different accents and always tried to mimic them but she said that the one accent should could not do very well was the Canadian accent and I promptly told her that “that is because we do not have one”.
My son has been taking the Greyhound quite a bit lately to visit his girlfriend who is going to University a couple hours away. The first time I dropped him off I asked him if he had a book or a magazine to read and he looked at me as if I had 2 heads and said “I have a movie on my phone”. 🙂 Bad me!! I will probably always be old school.
Glad to hear your mom is back in her own place. Recovery always comes quicker when we are in familiar surroundings.
Have a great week.
Mel,
Your son’s comment made me smile. At our age, we tend to default to entertainment choices like books and magazines, don’t we? 🙂
I’m inspired that you used your 45-minute rides to and from college talking with the people around you; good for you! You can hear a lot of a person’s story in that amount of time.
I am so glad that your momma is getting out of rehab and able to go back to her home. Such great news!
I rode the bus from NE to CO when I was about 22. I t was a Greyhound bus and there were sure a lot of interesting people on it!! It seemed like it took FOREVER to get there. So many stops for breaks, picking up people, etc. I never did that trip again in a bus. 😉 My husband and I also took a bus trip back in about 1982. (It wasn’t a double-decker though.) It took us from here in South Central Nebraska to Kansas City for a Chiefs football game. It cost us $100 total and that included the bus, hotel for 1 night, game tickets, a riverboat dinner cruise and unlimited ‘refreshments’ on the bus. What a deal!!! (I wonder what that trip would cost now?!?) We had such a great time!
We have had several military honor flights leave from our Regional airport over the last few years. Each flight has required public fundraising in addition to the private donations received from companies. A huge undertaking! It is so awesome to see the veterans (via media coverage) as they leave and return and the smiles and pride on their faces is priceless!
LeeAnne,
I can’t believe I had never heard of Honor Flights until this latest trip! They sound like they have been around a long time and are such a fabulous way to honor our veterans. I’m so glad that people are aware of them and support them.
I have to agree–the bus trip you and your husband took in 1982 was an an amazing deal! I would imagine it would be $500 now! It’s fun that you have that memory to look back on. 🙂
Those busses are great fun. A few years ago when I was visiting my dear one in Amman, Jordan I took a solo trip down to Aqaba to do some snorkeling. All the Jett busses are doubles like that. On the way back I lucked out and the seat assigned to me was one in the very front like that. Although most of the trip was in the dark, I loved watching the sunset over the desert and then watching the lights of Amman get closer as we neared the city. That’s a trip I’ll never forget. And you’ve reminded me that next summer, if I do the same trip, I’m there I’m going to see about requesting that particular section of the bus 🙂
Brooke,
Yes, I have to say that sitting in the very front of a double decker bus is an amazing experience; I couldn’t believe how much those few extra vertical feet changed my perspective so much.
And to ride one at sunset in Jordan? Oh my. Just a little bit jealous here. 🙂
I love to ride the Amtrak train from Milwaukee to Chicago! It’s much more relaxing than driving in Chicago and you get to see the countryside on the way there. The longest bus ride I have done was a band trip in high school. We were on the bus for about 24 hrs traveling from Wisconsin to Florida. It was fun!
Sarah,
Riding a train has been on my Wish List for a very long time. I know you enjoy your Amtrak jaunts.
Now a 24-hour bus trip full of high school students? Um, I’m afraid that would not be my definition of fun. 🙂 But I am sure glad you enjoyed it!
In 1975-to gear up for the bicentenial-Greyhound had a bus pass for a months unlimited travel (I think it was around $80! My cousin and I took a month long trip traveling from CA to NC. We still talk about the memories we made along the way. It was fabulous. I have taken several shorter trips also and a couple of Greyhound city tours. I had a similar Capitol sighting from a bus depot in Indianapolis, at dusk, in the snow. The photo I took got me started on collecting state Capitol photos.
Patti,
Good for you and your cousin for making an adventure for yourselves with that $80 rate. That would be such a fun thing to do with someone–getting to see the country and chart your own course. I would LOVE that!!
And how intersting that you collect state capitol photos. They really are beautiful and grand buildings. I was awestruck by my view of the Madison capitol.
loved this post as I felt like I was right with you. so true about the young man with the book – I was at the urgent care yesterday thinking – what did folks do before cell phones? so glad your mama is now home. I have been to the Honor Flight that left from RDU and one of my old coworkers actually was a companion on one from Charlotte International. My older sister and I used to ride the bus in the summer from Rockville, Md to Hornell, NY when were 12 & 14 – much like the airlines we were checked into the front seat with the driver. In this day and time, I don’t know that I would do it! Be safe with the storm coming and keep us updated Becky – up the road from you all
Becky,
You and your sister must have felt so grown up riding that bus together. What an adventure for two young girls!
We’re watching the weather very carefully; don’t know what it’s in store but it looks like it could be major.
I have twice been in Reagan National airport in DC when an honor flight arrives. Water cannons shoot plumes of water across the arriving plane and retired and active military personnel form a corridor inside for the WWII vets to enter through. It is very moving, but sad as so many are in wheelchairs. It is a very long day for the ones that come from the Midwest as it is all done in one day. And there are fewer and fewer WWII vets still living as they are now in their 90’s.
Loved your description of the bus ride – looks like a nice bus compared to some I have been on.
So glad Sarah is doing well with her new life in college. Such a star!
Liz,
I love the idea of the water canons shooting water across the arriving plane. I would love to capture all that pomp and circumstance in photos. It’s cool that you’ve gotten to see it twice! I was so sad I had to leave before the plane arrived back in. Someday, I hope to witness it.
This was a fun post – so many topics!
I’ve witnessed an Honor Flight or two at the STL airport. The first one made me bawl: a group of WWII veterans, some in wheelchairs, were being escorted through the terminal. And every.single.person in the terminal stood up and clapped for them, as they were being taken to their gate to board their Honor Flight. OK. Bawling now, too, just re-telling the story.
Love that you got to be with you Mama on her birthday, and that she’s finally able to go back to her own place. Rehab is a great thing, though – my dad was in a rehab facility and progressed amazingly well after a massive surgery last summer.
As for bus-riding, I only have one small memory of riding a commercial coach, other than charters on trips, or between NY Penn Station and Newark Airport. My grandmother’s husband was a driver for Great Southern Coaches (similar to Greyhound), and she came to visit us on the bus – a journey of about 50 miles. When she returned home, I joined her on the bus. I must have been 6 or 7? I only vaguely remember being inside the bus station prior to boarding, and remember nothing of the journey itself. Here’s a link to a photo of the station we left from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blytheville_Greyhound_Bus_Station#/media/File:Blytheville_Greyhound_Bus_Station.jpg
My Mama-worrying is already commencing for Sarah and Hurricane Matthew. Will her college close? Will the kids go home? Will yall evacuate? It looks like it’s heading right for you…
Stefanie,
Yes, I can see how seeing that Honor Flight would make you bawl. I got teary just reading your words. Whoever had the idea to start the Honor Flights was definitely inspired.
What a cute Greyhound station. I love historic, interesting buildings like that!
As far as Sarah’s college, we don’t know yet will happen there. Over the next day or two, as the path of the storm becomes clearer, final decisions will be made.
Students like Sarah can come home but many of the students live great distances away so that makes things more complicated. There is a lot uncertainty in our area as we wait to see what happens.