Bucket list trip
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 159
Likes: 72
From: Kansas
Bucket list trip
This might be a little lengthy, but I will get to the point of this story I'm about to write. I was called by my dad two days before Super Bowl Sunday that he needed help in getting my mom to the hospital. When I got there, my mom was in terrible pain, so I lifted her up got her in the car and off we went to the hospital. Found out she needed emergency surgery for a perforated bowel. After the surgery, the doctor said she should be fine, which I feel she wasn't. She slurred her speech, and talked about random stuff about her life. Later the next day, they said she had poison from the perforated bowel in her blood stream. She wanted to comb her hair, so I gave her a hair brush and she tried to comb her hair using the wrong side of the comb, so then I knew she wasn't right and I combed her hair for her. They put her on life support and that was the last time I talked to my mom. I told my dad (86 yrs old), mom (82 yrs old) would not want to live with machines, so has a family we decided to take her off the machines. Sitting there watching the heart monitor, decreasing every minute was the most heartbreaking moment of my life. I have seen many deaths in my Military Career, but nothing like this. It took only 11 minutes off the machines that my mom past away on Super Bowl Sunday which she was wanting to watch
. The irony is that my little brother also died on Super Bowl Sunday 10 years ago, so I have come to the conclusion Super Bowl Sunday is not a good day for our family. Then when I visited the grave site at the Veterans Cemetary, I started to reflect that one day this also will be my future resting place and what have I done in my life and what can I do that I always wanted to do. So I decided to take a 4000 mile trip in my 2003 A/E Corvette without the wife of 43 years, and grand kids that I have raised for the last 10 years. My wife still works and the kids are still in school, I've been retired for 3 years, so I have the time just in case some of you are thinking "NOT TAKING THE WIFE" how dare you. 
I will be leaving 30 April, no set date on return, changed all the fluids, hoses, belts etc. I will be leaving Kansas to Albuquerque (Kirtland AFB), Tucson (Davis-Monthan AFB), Victorville CA ( George AFB now closed), and Edwards AFB CA, Then coming back thru Las vegas, Utah, and Colorado. I'm dedicating this trip to my Mother who loved to travel and some "ME" time. I will be taking pictures along the way that I will post at a later date on here and tell everyone how the trip went, how the car traveled and how it reflected on me has a person. My wife is concerned with me traveling by myself since I've had 4 heart attacks but been feeling fine the last 7 years and I told her that is the reason I need this trip before the grand kids end up with my Corvette, and she is onboard with it, has long as I face time with her everyday.
. The irony is that my little brother also died on Super Bowl Sunday 10 years ago, so I have come to the conclusion Super Bowl Sunday is not a good day for our family. Then when I visited the grave site at the Veterans Cemetary, I started to reflect that one day this also will be my future resting place and what have I done in my life and what can I do that I always wanted to do. So I decided to take a 4000 mile trip in my 2003 A/E Corvette without the wife of 43 years, and grand kids that I have raised for the last 10 years. My wife still works and the kids are still in school, I've been retired for 3 years, so I have the time just in case some of you are thinking "NOT TAKING THE WIFE" how dare you. I will be leaving 30 April, no set date on return, changed all the fluids, hoses, belts etc. I will be leaving Kansas to Albuquerque (Kirtland AFB), Tucson (Davis-Monthan AFB), Victorville CA ( George AFB now closed), and Edwards AFB CA, Then coming back thru Las vegas, Utah, and Colorado. I'm dedicating this trip to my Mother who loved to travel and some "ME" time. I will be taking pictures along the way that I will post at a later date on here and tell everyone how the trip went, how the car traveled and how it reflected on me has a person. My wife is concerned with me traveling by myself since I've had 4 heart attacks but been feeling fine the last 7 years and I told her that is the reason I need this trip before the grand kids end up with my Corvette, and she is onboard with it, has long as I face time with her everyday.
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Have fun. You deserve it. When I retired I did Route 66 all by myself in a Vette. My wife was still working and the kids were grown. I did 7,400 miles in a little less than a month. Had a blast. You will get a little homesick but you will enjoy it. It is a once in a lifetime trip.
Enjoy the ride and share the pics with us along the way.
Enjoy the ride and share the pics with us along the way.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2007
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From: Aiken, SC
St. Jude Donor '13 thru '26
First, may God Bless your Mom.
Me time. Personally I feel that too many get caught up in everyday life to ever think of taking a trip like you are about to embark on. As we age I believe we all have thoughts of our own mortality, but as men we don’t talk about it.
Take the time to see the sunrise and sunsets, stop for the silly roadside attractions, drink all the bad coffee and make a few strangers new friends!
Have fun, stay safe, enjoy the ride and don’t forget to FaceTime that wonderful wife!
I look forward to following your journey!
Me time. Personally I feel that too many get caught up in everyday life to ever think of taking a trip like you are about to embark on. As we age I believe we all have thoughts of our own mortality, but as men we don’t talk about it.
Take the time to see the sunrise and sunsets, stop for the silly roadside attractions, drink all the bad coffee and make a few strangers new friends!
Have fun, stay safe, enjoy the ride and don’t forget to FaceTime that wonderful wife!
I look forward to following your journey!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 6,480
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Sorry to hear about your losses. I am retiring in two years and I plan on taking road trips all around the country in my C5 to visit all of the Air Force bases I was assigned to, and many of people in knew while I was in. My wife will be retired too and she will go with me on some of the trips, probably most. But there are a few places I'll be going by myself too. Nothing wrong with that. I want to travel while I'm still young and healthy enough to do so...so take those trips and enjoy yourself!
Last edited by grampi50; Mar 25, 2018 at 08:32 AM.
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My condolences on the loss of your mom. May she Rest In Peace. 
Sounds like a very good trip - stay safe out on the road, enjoy yourself and post up some pics of the journey.
Sounds like a very good trip - stay safe out on the road, enjoy yourself and post up some pics of the journey.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 3,498
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From: The beautiful Alabama Gulf Coast!!
I’m so very sorry about your Mom. I went through a similar experience 9 years ago when my Mom died. I hope you have a great trip — it sounds like a wonderful adventure in the making!
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
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From: Richmond, Ky
Sounds like a great plan and I look forward to the pics and the story’s. It would be a wonderful thing if every man were able to embark on a journey with the time to reflect on a life lived to the best.
Instructor
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 215
Likes: 134
From: Hydro, Oklahoma
Since you will be in Colorado, let me suggest taking your C5 across the Royal Gorge bridge. It is definitely worth the time and effort. I did it 7 years ago and am planning to do it again in June, with a different C5.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1579013080
see post #7.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1579013080
see post #7.
Last edited by DirtRoad; Mar 25, 2018 at 10:35 AM.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2013
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From: Greensboro Nc
I hope you have the trip of a lifetime. I did something similar, although much shorter, at the end of last year. Took a trip with just the dog and I out camping. Would have stayed out longer but it was wayyy too cold for me to enjoy it enough.
Thanks for the story, post plenty of updates!
Thanks for the story, post plenty of updates!
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2008
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From: Blessed are the cracked. For they are the ones who let in the light.
St. Jude Donor '08 thru '26
Well you certainly earned it.
Did the lower 48 in my 03 by myself mostly.
Had a blast and would do it again tomorrow if I could.
Take the watch off and take it in as it comes. Enjoy, and do whatever you wanna do.
Also didn't take wife as she hates long drives....so lucky me.
But daughter did go from CT.> Fla on first CC jaunt.
Did the lower 48 in my 03 by myself mostly.
Had a blast and would do it again tomorrow if I could.
Take the watch off and take it in as it comes. Enjoy, and do whatever you wanna do.
Also didn't take wife as she hates long drives....so lucky me.
But daughter did go from CT.> Fla on first CC jaunt.
Last edited by Tuco; Mar 26, 2018 at 04:12 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 1,327
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From: Conway South Carolina
Through the years I've been across the U.S. and Canada a number of times by motorcycle, car, and RV. Been to every state and always enjoyed the drive. Although I admit Hawaii would have been a little soggy had I attempted to drive.. In 2010 we hit the road in our motorhome and full timed for 6 1/2yrs. Now were back in a sticks & bricks, but the itch is still there to see where that road will take me. Plan on hitting the road later this spring for a couple months to go back out west. I'm originally from a little beach town south of San Diego, so I'll be heading there first. Then up the Ca. coast to British Columbia, and after that? Don't really know. But as long as there's a white line in front of me I'll have a smile on my face.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 159
Likes: 72
From: Kansas
Well you certainly earned it.
Did the lower 48 in my 03 by myself mostly.
Had a blast and would do it again tomorrow if I could.
Take the watch off and take it in as it comes. Enjoy, and do whatever you wanna do.
Also didn't take wife as she hates long drives....so lucky me.
But daughter did go from CT.> Fla on first CC jaunt.
Did the lower 48 in my 03 by myself mostly.
Had a blast and would do it again tomorrow if I could.
Take the watch off and take it in as it comes. Enjoy, and do whatever you wanna do.
Also didn't take wife as she hates long drives....so lucky me.
But daughter did go from CT.> Fla on first CC jaunt.
....Can't wait 4 weeks to go...
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 945
Likes: 226
I left 5 November and came home this past 15 January. I always wanted to hunt through a complete season. I stayed at our farm while the other half stayed at home. The only agreement was I had to carry my satellite tracker while hunting and FaceTime her when I could. It was a 30 year goal I always wanted to do. Life is to short and my heart problem is always in the back of my mind.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 886
Likes: 87
From: Largo FL
Good luck with everything. I did something similar about 2 years ago, best trip of my life. If you want to read about, see here - https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...road-trip.html
Team Owner
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From: Plantation Florida USAF(Retired) 1966-1990
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It's very sad to loose an Mother, specially when you watch her take her last breath. I watched my Mother, then last month my sister-in-law pass on to eternity.I hope you have safe trip, planing is everything, has you know.
Thank You for your Service.Aim High
PS Don't leave home without your AAA Plus card.
Last edited by 1bdvet; Mar 26, 2018 at 09:34 PM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 159
Likes: 72
From: Kansas
Starting Bucket List Trip: Day 1
Well Ladies and Gents, It's that time to depart on my Bucket list trip. I leave in about 3 hours approximately 4:30 a.m. Kansas time. I will be taking I-70 to R 156 to R 54 to I 40 for Albuquerque N.M, Kirtland Air Force Base (645 Miles) for the First stop. I will be taking Pics along the way and telling how My "Lola" (2003 A/E named after my Mom) is performing. This day couldn't have come fast enough for me. It's been a rough few months. 
Starting Mileage: 41,899
Starting Mileage: 41,899
