golfnutts

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.

capevettes

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.

57gman

You have a found peace and have great peace in your heart. No need to apologize or feel guilty. God bless you.

Jeff T.

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!

grampi50

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!

no vtec 4me

Sorry to hear about your mom, but the trip sounds amazing. I look forward to the day i have a little time to do something similar. Good luck and have a safe trip!

Vetteman Jack

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.

Mickeyrx70

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!

dleibman

have a great trip. you deserve it. lost my wife of 51 years a year and a half ago. still finding everyday hard. been thinking of doing the same. need to do something. god bless. fin

f6john

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.

DirtRoad

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.

dbgoodwin

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!

Tuco

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.

Ramets

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.

golfnutts

Thanks a lot plan on doing that, just getting the Corvette ready with slime, plug kit, compressor, oil change etc...
....Can't wait 4 weeks to go...

ttiros

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.

ronwc

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

1bdvet

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.

Xavierbank

Good Luck Brother Vet, me time we all need that......just a place we can go to and collect one's thoughts.

golfnutts

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