Thursday, June 6, 1991.
After months of preparation we finally do it. Today, D-Day coincidentally, was to be the day, but still too much to do. We have said our farewells at the going away parties and nice things were said about us, one of the nicest being how many people were envious. If they only knew! I keep telling Cathy that we may have to stop in New England. We still may not have the money to live in England but will take each day as it comes. We have confirmed the house in Saffron Walden and at least one school. We will drive across the USA in our Suburban, heading south and east, through Santa Fe to see our friends, Tara and Pasqual, pause a night in Texas as we head east and south before turning north, stopping in: Vicksburg, Panama City Beach, Disney World, St. Simons Island, Charleston, Nags Head, Chincoteague, Gettysburg and, finally, New York City for one last big bite of America. My youngest sister, Alison, and her husband, Michael, will meet us in New York and drive the Suburban home.
Everything is well planned, from motel and ferry reservations to seats at the "Lost Colony" play in Roanoke. In New York we have tickets to a Mets game and reservations to Broadway shows; but, most importantly, we have arranged a visit to the office of the mayor. My grandfather, Ed Buckley, was the first budget director of the City and his picture adorns the Budget Director’s conference room. Things almost fell apart just days before we left, when our visa application hit a major snag, but thanks to Sara Gordon in the O'Melveny & Myers office in London, our problem was solved. The visas were approved and we will be able to get them at Heathrow when we land.
We leave the US on Thursday, July 4, not for any special reason; just because it's a Thursday, the last day of the week for the cheap fares.
It's hard to pack for forever, not just a trip.
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| Last Weekend Stars Game with Bob |
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| The Storage Shed |
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| Leaving Day |
Friday, June 7, 1991. 660 mile drive, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m., Las Vegas to Santa Fe, New Mexico. Saturday and Sunday, June 7, 8 and 9, Santa Fe.
We finally leave after spending the better part of the morning calling the car dealerships for a part for the Suburban. Until we actually pull out of the driveway, we are still adding last minute items to the car. Each of us has two large suitcases (Brightly colored Lands End soft cases) and a carry on bag; there are extra bags as well: make up, my travel books. All in all there are roughly twenty bags. We also have our soft Eddie Bauer cooler (which uses reusable blue ice bags), lots of books on tape, CD's and cassettes, and most importantly, a portable TV/VCR and lots of movies. There are other necessities: AAA maps and guides, folders with tickets, reservation information and confirmation numbers, and travelers' cheques. We are jammed to the gills.
As we drive out of radio range in Arizona the last thing we hear is Jerry Tarkanian's press conference following the announcement of his resignation as UNLV head basketball coach.
It's a long drive. For the first time ever, I cannot keep my eyes open and Cathy takes over in eastern Arizona. The children watch movies all day in the back seat, including "The Wizard" and "Supergirl." We arrive in Santa Fe late at night. Now that we can no longer add things to the car, I unpack the car and will repack it again more efficiently before we leave.
We have a fine visit with Tara and Pasqual. On Sunday we walk up Canyon Road to Celebrations for brunch. The people at the next table, who overhear our plans, tell us that Britain is the largest island in the world. Afterwards we attend the procession of La Conquistadora in front of the Cathedral of St. Francis. It seems that each time we go to Santa Fe we learn of another tradition. Jeffrey and Thomas get new tennis shoes at The Foot Locker. Late Sunday night we have a tearful farewell in the bathroom of the little guest house, all video taped, of course. Pasqual, with tears in his eyes, says he loves me and chides me for not responding in kind. It just takes me awhile to work up to it. I repack the car and we are on the road by 4:15 Monday morning.
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| Sunday in Santa Fe |
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| With Tara and Pasqual in Santa Fe |
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| Ready to Leave |
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