It was 2 weeks ago when Donna & Lil came here to stay overnight. Next morning (Mon), we left at 6 am to Sommerset, Pa. & stayed 2 nights at Kathy's house. I drove at least 11 hours there, only stopping for gas & potty. Got my very first speeding ticket in Indiana 1/2 mile before a toll. In Illinois there is no slower speed limit to toll booths. Everyone speeds up to them, stop fast, & take off fast. Why In. posted 45 mph almost a mile from toll no one knows. Cop said he clocked me at 59 1/2 mile away from toll.
Got there 6:30 (1 hr ahead their time) in drizzle & cold. Tues, Kathy took us to Johnstown where in late 1800's a dam broke & flooded many towns killing over 2,000 ppl. It was a nice tour.
Then she took us to Fl. 93 crash site - only couple miles from her. It was very gloomy that day...several ppl there but all were very quiet.
The hole has been filled in & now is grass. The red line points to a US flag marking what was the hole from crash. No fence by us but no one walked ther -off limits. I wish they left the holeas it was.
These are benches with names of all who died. Benches are facing crash site.
That is a huge wall of things ppl left behind...hats, T shirts, pins..everything you can imagine. Here's a closer shot.
The other side of wall
Front again
There were many plaques like this all over ground, many with fresh flowers
This is a table of little things including small toys that children left behind. I even saw a class ring, watches, & other jewelry.
An attendant in shed said it was a miracle that the flight was 40 minutes late which gave passengers time to know about trade center etc. They knew they were doomed & took over.
Wed. all 4 of us went to Atlantic City & stayed at Trump Marina for 2 nights. Kathy took her car too, so we were 2 per car. S'posed to be 5 hr drive, but Kathy got lost few times so it was 8 hr drive - I followed her. I didn't want to go but Donna & Kathy like the slots. Kathy used her points to pay for the room so it was a freeby. All 4 of us crammed in 1 room was no fun!!
Thursd. weather got ugly & very windy. Kathy wanted to show us the Boardwalk & we had dinner there.
A very rough ocean - taken from boardwalk aroun 4:30 pm.
That's where I broke my arm at about 7 pm...using 2 hands & lots of muscle to open a door, when you got it open, everything went horizontal -- hair, jackets, purses. I stumbled in jokingly, like the wind blew me in but tripped on carpet & flew forward. Arm strait out to catch the fall. It took full impact & I heard a loud crack. Everyone was laughing thinkingI did it on purpose. When I tolkd them the crack was my wrist (they heard it) faces fell. 2 hours later back at hotel, I dicided to take the jitney (?) - a little bus to E room. Hotel wouldn't give me ride - said they had no ace bandages but would call an ambulance & pick me up. Bus took me 1/2 block from E room. Geeze, it looked like all the locals were there & rough looking. Bad neighborhood..big security guy & a locked steel door to register. Dr. casted me up & I waited 45 minutes for my ride back (it was only 5 min. away) Got to hotel almost 1:30 a.m. Fri. I knew the 3 were sleeping, so I ordered a big martini (free when playing slots), put a 20 in slot & cashed out $98.00. Up at 5-5:30 packed up & then drove to Va Beach. I was surprised I was able to drive! I just hung my fingers over the wheel to keep arm elevated. Got Rx for 10 pain pills, but didn't take any while driving. Donna rode with me & was my map person. Holy Cow, that long bridge & tunnel under water was something!!! We took a wrtong turn after bridge & got lost a few times, but got back on. I slowed down many times waiting for Kathy..letting cars pass me. She chose to stay 10 -15 car lengths behind & wouldn't catch up. I was going less than limit till Donna said "just go" so I did. Was s'posed to get to hotel about 5 but went past restaurant where everyone was to have dinner about 7 & just drove to hotel to check in. Kathy got there moments later FURIOUS at me cuz she got lost & couldn't find a place to pee. ha ha ha ha Well, she CHOSE not to keep up & had same directions. Apparently she was screaming & yelling & poor Lil was so upset she was crying. Well,excuse me but me & Donna got lost for awhile & we didn't yell at @ other. I only slept 3 hours on a fresh broken arm & drove over 9 hours! Because of her I missed the Dinner I was looking FWD to!
We stayed there 3 nights - 2 diff rooms & our own beds!!!! Left there Mon am & weather was great. Back to Pa (1 more night at Kathys) & Tues am left for MKE. Me & Donna took turns driving, but I did most. Pain was getting worse plus whiplash came on the night after expo. Took 13 hours to get home!!! Hit Chicago rush hour. Missed the bypass & ended up along I 94. took 2 1/2 hrs to move 5 miles!!!! Was like being in a Alfred Hitchcock movie. All freeways & hi ways there were backed up for miles bumper to bumper.
I'M IN MORE PAIN NOW THAN I WAS THE FIRST 2 DAYS I BROKE MY ARM.
THAT & WHIPLASH IS THE PITS
Thank you for letting me scream...it felt good.
