The day before I had to work then PTA had questions. I had been asked to attend as I had some of the answers. There was packing to do for all of us. I had been doing laundry, trying to stay up on the clean clothes to make packing easier. Trevor's fall back is just to take clothes out of his father's suitcase while we travel. It was a long day with everyone wound up and excited for the trip to begin.
I was having a hard time deciding what to pack. Nascar is a blue jean and tee shirt affair. But I am a dress up girl. I couldn't meet a celebrity wearing just casual clothes. I packed some dress slacks as my compromise.
The suitcases are put in the trunk of the limo. It is pitch dark still, now that it is October. We are bundled up in jackets against the cold. I find the oldies station 106.7 to listen to on the ride.
I can't help feeling that heart strings in my chest. The thin wire that travels up the rib cage through the back of the neck to behind the ears. Your sinuses feel full and your eyes start to water when the string tightens. We wouldn't be doing this trip if Riley were not facing such a serious illness. We are mid way through treatment with that dark cloud hanging over us always. I watch the boys enjoying the limo ride.
We arrive at the airport to be greeted by one of our make a wish contacts. Its 7:00 am and she is bright and cheerful and there to assist us with check in. AAh, to have that energy and youth again. After we get our tickets we say goodbye to our escort. We get through security without incident.
Trevor was in the middle of a library book at home. I banned him from taking it on the trip and he refused to start another book while he was in the middle of this one. I told him we would try and find a copy at Powells book store at the airport. No such luck. This particular book was not available. We found some alternatives. Pretty soon I am trying to find room for a stack of books for every member of our little party. Riley wanted Homer's The Odyssey since they are starting that next at school. Powell's didn't have a copy at this store so he picked two other books as alternative reading. We ended up with a heavy pile.
Tom meanwhile has gone off to find a coffee. We join him at Gustavs for a quick breakfast for the boys. Trevor orders a croissant sandwich with eggs and ham. Riley has a huge french toast platter.
We are schlepping our bags through the airport. US Airways charges $25 to check bags. If you take the bags all the way to the gate and check them at the plane, there is no charge. $25 per person buys us more souvenirs later.
In my bag is a duffel rolled up. So we have a spare bag for goodies on the way home. I had to laugh at Riley. As we unloaded the limo, out came his 50 pound backpack. He had brought everything from school, in case he found time to study. He was dragging that heavy bag with him across the country. I wouldn't want to carry it.
Riley voluntarily brings his work. Trevor tried to leave his on the table at home, but I saw it and grabbed the homework for later. Trevor is not happy to hear his assignments made the trip.
Once on the plane, we get settle in. Maintenance is in the cockpit, but I am told by one of the attendants that when we land in Philadelphia, if Riley would like to come up and see the pilot, he is welcome.
Some how I got lucky. My seat is on the aisle across from Tom and the boys. Tom has to sit in the middle between them. I am loving the space. The plane is full. I don't think there was a first class seat available had Tom tried to get an upgrade, which he usually likes to do.
The flight attendant comes by with drinks and snacks. Its plane food, but it will hold us all for the flight. Trevor orders candy cookies and chips, any one of those snacks should have been sufficient. Riley orders the fruit and cheese. Tom orders the turkey bagel. I know there will be left overs so I wait. Tom gives me his yogurt that came with is sandwich. Riley doesn't like the cheese, but when I try it, neither do I. I skip Trevor's junk food.
Trevor slips off his shoes and makes himself comfortable. I chuckle with relief that it is not me in the middle, as the boys reach across their father to share food. I still don't know how I managed to get the seat by myself, but I am loving it.
When we land in Philly, we wait for the plane to unload then go forward to the pilots cabin. They see us coming and say hear comes the make a wish family. We are all wearing our buttons and Riley has his shirt on to identify him. The pilot lets the boys sit in the pilot seats. Riley is impressed by the many buttons and controls. The cockpit looks nothing like the experimental plane he flew in May.
We have a connection to make so we can't linger. We hustle down the concourse. Trevor tells us he is hungry. I tell the boys that once we get to our next connecting gate their father will let them eat. He just likes to know where he needs to be first.
The connecting flight is delayed by a half hour. We have time to feed the bellies. A fast food pizza shop is close by. Riley and I had gate checked our luggage in Portland. They checked it all the way through to Charlotte, so we no longer had to deal with our luggage. Tom still had his and so did Trevor. I kept Riley's pills in my purse for safe keeping. Tom also had some in his bag just in case.
We take off at 7:00pm. The pilot says there was a loose piece of rubber on the plane that had to be dealt with per FAA regulations, which was why the delay and then paperwork had to be signed clearing the plane's repairs.
We land in Charlotte. It is warm. My coat is now in the way. We are greeted at the Charlotte airport by two local chapter Make a Wish members. Mellisa is a volunteer. Her sister was a Make a Wish child when she was younger. Mellisa's sister did not survive. Jaime was the other greeter. Both had rich southern accents and warm welcomes. They helped us get our bags and processes our rental car. Everything ran smoothly with their assistance.
We headed out to Concord where the hotel and track are located. The directions are good and we find the Marriott Springhill suites without issue. There is a message at the desk to call the Make a Wish coordinator as soon as we check in. Just to let her know we have arrived safely. She will connect with us in the morning. She also let us know we are meeting Dale Jr the next day. It is 10:00 at night. We haven't got our souvenirs yet to be signed.
There was a big bag of gifts waiting for Riley in our hotel room. collector cars from Dale Senior and Dale Jr. Tom and Riley ooh and aah. I ask the hotel concierge if there is a store around still open. Riley needs his yogurt for his pills. I am told there is a 24 hour super walmart just down the road.
Perfect. One thing I have learned from my travels is walmart usually has everything you need. I bought swim suits in December once when our hotel had a pool and I forgot to pack one. This walmart not only had the brand and flavor of yogurt Riley likes, but a whole section of Nascar clothes.
I buy collared shirts for everyone with their favorite driver numbers on them. They will look very respectable meeting Dale Jr. For Trevor I get a black polo with the #3 for Dale Sr. Tom has to be a Jeff Gordon fan so I get him a pit crew button down for Gordon's #24 crew in red. Riley finds a green National Guard polo with #88. I find myself a #88 girl's t-shirt with Rhinestones embedded in the number. We will look very supportive and respectable at tomorrow's meet and greet. I wont need to stress appearance
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