Sedona (first in a series) – Getting There

Growing up in a large family in the 1950’s and 60’s did not lend itself to taking family vacations for numerous reasons. It was a different time then. Of course there were some families who did, particularly as lifestyles morphed into the 60’s. I knew some kids whose families took driving vacations to Mt. Rushmore and there were kids who actually got to go to Walt Disney World in California. My husband’s family (of four, I might just point out) took a trip across the country through a majority of the 50 states. Such was not our lot. Once a year we all rode in the car to our cousin’s house, six miles north of town, on Christmas Eve. In those days, the cars were of such girth and seatbelts such a virtually unknown entity that, kids could sit in two layers in the back seat.

As adults with our own families, most of us managed to incorporate such trekkings into the lives of our own offspring. But travel en masse as siblings has eluded us for the decades of our existence.

Thus it has remained until this spring when, with the approaching summer nuptials of younger sister, Kali, set to take place in Arizona, a call to congregate was issued forth and various sets of travel plans began to intersect. Like a year ago February when we were gathered to celebrate my mother’s 75^th birthday and attempted to line up in birth order for a photograph, there is a certain ribald hilarity when grown-up siblings assemble in joint purpose. Midwest Airlines out of Milwaukee was the lucky recipient of a chunk of business for an early portion of the pilgrimage by a large portion of the pilgrims.

The silliness began with a 6:30 am rendezvous at the park ‘n ride located at the intersection of I43 and WI 164 . My brother-in-law John Rader, ferrying my sister, Peggy, my mother (hereafter referred to as Buscha) and my brother Jay arrived to transfer me and my bag from my husband’s car into the Rader white Dodge Caravan. I climbed in amidst a sunrise perkiness with all parties dressed in their “we’re on vacation” cutest and comfortable best.

We drove into the face of the rising sun and shortly thereafter de-vehicled in the daily rate parking structure at Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport. From there we strode through the various corridors, each of us toting our own piece of the agreed upon, carry-on only, luggage behind us. We passed through the Security check point with a fair amount of ease, everyone’s little plastic bag of non-explosive, potentially explosive, items passing muster and proceeded to an area near our gate where we could imbibe and breakfast to our individual tastes and await the arrival of others of our ilk, so to speak.

We were eventually joined by our brother Joe and his wife Cheryl, who are normally the most streamlined in numerous venues, surprising us with the news that Joe, the most seasoned traveler among us by nature of his work, had elected to check a bag in order to accommodate his suit jacket. Any shortcomings or potential weaknesses must always be scrutinized and chided before being allowed to pass in our family. Joe was issued his share.  Lastly, our sister Linda and her entourage, which included son Josh and girlfriend Amanda, and daughters, Liza and Leah, sauntered into our orbit. Because she was a member of the wedding party and having the largest contingent of people under one roof to assemble, Linda was granted some leeway in the luggage checking and time management department.

Our progress to the boarding area and actual boarding of the plane was accomplished with the customary amount of bustling over who’s watching whose things while restroom needs are accommodated, seat assignments rechecked, and pieces of gum distributed. I managed to take pictures of all of us in our seats with minimal embarrassment to those who would be embarrassed before take-off. Bon Voyage!

That’s me, sitting on brother Jay’s lap next to Buscha.  In front of us are Peggy and John and in front of them are Joe and Cheryl (there’s a better picture of Joe and Cheryl below.)



Linda’s son Josh and girlfriend, Amanda.



Linda with daughters Leah (far left) and Liza.



That little lady in orange poking her head up in back– has 11 children and 27 grandchildren.  Isn’t she cute? And this includes a better shot of Joe and Cheryl as promised.  Peggy and John in the middle 'der, never seem to take a bad picture.