Venting - Bev Russell, Library Director

(This column appeared in the April 8, 2007, Star-Herald)

This article should be titled "What I Did On My Spring Vacation". I actually finished two books in preparation for this article but did not find time during the week to write the article. It was what I did on my spring vacation that interfered! So today’s article is all about me sharing my "vacation" experience.

My husband teaches at Banner County Schools. He is one of the senior class sponsors and therefore, helped sponsor the Senior Trip last weekend. He asked me some months ago if I would like to go along. I did not think about the fun of riding a school bus millions of miles or getting up at 4:30 on a Sunday morning to leave on a trip with seventeen high school seniors. Noooo— I thought—Roger is retiring this year. This will be his last major trip with kids. I should share this experience with him. What’s the matter with me—AM I NUTS? I am currently having my family history checked for a strain of insanity that I am now sure must run through it.

We left Scottsbluff on Sunday morning at 5:00 and met the other sponsors and students in Harrisburg. Everyone commented on Roger being late. We were actually 10 minutes early according to my calculations, but I have one of those husbands who always arrives for everything 45 minutes early. In the thirty-plus years that we have remained married (this trip could change things) I have deliberately slowed my pace to make up for his. Before we were married, I arrived early too, but there comes a point when too early is just too early!

I had not taken a long ride on a school bus for many, many years. Let’s just chalk this trip up to a faulty memory. Anyway, among other things I forgot that school bus seats do not recline. Those babies sit straight up and down with no give in them. To say the least, I found it difficult to relax and "enjoy" the ride. I was not adequately prepared for this trip. I did not think to bring a pillow or "blankey". (I was loaned a pillow. God Bless you, Angie!) Furthermore, I am no longer twenty or thirty or forty or…never mind! Finding a position of comfort was not a possibility.

Oh, did I mention that the ride on a school bus is more akin to a lumber wagon than say a Mercedes. How soon I forgot. I made sure I had the seat right behind the driver but still… Oh, did I mention I suffer from motion sickness. School buses are excellent arenas for that ailment.

So, we drove to Denver and to the Eldora Ski Resort. I did not ski. I can only take so much pain on one trip. The kids were great. The bus driver was super. The other sponsors were fun. I shared a memorable experience with my husband. (Next time Roger, let’s take a Mediterranean Cruise. I hear they have pillows.) I survived and returned to work for my recovery; however, my book article did not get written. I did read two books on the trip. I had plenty of time to read. Next week, I will tell you about them. This week, I needed to vent. Have a Blessed Easter!

 

 

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