ADAPT action — getting there
For the most part, I’ll start this out with Arlene’s views, then, add my own.
Saturday- Day One
Inquiring minds wanted to know:
where is Gene Spinning?
Where is Dean DeRusso?
Who has the van key?
Who is picking up the Taggart twins?
Is that really Michelle Schwartz in a baseball cap and blue jeans?
By 10:00am all questions were answered, and the forty-nine delgates of the Nation of Rochester were off to ADAPT in Washington, D.C. We arrived safe and sound late Saturday afternoon, greeted by Bruce Darling and the Hilderbrant clan. People checked into their hotel rooms, purchased the newest ADAPT gear (orange theme) and readied themselves for the FUN RUN.
Now, here’s my story:
I woke up at 3 am on that Saturday morning, and was downstairs waiting for Arlene by 5;30. She and here husband picked me up, and we arrived at the office. For about an hour, there was a sort of organized chaos as luggage was loaded into the van, and the bus was readied for those who would be going.
Finally, it was a little after 8 and we were off. I slept through most of the trip until we got to our halfway point at the Wegman’s in Williamsport, PA.
Grimmy and Alicia watch over me as I sleep
When we reached Williamsport, we were gathered together and given some shocking news: one of our own, Cindy Thrush had died that morning. I didn’t know Cindy well, but remembered her from previous ADAPT actions. She had been in my thoughts earlier, as I realized that she was not going with us, so the news of her death hit me hard, and made me realize once again, that nothing is promised. One has to live as if every day is the last. I do have one memory of Cindy, my last real and clear memory: Cindy dancing and performing at the Talent Show to “These Boots Are Made For Walking”. She was dolled up in a cute dress and high-heeled, knee-length leather boots. She was really enjoying herself, and that song was one of her favorites. That is what I’ll remember when I think of Cindy.
We had lunch at the Wegman’s, and I dragged Pat Taggart around the store with me while I searched for dried fruit and candy. She was a great sport about it. While waiting to get back on the bus, I had cool conversations with Nate and little Bryan, who has grown to be a truely delghtful little guy.
Back on the bus we got, and back to sleep I went. Sometime during the morning, Steve Menz had been booted out of his seat next to me by Pam Taggart, and Gimmy and Alicia were put on duty to watch me while I slept.
We finally pulled into DC about 6:30 pm, but the traffic was so bad that we didn’t get to the hotel until after 7. We were met by Bruce and Chris and his family. I went into the hotel, and got down to the business of greeting old friends, and procuring my ADAPT shirt. I was delighted to learn that I would be rooming with Arlene and Toni, and quickly got my things up to the room. As I finished, and prepared to leave, Arlene joked, “see you at the crack of dawn”. How prophetic that statement would turn out to be for the entire week!