We were at Memphis International at 1:30 P.M. on the appointed day and boarded our plane. A Northwest Airlines jet. As soon as we all got boarded, the pilot advised that we were going to have a delay due to the thunderstorm. After about 45 minutes we taxied to the end of the runway, only to sit for another 45 minutes due to ANOTHER thunderstorm. As soon as that storm cleared, the pilot said we had to return to the terminal for more fuel!! While we were refueling, the stewardess passed out drinks and pretzels. See something coming here? Right! Just as soon as we got glutted on pretzels and soda water, the pilot came over the intercom and said she had used all her cockpit time for the day and had to have a nap! This flight was CANCELLED!!!
Well, the next flight to Dayton was Saturday, just a little late. So we finally, after much badgering and bitching and threatening got out baggage and went to the car. My XYL asked what we were going to do and I said? "?We are going to drive to Dayton!"
"No", says she, "These are non-cancellable tickets and we will lose the money on the return flight!"
"?W?e?l?l?, in that case",? ?s?a?y?s? ?I, "Come on, we're taking a taxi to the Greyhound depot"
So, after a $35.00 taxi ride across Memphis, we left the car at the airport so it would be there when we got home, we arrived at the bus station. I paid $214.00 for two bus tickets to Cinncinatti. We left Memphis at exactly 8:00 P.M., went via Nashville, Louisville, Booger Hollow, Pumpkin Center, Whistlestop Utah, and I don't know how many other places all the while listening to this little bug-eyed Mexican kid screaming at the top of his lungs for the next 12 hours.????? Arriving at Cinncinatti, I called Hertz and told them i had a car reserves at Dayton airport, could I pick it up there? Sure, sez they, for only $135.00 per day. Another $40.00 and back on another bus to Dayton. We arrived there at 12:30 P.M., took another $35.00 taxi ride to the Dayton airport to get our car. The car rental went off without any problem, so we drove all the way back across Dayton to our motel. We got to the room and my XYL said she was going to tale a nap, so I said I am going to that hamfest for a little while.
Got to the hamfest and stayed about 45 minutes before my eyelids got droopy, so I went back to the motel and crashed.
Saturday. Awoke to the whole entire Atlantic and Pacific oceans falling on our heads. Went to the hamfest by way of WayMart to get rain gear. We got to the fest, I situated my XYL in the bleachers in the Arena and sloshed my way thru the flea market. One thing about it, I had it to myself!. I shopped til about noon, bought a couple hundred pounds of junque and went to find Elaine to go back to the car and get a bite to eat. Ate at Appleby's. quite a nice place and we rentuned to the fest to pick up some old radio shows on cd. Still raining cats and dogs, so I decided to go back to the motel and try it a bit more on Sunday.
The Hells Angels SSTV Net group had a blast of a supper Saturday night, actually the high point of the entire trip. See the pictures.....
Sunday, we awoke to no rain! However due to the difference in time zones, we only had one hour to get the car back or pay another day. No more hamfest for me. Made it back, turned in the car with 3 minutes to spare, sat around a couple hours, flew to Cleveland, sat around three more hours. I did eat a $8.00 hamburger and washed it down with a $6.00 beer. Finally got on the jet back to Memphis. However, after we had been in the air for about 45 minutes, I began to notice the sun coming in the left planr windows, then the right windows, then left, then right and so forth. Pilot came over the intercom and said there was a bad thunderstorm in Memphis and we were circling Evanston, Indiana to see if it cleared. Deja Vu all over again! It did finally clear and we got back to Mempho about dark. Paid another $50.00 to get my car outta parking and CAME-THE-HELL-HOME!!!
