Illinois Valley News

Lots of people have “vacations from Hell“ stories, so I thought I“d share a couple of mine, as we“re in summer vacation time, and I“ve got the time, but not the vacation. But maybe sometime.

Anyway, one of my first airline experiences was a bit trying. It was 1964, and I was traveling back to San Diego from Lake Tahoe, which included a transfer in San Francisco. At SFO we were told that there would be a delay of an hour because of a mechanical problem. Fortunately I had a book, which kept me occupied.

After an hour or so, it was announced that boarding would begin in approximately 30 minutes. Some 45 minutes later we began boarding. Then we were aboard. For around 45 more minutes, as our airplane remained stationary. We were then invited to “deplane“ and return to the terminal.

Another hour passed. Then another. Must have been quite a large mechanical problem. Finally we boarded, held our collective breaths, and the flight home at long last began. Thus, instead of arriving at the former Lindbergh Field terminal on Pacific Hwy. early in the afternoon, it was closer to 10 p.m. No special favors granted by the airline because of the delays, but we were home. And that“s what counted.

The one vacation trip that truly sticks in my mind occurred in 1970. Jan and I had decided to use our used “64 GMC van (forerunner to the Suburban) for a two-week trip through Arizona and New Mexico, with a stop in El Paso, Texas to visit relatives. The plan was to use our sleeping bags in the rig, and use a propane stove for cooking. That lasted two nights, after we awoke in northern Arizona with ice on the inside of our windows.

From then on we stayed in motels with kitchens, which nearly melted our BankAmerica card. The plastic also got a run for its money, so to speak, because the van decided to show its wear and tear.

This resulted in the electrical system being repaired in Albuquerque, N.M. That was followed by the exhaust and muffler system being replaced in Santa Fe. And on the way home to Poway, Calif. in San Diego County, we had to have the alternator replaced in Roads Fork, N.M.

The latter then consisted of an overpass, a truck stop, and a Chevron service station. Believe it or not, the food and service were great at the truck stop, which was recommended by the young guy at the service station. He also assured us that he had a rebuilt alternator for our vehicle, and that he“d do a good job and not overcharge us. And he didn“t lie.

A good ending to a somewhat trying trip. Too bad about the melted credit card though.

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