And then we went home.
Right after we got out of the stagecoach we got in our car and headed north to link up with I-70. We had six hours of driving plus stops before we got home. We stopped in Burlington, CO for dinner. From there it was it was straight home. We had planned to be home about 6:30 PM, but we were two hours late leaving Dodge City. We didn't care. It was still light when we got home.
It was a very enjoyable trip. There were a few hiccups and inconviences, but nothing that came close to spoiling the trip. We all had a great time and everyone experienced things that will last a lifetime. Isn't that why we travel?
Epilogue
We all agreed it had been a great trip, but maybe a day or two, too long. But, that was going to be tough to avoid, unless we wanted to drive even longer each day, and see nothing. This was the first trip I had taken my niece, Arielle, on and she was great. She helped out with her grandparents, especially grandpa. Jessi, both girls really, had to put up with the very back seat for all those hours. It was no wonder things got uncomfortable towards then end. But, Jessi did a great job managing the cooler and oxygen for Dad.
We all knew it would be the last time Dad would see his family. His brother Delbert passed away 18 months later in February 2005. Nine months later Dad contracted a particularly nasty strain of pneumonia and passed away on November 4th of that same year.
I had been working on a Family History book, but not as hard as I should. His death was the catalyst to complete it. I presented a copy to both of my Kretzer Aunts, siblings, Mom, and my daughters. Although I failed to dedicate it to anyone, it was definitely for Dad that I wrote it.
