Pandemic: Road Trip

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On June 3 we were to be flying from New York to London arriving June 4 with an overnight stay at Heathbrow. Our traveling companions Randy, my brother, and Chris, our sister-in-law would depart for Portugal on June 5. We would be headed to Rome. On the 5th we were to meet my son, Craig, and his family, Nicole, Olivia, Evan, Ella. Craig had arranged a private tour of the Vatican. On the 6th his family was departing. Sandy and I were to have visited Rome until June 9 when we were scheduled to reunite with Randy and Chris at Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris.

June 10-11 in Paris. June 12 we Chunnel to London. June 13-15, we enjoy London including watching the St, Louis Cardinals vs Chicago Cubs game on June 14. The trip was thoroughly planned by brother Randy. Tickets purchased. Accommodations selected. Deposit money paid.

Then came Covid-19, and what is now described as a pandemic. By June 30, more than 10,000,000  have gotten the virus worldwide. More than 2.6 million have contracted the virus in the United States, with more than 128,000 deaths. Advice to American citizens, stay home, avoid crowds, where a mask.

Sandy and I have stayed home, avoided crowds, and worn a face mask when in grocery stores for the past four months. We haven’t been ultra-conservative and extremely safe as some we know, but we have not been dismissive either. We have been to a few outdoor restaurants and we do shop for groceries a few times every week. We visit friends. I play golf weekly with my friend Gerry and Tom. Sandy still volunteers weekly to feed the poor. We feel safe

So, now comes an opportunity and a dilemma. Emily will have foot surgery July 7. Sandy and I want to be there to help with Amaya, our six-year old grand-daughter. We also want to see Brian and Fisher, Kelly and Mark, Kerry and Kris, Rumi, Teo, Sienna, and Seba. Should we fly? Should we drive? Should we go or stay home? For the past thirty days we have asked those same questions. We have had numerous conversations with our kids, our family, and our friends. Every person has a different opinion. Each day we wavered. We are going for sure. No, we are not going. Yes, definitely going. No, we changed our mind.  Well, maybe.

We bought airline tickets. We cancelled airline tickets. We bought a new car, a 2020 Subaru Outback equipped with all of the new safety eyesight gear. We are going to test it out. We depart Tuesday June 30. Destination, Anacortes Washington, approx. 2150 miles. First scheduled stop, Omaha, Nebraska. Stay tuned. We’ll let you know what it’s like to road trip during a pandemic.

DAY 1

I got out bed by 7am. Sandy had her first cup of coffee by then, which was like any other day. After one cup of home brew Java we turned on Miranda Esmond White, Classical Stretch. By 8am we had finished the 20-minute stretch exercise. I took a quick shower. We finished packing and we were out the door only to be met by a torrential  downpour. I was soaked just getting to the car. Fortunately, we had loaded the majority of our bags the night before. Two back-packs fully packed and a food cooler was the last loaded. I dried out at our first stop just a block away. We needed a full tank of gas to start the day.

The Subaru highway ride was the first thing we noticed. It was better than our previous Legacy sedan. The thunderstorm continued for another 15-minutes with rain flowing off the windshield with ease. The day on the road was mostly uneventful, save this. We were listening to music from the 1970’s for an hour when Sandy said, “ I don’t remember any of these tunes”. Of course not, she had a baby in 1970, another in 1972, two more in 1974 and 1975 and the a fifth one in 1979. The 70’s were a blur. Craig, Brian, Todd, Kelly and Brent were all born in the 70’s. If any of you reading this can fill us in on what happened between July 1970 and December 1979 please let us know.  

Back to the trip. We had a nice lunch stop at a little park near Blue Springs, Missouri. It was called Burr Oaks State Park. This was just the kind of place we sought. It had a covered picnic bench with wooded area for ambiance.

We arrived Omaha, Nebraska at 4pm. After a quick unload of essential bags we headed out for a nice walk through the Old Market Square downtown Omaha, If it wasn’t for the pandemic this place would be rock’en. Despite our objective of avoiding restaurants we couldn’t pass up the Upstream Brewery with outdoor seating. There were only two tables occupied. We were at least 30 feet apart from everybody accept the waiter.  Good meal. Good brew. Time for bed. Tomorrow, our destination is Cheyenne, Wyoming.   

DAY 2

Omaha, Nebraska to Cheyenne, Wyoming is 498 miles on Highway 80 West. After we passed Lincoln I cant remember seeing anything except farm land. To be fair to Nebraska we did find a little park to have lunch called Sandy’s Creek.

  • Lunch at Sandy’s Creek
  • Wyoming Brewery

So, now we are in Wyoming in time to a beer at Daniel Mark’s Brewery.

   Day 3

I forgot to mention what it’s like staying in hotels during the pandemic. In Omaha we stayed at a Hyatt. Very clean, very safe. The morning breakfast was served in a box. We selected yogurt, hard boiled egg, cereal, milk, orange juice, blueberry muffin and coffee. In Cheyenne we stay at a modern Tru-Hilton. The breakfast was individually served hot scrambled eggs, sausage, juice, and coffee. For dinner last night we shopped at Safeway to purchase chicken and fruit and a nice salad. We ate in the hotel room to avoid people.

As I write this, Sandy is driving and I am the passenger. We are both drinking Wild Pony Coffee. The terrain is wild west mountain foothills. Horses who live in Nebraska would definitely prefer Wyoming. In fact, I note the cattle, deer, antelope, and horses all seem to wear a smile. They like it here.

The speed limits in Wyoming on Highway 25 are 80 mph and it takes time to get used to. Sandy sets the cruise control at 77 mph, her comfort level. As a passenger I notice how many camper van’s we have passed along the highway. Evidently, American families are hitting the roads this summer. I’m afraid our National Parks will be packed. We are taking the shortest path to Anacortes avoiding parks which means we will skip our favorite destinations in the US like Jackson Hole, Wyoming, Yellowstone, and Glacier National Park in Montana. We will skip all tourist destinations—just drove past Custard’s Last Stand battlefield in Wyoming without slowing down. Zoom by at 80 mph. It’s gone in minutes The drive through Wyoming into Montana is beautiful. The snow-capped Rockies are in clear sight and fast approaching. We will be passing over the mountains tomorrow. For tonight it’s a steak dinner and beer at a very safe outdoor restaurant called Ale Works in Bozeman, Montana. Lights out soon. Good night all.  

Day 4.

For the first time in my life I wish I had learned to be a fly fisherman. As we roll through the mountains of Montana, we pass Billings, Bozeman, Butte. All along the way we see inviting fly-fishing streams parallel to the highway. A far as scenery goes Montana gets an A plus. This has been a gorgeous traveling day. Mountain temperatures from 58 degrees up to 82 degrees. Blue sky. Powder white clouds.

The highlight of the day is stopping in Missoula, Montana. The last time we came through Missoula we were heading south from Glacier National Park and off to our right we saw a grizzly bear running down the mountain side. No such luck on this pass through. We did, however, find a nice river side Boone-Crockett conservation area to sit down and have our lunch. The fried chicken purchased in Cheyenne has provide lunch for three days in a row.

I did the bulk of the mountain driving today. But Sandy started off the morning drive. At one point she reached 88 mph to pass before she noted the OMG speed. Yes, you read it right! Sandy was the first person to drive 88 mph! I calmly sipped my coffee.

According to automotive research 32% of all pickup trucks are the color white. Then 28% are silver or grey. Sandy and I can verify these facts via our drive today when without doubt or exaggeration we believe we passed every white truck in America. I believe drivers in Wyoming, Montana, Idaho and Washington have bought all of the available stock of White trucks. If you want to buy a pickup truck you will have to order black, red or blue. The White ones are all out west.  

Now, on to other important facts when driving west during the pandemic. We just passed the beautiful city of Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho. Sandy is driving to Spokane or beyond as I type on my computer while sitting in the passenger seat. I know we could have flown to Seattle in 4 hours but when you drive you see sights you’ve never seen before. Today has been a special day of witnessing God’s beautiful creation. As we drove, we passed a Moose crossing, Little Black Feet River,  Beaver Tail Camp Grounds, a sign telling me where to get my Elks tag and another place offering to buy my antlers. But, alas, we have no antlers.

Tonight, we settle in at a Holiday Inn Express in Ellensburg, Washington. We have traveled far beyond our planned drive for the day. Tomorrow, July 4th, we will have a 2 ½ hours drive to Mount Vernon, WA.

Day 5.

Happy 4th of July everyone. To friends and family who live in St. Louis we want you to know its 58 degrees at 8am. It may get into the 80’s as we travel throughout the day. The evening temperature forecasted for tonight is near 50 degrees.

What a spectacular morning drive through the Cascade Mountains! We can see a snow-capped Mount Baker as we head westward. We are driving through the Wenatchee National Forest with the Mount Baker National Forest just south of us. We go through the Snoqualmie Pass with Mardee Lake off to our left, babbling mountain streams follow the road off to our right. The speed limits have dropped to 70 aa we cut through the forest mountains.

We did it! We arrived in Mount Vernon at 11:15 this morning. Kerry, Sienna, Seba and their new dog, Coot, greeted us. Kristen is working today. He is Captain of a boat used as the barge which will launch a $20,000 fireworks show at Friday Harbor tonight. Kelly and Mark have taken their boat up to Friday Harbor for the weekend. So, they with Rumi and Teo will see the fireworks from their boat. 

We have settled in at the Potlatch house on the Westshore of Guemes Island. Our view for the next few weeks will be ocean front with Cypress Island off to the west.

Sandy enjoyed gathering fresh greens, carrots, cucumber, peapods, raspberries from Kerry’s garden and Kelly’s garden. We will also enjoy fresh eggs tomorrow morning thanks to Kerry’s chickens. These are the best eggs I have ever eaten.

Dinner is almost ready. Wild Salmon over our home-grown garden salad. Add a beer. Perfect meal. Stay tuned. I’ll probably add more to the blog weekly rather than daily now that we have arrived.

HAPPY 4th of July 2020 to all. Relax and Enjoy!

Be Calm-this too will pass

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To all my family and friends who are in a panic….please calm down.

March 21, 2020 The corona virus has killed 793 people in one day in Italy. In the United States California, New York, Illinois governors have ordered residents to remain in their homes except for essential employees and businesses. Most expect other States to do the same. Large population city mayors have issued similar directives.

Our economy is in havoc. The stock market has lost 35% in the past three weeks. People are being asked to work from home. Schools are shut down. Restaurants and bars closed. Many people who live from pay check to pay check are losing their jobs. These are tough times.  Yet, if we all do what we are being asked to do by limiting exposure to other people our country will survive. This major catastrophic ordeal will pass in two weeks, four weeks, two months, who knows when, but, be certain, it will pass.

Here’s a quick look at history…

While economic and market statistics are ever changing, history is the best guide we have to inform and educate ourselves during uncertain times.  Whether it is the Great Depression, World War II, Vietnam, the ‘70s malaise, the 1987 recession, the bursting tech bubble, catastrophic events such as the September 11 terrorist attacks, or the most recent housing foreclosure crisis and severe recession, media mania would have you believe that all is lost. When, in fact, in every case, we not only survived these catastrophic events we came out stronger and healthier as a nation despite them. We will prevail once again.

Consider this: In a December 1984 Time Magazine cover story, “Banking Takes a Beating” detailed the fallout from deregulation of banks.  “Bankers now face their most strenuous survival since the Great Depression,” wrote the authors.  “Because of poor management, overzealous lending and some bad luck, commercial bank profits have been battered.”  As Mark Twain once observed, “History does not repeat itself, but it does rhyme.”

Then came “The Crash” on October 19, 1987.  Time Magazine’s cover story was titled “Panic Grips the Globe.”  On Black Monday, the Dow Jones Industrial Average plunged 22.6% in one day.  Within days of the crash, however, the Dow had recovered almost half its losses.  The year ended on a positive note, with an annual 2.3 percent return.

As for fundraising specifically, what happens in times of crisis?  Once again, let’s look at history.  Past trends help us understand what may occur the remainder in the future.

One important source for understanding the relationships among giving, the economy and crisis is The Chronicle of Philanthropy.  In a recent article, this respected publication highlights 13 major events that have had a serious impact on the economy since 1940.  All of these, it would appear, were more catastrophic than our present recession.  In each case, the U.S. stock market generally recovered within a year to eighteen months. While full recovery make take longer this time we are already on the mend.

This is a time to remind ourselves that we live in a land of enormous wealth and extraordinary opportunity. We can believe the newspaper headlines and television hype claiming that greed has crippled our economy. Or, you can look at the facts

  • our markets have not ceased to function;
  • our economy has not collapsed;
  • commerce still continues for all essential goods and services;
  • more than 90% of Americans are employed;
  • most companies are still operating aggressively; and
  • most non-profit organizations are continuing their fundraising plans
  • many non-profit organizations will exceed their goals this year

And, by the way, many more American will not get COVID-19 than those who will get it. Of those who do get the virus 97% will recover.

Philanthropist John Templeton, when asked about the economy, said “No one should feel so conceited as to know the answer.”  So, we will make no effort to predict the economic conditions for 2020 and beyond we do believe now is the time to strengthen our resolve, to be motivated by our purpose, and to be excited by the many important projects that we have the good fortune to be engaged.

PS

Volunteers are the only human beings on the face of the earth
who reflect this nation’s compassion, unselfish caring, patience
and just plain love for one another – Erma Bombeck

What don’t you spend some idol time thinking about what you have rather than what you have lost. Consider how you can help someone else who is far more unfortunate that you are. Use your talent and expertise to help someone other than yourself.

 

 

 

Dear Mom and Dad

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January 10, 2009 White House Retreat

Dear Mom and Dad,

I am sitting in my room at White House Retreat on this cold, windy and cloudy day. I have been thinking about both of you since my arrival Thursday night.

The purpose of this letter is to tell you that I love you. We don’t say “I love you” very often or ever in the Shasserre family even though our love is implied through our actions. But, I do love you. And, I want you to hear those words and I want you to feel my embrace, no handshakes.

Let me share some memories. One story that I treasure is when I was four or five. Mom found me lying on the floor peeking under the back door. We were living on Lotus Avenue in Wellston. Mom asked what I was doing. I replied, ‘I’m seeing if it bees’ summer times out there”.

Summer was always special. I remember whiffle ball games with Terry O’Rourke and others played in the backyard on Overland Drive, And, that led to my first little league team, the Lager Cubs, with games played at Legion Field. I remember my first hit was a triple. It would have been a homerun except I missed third base and had to go back to tag up.

I remember making a Missouri All-Star team and playing against the Illinois team at Busch Stadium one year. I got to bat once and was hit by a pitch. Our second base was located at the edge of a Major League pitching mound, so I must have been eight or nine years old.

I can remember so many summer baseball games and practices played at Legion Park, Iveland grade school, and of course ABC park.

But, do you know what I remember most? I remember Dad….you were my coach. And, Mom, you were always in the stands—watching–my one-person fan club.

Do you remember my broken nose? Ron Hunt (NY Mets) was a high school player umping our game played at Iveland field. I was playing second base, covering first because of a bunt. Jerry Wasser, our pitcher, fielded the bunt and threw the ball low to first. The ball bounced directly to my nose. Busted it in seven places. Dad took me to the hospital and then went home to sleep. But, Mom came back to spend the night at my bedside to give me pre-surgery courage.

One of my favorite ABC park stories goes back to when Dad would take me to a field in St. Ann’s to survey the grounds before ABC park was built. It was he, Mel Schaeffer, Gene Lager, Jack Clark, Bill O’Connell and a handful of other men who were responsible for the Athletic Boys and Girls Club. They volunteered their time on weekends and then, after long difficult hours at work during the week they worked to design the fields, build concrete dugouts, put up lighting poles, fencing and concession stands.

And, one of my proudest childhood memories was seeing my Dad, selected to climb the fire engine ladder to install the light bulbs on the first ABC fields to offer night time baseball.

Dad, did anyone ever thank you for volunteering so many hours of your spare time, and working so hard to help build that stadium so that we kids could play ball? I want to thank you now for all of those efforts so that Tom, Randy, Tim and I could play ball. And, Judi could enjoy her role as bat-girl for your Wrangler teams.

Mom, I want to thank you for washing my uniforms, fixing my meals, and driving me wherever I needed to go so I could play baseball. A game I still love today.

I have another childhood memory that may surprise you. I remember, the two of you, Ted and Betty Shasserre, mapped out bus route for All Souls grade school. It was the two of you who started the bus system for all the kids at All Souls. You also managed the communications process, took all of the phone calls, and handled all of the complaints.

Probably you were never adequately thanked for this generosity. After working long hours as a carpenter, Dad found time, and you with three or four kids underfoot in those days, found time to make this bus system a priority. Thank you.

As I look back on the past, from grade school to high school, from college days to my time in the Army, and from my early days as an adult until now I will always recall you were at my side. Just as you are now there for your grandchildren’s and great-grandchildren’s sporting events and rodeo’s, you were there for all of your children when they needed you most.

I remember summer vacations to Pikes Peak, Garden of the Gods, and Seven Falls in Colorado. I remember the trip to Des Moines, Iowa climbing the Capital staircase to the top. And, I remember the Wisconsin Dells and Bagnell Dam trips. I won’t forget Trout fishing at Bennett Springs. I think all of your six kids have fond memories of those times. I don’t know if any of us said “thank you” so I’ll do it now, knowing that each of us loved to be with you at moments like these.

So, Mom and Dad, now that you have reached the golden years I hope that you can look at your life with a sense of satisfaction and gratitude. In your lifetime together as husband and wife you have accomplished some amazing things. You have provided food and clothing, a comfortable home, a Catholic education, and a lifetime of caring, nurturing, and teaching for your children. You have passed along your values of honesty and generosity to your children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Please take some joy and satisfaction in knowing that you are great parents – your life matters. Your legacy will live beyond you. You will never be forgotten. You are loved today and will always be loved. Thanks for every good memory.

Love, Dan

 

Post Script: Mom, Betty, died January 17, 2010. Dad died October 5, 2018. They never received this letter. It has remained in my handwritten journal until today.

My hope, now, is that my Shasserre siblings and all of the grandchildren and great grandchildren that bare our name will never forget to embrace each other with loving hugs and we will tell our children and grandchildren that we love them.