Zion to Mary’s

Up at 5:30 AM to begin the 7 hour drive to Mary’s. Originally we needed to be there by May 21st, because we agreed we would be at Remi’s kindergarten walk on the 22nd. After I’d made all my reservations, the walk got changed, probably to the 26th. Arrrggg. I should have broken the drive into 2 segments, but I thought we could power on. Ha!

We stopped for coffee at River Rock Roasting Company’s drive through and bought 2 spicy corn and bacon quiche blossoms (a corn tortilla pressed into a gigantic muffin tin, then filled with quiche mixture) and 2 giant muffins. And the drive began.

We had made such good time, I opted to hop off I-15 to do a tour through downtown Las Vegas so Grant could see the Sphere. Back on the road. In Utah, the speed limit was 80mph. Here 65-70, but still fast. Plus, changing to Pacific time, we gained an hour. In fact, rather than having Mary pick us up at my original estimated 4:00, we would be there by about 1:00. Except she was at her doctor appointment. 

Much rearranging, and she was able to pick the kids, get us, and arrive at their swim lessons on time. We are doing so well.

All we need now is our passes to get on base. With our dear leader’s little excursion still running (13 weeks and counting), the bases are under heightened security. At least the waiting area has tents and chairs. The Marine next to us waiting with his mother said it takes 3 hours. We were inside the building in 2. Just as we filled out our forms at the intake window, the computer system when down. We waited an hour. It is 7:30. Two security Marines came and took pictures of a fancy set of switches, then placed a call, eventually pressing a button. Nothing. 

They begin offering 1 time passes good for the next hour. We would have to come back tomorrow, and START ALL OVER! No cut to the front of the line, nothing. Plus the line would be open to anyone, not just US citizens. Probably double the people looking for their pass. We waited another hour. We’re hungry and bored. We give in. Then, just as we load up, the computers come online. 20 minutes later, even waiting for the card machine to warm up, we had passes good for a year. 

I felt like the proverbial Mac truck had run over me. We probably ate something; I went to bed. The next day, I still felt exhausted - because I was. All afternoon as a nap. 

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