It is a small world

I know that Disney is like that is my ride you can’t use this but I have to say we live in a very small world where we run into people we know at random places and these places are not even in our hometowns. We even have the “6 degrees of Kevin Bacon” (most of us older people know this so we don’t have to find out on Wikipedia) and when these come up I will also chronicle them here in “It is a small world” area. The first two entries into “It is a small world” are from previous journeys that I have taken in my life one on my first trip to China and the second was the “FlatTed” tour.

May 15, 2024 – It is amazing how small of a world we live in and having social media allows it to be even smaller.  Lisa Fleming, a friend from high school posted that she, Rusty (her husband) and Dan (her son) were in Zion national park well so was I in Zion national park.  I tracked down her number and then called her.  She and her family were going to go into the park and wanted to come see the van and chat for a few minutes before they went hiking then back to Vegas.  Dan their son lives in Vegas and this trip was to see him.  We met at the visitor center and then walked to the van and had a nice chat.  I think I was doing all the talking and since I don’t see many people I sometimes get into stories and one leads into another.  I hope to see you again on the road or even in Bel Air.  Travel safe.

July 23, 2022 – As luck would have it, I finished the Caves and Dripstones tour and had walked across the mats towards the visitor center.  I then looked and said to myself that looks like Jim Loper and then all of a sudden the guy said my name.  It was Jim and his family they were here at the park on a little weekend getaway.  I have not seen Jim for over 10 years and to meet his wife and family is a great thing.  His son is a Sophomore in college and playing football.  HIs daughter is a senior in high school in Indiana.  Jim and his family on off to cave tours and I am doing adult stuff.  At 5:15 we will meet up again and look to go to dinner close by.  Dinner was wonderful as I got to enjoy Jim, his wife Betsy and kids Michael and Emily.  The night was amazing and it was had to say goodbye to them but they had an hour drive to their hotel.  Jim and the Loper family until we see each other again.

July 21, 2022 –  If the world was any smaller.  I was at the Indiana border this AM and heading to Mammoth Cave.  During the trip at a rest break I checked my Facebook feed for some reason and saw that my cousin, Jimmy, and his wife, Diane, were at the Louisville Slugger factory.  I had to call Jimmy to see how long he was going to be in Louisville and if we could meet up.  I left a voicemail for him and he texted me back a few minutes later.  As luck would have it they had left Louisville and were at Mammoth Cave for a tour and a night.  Their tour was at 4pm so I told him that I would meet them when the tour was over and we could chat/catch up.  We went and had a nice meal in town and I owe Jimmy $20 as I left my wallet in the van, he drove.  The time we spent together was wonderful but they are leaving early in the AM and I have a 0900 tour so I have to set an alarm to get up!  We said our goodbyes and I am looking forward to seeing them and another cousin in a few weeks at their home.  Gosh the world is so small, I just love it.

July 5, 2022 – Well I thought that I was not going to get another segment of Its a small world on this trip but I DID!  During a stop in the Badlands to view the awesome surroundings, I walked up a boardwalk and at the top were three people.  I went to taking some views and photos when one of the three noticed my Towson shirt.  She asked if it was Towson in Maryland and I said yes.  She said that her daughter is going to Towson and then it hit me I know this person.  I stated that her name was Lisa and it kinda freaked her out as she did not recognize me and asked who are you.  Well I introduced myself to Lisa and she was very taken back to know that a high school classmate of her’s from a little town in Maryland, Bel Air was in the Badlands at the same look as she and her husband, Todd, and daughter, Nicolle.  It seems that Lisa and her family are taking a 3 week vacation to places like Badlands, Yellowstone, and Grand Tetons.  We chatted for a bit and I found that they were camping in the park so I gave them my site number and said goodbye.  I offered for them to come by and chat when they were done exploring the park.  I look forward to catching up with Lisa, Todd and Nicolle tonight. Well as it turns out I also went to school with Todd, I am an idiot sometimes. During our chat last evening having an adult beverage I learned and felt horrible about not remembering that I went to school and graduated with Todd as well. I hope he forgives me and now we can be friends and enjoy hiking together. Todd has a blog, much better done than mine called BitHiker.blog. Check out the information on hikes, camping, gear and just enjoy his thoughts on the outdoors as I have started doing. Mrs. Williams, our English teacher, will love his writing much more than mine but we are both having fun.

June 6, 2022 – I was headed to Lassen Volcanic and had a few extra days.  I called a friend who I worked and more than 20 years had passed.  It just so happened she had moved to Napa, CA and it was on my way.  Well I have to say that I made the detour to see her.  We had two days and one night of joy talking about old times and new times.  It was so great to see her and she has not changed one bit but just has a bit longer hair now than before.  Deborah keeping being the same wonderful person you have always been and life will continue to be great for you.  Until next time. It is a small world.

July 9, 2021 – I was just finished getting groceries from the Wal Mart in Anchorage and I spotted a truck with Maryland tags on it pulling into a spot near me.  I was wearing a Towson shirt, but that is redundant as I always have something with Towson on it, and asked the young lady who got out of the truck where in Maryland she was from.  She said “Towson, I went to Towson.”  I told her that I also went there and played football and lacrosse.  She said, “My dad played lacrosse at Towson!”  I did not know her dad as he is out 6 years older than I am.  Then when we talked a bit more it turns out her mom was from Bel Air and went to Bel Air High.  So its a small world.

June 26, 2021, I was in my home town Baltimore for a wedding and went to the “after reception” place for an additional adult beverage. The wedding was wonderful and the reception was even more fun. It was so good to get out and have some contact with many people who I had not seen in a few or many years. The small world happened at the “after reception” at a place called Baracuda on Fort Ave. I did not realize that I had been to this place once before but when I walked into the place. The wedding had the second floor reserved for us and we did fill the second floor up with people. The event was winding down with me being one of the last ones. I was headed to the men’s room on the first floor when I looked at a patron sitting at the bar and realized that it was Dena, who I went to high school with a bunch of years ago. Dena is one year younger than I am but her sister Donna and I graduated with me. Dena did not recognize me at first but when she did it was an “OH MY GOD” moment. Dena and I ended up taking a few selfies together and sending them to a few mutual friends, at 1:30 in the AM. I have to say that I am sorry to Donna and Stacy for the late night texts but we were having fun. Dena and I caught up for about 45 minutes before closing time and we had to leave. It was so good seeing her for the first time in many years and catch up with her and her family’s ongoings. Dena until we meet again.

In January of 2021, I took an impromptu trip to Wrightsville Beach, NC. The trip was around getting the 10K checkup on Dundee in Memphis, TN then off to Greenville, SC to see some friends and finally some down time at the beach with friends. The first part of the trip to Memphis was easy and I got to spend the night in Dundee allowing me to make sure everything is where I want before I go on my long journey. The second night in SC was spectacular as I got to spend time with friends and their family just catching up and drinking great wine from Antica. We then switched to some reds that I don’t remember but were good. While at the beach, I went to the Oceanic Restaurant who had some great bar tenders. Note: Davin who only poured me one drink on Saturday remembered my name, and drink Sunday when I came back to watch some football. Back to it is a small world, on Saturday I was watching football and in comes two couples. They were sitting a social distance from me and I looked over and said to myself, “I know that guy over there but can’t remember his name” guess I am getting old. I then masked up and went over to him and said that I think I knew him and introduced myself. Well as luck would have it, I did know him and we worked together for five years before I started my National Park Tour. Justin then proceeded to introduce his brother, his brothers girlfriend and Justin’s own girlfriend. As luck would have it Justin’s girlfriend even remembered me from a meeting/education session I held when working. After catching up for a bit I went back to watching football and allowed Justin and his crew to enjoy a fine meal. It is a small world after all.

In 2014 on June 10, I was traveling from Pittsburgh, PA to Philadelphia, PA during the “FlatTed” tour and I called a friend on the phone. He asked where I was and I told him on the Pennsylvania Turnpike and near what exit. He then told me that he was just off the next exit and if I had time to stop I should see him. Well being gone from home for over 30 days at this point a random encounter with a known friend was too good to pass up. Well I stopped for a few hours, and we had so much fun. I would have stayed longer but the game with the Phillies was waiting. It is a small world for sure.

In 2003, while boarding a plane and sitting down the gentleman next to me asked about the ring I was wearing. It was my college class ring and it has lacrosse sticks (my first love) on the stone. I told him it was from Towson and that I had played lacrosse there and he said “me too!” When I asked him his name he told me his name was Chip. I had met Chip in 1990, when he was playing lacrosse at Towson and I was an alumni. It had been a few years and many miles from Towson to the flight we were on out of Chicago. Needless to say that the flight seemed to got on for only a few minutes while we chatted and got caught up on the happenings in our lives. It sure is a small world.

In 1995, I was working in Texas and an opportunity for me to travel to Beijing, China came upon me. It happened that I had a wedding on the day the trip was to leave and my friends Lucky and Heather said go to China as it will be wonderful experience. I am thankful for them saying that as it was a great experience. Over the years I have gone to China many more times but your first is always the best, at least that is what they say. Well my “it is a small world” happened when my flight from Beijing to Tokyo was delayed for over 13 hours! As you can image the connecting flight into the US from Tokyo was missed and now it was a scramble to find flights into the US as the flights were all booked. The airline decided it was best if they flew me to Hawaii and put me up in a hotel for 1 night then back to the US via LAX. When I arrived into Honolulu it was the AM but my body said it was night since the time difference between HI and China is 18 hours! Being that I had only 1 night and 2 partial days I sucked it up and off I went on my Hawaii adventure seeing this state for the first time. As luck would have it I decided that Pearl Harbor should be a stop for me. As luck would have it, I was viewing some of the history and a friend from Baltimore, MD who I know from working at Mt. Washington Tavern showed up. It happened that the was dating a flight attendant from United and they flew to Honolulu for a long weekend. As you can see this is a small world we live in.