Day out

Yes you read it correctly, June 28 I had a day out and what a day out.
We went to meeting of American cars, an about 30 minutes drive from here. The parents of Henk also came along and a friend of Henk and a friend of that friend. My parents unfortunately couldn't, because the next day they were married for 35 years and they went out eating with my sisters. I can't go out eating because my many allergies, I can't eat anything there and then you also got my allergy for perfume and stuff.

A few weeks earlier I started with the preparations. This means a lot of resting, no phone calls, no visitors, no contact with odours and of course no outing not even for a few seconds. Therefore I could go out that day.
Because we had heard that you could better arrive at the opening time otherwise you are stuck in traffic, we left on time. At 10 o'clock the terrain opened and so everyone was at 09.30h at us (yawn that's early). Henk had already put everything in the car (my stretcher, blanket, pillow, cool box with food and something to drink, my urifem and toilet paper). Then I got in the wheelchair, stepped into the car and on the backseat, wheelchair in the car and we left with 2 cars following us. It was real easy to find and in a half hour we were there. We were allowed to enter the terrain and with rabbit, because we have an American car. The others behind us had to park their car somewhat further on and had to pay the normal price, because they had a normal European car.
It was real cool, everyone looked of course at our car as we entered the terrain. They showed us a parking spot, because we wouldn't stay the whole day our parking spot was a bit in the back. While Henk grabbed my wheelchair, we waited for the others and as she arrived we started checking out the terrain.
We first went inside checking the stands, because now it wasn't busy yet and so I could stand with my wheelchair in front so I could see everything real good. After 45 minutes Henk and I went back to our car so I could rest for an hour. We had agreed this upfront, because otherwise I wouldn't last for long. The rest walked on and went their own way. After an hour of rest back into the wheelchair and we went checking again. There would be a show with a Bigfoot which I really wanted to see, so we went on time to that terrain so I could stand in front with my wheelchair. Unfortunately there was a long delay so we had to wait for 1,5 hours. By the time it started I actually already had had it for some time, but I really wanted to see it so I hang in. Afterwards we didn't think much of it, but that's something you don't know up front. It was a Ford 4x4 rebuild to a Bigfoot which drove over 3 cars, so it wasn't that spectacular as it is in America. Quickly we went back to the car, so I could finally lay down and rest. This time I needed longer before I felt a bit 'okay' again. After 1,5 to 2 hours we went checking again and this time we watch All-Terrain riding for awhile.
Finally it was a great day and we saw a lot, except a burn-out. Each time there was a burn-out as I was resting and so haven't seen this. Perhaps it's better, because at such a burn-out there are a lot of odours like burned rubber and exhaust fumes so who knows maybe I was crashed immediately.
We had great weather, nicely warm but not too much and clouded with the sun coming through once in awhile so it wasn't too hot. Later on we heard from someone who had arrived 2 hours after us, that he had stuck in traffic for an hour just to enter the terrain, so we were glad we had left early enough.
Around 17.30h I had really had and started collapsing and so we quickly went back home. I think I have hold on for a long time, but this will also be due to the preparation I had taken weeks in advance and due to resting in between during that day out. The resting in between was tough though, because I was so excited and I wanted to see everything so it was hard for me to lay still.
As we were home I completely collapsed a bit later and so was sleeping real early,
Of course I had to pay for this for a few weeks, but I knew this upfront and I took it for granted.

At http://www.allamericanwheels.com you can see what we have seen.
We hope to go there again next year and who knows (hopefully) I am so much better that we can camp there for a weekend. (note July 2004: unfortunately I couldn't go this year, because I am again completely bedridden, see Journal - 2004 - May - about the lowest half.)

Meanwhile I am a bit improving again of that day out and the next day out is already planned. Saturday 2 August there is a meeting again of fellow sufferers and there partners in a nature reserve (about 10 minutes drive from here). Actually it is still too soon for me to go, but that day was already planned and because it is so peaceful, quiet, relaxing and nice there I still want to go.
The nature reserve contains a nice great wood and a large lake where you can swim, row, fish or hike. There is a small house with 2 beds, but no running water or electricity. You can rent it for a day or more for you and your family or friends. You and your friends are then the only ones who are there, so it is real quiet.

June 28, 2002

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