What is the farthest you have traveled?
My longest trip was from Washington, D.C. to Honolulu, Hawaii---4800 miles. It happened in 1971 when my oldest daughter Brenda was six months old. I was headed to Hawaii to meet with my then husband for R&R. He was stationed in Viet Nam at the time. I lived alone in the D.C. area. This was not a happy time or a happy trip. I am sure that I drove to the airport and left my car there so I would have a ride back home to our apartment.
I packed carefully with all the supplies that I needed, which I could carry, along with a baby, baby carrier, purse, diaper bag, for the 12 or more hour flight. I needed baby formula, as I was not nursing at the time. I needed disposable diapers.
Unfortunately, there was an issue with the airplane, and it did not take off at the expected time. Some maintenance issue had to be dealt with. It was one of those terrible situations where you are stuck on the ground for hours. Fortunately, we were still at the terminal, and connected by the walkway from plane to terminal entrance. The time on the ground grew longer and longer, and in the end, lasted for 5 hours. Needless to say, I was in a dire situation, since when I arrived in Honolulu, I would not know how to get formula and diapers immediately. I also could not risk running out half way over the Pacific Ocean!
I left the airplane crying, carrying my baby. Back in those days, airline stewardess were caring and compassionate. One followed me. I went to a phone booth to call and cry to my father, who could, of course, do nothing to help me. The stewardess asked how she could help. What did I need? I told her, and the airline actually sent someone out to a drug store to replenish my supplies!!
One thing that I do remember is that as burdened down as I was by things that I had to carry, not once did I actually have to carry all those things. There was always someone who stepped up to help me, a woman traveling alone with an infant.
Another thing that I remember is taking a taxi to the hotel where I had a reservation. And true to the trauma of the trip, the taxi driver ran into the car in front of him. All I recall is that they yelled at each other for a while, but I don't remember there being a police involved. Maybe it was a minor fender bender.
Eventually, my infant daughter and I did connect with her father, who had never met his daughter. She was born while he was in Viet Nam. Sadly, he did not seem much interested---in either her or me. We were strangers.
In his defense, I might be gracious and say that he had just come from a war zone, and was numb and unable to express emotion.
On the other hand, now with 50 years worth of perspective, I could just say that was his true nature. It did not get much better when he returned home six months later. It took a very long time to get re-acquainted.
I traveled almost 5000 miles alone with a baby. That was my longest trip. And my hardest.
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