This blog is written by Cassie’s Dad.
We started a very emotional week as we prepared to pick up our “World Traveler”. We arrived in San Diego on Sunday April 29 and packed Extra Light so we would be able to accommodate all of Cassie’s new possessions.
We spent Monday at the SD Zoo and it was quite the adventure. This is a world class zoo with plenty to see.
On Tuesday, we went to Cabrillo National Park. On the way, we saw the Rosecrans Military Cemetery, nicknamed Arlington West. This cemetery has 100,000 military men and women buried there. It is a very emotional sight to see. We then scoped out the dock to see where the MV Explorer would be arriving from and trying to anticipate the best place to watch. Tuesday night, the tension started to build.
For some reason, we had no contact with Cassie since Hawaii. We wanted to tell her we were here, patiently waiting for her arrival, but there was no response from her. We heard from other parents that there were a lot of “all night” goodbye parties because everyone was having trouble believing the adventure was ending.
Wed morning, May 2. We learn from last night’s parent debriefing that the boat is already near the coast so no chance of being late. The ship will arrive and dock at 8:00 am but you should be able to start to see it between 7:00 and 7:15 as it comes into view.
We get up early to make sure we leave our hotel by 6:45am. It is a 15-17 minute walk from the hotel to the dock along the harbor. Deb goes ahead of me and tells me there is a good spot by the sailor kissing statute.
Before I arrive, she and other parents move to a different spot. More parents are doing the same walk as us and we all converge at the dock. The crowd is now starting to brew like a rock concert waiting for the main event. Somebody spots the ship - - and everyone yells and starts to position themselves at the far end of the dock.
The ship slowly comes into view.
Parents are holding up signs, balloons, tee shirts, towels and flags.
We are calling Cassie constantly from 7:00 on but still no answer, and no text. We can now see people on the bridge, closer and closer. Do you see Cassie? I asked Deb. Hundreds of kids are on the deck and bridge and we are trying to see if Cassie is there. We spot a few who may be her, but we are not sure.
The ship now passes us as it docks. We are on the opposite dock with a good view. After the ship docks, it will take a minimum of 2 hours for the first person to come out. Based on a list, Cassie’s group will depart near the end and her estimated time of departure would be 1:00-2:00pm. We are just about to leave and return later but I want to take one last picture. I had been filming and taking pictures on our camera, but I wanted to take one picture on my cell phone. I take out the phone to take a picture and was suprised to see that Cassie is calling me. It is now 8:00.
“Cassie. We have trying to contact you! Are you ok? Are you on Deck? Can you see us? What? YOU JUST GOT UP! (All the other parents standing near me and listening to the conversion just start laughing!) We took a week off from work, traveled 3,000 miles, woke up VERY early to be at the dock by 7 and YOU JUST GOT UP! I LOVE YOU CASSIE!"
