Prologue
We have been traveling with David and Gail Chester for almost half of a century, and it isn’t because we want to…(wink) it’s because Gary and Gail happen to be brother and sister. (more like clones…but later on that) We were married 3 months apart 42 years ago and have been friends ever since. Relatives can be difficult, but when you take David along for the ride, it’s a journey of arguments and laughter with little rest and relaxation…seriously!
The forbidden Oregon Blog:
My favorite thing to do besides going on a road trip is to plan a trip. Short girl trips are a constant in my life, but preparing for a vacation across our great nation, involving “family” takes on a different kind of preparation. Our little Lewis and Clark adventure was going to require experts, and the Gailey’s were our go to people. You know them… They owned a little sandwich shop for 50 years. They live in a little white house, drive little white cars, and are constantly traveling to EVERYWHERE! They know their stuff! Anyway…they said, “Go West my friend”, so we did. On May the 4th at 5:30 AM David is laying on the horn (startling me and the neighborhood). The diary begins…mostly of the things that were going wrong, which cropped up immediately. We “flew” to Hartsfield-Jackson and dear lord, we haven’t left the ground.
Gail and I have gone on girl trips with our mutual friends since the 70’s and David and Gary have just as many secrets. The older we get the less flexible we all become and DC is no exception to the rule…and boy does he have rules… well, he “tries”. I literally have pages and pages of material from our excursion to Oregon, but to my dismay I have not been authorized to write a blog. (I think he said something like, “You better not write a friggin blog”!) But if I did… it would be called, ” Mired Up“! (Enunciated ….Mahyuhr) I have no clue what “mired up” is, or what it means, or what it does, but I now know it is part of David’s daily vocabulary. He also practices on a regular basis quoting movies, from Ace Venture: Pet Detective to the 1977 movie The Gauntlet, as if they were and still are the best films of all time (he saw them in a theater …which he pronounces… thee- ate- her). My ornery multifaceted brother in law holds the highest regards to what he considers great television…all 3 channels. 1. The Golf Channel 2. The Discovery Channel ( Naked and Afraid) 3. The Andy Griffeth Show. (specifically referencing Aunt Bee… why?) Things you only learn in seven days riding in the back seat of a SUV down the spectacular and sometimes treacherous coast of Oregon. I’m convinced I could be legendarily famous if I were not forbidden to tell ALL my stories about the happiest man alive! Let’s define HAPPY: In pajama pants by five in the afternoon, grasping a pillow tightly in ones lap like a baby holding his blankie, and yes… it’s essential…for said “one”… to have “someone” (named Gail) to yell, scream, and shout at as deemed necessary!
“We” struggled with the time change. Some of us…who shall remain nameless, because this blog isn’t about David Chester, absolutely refused to coincide with the reality of time. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner was on Hall Co. time. Watching a terracotta sun set over the Pacific….oh hell no, it was taps and lights out! Laughing at (and the rare occasion with) David is never ending. I kid u not. His humor is relentless. His friends all know this. His family is well aware, and if you meet him…ummm, don’t bother, he doesn’t want to meet you.
Epilogue
Our family ties began a long long time ago and although I am breaking major family codes and policies by exploiting a tiny portion about David Chester there is so much more to say. EVERYONE likes and respects David, whether HE likes it or not. He frightens no one… including his 6 beautiful grandchildren. His generosity is ginormous, he is the right kind of friend to have, and is as gentle as a lamb!
don’t you know that pisses him off!
Thanks for the ride…DC!
Game On!
Enjoyed this Tracy!
Thanks Charlotte! Family dynamics can be a blessing when they make you laugh and cry!
You definitely know David! This is hilarious and I can’t wait for him to read it! We have had some good times and I expect to have a lot more with David entertaining us!
That is sweet that you consider getting yelled at 24/7 entertaining! HAHAHA…He is hilarious, kind, generous, and exhausting. The best part is…His family is his world!!!!!!!!!!
I love it Tracy! I wish you could write a blog series just on this trip!
Michele…I’m scared the cops are coming to get me any minute…David KNOWS people!!!!!!
I always love your blogs. We vacationed with my sister and BIL until his untimely death. I miss those so much! Thanks for sharing yours!
Best father in law and always makes my kids (grandkids- Charlotte and Zoey) laugh (sometimes intentionally and other times unintentionally). ;). We love you Papa!
Barbara…Isn’t it funny how the kids learn to “put up” with him so quickly and easily! I guess they “pick up” on the fact they he would do anything for anybody anytime! Your kids are the lucky ones to a Papa like him.
Loved reading this! You are quite a writer…keep it up!
Thanks Julie…The people that know David could write much more and better stories…but we ALL have hilarious memories about this man!
SO good! Makes me miss my Uncle!
I love this one!!! Y’all have the best family!!!
We do well together because being with Gail is the same as being with Gary…and David and I just fight!
You made me have a giggle beginning my day. We have done this trip and great memories.
Thanks Pat…Going anywhere with David is a “trip” in itself. We loved the coast and Suzanne and Wesley were great travel agents for us!
Great story.
I work with David and yes it’s a daily entertainment at work as well.
If I don’t hear David yelling I’m wondering if he is Ok. We say at work his bark is louder than his bite.
He is truly amazing man to have around the office for sure.
You can truly see the love David has for his family especially the grandchildren.
Gail has to be a very strong woman.
Thanks for Sharing your story and life adventures with us all.
Wishing you all the best.
Hi Kelly,
Thanks for the comment! I can’t imagine how loud the barking is at WORK if he barks that loud on VACA!!!
You deserve a raise and you can tell him I said so!
Another “good-urn” but it does leave me longing for more DC stories. Think I could get mighty mired up in those.
Gilda,
David is the PERFECT blend of writer Larry David (Curb Your Enthusiasm) and Walter Matthau! I will say he is by far the most entertaining, grumpiest man I have ever know…and old age isn’t helping.
There is nothing but fun in your words! David is certainly the person you want to have along on an adventure like that!! Love your stories always❤️
Lisa he is the person you want to have along! You eat when he says EAT, you drink when he says DRINK and you go to bed at his bedtime…This Teddy Bear growls a lot….but he drives the whole entire time and although he may yell at you…he will pull over for a bathroom stops every time!!!!!!
Tracy, what a great story…..You’ve captured him perfectly…..I’ve known David all my life, and one couldn’t ask for a better friend……Thanks for the laughs!!
Thanks Johnny! I met him when I was 18 years old, so I guess that makes us both “kids” hanging out with David. He is a loyal friend to everyone but his “oldest” ones have always been his best ones!