On the Road . . . . Again

On the Road . . . Again

Lori and I had such a gas cruising the USA in our Ford Escape last year that we decided to hit the road again this year . . . in Europe, on the train. In late April we flew to Philadelphia for my 50th(!) high school reunion, spent a couple of days with my 99-year-old Dad, and then took an overnight flight to Rome and trains from there to the Amalfi Coast.

Things have happened along the way. The San Francisco Giants have climbed out of the cellar and are as of this writing standing in second place in the NL West. Armadas of desperate human beings populate the Mediterranean and Andaman Seas as they flee homeland horrors for anything. A slick pickpocket separated me from my wallet on a crowded Naples train platform. My father went to the hospital with a urinary infection and pneumonia and then slipped from this world to the next just as Lori and I started planning a transatlantic sprint to his bedside.

Today we flew to Philadelphia where our extended family will assemble to embrace, and to settle things, and to conduct Herman Hutchinson’s service of celebration and remembrance, and to grieve.

My father lived into his 100th year. He was the oldest living alumnus of Germantown Academy. He outlived every resident he found at Cathedral Village when my parents moved there decades ago. My mother, his wife, died seven years ago. He outlived his best friend of nine decades by five years, virtually his entire cohort of first cousins among whom he was the first born in 1916, and all of the characters with whom he played tennis and squash for forty-five years.

My parents were married for almost seventy years, not all of them easy. From them I learned what I know of responsibility and family values and staying the course.

At some point after we resume this prolonged European jaunt I will start doing what I so enjoyed last time out . . . sharing observations and photos with you.

In the meantime, if your parents are still around, call them up and tell them you love them.

Big Hutch

Big Hutch

28 thoughts on “On the Road . . . . Again”

  1. Sorry to hear about your dad but it seems he had a great life!!Great to hear from you and look forward to your adventures…. And so grateful our children tell us often that they love us…

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  3. Condolences re your Dad–he surely had many blessings, including one great son!

    So glad you’re doing your travels again–can’t think of a better way to do life than the path you have chosen. Happily looking forward to those pix and adventures!! Love to you both.k

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  4. Dear Bill,
    We are so sorry to hear that your dad has passed on. You were lucky to see him one more time. There have been a lot of losses this year. Thinking o you. Hugs, Lorraine and John

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  6. Very sweet words! So thoughtful and loving. Fondly I think of you two. Enjoy your travels. Looking forward to hearing more. Blessings.

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  8. We send our love to you, Bill, Lori and the Hutchinson Clan. We hold your Dad in the light. Heading to the Northern Cascades for our 3 month volunteer campground hosting gig. Ann and Bill Eichhorn

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  9. Looking forward to your journey and thank you for the loving story of your father Bill. My parent lived to be 94 & 96, and many years of marriage. Bud also had his wallet stolen by pick pockets in Paris. We later watched the team working while sitting in the train station for several hours…. The old man with a cane directing the young people….. fascinating. Bud’s was returned by the police, as we had reported the cards immediately (kept a copy of everything with us and numbers to call)… the thieves dropped it when the waiter told them that they were stolen…… memories that we learn from and chuckle in recounting them…. Keep the stories coming, and enjoy your trip.

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  10. Thank you for sharing your story. Happy Birthday Lori! And yes- having lost both my parents at a young age, the time with them is beyond precious. I am happy Bill’s Dad enjoyed a long and fulfilling life!

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  11. Prayers for your loss, Bill and Lori. Continue building great memories for your next decades (and sharing them with those of us for whom “travel” means driving to Santa Rosa).
    Cheers

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  12. Dear Bill – As I mourn the loss of my beloved David I want to send condolences to you on the loss of your father. What a wonderful long life he had. You were so lucky to have had him with you for so many years.

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  13. Bill and Lori, been thinking of you and your family all weekend.
    Hope you are finding comfort and peace.
    See you at PLP in July.

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  14. Bill, thanks for sharing. What a life your folks have lived and how wonderful that they have passed their values and love of each other down through the generations. My folks have also passed and I miss them dearly. I am to young to be an orphan.

    Best wishes to you and to Lori

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  15. Lovely update! My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this time of life celebration and heavy-hearted farewells to your father. Although it does sound like he enjoyed a long, well-lived life. Happy adventuring and safe travels to you and Lori. Hopefully, you will avoid meeting any more slick, pick-pockets along the way. xom

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  16. Hi Lori and Bill

    We are so sorrry to know that Bill’s father has passed away. He lived a long life. There are very few people who live so long. My mom died at the age of 92 and dad 94.
    So your trip to Europe has a sad feeling or did you fly back to USA. Are you still able to come to us ?
    Please let us know.
    Sari

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  17. Dear Hutch & Lori,
    Thank you for your note and I hope your trip is a good one…I’m sure it will be, since I know you are experienced travelers. I am sorry to hear about your Dad but he sure did have a real good go at life !! He also managed to raise a wonderful son. The timing of your note is rather odd as I was driving up Wissahickon Ave. about ten days ago and passed your old family house (yes it is still standing) and thought about you and your Christmas letter. I of course resolved to drop you a note, but by the time I got home I was off on another thought. This evening, Leslie just finished reading your note and handed me the computer so here I am. Please give my best wishes to your family and if you get on this side of the country we are still in Blue Bell (Maine in July). Stay safe,
    With Sympathy,Tucker& Leslie

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  18. hello Bill and Lori,
    Thank you for your update containing good and bad news….sorry to hear your father passed on, and understand he had a full and long life, and your recently spent time with him. It will be good to gather with family members to remember him.
    And then continue your european train adventure. As you change dates, maybe we can meet up somewhere. Let us know your new plans as and when you make them.
    Much love and thinking of you in this emotional time.
    Ems

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  19. Dear Bill and Lori,

    Thanks for your recent emails.

    It’s wonderful that you were able to spend some time with your father before he passed on. From what you have said over time, I know he had a full life. Now you can celebrate that with friends and family. That’s the best way to remember. I send my condolences.

    Please let us know your plans for the continued Europe Trip when you make them. Maybe we can meet up.

    Glen

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  20. Nice, Bill. So you had better plan on what you will do for the next 32 years! I lost my father-in-law this year at age 98, and he is still inspiring me now!

    Enjoy Europe, and riding the trains (my favorite!)

    R

    Rob Thayer

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  21. Hi Hutch,
    Thank you including me on your email. Condolences on your loss. I recently visited my 92 year old mother and appreciate how important it is to visit as often as possible. The pick pocket must have been slick to get by your keen faculties. I successfully avoided two female gypsies in Bologna who had a fake baby in her arms by basically knocking almost to the ground while my brother and Jody laughed their asses off.
    Keep in touch.
    Ken

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  22. Bill and Lori,
    “On the road again….” Thanks for including me in your travel adventures. Losing parents!!! We’re the next generation…do we have the wisdom, patience, spirit to guide those following/or leading us?
    Life goes well for me. I shall be “the summer sabbatical replacement pastor” at the Kelseyville Presbyterian Church where I was baptized, confirmed, ordained…and will be buried Lord willing!

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  25. So sorry for your loss. Sometimes we think that losing someone at that age will be easier because we’ve had time to get used to their inevitable passing. But often, their imprint stays with us longer. Your dad seemed like the kind of guy that left a deep impression on those around him. I’m sure he will be missed.

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  26. So sorry for hear about your dad. What an incredible long life!

    I hope your adventures are continuing to be fulfilling.

    Another small world moment: My dad and his sisters attended Germantown Friends School, and my husband and I (in our first, legal wedding) were married in Germantown (at Germantown Friends House)!

    Happy Trails and look forward to catching up when you get back.

    Thanks,

    Annie

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  27. Cheers Lori/Bill,
    LOVE your travel adventures update, ours soon to be…………6/2-25 (Abroad – London, England then flying out to be on Silver Seas Cruise Ship throughout the Baltic Seas. Thus far we’ve stayed around locally entertaining and being entertained……….all is super well with us in Belvedere, now these past seven (7yrs) years.
    Huge hugs, and thanks ever so for having kept us in your communications loop.
    Gig/Mel

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