Lorraine (Brady) Downie - Diane Brady on the left and Elizabeth Brady Hull on the right

Our first and only “sister” trip. Thankfully we did the sister weekend we talked about doing for years. It was a bittersweet trip as Christine had passed away 20 months prior to our trip.
We went to the Poconos and had the best time. We had talked about doing a trip all the time after Christine’s death but all we did was talk. When Diane told me she was off the last week of October Lorraine and I went on Vrbo and sent each other possible places to stay. The week prior to the trip Lorraine and I talked about the different houses and finally picked one.

I told Diane to pack warmly, take her stuff to work that Saturday and Lorraine and I would meet her at work and leave from there.

Didn’t give them a choice. I even told them I had gone grocery shopping so all meals were provided by me.

This picture was taken in Jim Thorpe, PA. We wanted to do the scenic train ride but when Lorraine saw the steps she said there was no way she would make it up those steps.

We then considered the bus tour but again the first step on the bus was too high for Lorraine.

I went to get ice cream for us and when I got back Diane was missing. Diane went and talked to the ticket agent regarding getting on the bus. She was wonderful. She got a “step” for Lorraine. She had Lorraine get on first so she could have the front seat and the bus driver was just as wonderful. They waited till Lorraine was settled before allowing anyone else on. By doing this they helped alleviate Lorraine anxiety and made the trip extra special for us.

We sang and laughed a learned a lot about Jim Thorpe.

It was a special trip and one I will cherish forever.