Life Evolved Around Constant Movement

From Marci Jenkins:

From birth in Georgia, to toddler in Germany, on to New Mexico then the Philippines and at last the place we thought of as “home”, Michigan, my life evolved around constant movement. I have so many wonderful memories of all but Georgia, mostly from a child’s point of view but great memories. Following is my favorite time in our travels. Your mention of route 66 conjured up this memory:

My best memories, believe it or not, are traveling to Alaska from Michigan by way of Texas and back again. We started our journey, eight of us, six kids and Mom and Dad, stuffed into a station wagon. Dad liked to leave in the middle of the night, probably for the obvious reason of peace and quiet. Our vacations were planned around Dad’s next transfer. We lived in Michigan, Selfridge AFB for 4 years when Dad was transferred to Fairbanks Alaska, Ladd AFB. It seemed like a great adventure to us kids, Mom wasn’t really very sure but was a trouper. Since we had family in Texas, California and Washington, we headed to visit my favorite place in the world, Texas.

We visited with Grandma, Grandpa and Aunt and Uncle. After that we headed to California where we visited Great Grandma, Aunts and Uncles, up the coast to Seattle where we visited more Aunts and Uncles. Along the way we saw desert, went into caves, drove through trees, and watched boats on the Mississippi, conjuring up images of Huck Finn. Driving through Indian Reservations where goods were sold along the road, watching cowboys in action. Along the west coast we visited Fisherman’s Wharf, Palisades Park, and the San Diego Zoo. We drove through the mighty redwoods, went swimming in a river in Oregon after crossing on a long swinging bridge.

As a 10 year old, I had done and seen things that most kids only read about in books. It was an adventure going to Alaska but heading home was even more adventurous. When we went to Alaska from Seattle we flew and shipped the car up there. Now when Dad was reassigned to Arizona, the decision was to repeat the journey we took to Alaska but this time we would actually drive down the Al-Can Highway. At this time the highway was virtually a dirt road and corrugated to say the least. This was one of the best adventures! After two flats and a broken axle and a visit to a natural hot springs in Canada for much needed baths, it stunk like crazy but felt so good. When we reached paved roads, what a luxury! It felt like flying! We arrived in Seattle in time for the World’s Fair, space needle, home of the future and a monorail. After the literal wilderness of the trip from Alaska this was truly like landing on the moon. Well, back down the coast, over to Texas then to Tucson, home for the next 2 years.

My Dad retired while in Tucson, Davis Monthan AFB so we headed back to Michigan, by way of Texas….

Martha (aka Marci) Buday-Jenkins
Official Air Force Brat and damned proud of it!