Written in September 2024
By Barbara Kroupa Levine
There I was, you wouldn’t believe it, I thought I was going to die!
I was stuck in an airplane by the runway at the Chicago O'Hare airport during a tornado derecho as the airport closed around us and no planes could move.
👫👬 Preface
Each summer, we eleven siblings make an effort to gather near Traverse City, Michigan, where we were raised on a cherry and dairy farm. This July, nine of us made it to our family reunion. Since I was the only one flying in, I planned my trip to ensure I could see as many siblings as possible.
Map of Michigan showing its Upper and Lower Peninsulas. My hometown of Traverse City is shown as a light blue dot. The farm where I was raised is four miles west of Traverse City.
Our parents are both deceased. Since I live so far away, these reunions are the only time each year that I get to see most of my siblings.
I had to cancel my trip last summer in 2023 because of my heart attack while rock climbing just three weeks before the reunion – click on the following title to read my missive 🧗♀️Rock Climbing, ⛵️Sailing & 💔Heart Attacks💔!!.
Two years is a long time to go between visits, especially since we are all getting older so fast. You can read my missive on our previous family reunion by clicking on Family Reunion in Michigan, June 2022.
At age 83, I am the eldest of the eleven (Barbara#1). The youngest is Mark#11, age 64 – just four years older than my son Mike – with a 19-year age spread between us.
Eleven Siblings in Age Order in 2022
Everyone except myself and Liz#8 are in the Traverse City area in the summer – six live there permanently and three spend time there.
The lower two in the photo above were not present this summer. Liz#8 lives near me in Southern California, and has made the decision to never fly again. Dean#10 lives in the Traverse City area, but didn't attend any of our gatherings because of health problems.
My trip lasted eight days from Monday, July 15, to Monday, July 22, counting what should have been two days of traveling. Read on for the nightmare I endured on my flight from Los Angeles to Traverse City.
🌪️⚡️Monday, July 15: Stranded at O'Hare During a Tornado Derecho
Today, July 15, 2024, I am flying from Los Angeles to Traverse City, Michigan, for my annual family reunion. I am seated by the window on the tarmac at the Chicago O'Hare Airport, waiting for my plane to taxi to the runway for the second and final leg of my trip. With storm clouds looming and tornado warnings in the vicinity, we are trying to take off and move out of its path before the derecho strikes.
A derecho — sometimes likened to an “inland hurricane” — is defined as a long-lived, widespread swath of particularly damaging thunderstorms, covering at least 250 miles, with wind gusts of 58 miles per hour at minimum. The derecho which struck the Chicago area on 7/15/24 also had embedded tornadoes.
Stuck by the Runway: The plane remains stopped near the runway for an hour while the storm passes through. I can see multiple lightning flashes almost constantly outside my window.
Every several minutes, the pilot gives us updates, mostly with no additional information. The rain and wind are intense, and the engines are eventually turned off to save fuel. We wait nervously, hoping that the plane won't be struck by lightning or a tornado funnel.
Eventually, the pilot announces that the control tower and airport have shut down, preventing any planes from taking off and causing all flights to be cancelled. We wait patiently until the congested plane traffic clears, enabling us to move toward a terminal. It takes ninety minutes to navigate around the airport and reach our assigned terminal.
Line No. 1: We are off-loaded from the plane and a large line forms at the check in desk for assistance, but there is no one there to help. I ask the girl next to me in line to save my place so I can use the restroom, having not been able to use the one on the plane for nearly three hours. When I return, everyone has disappeared and no one is behind the desk.
I head to the check-in area to try to get another flight to Traverse City the next morning (Tuesday). I finally find a human at a desk and am told that I can only get a confirmed flight for two days later (Wednesday), which I book. I am also put on standby for the first flight on Tuesday morning, but all seats are taken and it doesn't look promising with everyone needing new connections due to all flights having been canceled.
Lost Bag at Baggage Claim: I make my way a half mile to baggage claim to retrieve my carry on that I checked at the boarding area in Los Angeles to avoid handling it in the plane. I stand an hour watching all of the suitcases on the carousel go by, and examine every one that has been pulled off to the side.
Line No. 2: Finally, I stand in the extensive lost baggage queue. Following a thirty-minute wait, I am informed that my bag is registered in the system, and a request has been made for it to be brought to my designated baggage claim area. I may need to wait for an additional hour or longer for its arrival.
After waiting for an additional two hours watching the carousel without success, I decide to sit on the edge of the oversized baggage area that does not rotate because there are no chairs in the baggage claim area. When another traveler informs me that he located his bags four carousels away, I search through all eight carousels in the American Airlines baggage retrieval area, but once more, I am unable to find my luggage.
By now, it is 2 am, and I abandon the search for my bag. I decide to head to the check-in counter for my standby flight, hoping to find a chair in the waiting lounge to try to get some sleep.
Long Queues at Check-In: At the check-in area, there are terribly long lines everywhere. I have difficulty walking in a straight line (due to dizziness) or for long distances (due to arthritis and multiple joint replacements), so I always use my hiking poles for support.
Line No. 3: The first line is shorter, and is for TSA Precheck – mine ran out and is no longer valid, but I stand in the line anyway – hoping my "handicap status" (i.e., hiking poles) will get me through as in the past. But no, an attendant comes by and insists that they will not let anyone in without TSA Precheck on their boarding pass.
Line No. 4: I leave that line and go to the next one. This time, I try something that I have never done before. I go up to a pleasant looking guy near the head of the line and say, "Excuse me, but don't I know you? You look very familiar." Then I whisper that I hope he will let me cut in line with him. He smiles and says that I do look familiar, and he makes room for me beside him. After we chat for a bit, I learn that this line is only for those who want to change their flights.
Line No. 5: So I leave that gentleman and head back to the end of the long last line. I learn that the reason the lines are so long is that nothing opens up until 3 am. It is now 2:45 am, and I don't think that I will get any sleep this night, let alone find a seat to rest my aching body or food to eat.
♿ Guardian Angel: But lo and behold, I feel a tap on my shoulder, and a guy with a wheelchair asks if I would like a seat. He then whisks me to the front of the line, takes me through security first and even loads my purse and shoes onto the X-ray belt. He then takes me all the way to my gate, which is at least a half mile away.
The counter at my gate is just opening, and I check in to see my standby status. It turns out that I have been moved to the head of the waitlist, plus a seat just opened up and it is mine!
🥶 Frigid Lounge: I still have five more hours before my plane boards, but I have a seat in the waiting lounge – although no place to lie down because of the fixed armrests between each seat. Some people are sleeping on the floor, but that's not for me.
The lounge area is freezing with a cold wind blowing from the air conditioners. My fleece top is in my lost bag, so I freeze the rest of the night. My hearing aids, iPhone, Apple watch and iPad all stop working because my chargers are in my lost bag, as are my medications!
BUT ... I HAVE A SEAT ON THE FIRST PLANE OF THE DAY TO TRAVERSE CITY – a day late, but better than the alternative!! And I am assured that my bag is being checked in on the plane!!
🏡🚤 Tuesday, July 16: Silver Lake & Boat Ride
I am picked up late morning at the Traverse City airport by my sister Leone#7 – a day later than planned and two days and a night with no sleep. I will be spending the week with her and her husband Tom at their cottage on Silver Lake.
Below is a map of the Traverse City, Michigan area where the blue dots indicate specific spots I refer to in my description of the seven days I was there.
Sadly, my bag does not arrive on the plane. We check all day with the airlines after each of the remaining three flights arrive, and finally my bag is on the last flight in late afternoon. We drive back to the airport to retrieve it, and I need it badly, All of my medications and computer and charging cables for phone, tablet, hearing aids and watch are in the bag I never intended to check in at Los Angeles. I haven't been able to hear much for a long night and day.
During the day, we go for a nice boat ride. Leone#7's daughter Mary, Mary's husband Parker and their two sons pay a visit before leaving for a week of camping in Michigan's Upper Peninsula.
Tuesday, July 16, on Silver Lake
Upper left: Leone#7 at the helm of her large pontoon boat on Silver Lake.
Upper right: I am in the front of the pontoon boat. Leone#7 & Tom's lakefront home is in the background
Lower left: I am seated in Leone#7's new glider, swivel, recliner chair – my seat for the week.
Lower right: Leone#7 & Tom's daughter Mary#4, her husband Parker and their two boys Casper and Lachlan.
🏡🚤 Wednesday, July 17: Lake Ann & Boat Ride
My son Mike and his wife Carrie live just four miles from me on the Palos Verdes Verdes Peninsula in the Los Angeles area. Mike's daughter Charlotte is a sophomore at my alma mater, Michigan State University, a four-hour drive south of Traverse City.
Mike and Carrie recently purchased a cottage on an acre lot on Lake Ann, a short drive from Silver Lake where sister Leone#7 lives. Leone#7 and her husband Tom spent a couple of months earlier this year completely renovating the interior of the cottage for them.
This morning, we drive to Lake Ann so they can deliver a boat there for Mike and Carrie to use, and so I can see the property. Brother Mark#11 joins us for the day.
Wednesday, July 17, at Lake Ann & Maple City
Top row, left: The sign by the road for Mike & Carrie's Lake Cottage.
Top row, right: View of the cottage from the garage.
2nd row, left: Mark#11 and Leone#7 in the cottage living room with the kitchen in the background.
2nd row, right: Myself and Tom in the cottage living room.
3rd row, left: View of the lake and dock from the cottage living room.
3rd row, right: Half of the bottom level of the cottage.
Bottom row, left: The other half of the bottom level of the cottage.
Bottom row, right: Tom and Leone#7 buying store made, smoked hot dogs at Gabe's Country Smoked Products in Maple City.
During the afternoon, we enjoy two boat rides on Silver Lake. First, Leone#7, Mark#11 and I venture out in the mini pontoon boat designed for three people, which was previously owned by sister Lila#5 when she lived in Leone#7's cozy boat house known as The Love Cottage. Lila#5 currently resides in Portland, OR, and is spending part of the summer at the cottage.
Later, Tom and Lila#5 join us for a ride on the large pontoon boat.
Wednesday, July 17: Boat Rides on Silver Lake
Top row, left: Mark#11 on the small dock next to Lila#5's kayak. Leone#7 is on the mini pontoon boat.
Top row, center: Leone#7 and I on the small dock.
Top row, right: Mark#11 on the mini pontoon boat.
Middle row, left: Leone#7 piloting the mini pontoon boat.
Middle row, right: A bevy of turtles on a sunken tree trunk.
Bottom row, left: I am standing on the small dock with Leone#7 & Tom.
Bottom row, center: Lila#5 on the large pontoon boat.
Bottom row, right: Tom, myself & Mark#11 aboard the large pontoon boat.
🏡🚤 Thursday, July 18: Lake Ann & Silver Lake
In the morning, we drive over to Lake Ann again so Leone#7 & Tom can move a large futon that was delivered there into the lower level of the cottage.
In the afternoon, brother Walt#9, who also has a home on Silver Lake, picks us up in his new large pontoon boat for a ride around the lake.
Wednesday, July 17, on Lake Ann & Silver Lake
Top row, left: View of Mike & Carrie's cottage from the garage.
Top row, center: Leone#7 & Tom beside the large futon that was delivered.
Top row, right: Walt#9's home on Silver Lake.
Middle row, left: Tom, Walt#9 & myself on Walt#9's new pontoon boat. The Love Cottage & Leone#7's home are in the background.
Middle row, right: Leone#7's large pontoon boat and the mini pontoon boat at the end of her dock.
Bottom row, left: Leone#7's beautiful small flowering tree that I gave her as a house gift two years ago.
Bottom row, center: The planter behind Leone#7's home with her garage behind it.
Bottom row, right: Two blue heron sculptures in front of The Love Cottage.
⛯🚜 Friday, July 19: Point Betsie Lighthouse, Inspiration Point, Graveyard & The Farm
Today, sister Mary#4, her son JD, and Mark#11 pick me up for a day of touring. Mary#4 and her husband Steve live in Florida and have a summer home on Rainbow Lake, an hour drive to the east of Silver Lake (see the map above).
Mark#11 is our expert tour guide and takes us to places I have never been and others I want to visit.
After breakfast on the way, we begin our tour at the Point Betsie Lighthouse on the shore of Lake Michigan (new for me). Then we go to Inspiration Point overlooking Glen Lake near the Sleeping Bear Dunes.
Mark#11 next drives us along winding country roads to a small graveyard near Maple City (new for me). The Roundtop Cemetery contains the graves of my paternal great, great grandparents and four of their children.
Last, we stop at the farm where my siblings and I were raised. We are fortunate to find our nephew Mike Kroupa there (son of my oldest brother Gary#2) who is now the seventh generation in 150 years to own this official Michigan Centennial Farm.
Friday, July 19: Silver Lake & the Point Betsie Lighthouse
Top row, left: Mary#4 & JD viewing Leone#7's plantings on her small peninsula by her house on Silver Lake.
Top row, center: Mary#4 & JD on the path circling the peninsula.
Bottom row, left: Mark#11 , Mary#4 & JD on the peninsula shore.
Top row, right: Myself, Mary#4, Mark#11 & JD having breakfast at Dilbert's on the way to the Point Betsie Lighthouse.
Center: Myself on the short hike to the Point Betsie Lighthouse on Lake Michigan
Bottom row, center: View from the top of the lighthouse looking north at the Fog Horn Signal building and the Sleeping Bear Dunes in the distance.
Bottom row, right: View from the top of the lighthouse looking south along the shore of Lake Michigan.
Friday, July 19: Inspiration Point, Graveyard & The Farm
Top row, left: Myself, JD, Mary#4 & Mark#11 at Inspiration Point overlooking Big Glen Lake near the Sleeping Bear Dunes.
Top row, right: 1936 historic log cabin on Big Glen Lake near Inspiration Point.
Top row, center: Gravestones of my paternal great, great grandparents and four of their children at the remote Roundtop Cemetery near Maple City.
Center: The 150-year-0ld farmhouse where I was raised on on our cherry (and formerly dairy) farm four miles west of Traverse City.
Bottom row, left: View of the farmhouse from the back yard.
Bottom row, center: Stacked containers on the farm used to transport cherries to a processing center.
Bottom row, right: Mark#11 and my nephew Mike Kroupa who is now the 7th generation operating the farm.
🏡🚤 Saturday, July 20: Family Reunion at Silver Lake
This is the day of the large family reunion hosted by Leone#7 and Tom where all of the siblings, offspring, other relatives, neighbors and friends gather at Silver Lake.
Saturday, July 20: Large Family Reunion on Silver Lake, 1 of 2
Top row, left: John (husband of Elaine#3), cousin Jeanie & Mark#11.
Top row, center left: JD & Lori (wife of Gary#2).
Top row, center right: Elaine#3 & Leone#7.
Top row, right: Mark#11 & Mike E (husband of cousin Jeanie).
Bottom row, left: Walt#9.
Bottom row, center left: Mark L (partner of Walt#9).
Bottom row, center right: Frank#6, Gary#2 & cousin Jeanie
Bottom row, right: Cousins Linda & Nancy.
Saturday, July 20: Large Family Reunion on Silver Lake, 2 of 2
Top row, left: Myself, cousin Linda, niece Gwyn, neighbor Bonnie & cousin Carolyn.
Top row, center: Niece Terri.
Top row, right: Friend Char & Mark#11 on the boat.
Middle row, left: Mary#4 & husband Steve on the boat.
Middle row, right: Elaine#3, cousin Jeanie, neighbor Roy & Gary#2. Gary#2's great grandsons are seated in front.
Bottom row, left: Tom & JD on the boat.
Bottom row, center: Leone#7 at the helm of her boat.
Bottom row, right: Elaine#3 and her husband John.
🏡🚤 Sunday, July 21: Raking Lily Pads & Visiting Donna
The morning is spent watching Leone#7 clearing the lake near the shoreline of lily pads that have taken over.
In the afternoon, we visit my good friend Donna Groomes in Northport at the northern tip of Leelanau Peninsula. Donna's deceased husband John Groomes was my math and physics teacher in senior high school, and also my mentor. John is the reason that I majored in engineering – he was a retired engineer himself and he was very unusual for that time in that he strongly believed that females should also take up that profession.
Sunday, July 21: Raking Lily Pads on Silver Lake
Top row, left: From the right, view of Leone#7's home, her garage, The Love Cottage (and a neighbor's home) from the end of her main dock (note that she has 3 docks). You can see the extensive lily pads in the water.
Top row, right: View of Leone#7's shoreline from the deck of her home.
Middle row, left: Leone#7 is clearing lily pads from her pontoon boat. She throws a huge rake over the lily pads and backs her boat up to use the rake to pull the lily pads loose from their roots on the bottom. Then she lifts the rake and dumps the pads on the end of the boat.
Middle row, center: Leone#7 is in the water clearing up the remaining lily pads manually while Tom watches her labors from the mini pontoon.
Middle row, right: Clay sculpture on Leone#7's beach.
Bottom row, left: View of Leone#7's home and large pontoon boat.
Bottom row, right: View of the larger shoreline from the large pontoon boat.
Sunday, July 21: Visiting Donna Groomes in Northport
Top row, left: Another view of the farm house that I grew up in on the way to Northport.
Top row, center: Photo of Donna & John Groomes in her wine cellar.
Top row, right: Myself and Donna in her wine cellar.
Middle row, left: Donna & I in her family room.
Middle row, right: The inscription in Donna's family room that I love – "Our home is the museum of our life."
Bottom row, left: Another photo of Donna & me in her wine cellar.
Bottom row, center: Donna & Leone#7 having lunch at Knot Just a Bar on nearby Omena Bay.
Bottom row, right: Myself & Donna at lunch at Knot Just a Bar.
🏡🚤 Monday, July 22: Last Day in Michigan on Silver Lake
On my last day in Michigan, we go on our last boat ride on Silver Lake followed by lunch at a restaurant. In the afternoon, Leone#7 & Tom take delivery of a large camper trailer they rented to house several of Tom's relatives that are arriving for a visit soon after I depart.
Monday, July 22: Last Day in Michigan at Silver Lake
Top row, left: Tom & Leone#7 on another boat ride.
Top row, center: Myself on the boat.
Top row, right: Myself, Leone#7 & Lila#5 on the boat.
Bottom row, left: View of Leone#7's home from her pontoon boat.
Bottom row, center: Leone#7 & Tom at lunch at the Apache Trout Grill in Greilickville.
Bottom row, right: Leone#7 beside a large rental camper trailer that was just delivered to house Tom's family that are arriving for a visit soon.
⛈️⚡️Epilogue – The Joys of Traveling 🥵
Leone#7 dropped me off at the Traverse City airport in time for my early evening flight to Los Angeles with a connection in Minneapolis. This time, I made sure NOT to check my bag.
As I was waiting to board my plane, the airlines announced that there would be an hour and a half delay due to thunderstorms in the Minneapolis area. We boarded and successfully took off after the delay. I thought sure that I would miss my connection, but I made it to the gate to be among the last to board.
To get the least expensive seats, I was traveling on an airline that I hadn't flown on before. It landed at a terminal in the center of the Los Angeles airport, a long shuttle ride to where baggage claim and transportation home was located.
By this time, seasoned handicapped traveler that I had become, I flagged down a wheelchair and was escorted onto the shuttle, where another wheelchair handler took over. She wheeled me through the main terminal to just across a small street where I was able to get a Lyft ride home.
I reached home around 2 a.m. and crawled into bed without waking hubby Stan. A successful conclusion to another wonderful Michigan family reunion!
🌪️⚡️⛈️ The End 👫👬
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