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Login to post Forums » Off-topic discussion » My Grandfather is Missing

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July 21, 2011 12:06 a.m. Salanis SuperDork

This is more a venting thing at the moment. I'm rather nervous.

My grandfather left his home in Granite Bay (NE of Sacramento) around noon today heading for a hotel in Palo Alto near Stanford University. My grandmother's memorial service is tomorrow, and he wanted to arrive the night before. It should be about a 3 hour drive. 10 hours later, he hasn't checked in with his hotel, and he has not been answering his phone. I just finished making a missing person report with CHP and his local Sherrif's department.

Police have no reports of his car being in an accident or him being taken to a hospital.

I think he's okay. Probably just lost somewhere and misplaced his phone. He's old, nearly deaf, and diabetic, but has essentially all of his wits about him.

Most likely he screwed something up with his new GPS and is headed somewhere out in BFE. Worst realistic scenario is that he's had a diabetic low somewhere.

Again, dunno that anyone can offer anything or if I'm asking for anything. Just kind of needing to vent in a familiar arena.
July 21, 2011 12:12 a.m. Graefin10 Reader

In reply to Salanis:

Hey Sal., I hate to hear that. Hopefully he'll show up tomorrow. Keep us posted if you will.
July 21, 2011 12:22 a.m. Salanis SuperDork

:Sigh:

I will. This is my normal place to vent.

I would honestly bet that he told the GPS to navigate to my great aunt's house in Austin (one of the few places programmed into it), and that he got to Nevada before he realized he was headed the wrong way, and is staying the night in a hotel somewhere there now.
July 21, 2011 12:55 a.m. Tom Heath Web Manager

Sorry to hear of it, I hope it turns out OK. Keep yer chin up!
July 21, 2011 5:46 a.m. jrw1621 SuperDork

My thoughts and prayers are with you.
July 21, 2011 6:07 a.m. Don49 Reader

If his phone is turned on, the phone company may be able to locate it. It's worth a call to see if they can help you. Good luck!
July 21, 2011 6:09 a.m. FlightService HalfDork

If the phone has a battery in it, the phone company can trace it, if it is a newer model. They will only give the information to emergency services.

Good Luck, prayers are with you.
July 21, 2011 6:58 a.m. EastCoastMojo SuperDork

My thoughts are with you. Hopefully everything is OK.
July 21, 2011 7:02 a.m. tuna55 SuperDork

Anyone close that can try retracing his path just to make sure he isn't stuck with something stupid like a flat tire on the side of the road?
July 21, 2011 7:10 a.m. JoeyM SuperDork

Keep us posted
July 21, 2011 7:27 a.m. 4cylndrfury SuperDork

I hope its just something silly like the GPS thing. I know its making ya crazy, but try to stay positive. Let us know if you hear anything.
July 21, 2011 7:40 a.m. Duke SuperDork

Best of luck and modern technology to you and your family. Here's hoping for a safe and happy conclusion.
July 21, 2011 9:50 a.m. Salanis SuperDork

Found him. He was just staying at a different hotel last night than he has reservations for tonight, and he didn't communicate that with everyone else in the family. The lady who handles his finances had the information.
July 21, 2011 10:01 a.m. triumph5 SuperDork

I hate to say this, but maybe it's time for some sort of tracking device to be installed on his car--like the ones parents use to monitor a teenager's usage of the family car. His overall mental health has just taken a huge hit--this might be cheap insurance for you and your silbings peace of mind.
July 21, 2011 10:08 a.m. Salanis SuperDork

Yeah. I called AT&T about tracking his phone. There's a feature that can be activated with his approval. I think we're going to do that, especially since he's planning to make a road trip across the country at the end of the month.
July 21, 2011 10:10 a.m. triumph5 SuperDork

Yes, with a x-country trip coming up, yeah, get it activated.
July 21, 2011 10:16 a.m. mad_machine SuperDork

heck.. if I was going on a X cross country trip.. I might want it activated for myself.

Glad you found your grandfather safe and sound though. I could not imagine the worry
July 21, 2011 10:29 a.m. Salanis SuperDork

I think I'm going to lodge a complaint with the management of the hotel that he was supposed to be staying in. I spoke to someone at the desk there last night and asked the guy if he could give me a list of some other hotels in the area where my grandfather might have checked in at. He wasn't able to tell me any.

I called several other hotels that came up when I searched "hotels near Stanfor" and "Palo Alto hotels". But the one he ended up at did not show up on those searches.
July 21, 2011 10:29 a.m. Woody SuperDork

Glad he's okay!

FYI, GPS has taken me on some SCARY shortcuts in that area, one time sending me down Old Priest Grade. If you get a chance, discuss the route with him before he makes the return trip.
July 21, 2011 10:33 a.m. mad_machine SuperDork

GPS has sent me through some scary parts of DC and Baltimore too... at 2am.
July 21, 2011 10:57 a.m. Datsun1500 Dork

Salanis wrote:

I think I'm going to lodge a complaint with the management of the hotel that he was supposed to be staying in. I spoke to someone at the desk there last night and asked the guy if he could give me a list of some other hotels in the area where my grandfather might have checked in at. He wasn't able to tell me any.

Why complain to that hotel? It is not their job to know where someone might be. They have no responsibility in this at all.... wow.
July 21, 2011 10:58 a.m. triumph5 SuperDork

I think I'd sit down with him and have a google earth street view with him at the areas where he's planning on stopping each night. And I would try to get across a planned stop each night, not stop when you feel like it. BUT, if he does, he HAS to call you where he is everynight, or it's missing person's report time.

It's hard. No doubt about it; he knows it, too. Thankfully I didn't have to do that too much with my parents.

Good luck, make it a "hey dad, let's see what you'll see!" night.
July 21, 2011 11:00 a.m. Salanis SuperDork

Datsun1500 wrote:

Why complain to that hotel? It is not their job to know where someone might be. They have no responsibility in this at all.... wow.

I didn't expect them to know where he was. I would expect them to know what other hotels are on the same street and be willing to offer some helpful information in an emergency.
July 21, 2011 11:50 a.m. Salanis SuperDork

triumph5 wrote:

I think I'd sit down with him and have a google earth street view with him at the areas where he's planning on stopping each night. And I would try to get across a planned stop each night, not stop when you feel like it. BUT, if he does, he HAS to call you where he is everynight, or it's missing person's report time.

That's a good idea. I'll try to do that. His plan is to go from here, near Sacramento, to Austin, stay for a couple weeks, then go on to DC and stay for a month or so. I think him driving is the wrong plan. I think flying or train are much better ideas, but he's dead set that he wants to take the car.

He'd like me to go with him, and as much as I love him, I've got to draw the line somewhere for my sanity. I could not take sharing a car with my grandfather for that long (I figure it will take him 4 days to get to Austin). I could handle sharing a plane or train with him, but with a car and sleeping in hotels, I don't have the opportunity to get away and have time to myself. Even if I were to drive with him, I'd only be able to go as far as Austin with him.
July 21, 2011 12:06 p.m. 4cylndrfury SuperDork

Super glad he turned up in one piece! Im happy there is a good ending to the story. I hope he understands that you just want to know hes ok and that for long trips like that, checking in with family is important no matter your age.

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