Captian's Log:
Preface to trip.
On May 21, 2005 with bags packed with media cards, my wife Linda, Andrea, Drew and myself we left and our home and headed for the happiest celebration on earth... Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. My wife and I had been there two times before, once with our two sons and once by ourselfs, but this time we were taking our grandchildren Andrea and Andrew (Drew).
I contacted our friend Ms. Connie Milton @www.cmilton@greatsoutherntravel.com Great Southern Travel located in Springfield, MO. Phone number 417-888-4488 EXT 2128. After all the number crunching like can we afford this trip now and phone calls back and forth, we Linda and I decided it was the right time to go. She sent us some combination packages and we looked the information over. The biggest decision was what hotel we would stay at. I surffed the Disney CD Rom guide I had requested and found one that appealed to me sole on the swimming pool design. More about that later. With our reservations booked we waited.
The kids had their last day of school on May 21, and only a half day at that.
from school, we had our bags packed except for last minute items and waited for them to get home. Then it was off to "THE HAPPIEST CELEBRATION ON EARTH."
After having traveled to Virginia three years earlier for a family wedding which happened during the time of the "D.C Snipper" and going to Gulf Shores two years ago we decided that it was time to test our wings and fly. Yes, we were flying to Florida. No hearing about how bad my driving was. You almost hit that car!! Can't you keep this car in your lane??? No sirree. I would hear none of that this time around. Just please fasten your seatbelt from some cute airline attendant.
The scene at our house was somewhat vaguely familar to Home Alone 1 and 2 and 3 movies. There was a lot of running around, screaming did you lock the doors kind of stuff? Of course I had to have a last minute check of email. It would be six days without access to a computer.
We were finally on our way.
To begin, we stayed at a hotel, just minutes from the airport. We had a great view of the planes taking off. The wisdom behind this was that it would be a horrible experience, trip trying to get the kids up at about 3 am in order to arrive at the airport 2 hours earlier for the baggage check and all of that. Our flight was scheduled to leave at 7:00 am which meant we had to be at the airport by 5:00 am. There was no way that was going to go anything but smooth. Not with two kids and a van full of suitcases, swimsuits and sun screen. In addition, we would have to find a park and fly space for our car, unload our stuff into another van to take us to the airport.
This plan had several good points. Namely, they got us up in time, took us to the airport in their van and came and got us when we got back home. At least that was the plan. No problem. Really Simple Stuff. Right!!
Captian's Log:
Day 1
May 21, 2005
After checking into theDouble Tree Hotel, we went out for some supper and then tried to settle down for the night. Or tried to settle down. I don't rememer if I slept much but my biggest concern for me was breakfast.
Captian's Log:
Day 2 Very Early
May 22, 2005
I remember waking up and made my way to the shower. After I got out, I finished dressing and made some coffee in the hotel room with their complementary coffee maker. That helped.
I asked my wife if the hotel had called to wake us up. "Yes," she replied. I just wanted to make sure. After all we were paying for that service. Upon repacking and making sure we didn't leave anythng important, like plane boarding passes and sun screen, we headed down to the hotel lobby and waited to be taken to the airport.
As I mentioned earlier, there would not be time for breakfast. Plus it would be about a two hour flight and loose an hour going east. That meant it would be afternoon before anything resembling food found it's way to my mouth and stomach.
But then I was rescued. A cup of Starbucks and I was good to go!! Of course, I set off the metal detactors with my two knees which had been replaced five years ago. After a wand inspecition of me, I was given the green light to go on through the gates.
The kids did well passing the time as it was a new experience for them. Finally, we heard the announcement come over the PA system to prepare to board our plane. Up and moving toward the desk with kids and carry ons we walked down the ramp and into the plane. We found our seats, got settled in and buckled up preparing for the approximate 2 hour flight to Orlando International Airport.
No comments:
Post a Comment