Traveling with a group is like herding cats. Traveling internationally with a group is--words fail me. Stressful springs to mind.
Guess I just have to tackle one piece at a time. Got an e-mail from Delta at midnight last night saying that they had changed my reservation to Heathrow and I now had a 50-minute layover in Detroit because the flight from Detroit to Heathrow had been moved up. Right, what planet are they on? No way I would have made that connection.
Called first thing this morning because I'm traveling on a frequent flyer ticket and those seats are so limited. Didn't succeed in talking them into putting me on the nonstop from Minneapolis (4X the miles I paid), but got an earlier flight from Minneapolis to Detroit so I won't miss my international connection. The upside of this is the flight to Heathrow now has the flat bed seats which the previous flight didn't. So now I can sleep on my way over. Still on the nonstop on the flight back. Assume they won't change that as that flight already has the flat bed seats. Although there's the never assume rule.
Got the very last room available at the hotel we've been looking at in London, so that's good. Now need to find a car service to Southampton. There's no room in the inn at the Holiday Inn across from the pier there, so we will just have to stay in London another night and go down the day of the cruise.
WANDERINGS & MUSINGS. Occasional thoughts on travel, getting ready to travel, other things. Maybe some lessons learned along the way.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Thursday, February 3 musings
Slept well in my own bed last night and didn't wake up until 9 a.m.
Went out to pick up my mountain of held mail. If the postal service really wanted to provide a great service, it would trash all the junk mail. I can't believe all the cruise porn I get. (For the unitiated, that's brochures touting various cruises.) What's interesting is that I get it from all the cruiselines but the one I regularly cruise. Guess they know they've got me! And the others are trying to get me to jump ship, so to speak.
Got gas and groceries and went to the library to get some books they were holding for me. Going to the library involves a longer trip now that they have closed the small branch library where I've been going for about 40 years. Its replacement won't be open for a year! So I have to go to the main library which is the next closest one. Don't know where anything is, although admittedly they have a much larger selection of things. Although that really doesn't matter these days, because one has access to the entire collection online.
Maybe tomorrow I'll start unpacking all the way too much stuff I took along. Took tons of stuff because I could, because I had a car. What I learned is that you have to haul the stuff into a hotel each night and back out to the car the next morning. That got old really quick and I learned to pare down to essentials. The rest just lived in the trunk for the bulk of the trip. Plus the more stuff you have, the more likely you are to leave something behind. Witness the lost underwear saga. I really have no idea where I might have left that. I did check with the hotel in Santa Barbara where we stayed for 4 nights, but they said they hadn't found it. I remember at one point getting a smaller amount out to use and that's the last I remember. Oh well, now I get to shop for new underwear!
Went out to pick up my mountain of held mail. If the postal service really wanted to provide a great service, it would trash all the junk mail. I can't believe all the cruise porn I get. (For the unitiated, that's brochures touting various cruises.) What's interesting is that I get it from all the cruiselines but the one I regularly cruise. Guess they know they've got me! And the others are trying to get me to jump ship, so to speak.
Got gas and groceries and went to the library to get some books they were holding for me. Going to the library involves a longer trip now that they have closed the small branch library where I've been going for about 40 years. Its replacement won't be open for a year! So I have to go to the main library which is the next closest one. Don't know where anything is, although admittedly they have a much larger selection of things. Although that really doesn't matter these days, because one has access to the entire collection online.
Maybe tomorrow I'll start unpacking all the way too much stuff I took along. Took tons of stuff because I could, because I had a car. What I learned is that you have to haul the stuff into a hotel each night and back out to the car the next morning. That got old really quick and I learned to pare down to essentials. The rest just lived in the trunk for the bulk of the trip. Plus the more stuff you have, the more likely you are to leave something behind. Witness the lost underwear saga. I really have no idea where I might have left that. I did check with the hotel in Santa Barbara where we stayed for 4 nights, but they said they hadn't found it. I remember at one point getting a smaller amount out to use and that's the last I remember. Oh well, now I get to shop for new underwear!
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Road Trip, Day 26
I'm home!
Left Ogallala, Nebraska, this morning at 9:15 a.m. Temperature was -4. Headed across Nebraska which is pretty boring except for encountering the Platte River all the time. The other thing I noticed is that they label the interstate the Eisenhower Interstate System. Kind of nice to give him credit--the interstate system was a great invention.
The Iowa sign occurred somewhere in Council Bluffs while I was in traffic and not in the right lane to see it, so don't know what it said. Western Iowa is quite interesting, actually. Not flat at all. Lots of rolling hills with prosperous looking farms. Had planned to stay in Atlantic, Iowa, but when I got there, wasn't tired, so decided to push on to Des Moines.
Saw an interesting series of signs on the way: Save our farms! Build in the city.
Mr. Garmin was quite cranky about the change in plans, wanting me to get off at every exit and turn back. Tried to punch in Des Moines, but tough to do when you're rocketing down the freeway at 80 mph. Besides, he has a decided preference for addresses and I didn't have one. Finally had the bright idea to punch the home button which would, of course, route me through Des Moines. Discovered I wasn't as far away as I thought, so decided to keep driving and stop if I got tired. It kept telling me I would get home around 8:30 p.m. Considering that I lost an hour with the time change from mountain to central, that would be 7:30 by my body clock. I kept watching the miles go down and the time get shorter and somehow I wasn't tired any more. Just cranked the tunes and kept going.
The biggest feature of Des Moines was the number of cars in the ditch or the median. One had flipped completely and was smashed. The roads were completely cleared by today and it was sunny, although VERY cold. Highest it got was 10 degrees. They must have had some of the great storm Tuesday.
I was quite happy to see the Minnesota welcomes you sign. Was even happier to see the Welcome to Saint Anthony Village sign! I discovered I'm only a mile from city hall per Mr. Garmin.
So, thus endeth the great road trip. I traveled 5,155 miles in 26 days, 709 of them today. I had an amazing time, saw some good friends and some wonderful sights, but it feels good to be home and I know I will enjoy sleeping in my own bed tonight. Have dragged everything in from the car, including all the frozen water and Coke that was in the trunk. It was one whole degree when I arrived. I'm just thankful none of the Coke exploded all over the trunk! Have it sitting in the laundry room in case it decides to do anything funky while it's thawing. Too bad I didn't get to see friends in Colorado Springs and Wichita on the way home, but I think I made the right decision to swing north around the storm. The highways were all fine.
I have to close with a funny story about bottled water. We stocked up at Trader Joe's while we were in Santa Barbara. Joey supposedly bought a case, although it ended up being two cases. Pat and Mary also bought some. So, here I was with three cases of water (I already had one) traveling around in my trunk. When I went to take the folks to the airport the last morning, something had to give so I could get their luggage in the trunk. We took out a case and set it on the ledge in the parking lot. I just didn't want to drag it into the room. Decided it would be interesting to see if it was still there when I returned.
When I got back, the water was gone, and someone had parked in my space. I hope they enjoyed it!
Left Ogallala, Nebraska, this morning at 9:15 a.m. Temperature was -4. Headed across Nebraska which is pretty boring except for encountering the Platte River all the time. The other thing I noticed is that they label the interstate the Eisenhower Interstate System. Kind of nice to give him credit--the interstate system was a great invention.
The Iowa sign occurred somewhere in Council Bluffs while I was in traffic and not in the right lane to see it, so don't know what it said. Western Iowa is quite interesting, actually. Not flat at all. Lots of rolling hills with prosperous looking farms. Had planned to stay in Atlantic, Iowa, but when I got there, wasn't tired, so decided to push on to Des Moines.
Saw an interesting series of signs on the way: Save our farms! Build in the city.
Mr. Garmin was quite cranky about the change in plans, wanting me to get off at every exit and turn back. Tried to punch in Des Moines, but tough to do when you're rocketing down the freeway at 80 mph. Besides, he has a decided preference for addresses and I didn't have one. Finally had the bright idea to punch the home button which would, of course, route me through Des Moines. Discovered I wasn't as far away as I thought, so decided to keep driving and stop if I got tired. It kept telling me I would get home around 8:30 p.m. Considering that I lost an hour with the time change from mountain to central, that would be 7:30 by my body clock. I kept watching the miles go down and the time get shorter and somehow I wasn't tired any more. Just cranked the tunes and kept going.
The biggest feature of Des Moines was the number of cars in the ditch or the median. One had flipped completely and was smashed. The roads were completely cleared by today and it was sunny, although VERY cold. Highest it got was 10 degrees. They must have had some of the great storm Tuesday.
I was quite happy to see the Minnesota welcomes you sign. Was even happier to see the Welcome to Saint Anthony Village sign! I discovered I'm only a mile from city hall per Mr. Garmin.
So, thus endeth the great road trip. I traveled 5,155 miles in 26 days, 709 of them today. I had an amazing time, saw some good friends and some wonderful sights, but it feels good to be home and I know I will enjoy sleeping in my own bed tonight. Have dragged everything in from the car, including all the frozen water and Coke that was in the trunk. It was one whole degree when I arrived. I'm just thankful none of the Coke exploded all over the trunk! Have it sitting in the laundry room in case it decides to do anything funky while it's thawing. Too bad I didn't get to see friends in Colorado Springs and Wichita on the way home, but I think I made the right decision to swing north around the storm. The highways were all fine.
I have to close with a funny story about bottled water. We stocked up at Trader Joe's while we were in Santa Barbara. Joey supposedly bought a case, although it ended up being two cases. Pat and Mary also bought some. So, here I was with three cases of water (I already had one) traveling around in my trunk. When I went to take the folks to the airport the last morning, something had to give so I could get their luggage in the trunk. We took out a case and set it on the ledge in the parking lot. I just didn't want to drag it into the room. Decided it would be interesting to see if it was still there when I returned.
When I got back, the water was gone, and someone had parked in my space. I hope they enjoyed it!
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Road Trip, Day 25
Tuesday, February 1
Decided to revisit the Colorado National Monument this morning since the visitor center was closed the last time we were there. The road is as interesting as ever--think hairpin turns and no guardrails--with snow and ice added in to the mix. All the trails and the walkouts to views were full of snow and I didn't feel like dragging out my boots. Did get the down jacket on, though, it was dang cold up there and the wind was fierce. Turns out this is the 100th anniversary of the monument, so got a commerative pin. I was the first person of the morning heading from the Fruita side to the Grand Junction side, no tire tracks in the snow on my side of the road. Guess I blazed the trail today.
I continue to be greatful to FDR and the CCC--they actually built that rim drive. They did a lot of wonderful things in the national parks which are still being used and enjoyed today. They were able to take their children to those parks later and tell them they helped build that. It put people to work during the great depression and gave them meaningful work on something that would be useful for future generations. Still think someone should have introduced them to the guardrail concept.
I then hit I-70 to Denver (with the assistance of Mr. Garmin). The Grand Junction folks seem to want to keep the existence of the monument a closely held secret. The Fruita folks, on the other hand, have signs pointing the way and they actually had brochures at my hotel.
I-70 to Denver is spectacular. There was some snow around 10,000 feet, but the road was clear and no ice, although they kept warning of ice and flashing signs urged people to slow down. I'm glad I took the risk--Denver just didn't seem to be getting hit that much by the storm.
I skirted Denver and headed for Nebraska on I-76. No more scenery. Back in the flatlands. Now, here's a mystery. If Denver is the mile high city, shouldn't the road have been descending out of Denver??? It seemed to be going uphill again. Nobody else but me was foolish enough to head for Nebraska except for the long distance truckers. Oh, and a Suburban pulling a boat. Yes, a boat. It's January and 6 degrees below 0. What are they going to do with that boat?
I-76 was laid out by an engineer who subscribed to the ruler theory of roadbuilding, unlike I-70 which twists and turns through the mountains. Tough to stay awake in the dark, but I made it to Ogallah, Nebraska. Cold and snowing here.
The Nebraska sign is interesting--no welcome. It would have been nice to be welcomed to Nebraska since I seemed to be the only person going there in the dark and cold. It says: Nebraska. The good life. Home of Arbor Day. Hmm. How could Arbor Day live anywhere? And what's so good about no scenery and 6 below 0 and snow flurries???
Have to get some sleep to prepare for more flatland driving tomorrow and the next day.
Decided to revisit the Colorado National Monument this morning since the visitor center was closed the last time we were there. The road is as interesting as ever--think hairpin turns and no guardrails--with snow and ice added in to the mix. All the trails and the walkouts to views were full of snow and I didn't feel like dragging out my boots. Did get the down jacket on, though, it was dang cold up there and the wind was fierce. Turns out this is the 100th anniversary of the monument, so got a commerative pin. I was the first person of the morning heading from the Fruita side to the Grand Junction side, no tire tracks in the snow on my side of the road. Guess I blazed the trail today.
I continue to be greatful to FDR and the CCC--they actually built that rim drive. They did a lot of wonderful things in the national parks which are still being used and enjoyed today. They were able to take their children to those parks later and tell them they helped build that. It put people to work during the great depression and gave them meaningful work on something that would be useful for future generations. Still think someone should have introduced them to the guardrail concept.
I then hit I-70 to Denver (with the assistance of Mr. Garmin). The Grand Junction folks seem to want to keep the existence of the monument a closely held secret. The Fruita folks, on the other hand, have signs pointing the way and they actually had brochures at my hotel.
I-70 to Denver is spectacular. There was some snow around 10,000 feet, but the road was clear and no ice, although they kept warning of ice and flashing signs urged people to slow down. I'm glad I took the risk--Denver just didn't seem to be getting hit that much by the storm.
I skirted Denver and headed for Nebraska on I-76. No more scenery. Back in the flatlands. Now, here's a mystery. If Denver is the mile high city, shouldn't the road have been descending out of Denver??? It seemed to be going uphill again. Nobody else but me was foolish enough to head for Nebraska except for the long distance truckers. Oh, and a Suburban pulling a boat. Yes, a boat. It's January and 6 degrees below 0. What are they going to do with that boat?
I-76 was laid out by an engineer who subscribed to the ruler theory of roadbuilding, unlike I-70 which twists and turns through the mountains. Tough to stay awake in the dark, but I made it to Ogallah, Nebraska. Cold and snowing here.
The Nebraska sign is interesting--no welcome. It would have been nice to be welcomed to Nebraska since I seemed to be the only person going there in the dark and cold. It says: Nebraska. The good life. Home of Arbor Day. Hmm. How could Arbor Day live anywhere? And what's so good about no scenery and 6 below 0 and snow flurries???
Have to get some sleep to prepare for more flatland driving tomorrow and the next day.
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