Vacation 2009: Part One – The Trip Out
When we left for our vacation, we were a bit concerned. Our last major flight didn’t exactly go off without a hitch, and we certainly didn’t want a repeat of THAT. The drive to the airport was full of prayers, and as we got closer, we realized how difficult parking the car and checking in with two kids was going to be. After all, we had:
- 2 car seats
- 3 suitcases
- 2 computers and backpacks
- 1 big duffel carry on, loaded with kids junk
- 2 kids’ backpacks
- 1 double stroller
- 2 kids’ aerobeds
We planned to pack one aerobed into each car seat bag, but that still left us with 11 separate items to drag around when we got there. Jesus, what were we thinking? When we got there, I did what any smart parent would do.
I dumped everyone and everything (except my computer, are you nuts?) off at the curb and got the hell out of there to park the car.
Row 51G (in the gold lot) at Dulles was so far out that I felt like I was parking at home, and it took so long that I expected to find three grouchy people waiting for me to check in. Fortunately, there had been a JetBlue skycap there who checked all of our luggage in for Sharon while I was parking the car. He even got my boarding pass even though I wasn’t there. That’s comforting.
Security was remarkably easy, considering we had two children who wouldn’t let go of Sharon. And 500 little plastic TSA buckets full of computers, shoes, jackets, etc. We made it to the gate with plenty of time to spare, and I headed off to find the nearest facilities – 3 Diet Mountain Dews and I’ve got a full bladder all morning. My favorite part of the trip was when I came back from the bathroom. Sharon said really loudly in front of everyone waiting for the flight, “Did you pee?” I guess we’re a bit too used to taking 2- and 4-year olds to the bathroom, because at first I didn’t even realize that’s a weird question to ask an adult. If you’re interested, though, the answer was “yes.”
We got on the plane, and let me tell you – pay extra for the extra legroom seats on JetBlue. I had TONS of room, and it was the best $25/seat I ever spent. The flight went smoothly, although I didn’t realize that Sharon had given the kids each a 1 liter bottle of water at the beginning of the flight. 1/2 hour later both bottles were both empty, and the both bladders were full – the kids became very familiar with the airport lavatory. But they did great (no nap, but at least they were happy), and even a couple of people commented on how great they were. Thank goodness for headphones and TV at every seat.
One of the benefits to not letting the kids watch TV - it works when you need it to.
A short 5 hours after taking off, we landed and made our way to the rental car shuttle with all of our junk. I looked forward to getting our “Toyota Sienna (or equivalent) with XM Satellite Radio.”
It was a bare bones Kia Sedona with Sirius.
Don’t get me wrong, the Kia Sedona is a fine car. But when I think of a Sienna, I think of things like power doors and seats. And Sirius? No, I wanted XM. I don’t want Howard, I want Opie and Anthony! Plus, I don’t know the channel numbers over on Sirius! Oh, woe is me! *tiny violins* Fortunately it drove great and had the LATCH doohickeys to put in the car seats…something the POS American minivan we got last time was missing.
The drive from Oakland to Monterey was also uneventful, except we did see a fire next to the freeway. And we got to see a helicopter dump water on it. That was pretty badass. Other than that it was all freeway, brown plants, and Casa de Fruta billboards. We made it to my parents’ house to pick up my new toy, and then we drove to Asilomar to visit Sharon’s family.
…to be continued. Because I know you’re all fascinated.
“…because at first I didn’t even realize that’s a weird question to ask an adult.” Hysterical.