After brerakfast we brushed our teeth, took our things and went to the lobby. First time in two weeks we had to drag our own bags! I love the service of being on a ship or a tour! Went into the restaurant to find mark to get our shuttle passes which were worth 4 pounds each. More goodbyes and we missed the 8:26 shuttle. But our target all along was to be ahead of schedule on the 8:46.
The Concierge suggested we wait outside. The bus is not operated by Radisson but services several hotels. He said if they drive up and don't see anyone, they may keep going. So we waited in the warm spring air and watched planes take off and land, literally right across the street. But allowing three hours to get to the flight was suggested, required, because of the bus stopping at other hotels, and also construction made the route circuitous. We are rule followers so complied but upped the ante by going early.
Won't be long and you will not see these flags flying together!
Security was a breeze. Not because of TSA Pre-Chek, that doesn't count here, but because there were about 15 security lines operating! We quickly made our way to the gate area and up the elevator to the United Club. Elva had complimentary passes and we took full advantage of our early arrival.
The fruit is mine but I will not admit to the second Mimosa! The donuts were good too!
We had a little more than two hours until it was time to go to the gate. Once there I gate checked my carry-on bag and saved myself the $100 second bag fee. Ridiculous fees! (Side note here. When we exited the plane at Dulles about 20 people were picking up their gated bags! Mine was sent right through with the rest of the baggage.)
The flight itself was fine. The food was not. Glad I had a few goodies stowed away in my seat bag. A blueberry muffin, a left over Welsh Cake and an apple tided m e over on the 7 hour and 50 minute flight. I watched three movies, I Tonya, Greatest Showman, and The Post They were all good and not yet free on any of my systems at home. Then to finish the flight there were two episodes of The Middle. A hot sandwich was served before landing so I survived. Three times I got up and just walked up and down the aisles and did some bend and stretches in the space between the good seats up front and our s in the back. I will say that the Economy seats were the nice one that slid forward if you leaned back and there was leg room. Thank you United Airlines. You are way ahead of American Airlines on an international route. Maybe, just maybe, someday I will get an upgrade to see if Business or First Class is really worth the extra money! My ticket was $149 dollars plus 30,000 miles The good thing about the miles is that mostly I didn't pay for any of the flights that accumulated them. At least not directly. They were gained in package travel deals. So mentally, they were free!
At Dulles I zipped through on Global Entry while Elva wended her way through the Passport Control line It wasn't awful but if we had been in Atlanta i would have been in the car heading home before she got her bag! I collected our bags and we took them about 50 feet and put them back in the system.
The security line did not have Pre-Chek! This is Dulles, Washington, major international airport. What the heck! We worked our way through security and it was pretty quick. None of that shoe removal stuff etc. But the bags were scanned and we made our way to the gate. Well sort of. To get to D37 we need to walk past some 60 gates! All of C and all but one of D! I do not walk fast anymore. Or at least my kids think I do not. Elva, bless her heart, is intrepid and independent. But she does not walk quickly. I was very happy that as we approached the D portion of the twin concourse a zippy people mover guy motioned to me, 'does she need a ride.' Yes, yes, yes. I was very happy to ride in the back as well and we may never have made it, at least without a rest stop! Of course there are tons of bars and restaurants but no just plain benches! He had to let us off with a few gates to go because there is a ramp to the final part of the walkway.
We each used the bathroom while the other watched the bags. Elva found a plug for her phone, and good thing too. The puddle jumper we boarded from the tarmac, did not have USB or plugs much less both. No screens either. Two by two seating and Elva and I each had a window. There was a delay once we reached runway pattern but soon were in the air. A nice young man was next to Elva. Another next to me. He was from Italy and heading to Augusta to see his girlfriend. She was on leave for a month from our Army and would be re-posted from Naples, where they met, to Sicily where he will move. After two years she will resign, return home and he will join her to be married.
The f;ight was seamless. We landed at a Terminal Gate and the not too long walk had us waiting forever for our bags. The young man who hd been next to Elva introduced me to his parents. They are taking their first cruise and he wanted my email so they can be in touch. I had given him some suggestions to make their trip fun. They are from Pine Mountain.
Karen collected me and it was on to Home Sweet Home!
Footnotes: These trips are getting harder and harder to recover from. This time I only opened my mail and sorted it before crashing at 9:30 p.m. But with the five hour time difference that isn't too bad I guess. Saturday morning I unpacked, did laundry and put it away. Walked the dog to pick up this years pool passes, last day to do so. I was glad I had something important to do on Saturday night or I would have been asleep by four and been even more miserable on Sunday.
Saturday night was my Grandson's last high school activity before this week's graduation ceremonies. Christian had two song and dance numbers in the Whitefield Dramatic Society Soiree. Maddie also performed and was the choreographer for Cell Block Tango! Christian was given his drama award and was pronounced to be one of the "Top Two Knoxes!'
Sunday I headed up to the mountains and thanks to Murphy's Mom and Dad did not have to be there as early as originally planned. I am here until Wednesday evening and then have a whole day before the Celebrations begin on Friday for Christian Knox. So proud of his excellent school record and he is a nice kid besides.
Lucky Knoxville. Might as well go to school in a town named after you!
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