We don’t really have a July 4th tradition. Nowhere to go, nowhere to be. Usually we just bbq and call it a day. Today is no exception. I chose today to leave town and head to Maine for the month. Turns out air tix are cheaper on the 4th than any other day around the 4th. So today it is.
Up at 430. Not so tough cuz we been asleep since only 1030. I jumped up at 430, Accdg to my lovely bride. Best to get in the shower first. Then she has to squeege. Quick shower, were in a hurry here! Dressed fast, I set out my clothes last night. Coffee. Need it at this hour. Quick food. Jaxon is with Marika in SoCal so no dog worries. Gave the cats a big dump of kibble. Done. Packed yesterday. I am ready. It’s 505am. What now? Wait for my speedy wife to be ready. I don’t know what the hell she does but she was not ready to leave for another 30 minutes. I don’t yell. I don’t get mad. I have an expectation and she meets it. No prob.
Finally we left. Finally. Close to 545, about a half hour after we had intended. Plane takes off at 815. I think we have time. Assuming holiday traffic is sparse.
Holiday traffic was sparse. We made Sacramento in about 30-35 minutes. A course record and I wasn’t even trying. I am parking the rig at my friend Bob’s house. He is staying in Tahoe so it’s unlikely to get in his way. And no parking fees for three weeks. Winner.
We got to Sacramento Intl Airport by 645 via a Lyft from Bob’s driveway to the terminal. No line at the ticket counter to check bags. Sauntered up to security, no line and no issues. To the gate, an hour before takeoff. We are really cooking with gas.
Had plenty of time to wander around, go pee, get water. The usual. We are boarding at the back of our flight, late in the boarding process. Good news, the plane was not full. We found seats together in the last row of the plane. Great seats, right next to the bathroom. And I believe every person in the plane used the toilet during the flight. I did not keep score.
Flight to Chicago was uneventful. Very. There was quite a bit of turbulence which keeps me on my toes. Not so bad I pooped my drawers, just constant.
Landed in Chicago ahead of schedule, not that it matters. We have a 2 1/2 hour lay over and this airport has nothing to excite anyone.
We found our gate and the plane is already 20 minutes delayed. What to do? Wander the airport. Hope something new has been added. Use the can. Window shop for overpriced goods. Sat down at some restaurant or other and had a snack. Took our time since we have it. We just tried to entertain ourselves.
Eventually we gave up. Went to our gate and sat. I have a book (always) and I started reading. Emily did likewise. And so it went till boarding.
I would tell you this flight was identical to the last. Except we were earlier in the boarding process and were 12 rows in front of where we were on the first leg. That is the only change.
We did arrive in Boston late but, miracle of miracles, our bus was not there yet. So we had to wait three minutes for it to show. I am not just good looking, I’m lucky too.
So, 940 Boston time, onto a bus taking us to Portland, Maine. Bus had free food (pretzels) and free drinks (H2O). And a movie. Better service than Southwest and the driver was funny. He made good time. I got carsick reading in the bus and switched to the movie. A documentary that was about a 7 out of 10.
Hank and Beth had left a car for us at the bus terminal in Portland. Keys at the ticket counter. People in Maine are nice. We arrived at the terminal at just after midnight. We grabbed our bags and hit the road. After a long flying day it is fantastic to get into a vehicle you get to drive yourself in. Also, driving gets rid of car sickness.
Just about two hours later we were at camp. 19 1/2 hours after we got up. We were kinda tired. We unpacked and went to bed. Man am I beat.