It was 03:30 MTN Daylight time, and after wrestling the luggage into the car (and I do mean wrestling), I was off. Of course I had to forget the camera-to-computer cord, so went back to get that… Then I was truly off. Parked the car at the Park 'n' Fly. Took the little bus over to the airport. I got there at 04:15 to a line up that was out the door for check-in for the flight to Denver. They finally started putting passengers through at 04:30. It took almost 40 minutes for me to get through. Thankfully my luggage was not over the limit (like someone else who had to pay $50 to get 10 pounds of sponge candy on the plane)!
US Customs. They were really straightforward this time, no threats of not letting me in if I was a Jeff Gordon fan. LOL Sorry Mary-Lynn, you better be careful when crossing the boarder for Dover!
Security went ok. The guy looked through my backpack because of the package of new camera batteries, car keys, and my wallet with Canadian change. He took away my half-empty water bottle, making the point he had to take it away even though I could buy exactly the same thing just around the corner from where we stood. He was really nice about it though, very friendly, and we talked about racing. I still hate that I had to take off my shoes. I barely had time to get into the secured area, get myself organized and put my shoes back on and they made the boarding call for my flight. I was off to Denver.
I have never been to Denver before. It was pretty cool to see the Rockies on landing. I have only one complaint about the Airport though. No luggage carts in the terminal! I understand once you are in the secured area you should only have your carry-on stuff with you, which by definition, you should be able to carry. However, if you are like me and insist on packing lead weights in there, it gets heavy after a while and it would be nice to put it all on wheels. *Note to self: Take small roller board suitcase as carry-on next time, instead of Coca-Cola Racing Nascar duffle with no wheels. Again, just enough time to get off one plane, pee, and find the next gate for boarding to DFW. By the way, I love moving sidewalks. Eddie Gossage should really look into those.
I slept most of the second flight but I did meet Juanita on the plane. She didn’t talk much until we actually landed in Dallas and were on that “forever taxi” to the terminal (I still think it’s cool the way the runway goes over the freeway). That’s when I found out Juanita was traveling with two other gals (relatives), headed to Louisiana for her grandmother’s 90th birthday party. A big celebration, literally a family reunion, was planned. They were going to see relatives and family friends they hadn’t seen in years. The girls were driving from Dallas to down to where “Granma Wheezy” lived in LA, which was approximately an 8-hour car ride they were NOT looking forward to.
Juanita was amazed I was coming all the way from Canada to go to Nascar races. Even more amazed I would attempt such an adventure by myself. We eventually got to talking church and she said their church was “non-denominational”. I said, “Well really all you need is Jesus and a Bible, and you’re set!” She agreed. By that time we had finally come to a stop at our gate, and the pilot turned off the “fasten seatbelts” sign. I wished them a good trip, and Juanita did the same to me. Oh, did I mention Juanita and the girls had absolutely fantastic nails and great weaves?
I found a luggage cart. At DFW you have to pay $3 for them, but worth every penny. Of course I had to collect my checked bags, so the cart was necessary. All the while I looked and looked for Robin, Susan & Dave. For anyone I knew. No one. Ok, they’re running late. No problem, I’ll just give them a call. Mel’s old cheap pay-as-you-go cell does not work below the 49th Parallel. So, payphone it is. Charge to Visa. Do you know how hard it is to use a payphone these days? I must be getting old. After a few attempts with the Visa I dug out some good old-fashioned quarters (remember you have to bring the American ones with you – all coin-operated machines in the US are prejudiced and do not accept Canadian coins). I got Susan’s voice mail. I started wondering if I had been abandoned in Texas before I even got out of the airport. I’ve heard stories you know… LOL
I found some more quarters and called Dave’s cell. “That must have been you that just called Susan!” he laughed. They would fetch me in 30 minutes. Perfect. Just enough time to pee and maybe find something to munch on. Oh look, a hot dog stand. Yup and not a bad dog either. I can’t count how many soldiers walked by me while I set there and ate the dog, so I don’t know how many soldiers got prayed for, but it was fun! I was coming out of the ladies’ room (gotta love how you can take the luggage cart right in with ya!) and saw Susan walking by. “Susan!” I had not been abandoned after all.
I was introduced to our mode of transportation for the weekend that Susan so affectionately called the “Belt Sander on Wheels”, AKA the new Ford Edge*. Not a bad looking car/SUV type thing, just maybe a little more bubble-ish in style than what we’re used to. Is this yet another sign of getting old?
*Yes a Ford. Due to unavoidable and unforeseen circumstances in the car rental industry, we were forced to drive something other than a Dawdge!
I no sooner got in to the Belt Sander and I was introduced to the Sacred Racing Waffle. That’s right, The Sacred Racing Waffle (or SRW). Do you really want to know? All I can say is that I believe Rutledge would be proud. The Sacred Racing Waffle rode neatly in its own plastic take-out container, which happened to have a clear lid. The whole thing made it look like a portable shrine. I knew we were in for a good time. Anybody who picks someone up at the airport with a Sacred Racing Waffle can only have one thing in mind. FUN!.JPG)
When I woke her up she insisted she did not have to take her shoes off no matter what I said. lol We got my things into my room, which I would share with two fine ladies – One I had met before, the other I had known even longer but had not yet met face to face. I looked forward to the next two airport runs!!
Considering both Robin and I had not slept Wednesday night, and only grabbed a couple hours of “plane sleep” (not real sleep), Susan & Dave insisted we have a little rest. It would be our last opportunity for the remainder of the weekend, I thought. First I tore apart the rolling duffle and I organized the gift bags and got everything sorted out. Then I laid down for a little rest. It didn’t last long as it was soon time to get something to eat before the third airport run of the day.
We hit this a place called “On the Boarder - Mexican Grill & Cantina” located near the hotel. OWESOME quesadillas! I’m not a real fan of refried beans but this Canadian could get into TexMex if it was all like this! And they served up a wonderful virgin pomegranate margarita! That was about the yummiest slurpee I’ve had in ages.
We had to walk off some of that food so where else would we go but Wally World! Ah the adventure that is the Wal-Mart Supercenter. Living on what many consider Tundra, we don’t have The Supercenter. Ok they are just building a “small” Supercenter on the west end of Edmonton, and I’m not sure if it will be 24 hours or not… I hope so. That’s part of what makes The Supercenter, isn’t it?! Heck even Emporia, VA has a Supercenter! And Metro Edmonton is only about 178 times bigger* than Emporia! LOL
After loading up with some snacks, bottled water, sodas and whatever we thought we might need for the weekend, we went back to the hotel and dropped everything off, along with Dave. Then it was time to head back to DFW to pick up the Legendary Merri! Armed with bunny ears and the Sacred Racing Waffle (SRW), we decided to get a package of M&M’s just in case – so she would at least see something familiar and know it was us!!
As we waited, Robin and I donned the bunny ears and Susan took our photo with the SRW. An Airport Official came by and whispered to Susan, “Rabbits are not allowed in the airport.”
She whispered back, “Not even the two-legged variety?”.JPG)
“I think we may be able to make an exception,” he replied.
She convincingly added, “Besides, they have the Sacred Racing Waffle!”
He didn’t miss a beat. “Why didn’t you saaay sooo!” and walked off. He made it about 10 paces, turned around and said, “The Sacred Racing Waffle?!” Then turned around and continued on his way. We all bust out laughing. .JPG)
Susan’s cell phone rang. It was Merri saying the plane had arrived and she would be in the terminal soon. Susan reassured Merri she would not be able to miss her welcoming committee in the airport. They continued chatting until Merri came through the doors from the secured area. Soon as she saw us, she averted her eyes, and I’m certain she asked herself why she decided to come at all! LOL There were hugs all around, and we waited for the luggage to hit the turnstile.
Meanwhile, a plane was arriving at DFW from Norfolk, VA, delivering our dear friend Alnee. I was so looking forward to seeing her again. The Vegas luggage didn’t get to us in time to meet Alnee at the gate, but we found her shortly after. As we almost drove past her in the Belt Sander, I said, “There she is! That’s her!” And Susan yelled out, “Hey Lady! Want a waffle?!” LOL Alnee herself could hardly believe she had actually gotten on a plane! It was pretty much her first time flying and she overcame her fears to visit the great state of Texas despite the many derogatory things she may have heard about the place. Alnee seemed happy and excited to be there, and I knew we were going to have a LOT of laughs over the next few days.
After introducing Merri and Alnee to the SRW, it was back to the hotel for some sleep (what’s that?). Of course we had to take Robin past Texas Stadium first. At least that’s what Susan told Dave when he asked what took us so long. A Belt Sander full of women admitting they took a wrong turn and got even slightly lost? LOL Think again!
Robin stayed with Susan and Dave, and Alnee and I roomed with Merri. When we realized how such a room assignment might could make some people very nervous, Alnee and I had a really good laugh. LOL I guess we would find out if she was really and truly “Scary Merri” as legend had it!
And that, in a nutshell (ha ha ha!!) was Thursday. We were all so tired from lack of sleep, flying, and excitement. As I stretched out in bed, I hoped Juanita and the girls had made it to their destination safely. It was good night, God bless the hot dog man, the soldiers, and happy birthday to Granma Wheezy! Look out TMS, here we come!
* Based on population figures found on www.ci.emporia.va.us and www.edmonton.ca
.JPG){kind=link}
0 comments:
Post a Comment