The past three weeks have been an endurance test. I scheduled four visits each week, which means I don't get that Friday at home. The over scheduling was so I could under schedule in September in preparation for my cruise the end of September.
The second week in August I was in North Carolina. I was able to work in a visit with Molly and Ben by flying into Raleigh on Sunday and spending then night with them, then driving to Charlotte on Monday morning. On Thursday I drove back to Raleigh and stayed through the week end with Molly and Ben. It was a fun time. We watched the opening ceremonies of the Olympics and movies. I was able to get a lot of crocheting done!
The downside was that I was only home about 12 hours before heading to Cedar Falls, Iowa on Monday.
Right now I am in Canton, Ohio. The flights were great. I have learned to get nearly everywhere without having to go through Chicago O'Hare.
Monday, August 18, 2008
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Okay, Marian
I know, I haven't been doing a very good job of keeping up with my travels. It's hard enough just DOING the travels.
Montana ended up being very pretty, but I didn't get to drive the Going to the Sun Road. I did, however, drive to Glacier National Park and check out what I could see. I bought the season pass to the park. For 25$ I could go for the day and for 35$ I could have a one year pass. Since I am going back in September, and six months from then, I decided to go for the extra 10 bucks. I'm hoping that in September I will be able to drive the Going to the Sun Road and cross the Continental Divide. I bought a book about day hikes and plan to go early in September and try some of them.
I took the week of the 4th of July off as vacation. I knew I was in trouble when I realized I had planned about 30 days worth of stuff to accomplish in seven days, but I had a good time. My sister-in-law brought Elizabeth (the dog) down to spend the week with me. If I ever have a job without this much travel I would love to have her back full time. She has calmed down significantly from her puppy days and is just a joy to have around. We walked every day. I probably wouldn't have quite the weight problem if I had her to keep me moving.
The week after the fourth I was in Greeneville, South Carolina. It's hard to get anywhere in the south without going through Atlanta, but the connections went off without a hitch. I was impressed with Greeneville. The facility was about 10 miles from the actual city, but there was a nurse on the evening shift who was insistent that I visit the revived downtown area. So I did and I am so glad she sent me there. Like so many older cities, the downtown goes down hill as the suburbs evolve. She told me the area was essentially a dump until they decided to revive it several years ago. It was beautiful. There is a river that runs over some falls which have historical significance to the area. They have built this suspension bridge over the falls. I ate at a neat restaurant overlooking the river. I have pictures but not on this computer. I will try to remember to post them when I am at home.
Subsequent to that adventure I have been driving around the Midwest. It's pretty boring travel. I did, however, find a great book at the library to listen to as I drove to Cedar Rapids, Iowa today. It's by Ralph Moody and one of the 'Little Britches' books. I remember them from my childhood. We lived in the country outside of King City and would read those books aloud in the evenings. I couldn't remember much about them, but I checked it out anyway to refresh my memory. I listened to it for the 5 1/2 hour drive today and enjoyed the story. It certainly made the drive go faster. I'm headed to Omaha tomorrow afternoon and will be able to finish it.
Don't give up on me. I may be slow, but check occassionally to see what I'm up to next.
Montana ended up being very pretty, but I didn't get to drive the Going to the Sun Road. I did, however, drive to Glacier National Park and check out what I could see. I bought the season pass to the park. For 25$ I could go for the day and for 35$ I could have a one year pass. Since I am going back in September, and six months from then, I decided to go for the extra 10 bucks. I'm hoping that in September I will be able to drive the Going to the Sun Road and cross the Continental Divide. I bought a book about day hikes and plan to go early in September and try some of them.
I took the week of the 4th of July off as vacation. I knew I was in trouble when I realized I had planned about 30 days worth of stuff to accomplish in seven days, but I had a good time. My sister-in-law brought Elizabeth (the dog) down to spend the week with me. If I ever have a job without this much travel I would love to have her back full time. She has calmed down significantly from her puppy days and is just a joy to have around. We walked every day. I probably wouldn't have quite the weight problem if I had her to keep me moving.
The week after the fourth I was in Greeneville, South Carolina. It's hard to get anywhere in the south without going through Atlanta, but the connections went off without a hitch. I was impressed with Greeneville. The facility was about 10 miles from the actual city, but there was a nurse on the evening shift who was insistent that I visit the revived downtown area. So I did and I am so glad she sent me there. Like so many older cities, the downtown goes down hill as the suburbs evolve. She told me the area was essentially a dump until they decided to revive it several years ago. It was beautiful. There is a river that runs over some falls which have historical significance to the area. They have built this suspension bridge over the falls. I ate at a neat restaurant overlooking the river. I have pictures but not on this computer. I will try to remember to post them when I am at home.
Subsequent to that adventure I have been driving around the Midwest. It's pretty boring travel. I did, however, find a great book at the library to listen to as I drove to Cedar Rapids, Iowa today. It's by Ralph Moody and one of the 'Little Britches' books. I remember them from my childhood. We lived in the country outside of King City and would read those books aloud in the evenings. I couldn't remember much about them, but I checked it out anyway to refresh my memory. I listened to it for the 5 1/2 hour drive today and enjoyed the story. It certainly made the drive go faster. I'm headed to Omaha tomorrow afternoon and will be able to finish it.
Don't give up on me. I may be slow, but check occassionally to see what I'm up to next.
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
It's Snowing!
You may recall that last February I was re-routed to Montana in the middle of a blizzard. As a result, I asked to have the next visits as I wanted to actually be able to see the mountains. I was rewarded with a positive response.
Now is the time for the next visit.
I scheduled the flights with time to explore and checked the information for Glacier National Park. The 'Fun in the Sun Road' was partially closed when I first checked three weeks ago, but being the positive person I am, I was sure it would be open by the second week in June. I anticipated brisk, sunny days with blue skies and comfortable temperatures. I actually packed slacks and light weight shirts, shorts and T-shirts and laid out Capri's, a T-shirt and sandals for the flight. Then for some reason I decided I should check the weather report for Kalispel, Montana on Monday night before I left on Tuesday morning. The forecast was for highs in the 50'2 and lows in the 30's, so I repacked, taking the shorts out and replacing light weight tops with sweaters. I put away the Capri's and got out jeans, a sweater and athletic shoes to wear on the plane. And at the last minute, I hunted down my heavy black sweater and put it in the suitcase.
Leaving Kansas City at 10AM (the flight was delayed) I felt a bit foolish, as I was uncomfortably hot and the other passengers were wearing summer attire. I changed planes in Denver and it was sunny and breezy. But, alas, when we were boarding the plane for Kalispel we were told that we might not be able to land in Kalispel due to a snow storm. If the weather prohibited the landing we would be re-routed to Missoula and arrangements made to transport us on to Kalispel.
Fortunately, luck was with us.
The flight was rather bumpy, but we made it to Kalispel on time. Actually, we landed a bit ahead of time. AND the snow storm was in full force. Visibility restricted my ability to see the mountains.....AGAIN!. Instead of heading for Glacier National Park, as I had planned, I just went to the hotel.
But all good stories have a good ending, and so does this one.
When I checked in at the hotel, I discovered I was the 'customer of the day'. I received a gift bag with bottled water, candy and microwave popcorn and an upgrade to a suite.
I'm here until Friday morning. Maybe the weather will improve.
Now is the time for the next visit.
I scheduled the flights with time to explore and checked the information for Glacier National Park. The 'Fun in the Sun Road' was partially closed when I first checked three weeks ago, but being the positive person I am, I was sure it would be open by the second week in June. I anticipated brisk, sunny days with blue skies and comfortable temperatures. I actually packed slacks and light weight shirts, shorts and T-shirts and laid out Capri's, a T-shirt and sandals for the flight. Then for some reason I decided I should check the weather report for Kalispel, Montana on Monday night before I left on Tuesday morning. The forecast was for highs in the 50'2 and lows in the 30's, so I repacked, taking the shorts out and replacing light weight tops with sweaters. I put away the Capri's and got out jeans, a sweater and athletic shoes to wear on the plane. And at the last minute, I hunted down my heavy black sweater and put it in the suitcase.
Leaving Kansas City at 10AM (the flight was delayed) I felt a bit foolish, as I was uncomfortably hot and the other passengers were wearing summer attire. I changed planes in Denver and it was sunny and breezy. But, alas, when we were boarding the plane for Kalispel we were told that we might not be able to land in Kalispel due to a snow storm. If the weather prohibited the landing we would be re-routed to Missoula and arrangements made to transport us on to Kalispel.
Fortunately, luck was with us.
The flight was rather bumpy, but we made it to Kalispel on time. Actually, we landed a bit ahead of time. AND the snow storm was in full force. Visibility restricted my ability to see the mountains.....AGAIN!. Instead of heading for Glacier National Park, as I had planned, I just went to the hotel.
But all good stories have a good ending, and so does this one.
When I checked in at the hotel, I discovered I was the 'customer of the day'. I received a gift bag with bottled water, candy and microwave popcorn and an upgrade to a suite.
I'm here until Friday morning. Maybe the weather will improve.
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Delays
I have decided that summer air travel is much more unpredictable than winter. I really have not had many problems this winter, other than being cold. The flights usually were on time and I have always had my STUFF since I quit checking my luggage. But the summer storms have started and my TRIALS have begun.
I am in Milwaukee, waiting on my connection back to Kansas City. I was to be here about 2 hours. BUT, the first screen I saw said my flight was 'DELAYED'. I went to a 'restaurant' and ordered a glass of wine at the bar. (The tables were full). I chatted with two policemen from Cleveland who were on their way to Dallas to pick up a prisoner who was delinquent with child support. They had been here four hours and were not sure they were going to make it to Dallas in time to pick him up tomorrow morning and head home. I finished the wine and went back to my gate to check out the 'delay'. Right now the plan is that I won't leave until 9PM, which means I won't be home until much later than I wanted to be.
The good news is that I don't have to leave Kansas City until next Tuesday.
I am in Milwaukee, waiting on my connection back to Kansas City. I was to be here about 2 hours. BUT, the first screen I saw said my flight was 'DELAYED'. I went to a 'restaurant' and ordered a glass of wine at the bar. (The tables were full). I chatted with two policemen from Cleveland who were on their way to Dallas to pick up a prisoner who was delinquent with child support. They had been here four hours and were not sure they were going to make it to Dallas in time to pick him up tomorrow morning and head home. I finished the wine and went back to my gate to check out the 'delay'. Right now the plan is that I won't leave until 9PM, which means I won't be home until much later than I wanted to be.
The good news is that I don't have to leave Kansas City until next Tuesday.
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
The Results
Only three of the wheelchairs were used and the passengers were all older (even older than me) ladies. One of them immediately got out of the wheelchair once she was out of the walkway. One of the others moved from the wheelchair to a motorized cart and took off to parts unknown.
Tonight I am in a foggy Milwaukee waiting to connect to Grand Rapids, Michigan. I have almost three hours between flights and will not arrive in Grand Rapids until 11:30. We almost didn't get to land in Milwaukee because of the fog, so I am hoping that it clears enough that I actually get to take off at 10 when the flight is scheduled. The weather has been a little rough. There were storms both days in Indianapolis and we were without electricity at the nursing home there most of the morning.
Now I am actually going to try and do some reports so I don't have to do them this week-end.
Tonight I am in a foggy Milwaukee waiting to connect to Grand Rapids, Michigan. I have almost three hours between flights and will not arrive in Grand Rapids until 11:30. We almost didn't get to land in Milwaukee because of the fog, so I am hoping that it clears enough that I actually get to take off at 10 when the flight is scheduled. The weather has been a little rough. There were storms both days in Indianapolis and we were without electricity at the nursing home there most of the morning.
Now I am actually going to try and do some reports so I don't have to do them this week-end.
Monday, June 2, 2008
A Wheelchair Parade
I'm in Indianapolis, sitting at a gate, waiting for my co-worker to arrive from Houston. We are doing a two day Mock Survey here.
The airport in Indianapolils does not post 'Arrivals' inside the secure area. I guess they figure if you are inside the secure area, you are only interested in 'Departures'. I am assuming my co-worker will arrive at the gate the next American departure to Houston leaves from, so here I am. Amazingly there is a relatively empty bar across from the gate, and I am having pleasant glass of Chardonay while I wait.
And what to my wondering eyes should appear, but a parade of six empty wheelchairs. They are now lined up at the door. The chariot awaits!!! I can't wait to see who exits the plane to assume the chariot!!
I'll keep you posted.
The airport in Indianapolils does not post 'Arrivals' inside the secure area. I guess they figure if you are inside the secure area, you are only interested in 'Departures'. I am assuming my co-worker will arrive at the gate the next American departure to Houston leaves from, so here I am. Amazingly there is a relatively empty bar across from the gate, and I am having pleasant glass of Chardonay while I wait.
And what to my wondering eyes should appear, but a parade of six empty wheelchairs. They are now lined up at the door. The chariot awaits!!! I can't wait to see who exits the plane to assume the chariot!!
I'll keep you posted.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Still traveling
Gosh, I can't believe it's been almost two months since I posted. Travel has been less eventful since the weather improved and so far the summer storms have not cause me any problems. I have been avoiding American, and United if at all possible. I have much better luck with Southwest and Midwest. My last American flight was five hours late leaving Kansas City.
I found I can fly to Kalamazoo on Delta which connects in Cincinnati instead of O'Hare in Chicago. On my last trip there were storms in Chicago and all the American and United flights from Kalamazoo were canceled. I connected in Cincinnati and got home without a problem, but the airport in Cincinnati is a bit annoying. The waiting area is like a huge auditorium with the gates around the periphery and the PA system just booms all the time.
I have traveled East to small towns which require connections. Southwest is usually the best option, even so, the travel day is long. One was to Kingsport, Tennessee and the other Mystic, Connecticut. Both were great trips and I saw wonderful country. I left at 6 AM for Connecticut, which meant getting up before 4 am to be at the airport by 5. Both times we started the engagement as soon as we arrived and worked through the supper meal service. By that time, all I want to do is find food and go to sleep.
Just wanted to let everyone know I'm still around and still traveling. I'll try to do a better job of keeping you up to date.
I found I can fly to Kalamazoo on Delta which connects in Cincinnati instead of O'Hare in Chicago. On my last trip there were storms in Chicago and all the American and United flights from Kalamazoo were canceled. I connected in Cincinnati and got home without a problem, but the airport in Cincinnati is a bit annoying. The waiting area is like a huge auditorium with the gates around the periphery and the PA system just booms all the time.
I have traveled East to small towns which require connections. Southwest is usually the best option, even so, the travel day is long. One was to Kingsport, Tennessee and the other Mystic, Connecticut. Both were great trips and I saw wonderful country. I left at 6 AM for Connecticut, which meant getting up before 4 am to be at the airport by 5. Both times we started the engagement as soon as we arrived and worked through the supper meal service. By that time, all I want to do is find food and go to sleep.
Just wanted to let everyone know I'm still around and still traveling. I'll try to do a better job of keeping you up to date.
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