Almost home but not quit

We arrived by train in Munich from Stuttgart, and to make a long story short, we stayed in a very nice, reasonably priced hotel near the airport (Holiday Inn Express) and had a good night sleep before making another attempt at getting across the pond. Up early, had a great breakfast, something we don't see very often in hotels these days.

The hotel shuttle took us to the international terminal, and we waited. As luck would have it, we did get on the flight and first class to boot. Let me tell you, if you need to travel, this is the way to go, plenty to eat, drink, a flat bed to sleep and a ton of movies. The time just flies, no pun intended.

Then, of course, we got onto our next leg from Newark to San Francisco. Well, let's just say we got on, this time in coach, meaning anything other then flying and water costs extra.  Can you say "sardines"? But, thank you very much, we got to San Francisco. Interesting flight - took 7 hours due to turbulent weather which diverted us to Canadian territory and added that extra time.

Weather all across the country

Arriving late, our chance to make our connect to reach Reno the same day was gone, so we looked at booking a hotel overnight, or renting a car and driving 5 more hours after being up for 24 already and eventually decided to make a go for a later flight, but to no avail. We're so sick of security lines and having our passports checked and recheck 20 feet later.  Then there's the pat-down, as we refuse to go through the scanner; we get a special treatment of being touched and groped every time. We've become masters at getting dressed-down and emptying our pockets.

So for me, it is clear that this is the last security check on this trip, if I can help it.
Thankfully Patricia and I are great travel companions and work these things out together very well, even if it means taking my suggestion to sleep on the floor here at the airport like when we were inn our 20s. I love this classy lady.

Cozy private spot behind a bench

No fair sneaking a picture of me

A view from down under

Things change

After all the cafuful last night looking for a connection to Denver, in the end we decided to drop that destination and fly strait to Philadelphia to visit our friends Winnie and Cynthia.

We left the hotel after I had a two hour walk around the carpark and got to the Reno Airport early, so we made good time through security; then the wait started.

We did make it to San Francisco and a few hours later to Los Angeles; we stayed over night at the Sheraton near the airport, as we are planing to be back there at 4 AM.

At least we did not sleep at the airport

Then we had to call Guido and Annette and disappoint them that we are not coming to Loveland for a visit.  Things do change hourly on this trip. I can always be assured of some excitement traveling with Patricia. (Patricia's comment: this has nothing to do with me; it's the airlines' fault.)

Day four: we are back at LAX waiting again. It's really not too bad. I walk on the main walkway a quarter mile round-trip several times to make my steps for the day.

Patricia is doing all the work planning the trip as we are going along. Right now it looks like we are standby on a flight to Salt Lake City and then on to Philadelphia, if all goes well arriving at 11:30 tonight.

Airport live on standby

The first leg

Ok we are sitting here at Gate G93 and outside waiting in the setting sun is the New Zealand Airline plain sitting waiting for us to board.

Our plain is waiting

And Patricia never stops working

The last few days we spend in Fallon NV where we celebrated moms 95th birthday, we had a great party, lots to eat and plenty of loughs. Ethel is in great shape.

Mom is happy to just sit and observe and take it easy,
while Patricia is getting ready for future tasks

On our way up here we visited friends north of Sacramento, stayed there and celebrated Patricia's cousin's birthday. There was also time for Patricia to show me her University in Stockton.