A Vacation Weekend

We just got back from a long weekend visiting family in Jacksonville FL - and it was great seeing everyone   - HOWEVER - the trip there and back was NOT!!

It all started Thursday - when it was raining here but REALLY raining in Atlanta and Jacksonville.  We were booked on a flight that left Norfolk about 6:30 p.m. (allowing one of us to finish working that day).  When we got to the airport the flight before ours was delayed because of a mechanical problem - about 1 hour.  Our flight was originally ontime and then delayed because of weather (it was coming from Atlanta).  Because the later departure time for our plane would cause us to miss our connecting flight, we were rebooked onto the delayed flight (now leaving at 6:30 - close to our original time!).  So far so good - however, 6:30 comes and goes and we're moved en mass back to our original flight (now leaving at 7:30).  There went the connecting flight - so we were rebooked on a later flight (supposed to leave at 10:45 or so).  We finally left Norfolk at 8:05 and took off for Atlanta.  A flight that normally takes about 1.5 hours took 2.5 hours.  We landed at 10:30 p.m. (remember that flight leaving at 10:45??).  They actually held the plane for us (there were about 30 of us really) and we took off about 11:15 for Jacksonville.  We arrived about midnight - a couple of minutes AFTER the rental car agency closed and WITHOUT a suitcase because, although we could run from one gate to another (in a different terminal!!), the lugguage apparently could not.  At first the airline was unsympathetic until we mentioned the flight number that was delayed by mechanical problems making us so late and we got a room at the airport hotel and two "courtesy" packs (nice T-shirt).  The next morning, after the complimentary breakfast, we picked up the suitcase, and car and off we went.

Fast forward to today (Monday).  We get to the airport and all is beautiful in Jax - however, there are storms that passed through Jax and Atlanta last night that were now pounding NY and MA.  Once again our plane to Atlanta is delayed - about 30 minutes - which made our connection "iffy" but doable according to the gate agent.  Anyway - we left even later than scheduled (there was a full plane and EVERYONE seemed to have multiple carry on bags) and we landed at Atlanta at 6:25 - with our next plane leaving at 6:59.  We came into B3 and were to leave from B10 - but the plane was full and NO ONE was letting anyone off to make a connection!  We literally ran down the corridor and lept on the plane (the gate was empty and the ticket agent was ready to close).  Got in the seat, settled and and off we went.  We actually landed in Norfolk 15 minutes early!  We were deplaned and walking toward baggage claim at 8:30 when the plane was due in at 8:44.  At baggage claim - we waited - and YET AGAIN the luggage hadn't made the trek that we had.

So we're home but the luggage isn't.  *SIGH*  It might come in tonight at 11:30 or tomorrow.   We can go back tomorrow about 8:30 to see if it's here (NOT) or they'll bring it out tomorrow.  Guess it's lucky that I took more leave so I can stay and wait for it.  I did hear someone else say that "Don't Expect Luggage To Arrive" is the actual definition of this particular airline.

I can guarantee that I'm not using them again - EVER - unless it's the only airline to fly somewhere and it's essential that I get there and even then I'm going to search EVERYWHERE else for alternatives!

(And don't ask about the hotel!!  'Tho not as complicated as the flight, it did have it's own issues.  All in all, an interesting mini-vacation!!)

A Vacation

We just got back from a fantastic vacation in Las Vegas.  As first-timers, we were like the bumpkins gone to town - craning our necks to see all the sights and there were lots to see!!

We stayed at the Venetian which is beautiful and HUGE!  The Canal Shoppes were plentiful and fun to look at but certainly not to buy from!  St. Marks Square was inside but certainly gave the impression of being outside - and that's one reason we ate there several times - we were in the hotel complex but not in the dark, very dark casino area!! It was the next best thing to being outside!

(This picture is of the Grand Canal where you can catch the gondola.  The STRIP is the road right in front of the casino.  The Mirage and Treasure Island are right across the street - the Wynn is next door)

We went to see Bette Midler at Caesar's Coliseum and she was, of course, terrific.  We walked back and got to the Mirage in time for the volcano eruption (which we could see hourly from our hotel room!).   The helicopter ride to the Grand Canyon was great - the weather was perfect, the pilot was a retired Navy pilot who'd lived in Virginia Beach and we have a nice picnic on an outcropping above the Colorado River.  The next day we took a tour bus ride where you could get on and off as many times as you wanted.  After making the whole round once, we went back to the hotel to decide what to see again - that night we went to the Bellagio to see the dancing fountain -incredible.  Then back to get the bus down to New York New York.  Passing the Bellagio we saw the fountains again!  New York New York was very interesting and Don rode the roller coaster which you catch inside the casino but most of the ride is outside - there are loops and barrel rolls - he said it was incredible - I waited for him to finish!!

Out to the "Welcome to Las Vegas" sign and back up the strip to the Flamingo where we got off - Harrahs would have been closer but the stop not as accessible, so we walked from the Flamingo - where Donny & Marie are appearing!!) back to the Venetian. 

The trip home was uneventful and that makes it good.  It's good to go away and better to come home.  Vacations are few and far between - this one was terrific!!

Sunday . . .

Ok - I'm really hoping that the rain ends soon - it's been days and, while we haven't had the horrible flooding that's happened elsewhere, there's been enough gloom for a long time!

Only a few more days before the vacation!  I'm looking forward to seeing new things - the Devine Miss M and the Grand Canyon - and the casinos - I'm definitely not a gambler (I'm too stingy!!) but I enjoy watching people!! (And I will have some money "just for fun".)

It'll be good to get away - and, after all, what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas!! 

Weekends

Productive weekend - but could have done a lot more! Got the living room straighter (notice not completely straightened!).  Have to put a bunch of stuff in the garbage and, ultimately find a place for the coffee table that came from another house.  Anyway - the sofa & chairs are back where they belong - floors have been vacuumed and everything dusted.  Slowly - VERY slowly - getting back to normal. 

Did have priorities tho - naps both Saturday and Sunday!!  It was nice to have two days in a row - "as we get older" it takes time to recoup!!

We've also planned a vacation - a REAL vacation!! Exciting!!  Just have to put in leave!!