The Third Leg

Posted on February 7, 2017February 7, 2017 by Dusty Roads

As I mentioned yesterday, there were 3 legs to my journey to Maui. We almost missed the this connection but American Airlines held our plane for us. I had upgraded my seat for this leg and it wasn’t a full flight so I had the aisle in a very roomy seat and my row mate had the window. The middle seat was empty.

There was quite a bit of turbulence so the seat belt sign stayed on the whole 6 hours.

Somewhere over the Pacific the pilot came on from the flight deck to announce the Superbowl was 7 to 0 Falcons. Not what I wanted to hear.

I went back to my book and a bit later he announced that the score at halftime was 16 – 0, Falcons. There were a few cheers at that but still pretty subdued. I hung on to hope. After all, Belichick hadn’t gotten them into the locker room yet. No further announcements were made.

bill-belichick

My phone alerts me to the results of the Pat’s games but I’d turned it off on the plane. Putting it in Airplane mode just sucks down the battery. Flying into Maui at 6:15 Hawaiian time was quite a sight. The sun was setting and the clouds were rimed in pink. I think its the first time I’ve been to Hawaii when I didn’t land in the dark!

As soon as we touched down and the flight crew gave the ok to use cell phones I powered up. The very first alert I got was “Pat’s Win”.

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Brady & Belichick did it again. You have to admit these come from behind wins are pretty amazing. So many teams would have given up; choked.

What a great feeling…I’m landing in one of the most beautiful places on earth at sunset after a last minute connection save and getting news that my team just pulled out a great win.

Baggage claim, Maui

I strolled through the open air terminal to baggage claim felling pretty darn good about everything!

My Superbowl Sunday

Posted on February 6, 2017February 6, 2017 by Dusty Roads

I want to thank everyone who reads and follows my posts. You kept your comments positive. I don’t agree with the”trash Talking” world we live in. I was very into sports in high school, even a cheerleader, and the golden rule was always to support our team but treat our opponent’s with respect. Win or lose, be a good sport!

brady-manning

So let me tell you a little about my experience yesterday. There were 3 legs to my journey to Maui. The first leg was Providence RI to Charlotte, NC. There were a lot of Patriots shirts, hats and T’s to show support for the big day.

I didn’t think much about it. In New England we wear sports team jerseys every day. Its just what we do. Anyway once we landed in Charlotte after an on time and very pleasant flight, the flight attendants announced (as a joke, I hope) that they were now “kicking all of the Pat’s Fans off the plane, Go Falcons!” I’m not sure if that was in good taste but I thought it pretty humorous and I didn’t see anyone take it the wrong way. It all depends on how you say things.

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Between the Concourses at Charlotte Airport. Love the rocking chairs

Leg number two was a nail biter. The plane coming in was delayed. They never said why but American Gate attendants did their best to keep us updated and once the plane did arrive they hustled us on board as fast as possible. Apparently quite a few people, myself included, had tight connections. Once on board and sealed up we started to taxi to the run way, then stopped. I bet we sat on the tarmac for 20 minutes or more, at least it seemed that way.

The crowd waiting to hear news of our delayed flight

As if to make up for the delay, our flight crew gave us a travelogue all along the way. “We’re flying over the Mississippi, look now the Rocky mountains are coming up, You can see Santa Fe. There’s Albuquerque to the left. Looks like plenty of snow for the skiers in the mountains.” The one thing they didn’t say was what time we’d land.

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Finally there was Phoenix! The cabin crew asked everyone to let off passengers with connecting flights first. Luckily we landed at Gate 23 and our departing flight to Maui was Gate 24. Same concourse, just “across the way”.

Myself and my fellow passengers to Maui (7 of us) raced to the gate. Our plane was scheduled to leave at 2:45 Mountain time. It was 2:55 when we landed. Many thanks to American Airlines. They held the plane for us!

Now for the cynical side comment…It was probably cheaper to hold the plane than to put 7 of us up for the night and rebook the next day…or option two, ship us to San Francisco and then look for a connecting flight to Maui. In any case, Thanks American! Nice job!

Superbowl Sunday

Posted on February 5, 2017February 5, 2017 by Dusty Roads

Before anyone starts yelling mean things about the New England Patriots, remember I am from a New England state. I’ve heard it all and I am sick of it. Suck it up , cupcake. The New England Patriots win games. You hate us ’cause you ain’t us! So I am not going to get pulled into a Pat’s bashing dialog. No whining about “cheaters”. No complaining because we’re in the Superbowl “AGAIN”.

I am not going to put your team down. I am not going to call your team names. ( Not even if it’s the Cleveland Browns)

I work in Foxboro, home of Gillette Stadium.

I’ve been to Patriot’s Place.

I like Tom Brady. I’d like to see him get one more ring.

(Brookline, MA, 0/14/15) New England quarterback Tom Brady holds his hands with all four of his Super Bowl rings during a ceremony on Sunday, June 14, 2015. Photo courtesy of the New England Patriots

I have friends in Atlanta. I’ve been there. It’s a nice city.

I have nothing against the Atlanta Falcons. Congratulations on making the Superbowl!

That being said,

May it be an exciting game, a true nail biter. Make it a game worthy of a “SUPER” bowl.

pats

‘Nuf Said!

What Does Travel Mean to You?

Posted on February 4, 2017February 4, 2017 by Dusty Roads

I was running around making lists of things I need to do before I leave for Hawaii and it suddenly hit me that I was tired. Very, very tired. The kind of tired that if I let myself stop for a minute will just fall asleep.

sleepy-kitty

I found myself asking why I do this to myself.

why

To take a vacation everything is supposed to be caught up at work for the co-worker who will cover your absence. That’s only fair but this week I ended up doing my work, another associate’s work and she was covering a 3rd person’s work. Needless to say my last day became really hectic.

Now my cat is demanding my attention and I’m missing him already.

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I know once I’m on my way I will start looking forward to the trip again but it made me think about travel in general.

On the South Rim, Grand Canyon 2008

Is the reason many people never head out to explore because they get bogged down in the shear WORK of getting packed and out the door? One friend said she only goes on cruises because planning a trip was just too much work. Everything is planned for her on a cruise!

Key West 2013

Usually I spend months researching an area, planning and dreaming about the vacation. I get a lot of pleasure out of this planning stage. But no matter how prepared I am, the reality always trumps the planning. I love seeing new places, meeting new people, trying new things.

Maui 2016

Now although I often feel torn about leaving I really can’t see myself giving up the adventure. I no sooner finish one trip when I’m thinking about the next one. I told a co-worker that asked me why I didn’t retire that “I Work so I can Vacation”. I guess that sums it up.

Orlando, Fl June 2011 Photo by JR St Jean, Take Pride Photography

How do you feel about traveling?

How to pack for a Trip

Posted on February 3, 2017February 3, 2017 by Dusty Roads

I travel a lot and often I pack at the last minute so I thought I’d mention my preferred method of packing. If you search the internet there are tons of suggestions and I have never done a “scientific” experiment to find the “best” way.

I don’t have much difficulty packing to leave but the return trip is a different story. By the time I’ve added the souvenir sweatshirt and the new T shirts I have a bulging bag.

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I had a huge suitcase when I went to Alaska because of all the heavy winter clothes. It was fine when we left but it was overweight when I returned. Cost a bundle in fees too!

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One of the advantages of a timeshare is that very often there is a washer and dryer in the unit so when you are relaxing at the end of a busy day/ week you can toss in a load of dirty clothes. It is so much nicer to bring clean clothes home than a suitcase full of stinky, dirty socks and shirts.

washer-and-dryer