April 11, 2010

• Calm Travel

  Yesterday's travel went really well.

  We took a noon flight rather than a ccrazy-early-in-the-morning flight. We had a little over an hour to make our connecting flight, which was just enough to be relaxed about getting to our gate, stretch our legs, but not get bored and antsy. And the shuttle to the rental car place was waiting for us right outside the baggage claim area. Seamless!

  Traveling with two small children?

  Perfect, oddly. Well, I wasn't worried about Geo. He has flown once before and loved the experience, so he was excited, although pleasantly excited, not manic excited...big difference. Jackson slept through most of both flights. I had him strapped to me in the Baby Bjorn and I fed him his bottle at take off and landing. He totally zonked in between. I was a little concerned when we realized that our family was going to be seperated during the first flight, but luckily I was seated next to a grandmother who genuinely loves babies, so I was set (much better than uncomfortable business man in suit). The second flight was similar in that I was seated next to another wonderful grandmother, but I also had G and Geo across the aisle from me.

  We also had a nice upgrade to an SUV at the rental car place, which means I'm driving a high end Ford Explorer at the moment. Funny - it's much nicer than anything I'll ever own, I'm sure. It has all the bells and whistles, including a tow hitch and 4x4 capability. I probably shouldn't use either on this trip, but you never know..... I did promise Geo a "cool car" because he wasn't clear as to why we had to rent one when we had two in our own garage. Mama delivered.

  The only real mishap was at the rental car agency when Jackson, who was in the Bjorn while I was credit carding and signing, peed out on me. I kind of realized something was amiss because of the warm, wet feeling I had on the front of my shirt all of a sudden. I later realized that he had been changed at our connecting airport into a size 6 diaper (Geo's backups) rather than his own size 3 by someone who will remain nameless (who wasn't me). That'll do it. So we changed Jackson on the front seat of the Explorer, which must have seem roomy and luxurious to the little man.

  The drive on the Beltway was uneventful. It was a Saturday evening, so traffic was as light as it gets.

  All is well.

  Today's adventures included a trip for the boys to Adventureland, which is a small amusement park in the area. Geo and I rode the Merry-Go-Round together and played Skee-Ball, and he also rode the helicopter ride and played air-hockey with my mother. We all shared Dip-N-Dots, and Jackson discovered the feeling of frozen treats is a good one. Jackson enjoyed being wheeled around in the stroller. Both my boys love to go.

  G spent the day at the Political Geography Pre-Conference, which I am unfortunatly missing, and I don't expect to see him until late tonight. He mentioned catching dinner downtown. I'll join him at the conference as soon as I feel like Jackson feels comfortable at my folk's home. I'll stay back tomorrow, then head to our former town on Tuesday. Hopefully I'll get into the City with G on Wednesday. I look forward to seeing all of our friends at this particular gathering. I'd hate to miss all of it, although hanging back with my boys is good, too.

  • 9:13 pm
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