Day 1: Traveling to Texas

It was a day of travel. Packing and getting ready in the morning, leaving for the Cities at noon, parking the car at the 'Park-N-Go' and getting to the airport about 3:00. Our flight left at 5:30, so there was time for a bite to eat (Quiznos) and a little relaxing at the airport.

Joel has a continual smile on his face, like he's really getting away with something. It was especially pronounced when we drove by Hermantown High School and he thought of all his beloved classmates suffering through school.

At the airport, they kept announcing those deals on the intercom where you could volunteer to give up your seat and take a flight the next day in exchange for a night in a hotel, some food vouchers, and Delta miles ($400 per person). We had mixed opinions about whether or not to take advantage of that situation! You can guess who thought what!

The flight was cramped, but uneventful. A small plane with only two seats on each side of the row. Arrived at 8:30. Took a shuttle to the Hertz rental place and got a car, but didn't know how to get to our hotel. Note to self: next time print directions from airport to hotel.

Abel and Carl: Thanks so much for watching over things at the house while we are gone. You are welcome to the food in the fridge. In particular, there is a half carton of soy milk that really shouldn't go to waste. Please drink and enjoy!

We called the hotel, but the receptionist's English skills were not quite adequate to give us directions. Fortunately, there was a GPS system in the car (which we didn't request or pay for). After a little fiddling, we got the right location entered and the little box talked us to our destination. First time any of us have used one of those! Very handy, but it definitely needs to do voice recognition. Typing an address is a royal pain!

We are now at the hotel. It seems clean enough, but is in a state of disrepair. A good place to get a good night's sleep, we hope! Goodnight to all!