Not quite as planned

The travel issues continue. After loading the plan for Minneapolis over four hours late, we boarded and sat in the plan for at least another hour while they figured out some ticketing information and de-iced. Chris agreed to meet us at the airport at about 10 to four, but we didn't end up getting in until almost 5 p.m. I suppose he circled about 95 times by the time we actually landed and had a chance to call him. Before we got off an announcement came over the plane's intercom letting us know that anyone that had missed a connecting flight had been rebook and that all the boarding passes would be waiting for us. Despite our plan of attack. I decided to take a look at what was rebooked for us since now we'd be dealing with some rough traffic issues since it was almost 5 and would be 5:30 before we got on the road.

When I picked up my boarding pass I was surprised to see that I was booked on a flight to Bemidji tonight at 9:45 p.m. I talked it over with dad quickly and we decided to split up. Chris was here and could get him home sooner than he could get home via Bemidji and then driving an hour and a half and considering the traffic complications, I could get home quicker and will less hassle if I flew directly there than if I took Mom's car to Bemidji. Dad's car is already at the air port which would mean we'd have both of their cars there and someone would have to make an extra trip to Bemidji to get it or Lisa and I would have to drive separately for Christmas and New Years.

So after a quick goodbye, we went our separate ways. I said I'd run to the gate quickly to make sure I was actually on the flight and not just on stand by and dad would go meet Chris. He said they wouldn't leave until they knew I was on the flight. I got to the gate and nobody was here so I wondered over to another counter and asked if I was really on this flight or if I was on stand by. Initially she said I was on standby, but was booked for the following morning at 10:20, then she added, "but it looks like one of the seats just became available. Would you like it?" I said yes. He response was, "Isn't there two in your party?" I said, "forget about him, he found his own way home."

So here I sit, about an hour from boarding a plane bound for Bemidji to finally end my travels for this year. I won't get home until nearly 11 p.m. so I would guess the house will be pretty quite if everyone isn't already sleeping. That's is disappointing. I can't wait to see the kids. I got to talk to Baylor a bit on the phone tonight and just made me want to get home sooner.

This really has beee a good trip but travels home can really wreck things. It could have been a lot worse. I found that our the hard way last year.