KC was very subdued when we gave her our hugs, kisses and promises to return.
When I chose this photo that I took of them leaving the curb, I magnified it and could see KC in the shadows of the darkened car seat. She's looking sadly toward us, reaching out with her hand pressed against the glass of the car window.
I need to continue. This is hard.
Art traded in his frequent flyer miles or whatever they are and got First Class seats on our flight to L.A. and on to Hawaii. We've never had First Class on a domestic flight before.We got warm nuts and a soft drink. They kept offering alcohol but we weren't taking any chances. Everybody else appeared to be having it with no problems, however.
The flight to L.A. offered a lunch. I had this great steak salad with cilantro and olives.
Art had this chicken sandwich which was OK. Notice the cloth napkins?
Dessert was a warm chocolate chip cookie and wonderful coffee. I was getting used to this.
And did I mention the leg room?
I think this was the Rockies that we passed over.
We had a short stop-over in L.A. and caught our next flight to Honolulu.
Our stewardess was so sweet. When she noticed us taking photos of everything for this blog, she offered to take one of us.
This time we both had the teriyaki beef fillet for dinner.
Dessert was ice cream with any topping. I chose hot fudge with whipped cream and nuts, of course. Art had strawberries. Why would anybody choose strawberries when they can have chocolate?
Amazingly, the five hour trip from L.A. to Honolulu went quickly...
Our leg room wasn't as good this time but what the heck... it was still great.
We arrived back home at 7:10 PM. There's a five hour difference between Hawaii and Illinois so we ended up going to bed at 2:30 AM Chicago time and woke up this morning at 3:30 AM Hawaii time.
Well...
I have to go now. Art is calling for me to go down for breakfast. There's so much to do.
You write so perfectly about the sadness you all must have felt at having to part. I'm sure that having lots to do now that you're back home is exactly what you want and need. I bet your mother is delighted to see you again though.
ReplyDeleteFirst class, huh? Lucky you! I was bumped up to 1st class on a flight to Vancouver, BC in 1994 and had a wonderful time. That's what happens when the plane is almost empty. Coming back to Hawaii, though, I had to sit in coach. What a difference!
ReplyDeleteFor every departure there is an arrival. Welcome home!
ReplyDeleteI love it that you had first class coming home!! I know how difficult it was to leave your kids and KC, but leg room and great food at least helps a little. I do feel the ache in your heart as you do indeed write beautifully regarding the sadness you all felt. But you'll dive into all the things at home and I know you mother is happy to have you home again. Get some rest and enjoy the beautiful memories that you have -- along with the photos!
ReplyDeleteSylvia
oh glad you're safely back home. thanks for the first class experience, what a treat Kay. I'm always stressed coming back home to unpack and get back to normal though.
ReplyDeleteI'm so impressed that Tif was able to smile in the photo with Art - I'm like a leaky tap at such times. Telephone, emails, Skype can all help to shrink the miles. Wishing you well - don't rush back into 'routine' - take time and sleep.The unpacking and laundry will get done in time :-)
ReplyDeleteglad you made it safely home and enjoyed 1st class service. I didn't know they even served meals anymore on planes. I bet your mom was delighted to have you home again. Don't dwell on the sadness of leaving family-life is full of meeting and departures until the next time. Get on skype soon so KC and family can see you are home.
ReplyDeleteHome safe and sound. Bet your Mom was thrilled to have you both home.
ReplyDeleteI don't think that I ever flew first class...oh wait, one time many years ago. I don't remember the meal but I do remember he larger seats .
Your meal looks wonderful.
Good to have you both back home! And what a way to come home....1st class!!! (So why is it that they practically strip search you at airports for weapons but give 1st class real forks and knives?) I always wondered about that. I know you had a fantastic time with KC, Tif and Ed (and Jon & Sarah). Skype will keep you all close.
ReplyDeleteAgain welcome home; we missed you!
How beautiful a sight to see the Rocky Mountains from above! I'm so glad you are home safe and sound. I know you miss your kids, but I'm sure it's nice to be home, too. Take care and rest to get over the jet lag.
ReplyDeleteLove the mountain pic! And wow, first class certainly treats one MUCH better than coach!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you had a good trip home! But oh man, 'economy' class will never be the same LOL
ReplyDeleteThank heavens for photos, blogs, phones, and skype!
What a wonderful trip you had...KC is going to miss you a lot ,i know she is going to ask endless questions to Tiffany about both of you.
ReplyDeleteIt was fun flying first class with you..the food was great and the desert was just perfect....yummmsss !
wow..what a delicious meal on board!! glad that i come here.. your blog is great!
ReplyDeletegreetings,
reanaclaire.com
You can't imagine how much I enjoyed reading this, sad in a way, post. I have made that trip four or five times by the old propeller airplanes and it took a lot longer than 5 hours. More like 12 or more from San Francisco to Honolulu International Airport. The airport building looks thoroughly modern, by the way, and in my photo of this place in 1954, it looked like Hawaii, with palm trees growing out of the courtyard. It was one floor then and an open courtyard but it was larger than the PX at the military base (whose name slipped my mind). We also got fed but were regular passengers. Some good meals but no steaks. LOL On trips from Hawaii on to Tokyo was often in sling seats suspended like a hammock. Sometimes we went by chartered airlines and even had a brave stewardess to tend to 70 or more starved males - if you know what I mean. We always landed to refuel at either Wake Island or Midway Island. And boy, the runway starts and ends on the beach. Gooney birds everywhere. I don't know what they do about them with jets but propellers chopped them up pretty good and didn't seem to affect the flight much.
ReplyDeleteOh, and warm sake will go down like silk but it always caused me to wobble around like a doll with extra knees.
Sorry for dragging my feet. I did like this post a lot.
welcome home!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI do love your food pics! I always forget until my food is half eaten!
ReplyDeleteFirst class is looking good, but I don't think I have the miles for an upgrade.