Sing with me...California Here We Come! Days 7 & 8, updated 12/20 About This Page:

[Meggera]

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Our Group:
Laura – me! (35) Lover of all things Disney. Been to WDW numerous time. First time to DLR and California.
Michael – DH (33) – Been to WDW the past four years with our little family; went as a child with his family. First time to DLR and CA.
Victoria – DD (11 turned 12) – Been to WDW the past four years with us. First time to DLR and CA.
Maxine – Dfriend (69) – Never been anywhere! First flight, first Disney park, first big vacation ever!

“Sing with me…California, Here We Come!” Why did I name this TR that? Because I am a singer and oftentimes a song is triggered in my mind when I hear certain words. So, California, Here I Come was the song triggered with this trip.

October 28, 2006, was a hectic day of ballet and packing. We were able to get everything packed and ready to go. At 4 p.m., I got on the computer, checked us in to AirTran and chose our seats. I made the mistake of putting us in three-seaters. More on that later.

I didn’t know if I would be able to sleep this night, but somehow I managed it. I think I was so exhausted from getting everything together and organized.

Travel Day
<u>October 29, 2006</u>

We got up early this morning, loaded the car with the luggage, and went to church. We knew we had to leave right after church to get home and get changed. We were able to leave quickly enough. Drove home, changed and left to pick up Maxine. She was all ready. Somehow, Michael stuffed all of our luggage in our Camry, and we were off. We went through the drive-thru at Wendy’s for a bit of lunch. Nothing great to talk about there. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/roflmao.gif[/img]

We drove to a friend’s house who in turn drove us in our car to the Richmond airport and drove our car back to his house for the week. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/thanx.gif[/img] Bert!

At the airport, check-in and security were a breeze. No one was there. We boarded the plane without any hitches and were off. Now, I’m not much into flying. I’d rather drive everywhere. And I wasn’t thinking when I chose our seats. My DH was next to the window, and I was next to him…in the middle. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif[/img] I didn’t think about having to sit next to a stranger. I could have chosen the two-seats across the aisle. Silly me. But, the man was very nice. The only thing was that I was between two men who sit with their legs spread wide open consequently invading my small plane space. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif[/img] Oh well. I tried to lean more towards my DH to avoid contact with the stranger. It worked okay. Thankfully, the flight was only a little more than an hour long.

We landed in Atlanta. The flight had been very nice. Hardly enough time to finish my pretzels and Diet Coke. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/roflmao.gif[/img] But, I did enjoy the XM Radio. Very nice.

I love the Atlanta airport. It is laid out so well. They really make it user friendly.

We had an almost three hour layover, so we knew we needed to get some dinner. DF got a bowl of chili, DD got a turkey sub, and I got the Roman chicken salad from Quizno's. My salad was fabulous! The lettuce was topped with grilled chicken strips, Parmesan, Romano and Asiago cheese, and tomatoes with a peppercorn caesar dressing. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/yuma.gif[/img] DH had chicken fingers and fries from Nathan’s. He liked them well enough. We all gathered at our gate and ate there. Victoria started to get cold, so she put on a shirt of mine I had packed in my carry-on. It was huge on her! She took a little nap on the floor while we waited to board.



Soon, it was time to board for our flight to LA! I was so excited! Once again, DH was next to the window, and I was in the middle. Oh boy, was I in the middle.

Coming up: The hot and horrible flight to LA, and I think we are lost.
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[DyanKJ130]

Sounds like the first flight went without a hitch, but that "Oh boy!" doesn't sound very promising! Hurry back with the next installment!

[chezp]

Thanks for starting your report, although the next installment doesn't sound too promising. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/pout.gif[/img]

[Colexis Mom]

Great start Laura [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/zwavin.gif[/img] I hope the flight to LA isn't too traumatizing [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/eek.gif[/img] More please [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

[DrDolphin]

Great start - although your flight to LA does not sound like it went well...

[tinksmom]

I love your report and I can just visualize your little litter brigade! I can't wait to read more, we're heading to California in June. Please, please tell us what your Million Dream prize is!
tenya

[Meggera]

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<u>Travel Day, October 29, 2006 – Part 2</u>

We soon boarded the plane for LA. I made sure to get a picture of Maxine and Victoria in their seat.


DH was next to the window, I was in the middle and another person was next to me. Ok, I am not a small person, and I understand what it is like to be overweight. However, I am very aware of people sitting next to me and their comfort. The lady who was sitting next to me (who happened to be more overweight than I am) couldn’t have cared less that I was in the seat next to her. Her arm and shoulder were basically over my own arm and shoulder. Her leg was all in my floorboard space. And I was beginning to get really warm. And, we hadn’t even taken off yet. Oh no! I have the most unfortunate problem of throwing up if I get too hot. Not to mention that I don’t like taking off and landing. My DH turned his air off so I would get more on my face to prevent me from getting sick. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/thanx.gif[/img] honey. What a sweetie!

We were finally on the runway and taking off. We left at 9:30 p.m., Eastern time and were to arrive in LA at 10:05 p.m., Pacific time. The entire flight was an oven! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/eek.gif[/img] We had never flown AirTran before. It was so hot!! I thought I was going to pass out. My DH was getting really hot, too. I enjoyed the Diet Coke they brought me. I couldn’t get enough of it. Poor Michael, I was leaning all over him to get away from the lady who was all over me. Did I mention that it was really hot? For fear of disturbing the comfort level of others on the plane, I never opened my mouth and told an attendant how hot my DH and I were. That was very stupid on my part. Next time, we will both open our mouths.

Enough of reliving the nightmare flight…we finally landed. I didn’t think we would ever arrive in LA. Thankfully, I never had to use the barf bag that Michael had gotten ready for me, and thankfully we didn’t experience any turbulence whatsoever. Get me off this plane!!

Once off the plane and in LA, my spirits began to lift a little. I’m in California! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/woot.gif[/img] We made our way to baggage claim. I must say that LAX is not very pretty at all. It was rather dirty. I guess I expected it to be pretty like Atlanta and Richmond.

All of our luggage arrived safely. Just as a reminder, Maxine had had major surgery five weeks prior to this trip, so she was still not yet strong enough to do things she used to do. She had two pieces of checked luggage and a carry on. Our family had four checked pieces and three carry ons. Maxine could pull one of her pieces. The rest of us doubled up and carried several things.

We made it outside to wait for our bus to take us to the Thrifty car rental place. WOW! LAX is busy! Traffic was crazy! We only waited 2 or 3 minutes before the bus showed up. The driver loaded up all of our luggage. That was so nice of him. He dropped us off at Thrifty and unloaded all of our luggage. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/thanx.gif[/img]

DH went inside to pay for the car and finally brought it around to us. He knew we needed plenty of trunk space for the luggage. He looked at a PT Cruiser, but there just wasn’t enough room for all of the luggage. He decided on a Chrysler Sebring. Cute little car. The trunk wasn’t as big as our Camry’s, but Michael is great at loading up the car and fit almost everything in except for two carry on pieces.

It was around 11:00 p.m., by the time we got the car. Needless to say, we were a little tired. Normally, I am a great navigator. Being tired, it was time to get a little lost. Oops!

Coming up: I don’t think we are going the right way!
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[chezp]

What a nightmare flight you had - the next time anything like that happens, definitely say something. It's not worth suffering in silence. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img]

[DawnDenise]

[img]/ubb/images/graemlins/eek.gif[/img] Yikes! What a uncomfortable flight but at least you made it! More please!

[Colexis Mom]

What a flight [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/eek.gif[/img] [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/eek.gif[/img] Glad you finally made it to LA, and hope you get to your hotel soon [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/luck.gif[/img]

[DrDolphin]

Glad to hear you made it to LA - although sad to hear how uncomfortable you were on the flight.

[tinksmom]

Sorry you had such a lousy flight. But, hey, you're there now!
tenya

[DyanKJ130]

That flight didn't not sound like a very fun experience. I hope you guys don't get too lost!!

[Joy J]

I'm sorry that your vacation got off to such a rocky start with that dreadful flight experience but I'm sure once you get to DLR, things will definitely improve.

Joy

[PrincessSharon]

Sorry your flight was so uncomfortable. I hope you don't get too lost on the way to your hotel. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/blush.gif[/img] Ready for more!