Crazy Trip

"Oh my Stars and Bars," as I've hear it said before down south. I hope the rest of my stay here is nothing like my trip was.

It tipped me off when I checked the flight status the day before and couldn't find my flight anywhere. But I figured it would be fine seeing how all things seem to work themselves out. I was wrong, or right I guess.

As I drove up the airport I couldn't figure out on the first go around where I needed to be to park for 30 minutes or so. Instead I drove into and through the departures, past all the gates, and got back on the ramp to make another pass... Wrong ramp. Instead I found myself on 95 south!

No big deal. I turned around 2 miles later and took another go -- fool me once shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me-- type thing. This time i figured I'd just park next to my airline, leave Bekah there at the car, and then come back out once i was checked in --- why all the hassle? Well, I had two big bags (big), a guitar, a carry on and a laptop bag. I thought it might be easier in phases.

Well, I went inside and the flight which i was "booked" did not exist. Not only did it "not exist" there wasnt even a flight at that airport headed for DFW at the time. I ran back out the door with my "big three" (or stumbled really) and saw Bekah a little shook up. It seems I had parked in a pedestrian walkway, even though its never used, and a custodian had come out and yelled at her to move.

A minute later while I was on the phone a COP came up too! Praise God that he was kind to us after explanation and directed us where to go park. A ticket should have been warranted for my little parking shenanigan.

Finally, after some struggle I straightened out everything with the Adam from the Cowboys and he set a flight for 6:10. I was very thankful for the extra time I was able to spend there with Bekah.

We decided to go ahead and check in and then take it easy the rest of the time, GOOD THING. Upon Checking in I found out my third checked bag alone costs 100 dollars tallying my total baggage fee to 160 - I gasped for air and called Adam again....Thank you Cowboys for picking up that tab... i hope.

After the check in process (i left out the crowded part) we decided to take a peek at the security line...
Now, I am thankful for the added safety of the Security Alert, but I'm not sure that safety translated into efficiency. The line for Security was "around the corner" as the loud lady yelled and half way down the mile long hall. So much for taking it easy.

Everything from that point on went pretty smoothly though (despite having to say goodbye to my girlfriend of just under a month and a half while standing in a line with an audience of strangers). And nothing out of the norm until after the extra long flight due to storms (and the intercom lady tricked me out of another hour of sleep) when I finally got to my hotel where my room was... not reserved. I calmly and graciously replied to the manager, "I'm not surprised." Fortunately for me the only room left at the inn was the King Executive Suite.


PS
Mad props to my man Adam from the Cowboys for hanging in there despite my numerous calls. Thanks for your help man. And huge thanks to Bekah for the bag of goodies that supplied my dinner for the night and smelled so good.