Memorial Day weekend was fast approaching and we had not planned to go anywhere! I wondered if Dana wanted to leave town at all, as work had been particularly busy. "Perhaps we could go to a bed and breakfast in Fredericksburg", he suggested. "Perhaps we should stay at home!" I said, in a rather spoilt voice. After all, there are not many people I know who would have the opportunity to visit Willie Nelson's birthplace, a few miles from said place, and wander around the relatively old town. However, in typical Verruca Salt fashion (remember Willie Wonka!) I metaphorically stamped my feet and silently shouted, "I want to go out of state, and I want to go now!" I really wanted to get Dana far enough away from his desk that he could not return the next day, no matter the time. We traveled everywhere the previous Sunday, on the Internet. We went to Seattle; we went to San Francisco; we went to Idaho, Wyoming, Utah and Michigan. We went to Minnesota. The western seaboard was an exhausting trip. Maine was somewhat inaccessible. Finally, we decided to hit our 50th state, Alaska, only to realise that it was an overnight flight, and we would have to spend all of Monday traveling back. The top to the computer was closed, and although we had not left the comfort of our living room, I felt as if I had boarded and deplaned over a dozen times.
"I think we should go and see my mom", said my husband, looking at me with a large question mark. I was not opposed. My mother in law is in her 96th year and no longer makes the annual road trip to Dallas on Thanksgiving weekend. However, the thought of more exotic places continued to fill our minds. "We should go and see your mum", I said, as we looked at pictures of the Golden Gate Bridge, and the Great Lakes. Eventually, our trip was booked. We would leave on Saturday morning and return on Monday. We were also flying with my least favourite airline, which I will not name, but with which I have not a lot of pull.
Sitting at my computer on Friday morning, finger poised over the button, ready to press as the clock turned from 6:52 to 6:53, I could not help myself, and clicked to make sure everything was working properly. Of course it was! By the time I came back to the 'check in' page, it was 6:54. However, the seats were non-negotiable and I accepted that my husband would have to have his knees under his chin for the two short flights. I did not like the idea of not being in control, as I am with the airline with whom I fly to and from home. Unlike Thelma and Louise, we were going to Arkansas!
Arriving at Austin airport a little before six, we parked the car and headed into the terminal. I was not sure that 'flashing' my loyalty card at the security guard would get me to the front of the queue, so we stood in line. The wait time to reach the dingers was 22 minutes, and our flight was boarding in fifteen. We waited. We were in group 6! I assumed that we would have time to get through security and to the gate in time. We did. We walked from the security area, down the terminal and straight on to the plane. Apparently groups eight and nine were boarding! I was gasping for a cup of coffee and whilst I do not generally enjoy the beverage in the air, I would make an exception. "Water or juice", was the choice. Oh well! We arrived in Dallas quite quickly and took the shuttle to another terminal. The queues for coffee were long, and it was time to board. Once seated, I waved to the stewardess, and Dana asked if we could move to the vacant exit seats, as only two seats out of the ten were taken, and all were empty on the left hand side. "Oh we have thirty more people boarding, Sir!" she said. However, two more people walked down the aisle, the doors were close, and she came back along as if looking for 'someone'. I waved. She responded. "Well played!" said the young man sitting next to us, a we were selected to move! Dana's knees were no longer a chin rest! "Water or Juice", we were asked!
I bought myself a cup of coffee from a vendor in the small regional airport in Bentonville, the birthplace of Walmart, as Dana was claiming our car. "I don't suppose they see many Brits around here", I said to my husband, as everyone appeared to be having trouble understanding me. I surveyed my surroundings. We were a long cry from the days of Rooster Cogburn, but I had my Texan with me, (although not a ranger) and looked forward to our adventure. "Where do you want to go for lunch?" Dana asked his mum, as we headed along 'Bentonville High Street". She laughed. "I am five minutes away from you", he continued. She stopped laughing and asked why he had not told her we were coming to visit. She may have had plans this weekend! Like my mother, my mother-in-law has a strict, self imposed routine. Other than a trip to the supermarket, scheduled visits to the doctor or hospital, and an occasional lunch time outing with family, 'plans' are unlikely. "Where are you going?" asked my husband, smiling at the suggestion that he would be scuppering any activities that may have been organised.
Although the surprise element was not a good idea, we were greeted affectionately, and she was very pleased to see her youngest son. However, she had to go down to the dining room to 'save' places for her friends. Lunch was at 11:30, and if she did not get to the dining room in time, their table may be taken. I had to laugh. It reminded me of my school days, when the seniors had claim to their tables, and as you moved up through the ranks you had an unwritten authority. I could not understand why tables were not allocated, if there was a preference among the residents. My mother-in-law was not the first one down to save a place. It did occur to me that this was perhaps a sneaky way for the staff to ensure that the tenants were already seated when lunch was served, and there were fewer 'late comers'. However, I drove the cynical thought from my mind!
Checking into our hotel, I asked the receptionist what time the pool opened. "What time does the pool open?" said Dana, as the now familiar blank look was detected as "Huh?". Our room was on the 'top floor', and it was advised that we take the 'elevador'. We drove around to the back, as instructed, and walked in through the doors. We took the 'elevador' to the fourth floor! "Any higher and we may have suffered from vertigo", I chided. "Shh", said my husband. "Why, no one knows what I am saying!" I responded.
My mother-in-law was quite happy to see us when we returned. "Any plans for the rest of the day?" asked Dana, like a cheeky little boy. "Plans? Why would you think I have plans?" was the answer. (Please remind me of this when I get - if I get - to this age, and do the same!)
I swam upon our return to the hotel, and then got ready to go out to dinner with Dana's sister and brother-in-law. Cindy and Jim live in the next town. Having not seen them for around eighteen months, it was really nice to have some 'quality time'. The waitress came to the table with another waiter. "I am training her", said the guy, whom I thought was the trainee. She seemed to be doing a good job on her own! I pointed to what I wanted, as I gave my order, just to avoid any "Huh" moments. "How do you get an order for 'water' wrong?" I thought out loud. Two with ice and lemon, and one without, became three with ice. Perhaps it was not the accent? Perhaps it was noisy in the restaurant. Perhaps the waitress was a little disturbed by the 'trainer' repeating everything as she was writing it down. Whatever the reason, we all said, "Thank you".
"Anyone want ice-cream?" asked Jim. "Real ice-cream?" I wondered. "Follow us", said Cindy. We sat in our car and waited for them to come around. A flashy convertible sporty vehicle rounded the corner, and I recognised the driver. "Look. It's Thelma and Lewis!" I commented to Dana. "Is that my sister?" he said in amazement. My ever-practical sister-in-law had been converted! I was rather amused. We arrived at the ice-cream parlour where the ice-cream was a far cry from Mr. Whippy! They did have frozen custard but I gave it a wide berth! Raspberry ganache was quite amazing. Those who savour 'vanilla' and will not venture to pastures new, have no idea what they are missing! We sat and 'chewed the cud' for a long time.
Arriving back at the hotel, we were amazed at how late it was. Our weekends away usually see us back in the hotel before nine, with a cup of tea and a movie. Much as I would enjoy a 'night life' scene, we usually enjoy the solitude more! It had been a very long day. With lights out a little after midnight, we wondered if we would wake in time to enjoy breakfast the following morning.
With no time difference between Arkansas and Texas (or most of it) we woke early, as usual. Lunch was going to be early, so we went down to enjoy breakfast, early. It was the usual buffet, consisting of eggs, sausages, waffles, cereal, breads and bagels. I ate heartily, and then regretted it, as lunch was going to now be earlier! "11:30 at the Cracker Barrel okay?" said Dana. It was a fait accompli. I had no idea why he was asking, as the answer would have been "No"! I was stuffed to the brim, having eating far too much before dinner, let alone lunch! However, I knew I could have a small option.
Checking in with the airline was somewhat of an ordeal. However, I was quite amazed at how I was completely unflustered. I could check in with selected seats on the second leg, but not on the first. "Seats will be assigned at the desk", I was told. I didn't care. I laughed at my complete calmness. I thought about times when I would have insisted be be at the airport hours before departure to ensure a seat, notwithstanding we had a seat! It was out of my control, and I couldn't care less! What was happening to me! Was I Thelma or Louise! Or was I simply Rooster Cogburn, taking it in my stride! Would I be presented with an Oscar for my non-performance!
We visited with Dana's mum before setting out. She did not have to save her seat today, and was somewhat concerned that her friends may not have their preferred table. However, she had 'plans'. We drove to the restaurant, and I walked in with her. As we approached the desk where the lady was taking names for reservations, Jim appeared. "There is about a thirty minute wait", he said, and then confirmed it with the hostess. "You can't wait that long", he said to his mother-in-law, and proceeded to escort her out of the building. We would have to go elsewhere. Cindy appeared in her sporty convertible and suggested that Dana and Jim take 'mom' and I go with her. In I hopped. "You are not going near any cliffs, are you?" I asked, tongue in cheek. "What?" she responded. "I feel like Thelma and Louise.....you sure there are no cliffs?" Apparently, she had not seen the movie, that is set in Arkansas! "You should watch it....but don't buy a headscarf!"
Arriving at McAlisters, safely, we disembarked! Lunch was light and we had some good family time. Cindy asked what time we were leaving in the morning, and I told her about the lack of assigned seats. "When you check in, you have to click.....". I explained that I had done all she said. I had used the online check in option many, many times. In fact, I was somewhat of an expert, and totally paranoid about checking in. Believe me, if there was a way to get a seat, I would have found it". It was all said, and received, in good spirits, as my compelling need to be in control of all things aeronautical was explained!
Dinner was at a rather trendy pizzeria, in a rather sophisticated shopping area, similar to one we have in Austin, called The Domain. I did not have pizza. Instead, I had a 'cheese board', which was delicious. Four types of 'exotic' cheese, apricots, walnuts and bread. I was in heaven! "Ice cream?" was the question posed. I was game. "Or would you prefer frozen custard?" I would have preferred to have gone straight home! Again, I had the raspberry ganache. After all, when would I get to try it again? Probably not in the near future!
We bid our farewells, and headed on back to our hotel, at around 10:30. Another late night!
Breakfast was leisurely and we headed out to the airport around eight thirty. There was not a queue at the car rental facility, and we dropped the keys with the assistant. We walked to the terminal, where there was no queue for security and then to the gate. Having had a lot of coffee, I did not need another cup, although there were no queues at all. Our trip to Dallas was pleasant, and the seats extremely comfortable. Once at Dallas, we took the shuttle to the correct terminal, and went to the gate. I had left Dana seated whilst going in search of the 'facilities', and when I came back, he was at the desk. I saw the ground personnel who was helping him look up from her desk, and look up and look up! He came back to the seats with a smile on his face. Apparently, when he had asked if there was any way we could sit together, she mumbled something, looked up (and up) and said, "Wow! I think you need extra leg room. Exit seats okay?" Duh!
So our return trip was rather pleasant, and we landed in Austin feeling quite refreshed. We collected our car, and headed home, where Samantha was waiting. She was going to keep me company by the pool as Dana wanted to go into the office. I did not stop him! We had dinner (like we needed another meal) with the kids, and then headed home.
Going away is very nice, but there is nothing like your own bed! Rooster Cogburn didn't get home very often, but I am sure that when he did, he slept soundly. His trip from Arkansas was far less comfortable than ours. Thelma and Louise never made it back to their beds!
Another Memorial Day passes, and I thank all current and past military men and woman for their service, and especially to those who gave their life so I could have the freedom that I enjoy! It was a great visit with family, and a memorable weekend. Back to work on Monday, and a week that was exceptionally busy, but as there were only four days of work, I survived. What next? Well I shall try and figure that out for ............. another story!
No comments:
Post a Comment