The uneventful events of an eventful trip.
The two writer's blogs that I still contribute to from time to time: Sunday Scribblings and Writer's Island Journals, both posted prompts this week that are perfect for describing our trip last week to San Antonio, Texas. S.S. #140; traditions, and WIJ. # 9; if only.
Seven or so years ago, D. and I started a tradition of traveling down to San Antonio, Texas during the first week of December. I'm required by my professional association to acquire continuing education credits every two years to maintain my accreditation. There is a week long meeting in San Antonio that fulfills that need. Our grand daughters Live in Corpus Christi, Texas; a 2 1/2 hour drive from San Antonio. By choosing this meeting every year we are able to spend a few days with our grand daughters and meet my professional requirements; a win win situation. We all look forward to this time together just like we enjoyed family gatherings in the past at Thanksgiving and Christmas.
A pascal of minor changes took place, from last year to this, in the details of our excursion, which were noted only because of their number. With some easy adjustments, we were not only able to continue past activities but to add a new activity to embellish our memories.
Last Saturday, Nov. 29th, D., and I drove to Ottawa, stopping at the duty free to pick-up two bottles of Blackstone Merlot, (one bottle was $14.00 but two were $20.00. Saved one for when we got back home.) and ending up at the hotel near the airport. We ordered pizza to go with our wine. It was the same type of pizza we'd ordered last trip; Greek. D. informed me that she didn't like this one, she recalled after delivery, because of the copious amount of olives and too much Feta.. We'll break with tradition next year and order something she prefers. In the morning we drove to the Park-n-Fly left our car and took the shuttle to the airport. Routine, no mishaps or veering from tradition.
There were a couple of changes at check-in. You may recall that the airlines started charging a fee for checked baggage because of the dramatic increase in the cost of jet fuel. The cost of fuel has dropped like a rock but they're still charging for checked baggage; go figure. It wasn't the amount so much as the idea, ya know what I mean? Anyway, the check-in and issuing boarding passes went without a glitch. Next comes the checked baggage scan. Mine went through without a hitch. D. however was called aside to explain to the male TSA agent what a certain item was that they had seen on the scan of her luggage. What? Me tell? Nope, not on your life!!!!!! You might go over to D.'s blog Koffeebean, and see if she'll reveal the rest of the story or not. If not, at least you'll get to see tons of photos of our trip.
Next: customs, immigration, coffee, muffin, tinkle time and board our 0615 flight to Chicago.


Our meals were quite tasty and satisfying. We found a book store to wile away some time before the flight to San Antonio. I had been reading "The Red Badge of Courage" by Crane on the flight to Chicago but was nearly finished, so I picked up "Six-Word Memoirs" edited by Smith Magazine, and D. and I read some of those before our flight boarded.
I have to lose some weight. The middle seat is too narrow for a comfortable 3 hour flight.
San Antonio was warm and welcoming, our bags were there and intact. We took a cab to the
If only I could see the future.
Did I mention that Walgreen's has moved?
Tuesday night we discuss the arrival of the girls with their dad the next evening.
D. "You're done at noon tomorrow right?"
rel. " That's the way it usually is, let me check just to be sure. Oht-oh, good thing I checked. We're off Friday at noon, not tomorrow."
D. "That actually works out better. Now we can all do something together with the girls!"
In the past D. and I would spend Wed. afternoon shopping and meet our son and the girls at six for supper. Everyone, sans grandpa, spends the next two days sightseeing and shopping and after supper grandpa gets to take the girls to the bookstore. So this little change was welcome and D. set about looking for something we could do on Fri. afternoon.
Did I mention that the hotel internet hook-up was phenomenally poor. Checking e-mail was a tortuous task! Fortunately they only charged us for one day's service.
For the rest of the week the group shopped, wrapped Christmas presents, ate, walked, and walked and met grandpa for evening meals and riverwalk walks. Macy's substituted for Dillard's, except they couldn't find the dress Hailey wanted so Momma will get some money from us to find it in Corpus. D. found a Borders out near the airport and included it in the Fri. PM plan which also had a trip to the zoo and the Japanese Tea garden on our agenda.
Did I mention that my meeting was informative and I renewed some old acquaintances made some new ones. Oh, and they had a breakfast buffet every morning instead of the bagels and coffee of past meetings. I bought a couple of Anesthesia books: hope I get to see them again.
Labels: anesthesia mtg. zoo with the girls, San Antonio trip part 1 of 3
3 Comments:
Flight cancelled and lost luggage too. Yikes! I loved all of D's picture's but nothing about what was in her bag. lol Glad you had a good meeting and time for family.
Don'tcha hate it when shops move or go out of business? The going out of business can be so disappointing...especially when you want to show it to someone.
However, all things being equal, it sounds as if you always have a lovely time in San Antonio.
I still want to know what was in D.'s bag. I guess it will remain a mystery.
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