We got in last night around 10:30 Eastern -- an hour before our itinerary said we should. So I think the travel agent added wrong. Ave Bauder picked us up in his van and he brought Steven and me home then dropped Steven's mom off before heading for home himself. By the time we got to bed it was well after midnight.
Ben's well and made it through the time alone just fine. I think this was a good rehearsal for him for when he goes off to college. He got to try out being on his own for a short time and was (mostly) responsible. Grass needed cutting when we got back, but then again, I hadn't put it on the chore list, thinking he'd see it was to his knees and just do it. Silly me!
But everything was clean (he did all his own laundry Sunday 'cause he didn't want to make me do it after being on vacation) and neat. No complaints at all!
We've talked to Kate several times today...I like Skype! She showed me her dorm room via her web cam; we'll get to see it live on Saturday. She's taking the bus to Buffalo and we're picking her up at the station. She needs drafting paper so we'll get that first then out to the Walden Galleria for some shopping and lunch at the Cheesecake Factory. Although I like their appetizers and desserts -- who needs an entree?
Steven gained four pounds over this vacation...I lost four. All that seafood I was eating! Now I'm thinking I need to learn how to cook seafood...
Our flight was uneventful, which is just how we like them to be. Going through the Vancouver airport was long and I'm glad we got there two hours early. By the time we made it through customs and security we only had a half an hour till boarding. Of course, it didn't help that we were traveling with a dangerous criminal. Everyone else had already gone through security and headed to the gate. Steven was the last one through. I'm over by a bench putting on my sneakers when I see the guard flag Steven over to the table where they go through your belongings with a fine tooth comb.
He was carrying two bags -- his knapsack and an overnight traveling bag. They searched the overnight bag...nothing. He looks at me and shrugs. Has no idea why they flagged him. But these agents are not known for their sense of humor, so he's being patient and just waiting. I see him talking to the agent, then he starts putting his stuff back in the knapsack. When he comes over I ask him what that was all about.
Remember that wine we had way back in Denali? To toast Michele and Steven's dad? Well, Steven had bought a small corkscrew to open it with. It had a small blade (less than an inch long) attached to it and it said "Denali" on it. When we left there, he tossed it in the bottom of his knapsack and forgot about it.
Well security didn't forget it. They confiscated it. The entire thing wasn't more than three and half inches from top to bottom, it was obviously a forgotten souvenier...but they took it. Honestly, there is no such thing as "flying the friendly skies" anymore. Between surly security agents and the lack of amenties onboard (including space to breathe, tiny bags of pretzels or peanuts -- and don't ask for a second bag!) it's got to be the most unpleasant mode of travel on the planet.
We took a car, a boat, a ship, a train, a plane and a horse-drawn trolly on this trip. I think the trolley was my favorite. It was rainy, cold and hard to see with the rain streaming down the plexiglass window. But the hard seats had hand-made quilts to cover with (one for each person), the driver and the guide were pleasant and friendly, and there was time and space to relax and enjoy. The train comes in second -- it was warmer, the views were incredible...and we got to eat in the dining car (which, by the way, had tablecloths on the tables, fresh flowers and just oozed elegance!). The plane? LEAST favorite, although I enjoy flying. It's the airlines and the whole process. They're doing their best to take the fun out of it.
But we are home! I'll get pictures organized and uploaded as I can. Unfortunately, school starts tomorrow for me and time is no longer my own :(.
Till later!
Cindy
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