A Traveling Mind

Someone waited until the last day of June to write their June blog post. It’s me. I’m the someone. Sigh. But the important thing is…it is still June, so I made it by my self-imposed deadline. Phew!

I’m writing this from the Orlando airport. I’m pretty sure this is the first time I’ve traveled post-career, so I’m a bit out of practice. But I guess it’s like riding a bike, it all came back to me fairly quickly. Airports, rental cars, hotels, all navigated successfully. My GPS did have a bit of a hiccup this morning guiding me from my hotel to the airport, but alas, switching from one map app to another fixed the issue. Apple Maps for the win! Evidently Google Maps needed a nap. 

I traveled to Florida to attend a beautiful wedding that I was honored to be invited to, and to visit some precious family. With those events now behind me, I’m heading back north. It will be good to be home. Assuming my plane stays in the air, and all that. These days it does make you wonder. 

This trip has actually been pretty smooth, thanks to the Travel Gods above. With the exception of a slight bump in the road due to a dog in the hotel, a few rooms down, who barked non stop. Note to self, don’t book in a pet-friendly hotel next time. I did my best to just ignore it, even though slipping a t-bone laced with poison under the door may have crossed my mind. (Just joking here. It isn’t the dog's fault he has a bad human parent who shouldn’t have left him alone in a strange place. I probably should have fantasized about poisoning the bad dog parent instead.)

My arrival in Orlando coincided with Disney vacations for many families with their children just finishing school. Yes, southern friends, school just ended up in our neck of the woods. So the airport on the way down was full of little ones anxious to visit Disney. Their destination was apparent by families dressed in matching Disney t-shirts and the palpable excitement of the little ones.

The Orlando airport now has many tired little travelers waiting for their flights to depart. Their little Mickey Mouse ears have been angrily tossed to the ground while complete meltdowns threaten. Parents are exhausted, their “be good or you won’t be going to Disney” card can no longer be played. 

“Take at least one bite of your mac and cheese or you won’t be allowed to play on your tablet”, said one tired parent. I wasn’t eavesdropping, I’m just naturally observant. Or maybe nosy. I’ll blame it on the writer in me.

It’s probably a good thing I didn’t bring my kids to Disney when they were little, I wouldn’t have been as patient as the weary mac and cheese dad. I probably would have threatened they eat their food or I’d leave them in Florida for good. Then again, that may have backfired since my kids were pretty adventurous.

Overall, most of the kids I’ve observed while traveling have been very well behaved. Maybe they’re all drugged. Or perhaps their parents are sipping vodka from what appears to be their water bottles. Hey, I’m not judging. Whatever works. As long as nobody falls asleep on my shoulder and drools on my shirt, it’s all good. 

Well, the gate agent is getting ready for us to board, so I better wrap this up. Until next time, my friends. May your worries be sparse and your travels be smooth. 

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