Scotland Adventure Day 1 & 2

Well, started off in Denver with a huge security line so decided to get a trail to CLEAR. Little did I know how handy it would become. Got on the plane in Denver, out on the runway one of the engines won't start. Back to gate so they can fix it. Deplane for testing. Back on the plane. Go to pull out and engine won't start. Pilot announces that there is no way he will fly this plane. Not a problem. We all agree with his decision. 

Another flight is arranged and we finally arrive in D.C. late at night so obviously I miss my connection. That is fine. I planned for it.  Airline gets me a room, a ride and some food coupons.  My flight isn't until 10:30pm the next day. She has booked me stand-by which I questioned but she says I should have no issue. 

Had a day to kill so went to the Air & Space Museum near the airport (didn't even know there was another one). I can only get so excited about planes and helicopters for so long so decided to head to the airport and use my United Club pass.  I never used it before but this seemed like the perfect time.  It was wonderful. Leather seats, free food and drink, chairs with plugs for charging.  I was loving it.

Got to my gate for my flight.  It was looking pretty full. Started to question whether I would get on or not. Next thing I know they are offering $3000 for seats. Confirmation that I wasn't getting on.  Ventured to Customer Service again. Asked if I could just get my luggage. They assured me I could. Line took forever even with only four people. Finally got a flight but now I'm leaving out of Newark.  Got a room and a ride.  Tried to get my luggage.  Nope - they shipped it to Newark.  Finally arrived at hotel around 1am.  

Needed some eye contact solution, makeup and some clean underwear so found a Walgreens I could walk to. Couldn't decide on the makeup (I had only bought at department stores recently) so decided to walk to Macy's for makeup and underwear. They didn't have my makeup so just got underwear and headed back to Walgreens for makeup.  Got something that would work and walked back to the hotel with about 45 minutes before the shuttle was coming. I was sweating of course. Tried to cool down, changed my underwear, did my makeup, replaced my contacts and off I went in search of the United Club. 

I was starving upon arrival and grabbed Qdoba. Went searching for the United Club. Nope - under construction. Airport had been recently renovated so it appears very nice. Found chairs and a table a my gate and parked it for the long wait.  The chairs did not move because they were bolted down. Not every comfortable but I made due.  Then it was time to eat.  Went to the food court and decided I wanted a hot dog. You can't order one in person, you have to use a QR code and the app.  Nope - the QR would not work and launch the app for me.  It wasn't working for someone else either.  Asked if you could bypass the system from someone working there and she said no but would check.  Never saw her again.  

Thought maybe there would be an information desk where I could get help.  Nope. I'm tired and hungry. I start crying in the food court. Called Zeb who comforted me in my time of sorrow.  

Decided I would eat at the Qdoba where I had lunch because I don't remember having to use the app. Look for map.  Nope.  Started walking down another hall. Saw a stall in the middle of the aisle where it looks like you order on their system and pay there.  Ordered a salad.  Waited and watched for about 30 minutes as people got their food.  Finally someone asked what I had ordered because she got her food already and knew I was there before her.  I told her a salad and she looked at the order screen for the cook. No salad on the list.  I cry again because she was just being nice to me.  Gave up on food and grabbed a diet coke and cheetos at the self-serve shop.  

Finally it is time for the plane.  I get on.  Figure I can have dinner on the plane. Just happy I am on it. Plane is full but nobody is in my row.  I was getting excited.  Condensation was dripping everywhere and someone decided to move up to my window seat.  He sat in a puddle and decided it wasn't for him despite the fact the flight attendant told him it could stop soon.  Bottom line...I got the whole row to myself. One positive thing.  

Time for dinner.  I order chicken thinking it would be safe.  Nope. It was an Indian chicken dish so I just ate my cheetos.  Tried to sleep since I had the whole row to myself. Nope.  

Finally landed in Scotland.
                                        

Reminder

 

Truth

 

These Dogs!

 

Friend Outling

Met my girlfriends for a drink in Parker. Carlene and Meena were both my techs at school. Love that I still see them.  Good people, good times.
 

Theatre Date

Loved Moulin Rouge so much I had to see it again. My friend Michael loves the theatre as much as me so he was game. Our seats weren't together but we had dinner before and loved seeing the show nonetheless.

 

Happy Father's Day!

 

Leaving the DR

End of vacation today. Flew through Texas this time. When we left we went through North Carolina. I was just happy to be in air conditioned locations. The airport in DR did not have it and of course, we had to walk out to the plane and up some stairs.  

Not nearly enough seating for passengers waiting for planes in Texas. Sat on the floor and waited. Airport was beautiful - just not enough seats. 

All-in-all a good trip. GREAT family time.

 

DR Day 7

Zeb and Keara had catamaran lessons this morning and enjoyed time in the water. 

Kailei and I hung on the beach. Occasionally there was live music which I really enjoyed. 

Took a nice walk around the grounds of the property. Should have done it earlier in the trip.  The place was really lovely.  

Had Italian for dinner tonight. Not bad since really the one restaurant for breakfast, lunch and dinner pretty much served the same items each day (with the exception of chocolate chip gelato which I came to love - apparently they ran out and rum raisin was no substitute).

This mom was clueless about the covid test that we needed to have to get back into the US.  Thankfully I read that we needed it and thankfully the property offered the test.  This was 24 hours before our flight. Ugh.  So grateful I saw this before we ended up at the airport and not able to leave.

 

DR Day 6

Another morning of archery.

Scuba lessons for Keara, Kailei and Zeb.  I would be too clautrophobic in the mask. After scuba lessons they ventured out see more than the pool.  Apparently scubaing was not so fun for Kailei since she couldn't see anything without her glasses. Lesson learned.  

I spent time by the pool reading while they were out on the boat. 

We had hibachi for dinner for dinner which was another good choice. Sometimes I had to get up a midnight to make reservations for these specialty restaurants. It was worth it though.

DR Day 5

Enjoyed another morning or archery. Kailei convinced Zeb to do it as well. No rum was won.

I enjoyed this chocolate cake for breakfast pretty much daily.  

Can't remember what else we did today but I'm sure it was fun.

 

Kailei-ism's

 

DR Day 4

Zeb and Kailei started each morning doing archery. Crowds varied but the hosts were pretty entertaining. Winner always got a bottle of rum.

Zeb and I decided to take in dinner and a show at Chic. Thought everything would be inside but the first part was out on their patio where everyone was greeted with a drink. I longed for the AC but managed until we were let inside. The show a variety show but was very good. We also had a seven course meal with seven alcoholic drinks served.  It was quite fancy and very enjoyable.

In the meantime, the girls had an adventure of their own when they went to dinner. They ordered sprite but were served mimosas.  The waiter was very nice
but insisted that is what they should drink. They ended up changing locations in the restaurant because they were feeling pressured to drink it and it isn't what they wanted.  The text messages were quite entertaining.