Talk about Turbulence!!

Well, we made it!  We flew out of Milwaukee yesterday, had a layover in Dallas and finally ended up in Phoenix, where we rented a truck and drove it to Safford, which is only about 3 hours from The Phoenix airport. 

A day of "firsts" for me!

The first "first" for me was that I was not harrasses too badly at all during the pat-you-down-X-ray-the-life-out-of-you session.  A first for me.  We usually get the whole 9-yards when it comes to ariport security.  We must look suspicious or something.  When we flew to my sister's wedding I was 9 months pregnant and none of the security guards believed that my belly contained a baby.  They were pretty sure it was a bomb I think....talk about irritated!!   But that's a whole different story....

The first flight was actually early!  That was definitely a first!  I've never been on a flight that made it out of the terminal early, or that arrived at it's destination early!  That was nice.  We had time to grab a bite of lunch before our connecting flight. 

The next flight had a few issues.  The AC wasn't working in the main cabin, so we had to wait to on that to be fixed before we could board.  Then, when we finally loaded we had to sit and wait about a half hour for some maintenance to be done.  Something about a missing plastic strip that was needed to keep the pressure in the cabin during the flight.  No biggie... (note the sarcasm.)

Then I had an army mad sitting beside me with a little girl that couldn't have been any older than 2.  She was doing her best wear him down and being very successful!  I must say, I learned that a disobedient child can humble a tough, strong man in mere seconds.  Mother, you bless, encourage and strengthen your husband when you teach your children to obey immediately and with a happy heart.

I felt sorry for the man and the other passengers too, so I pulled out my bag and gave her a few things to play with.  You would be amazed at the things I found in there. A toy boat of some sort, a pair of Jenna's socks, a couple of little plastic dolly "things", chop sticks, sun glasses, gum, a bean bag kitten, and a few other trinkets.  She wasn't too thrilled at first, but I insisted.  For the sanity of all the passengers!!  She eventually warmed up to me and my peace offerings.  And she fell asleep half way through the flight and slept until we landed.  I must say she woke up with a vengeance though.  She wasn't a happy camper when her daddy picked her up and tried to gather her things. 

There was quite a bit of turbulence on that second flight.  It was pretty bouncy, to say the least.  When we were at last freed from the airplane (and the screaming child), we were off to find a taxi.  It was another first.  Jeremy had never been in a taxi of any kind and I had never been in one in the U.S.  We were successful in finding our taxi, and I must say, it was very similar to the others I'd been in.  The Spanish accent.  (more like Mexican)  The smell.  (Smells such as these only come from those who have not yet learned the American custom of deodorant.)  The driving.  (Actually, it wasn't that bad.  He only swerved away from on coming traffic once.  And he didn't drive on the sidewalks at all.  I was happy!)

We finally did get to the truck rental place and we finally got our truck too.  There were a few moments of worry, but we figured it all out and were on our way! 

I wanted to go to a Wataburger, because I LOVE those things and they don't have them in the East.  So, we asked the trusty GPS to show us the way...   Apparently there is not a Wataburger on Apache Trail in Apache Junction...at least not any longer.  So, we ate at a hole-in-the-wall Mexican place.  I love those places!

All in all it was a successful day! 

I will keep you posted on the rest of the trip as I get the time....have a great week!