Hurry Up and Wait

Leaving the RPSC office today at noon, I've started my 31 hour journey to
Christchurch. Only 17 of those hours will actually be in the air, leaving
14 hours to sit and wait in airports. Fortunately, I get the longest of those
waits over with first in Denver, which has free Wi-Fi. After this, I get to
spend 3 hours in my least favorite airport in the world in Los Angeles and
after a 12+ hour flight across the Pacific, I wait for three more hours in
Auckland. All part of the process though, and I've learned to take most
of it in stride. For the most part, it's fun to people watch, seeing folks who
either travel many times more than me, or some that never travel at all.
Those are the ones that look like deer in the headlights! Thinking about
the long time and distance I have left, does not make it go by any faster,
so I wait.

In San Diego

Long Flight.
Babies in front.
Babies behind.
Woman passing out in aisle.
No Sleep.
Flight No Fun.

Pretty much sums up our flight from Auckland to LAX, which
continues to be my least favorite airport in the Western
Hemisphere. Plus being yelled at by a rental "officer" for
loading our bags in the "Red Zone"! Ugh!
Anyway, the drive to San Diego was pleasant enough after
getting out of the LA traffic and spending the day with
Lynn's family was ok as well. Nice to see folks we haven't
seen in awhile. One more day in San Diego tomorrow before
we head to Colorado on Thursday.

Hei konā rā Aotearoa

Goodbye New Zealand. We are leaving our cozy little
apartment here in Christchurch today and are headed
back to the United States. First a short flight from
Christchurch to Auckland. Then a long flight from
Auckland to Los Angeles, followed by a short drive to
San Diego for a few days. Then after driving back to
Los Angeles, short flights to Denver and then Grand
Junction. A lot of traveling in a few days. We've had
a great time here in Christchurch and it's a wonderful
place to acclimate back to civilization after being on
The Ice. Especially when surrounded by good friends
that will be missed and beautiful scenery. We'll be
back soon!