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.

DEN+LAX+SYD+CHC=UGH!

I'm sitting in Denver at the airport and I'm wishing that the
next 24 hours were over. That's how long I'll either be
flying or waiting in airports over the next day. 19 of those
in the air. After bidding Lynn goodbye at the curb, I started
this journey. A very long time from now, I will be in
Christchurch.

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!

SBN-DEN-LAX-SYD-CHC

After 21 hours of in-air flight time, we made it
to Christchurch. Another summer on the Ice for us.
Sleep was the key word for us as we went to bed at
the Camelot on the Square at 7:30pm and woke up at
6:30am. All is well as we get our small amount of
Extreme Cold Weather gear this morning and then
head out to enjoy as much of Christchurch as we can.

Visiting Dad

Lynn and I got off the Ice on the 8th and after 23 hours
in airplanes, made it back to the Chicago area to see my
Mom and Dad. Dad was moved from the hospital on Thursday
to the VNA Horton Hospice Center in Valparaiso.


It's a really nice place that is really comfortable for
Dad and it's almost like he's in a living room. We're
going to bring his two pups up the first day it isn't
raining and I know he's looking forward to that.


I've enjoyed visiting with my sisters and brother as well as
my Aunt Sharon and Uncle Ray and cousin Diane. Diane was nice
enough to pick us up at O'Hare and even though they lost our
bags between LAX and ORD, our travels were super smooth.