Travel karma

We started our journey home from Wiesbaden train station at 8:00 am and, with a little bit of luck, we arrived safely in Redlands 24 hours later at 10:00 pm local time. Eight hours in a plane, crossing the Atlantic is never terribly comfortable, but Delta does their best to lessen the pain. And looking down at Greenland under the bright arctic sun, with the contrast of white snow and dark, dark blue water with tiny dots that appear to be sails or maybe ice burgs, adds a wonderland feeling to the long journey. There were also honeymooners, on their first trip to America in front of me, the stewardesses fussed over them with champagne and well wishes. Ah to be young again....

New York was clear and warm, which is the most we can hope for in New York. All flights heading to California were full. (not in our plans) We were faced with that inevitable "stand-by moment". Do we get a hotel and try again tomorrow? Or, just get on any plane going west and hope to be home sometime this week? I was voting for the hot bath, warm bed option (even if our luggage was on it's way to LA.) Gene was researching the west-bound routes. "How about going to Washington DC, then Atalanta, Cincinnati and Salt Lake City?" I am thinking this sounds crazy for even the most enthusiastic traveler.

There were about 33 people on the stand-by list, the flight was over-sold, (they were offering $300 to passengers willing to give up their seats) and our chances of getting out of New York on our afternoon flight were nil. But, "lady karma" stepped in and somehow got 17 people delayed in the airport, and convinced the other 5 or 6 stand-by passengers ahead of us to give up and go home, and suddenly.... moments before take-off, we see a glimmer of hope. The exasperated Delta agents keep calling the same list of names and no one comes running. Gene and I close our laptops, pick up our coats and stand with the few remaining hopeful travelers. Even Gloria, watching the boarding list in California, couldn't see how we got on that plane. But there we were, fastening our seat belts, thrilled to squeeze on to a completely full flight for 5 and 1/2 more hours.

Natalie and Gloria met us at the airport, so great to see them. Our over-stuffed bags arrived in good shape. At the last moment we added 8 wine glasses, 3 glass beer mugs, 4 coffee mugs for my collection, a full pound of European coffee beans (have to wean ourselves off that yummy coffee) and a bottle of wine. Haven't unpacked yet, but it appears that everything made it in tact. Thank you Caroline and Irene for your gifts, such good memories. We will think of you often.

We are so thankful for our good travel karma, and really happy to have the cat sleep on our heads and be back in our little house. Ulla and Leif left everything just perfect for us, it is so nice to come home to house that has been lived in.

Stay tuned for some final travel thoughts,

Carol