FIVE FOLLIES OF FLYING

Five Follies of Flying

1.    Standing in line -  Whether at check-in, security or boarding, is it necessary? There has to be some other way to move people more efficiently?  I haven’t counted how much time is used up standing in line and the only redeeming feature I have found is having an interesting conversation with someone while standing there.

2.    The two guys in the row ahead (or behind) who think they have to talk over the noise of the engines and annoy everyone within eight feet in every direction. -  Do they like the sound of their own voices or are they hearing impaired?   Give your fellow passengers cooped up in the steel cocoon a break and tone it down, please.

3.    Choppy air, least that’s what the captain calls it – It shakes you up and down, back and forth and it often requires the seat belt sign and return to your seat message just after you have gotten into the lavatory. 

4.    The disappearance of most amenities on domestic flights – They are often crowded, uncomfortable and the food (?) is lousy if it even exists.  I know it’s about keeping the flights as full as possible for the sake of revenue and some airlines have actually provided more space but at a higher price of course.  Snack boxes?  Are you serious?

5.    Narrow seats and fellow flyers who take up more than their fair share of space – They drape over the arm rest to the point of being selfish space hogs and this is unlikely to change as it would be an insult to have bigger seats for which these extra big people would have to pay more.

You can add your own to this list that I compiled recently while being stuck in 14C.  At least it was an aisle seat that I had because I paid extra to board early.  Ah, the joy of being on the road in our own space, at our own pace and, not up in the air!

ARRIVED KEY WEST 12/1

We left Oklahoma in "Big Blue" day after Thanksgiving and because of late departure, only made it to Denton, TX to a place called Destiny RV Resort, adequate, but construction made it difficult to find having missed the exit and ending up in a housing development.  GPS did not know, and did not care but after a couple of calls to the park, we made it, albeit in the dark.  Seems like we started and ended several days without the benefit of daytime hours.  Drove the next day via I-20, I-49 and I-10 to Biloxi, Mississippi and liked Mazalea RV Park.  Maybe it stands for Mississippi Azaleas but we weren't there long enough to find out. Just a good pull through parking spot, in and out.  The Newell performed brilliantly.

Traffic was horrendous on both Sat and Sun, the worst days of the year to be on the highways but we had a date with warmer temps and reservations in Key West.  Drove the next day from Biloxi, a lot of congestion, construction and accidents to slow travel time but made it to north of Orlando via the FL turnpike.   Stayed north in Orange Blossom KOA, very nice and pleasant, helpful owners. Monday we left early, hit the turnpike and headed south toward Miami and Homestead and not much traffic until around Miami and all moving along well.  Started down the Keys where it all slows down again as there is a lot of two lane roadway over bridges and islands.  There is a Newell approved tech in Marathon and we stopped in, met them as we have an awning sensor issue for the automatic wind retraction.   Seem like good folks and knowledgeable.  Chuck Clark will send a part down and we'll see if that will fix the issue.

It is now Tuesday morning, December 2,  9 AM Eastern Time and the temp reads 75 with a light breeze coming from I don't know which direction.  Regardless, we're glad to be parked here for the month of December, probably migrate north about 10 miles on January 1 for at least a couple more weeks, or more.  Couldn't get reservations for Boyds, where we are now, as we were here in March of last year and that was too late.  Have to make them a year ahead, at least.  We just reserved next year for three months, Jan-Feb-Mar.  Good to have plans even if they don't materialize for some reason yet unknown. 

Had a flat tire on the toad, also a wiring issue for the tail lights and connection to the coach.  And ran the battery down.   AAA took care of changing tire and a trickle charge overnight had the battery up and charged by morning.  Found diesel at 3.28 in a couple of places en route and that was a plus when compared to most others at 3.53.    If y'all are down this way, do let us know.  In the meantime, safe travels, happy holidays and follow my guru's saying:  "Tell the truth, be kind and remember to say thank you."