—Thursday Evening—
The Newark airport was interesting. Very busy … And I was able to view my first police arrest in an airport. No … not me. It was kind of cool to watch … One person, five police officers who very quickly, but quietly (or as quiet as you can possibly get in an airport) surrounded the man and moved him towards the wall. One was putting on the cuffs, one talking to him, one diverting traffic, and the other two ‘patting’ him down. No yelling, no commotion … Just matter of fact.
Then there was my flight to Shannon. In a time when flights are over booked and every seat taken, I was quite please to see the flight didn’t fill up. I had been monitoring all day. In my row of three, it continued to show the middle seat empty and I was hoping it would stay that way. Well, the window seat person was a ‘no show’. Yep! I had the entire row of seats. So, instead of staying up the entire flight … I laid down and slept for a couple of hours. Also a short flight of 5 hours and 20 minutes. Why is it when I get the optimum seating arrangement … The tailwinds are on our side and the flight is two hours less than scheduled?
Customs … Easy with a ‘welcome to Ireland!’ Car in hand … Part of the day at Bunratty Castle and to Kilmaneen Farmhouse.
—Thursday Afternoon—
O’Hare wasn’t as smooth this morning as it was in June. Patience was in order. I am currently sitting in Detroit. United has become my airline of choice and I am puddle-jumping today. I am sitting in the wing for the regional jets; there is only about 10 of us here. It is very quiet! I have to say that I am quite enjoying it.
Two hours in Detroit and then a flight to Newark, NJ. It will be a new airport for me … Should be interesting; 2.5 hours there before my flight to Shannon. Everything is showing ‘on time’. Who knew that we would be having weather like we are. When I made my plans, I was well aware that the odds were against me with the weather. There should at least be snow on the ground.
For those that are curious … The red pin is Shannon, Ireland … The purple pin is where I will be staying.
—Wednesday Eve to Thursday Am—
Sophie is tucked away at my parents … She knows something is up. But she is safe and sound for the next three weeks.
We headed to Rockford at 4:30am to catch the bus. As I type this on my phone, we are pulling out of the parking lot … On schedule at 6:00am. Next stop … O’Hare.
