The morning started out very early. I was up and in the shower by 2:45. After putting just a couple last minute toiletries into the suitcase Mike and I headed toward the airport. It was chilly and dark.
Checking in was uneventful. I was kind of shocked that they haven't started mandatory strip searches on all passengers and was relieved to only be required to remove my shoes and coat.
After the security check I headed to the bathroom. It was there in the first stall to the left that a feeling of solitude swept across me. It just felt so strange to be in a bathroom without Sam jabbering away in the neighboring stall and without James "talking" away while trying to get into everything.
For the first time in over eighteen years I boarded an airplane alone. I found my seat and was shocked at how close it was to the seat ahead of me. It's a good thing the kids weren't with me as I don't think there would've been room, especially when seat in front of me reclined.
The flight went quickly and smoothly. The sunrise was beautiful. I kept my hands busily knitting and managed to complete one washcloth before arriving in Denver. It was the smoothest landing I've ever experienced.
While at the airport I ran and got a postcard to send off to my friend Melissa who is trying to get a postcard from each state to help the children she is teaching in Nicaragua about other places in the world (if you could help out and send a postcard her information can be found here).
There a quick stop in Milwaukie and on to DC.
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Again, it is strange flying without the kids. I've actually been able to have conversations with people sitting next to me. DC in 35 minutes.
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When we landed in DC the clouds were several different shades of grey. It made for an idealy beautiful backdrop for the Washington Monument and Jefferson memorial.
Robbie (my sister) and Theresa (Mike's niece) met me at the airport. We met up with Daron (Theresa's husband) and headed to Old Town Alexandria for dinner at Bugsy's Pizza and then crossed the street for super wonderful delicious ice-cream. The food and company were fabulous.
The buildings and brick sidewalks look so different from the oldest buildings in Northwest Washington. The proportions are different, tall, thin, and narrow. The busses were decked out to look like trolley cars. And some of the buildings even had gas lanterns that were flickering playfully in the cool wet air.
We enjoyed a nice evening chatting and comparing stories of travel, military service, and children. It was a good day.
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