Successfully Avoiding Anything Planned

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The Infant Boarding Pass Incident

Air travel.

The words alone are enough to send most of us running to the medicine cabinet for antacids. Endless lines in tight turn styles, hasty cancellations and delays, bathrooms so small they’d make a hobbit blush —and that was before the pandemic. Masking mandates and a year plus of rebooked trip backlog have fanned the flames on an already ferocious frenzy.

Too many f-words? Tell that to the woman in front of us. She’s letting expletives fly like a four-letter word thesaurus with a luggage cart. Our goal to check-in quickly at a kiosk thwarted, we end up in line behind someone trying to check, count them, six large suitcases plus a (gorgeous, mind you) Louis Vuitton duffle.

We learned the hard way you can’t check-in at kiosk with an infant unless you have your passport or government issued ID or probably a DNA sample. You have to line-up behind someone who is clearly not just traveling, but moving. A person relocating her existence upset for mistaking Delta for UHaul.

The poor agent behind the counter. I’m not Catholic but start praying Hail Mary’s and visualizing still waters. She receives an earful. And a face full. And many-an-arm gesture. She keeps calmly trying to explain the luggage far exceeds the allotted weight, and that if the woman wants to check bags, she’ll have to consolidate.

It’s to no avail.

The woman’s arms are now flailing like she’s conducting a heavy metal symphony; Louis Vuitton clinging for dear life.

Meanwhile, we have an antsy toddler and bewildered newborn staring at the flags on the ceiling like she’s wondering how her crib mobile became so massive. The clock is ticking, our flight is boarding, and the last thing we want to do is spend the day convincing our kids the airport is Disney Land.

Mask, check. Sanitizer, check. Cute backpack full of distractions, oh you better believe check.


We’re in that less than an hour before take off zone, that free for all where somehow airlines have the right to say ah-ah- ah not so fast, Rick Steves, you’re too late. An airline saying you should of been more prompt is kind of like a serial killer saying you shouldn’t jaywalk. While it may be true, the source makes for weak argument.

My wife and I look at each other, and through face masked mind code say, “we’re doomed.”

Suddenly, we hear a sweet voice from above. Well, from the left, but it sounds so angelic it may as well be from heaven.

“Is anyone here on the flight to Detroit?”

Yes, sweet spirit, yes we are. And all we want is to give this first-time flyer her wings. Can I get an Amen?

An Amen we do receiveth. With the determination and dexterity of salmon swimming up river to spawn, this gentleman takes my driver’s license, nearly hurdles over luggage cart woman, and triumphantly returns with the golden ticket. I’ve never wanted to kiss a mask more. I abstain, Covid and all.

We make it through security and on our plane just in time. The flight takes off moments later. We exhale for the first time in an hour.

I used to take pictures like this at airports before I had children.


Travel angels. They exist. Look for them as you roam planet earth and/or Michigan.

They take many different forms, but their mission is the same: to ease your way, weary traveler, and to inspire you to look for opportunities to return the favor to someone in need.

How much better the airport, and the world for that matter would be, if we all tuned in to helping each other ease the way.

Go forth in confidence, quench that wonder lust, take all precautions, and for the love of all things good, leave the sixth suitcase behind.

Japan Part 3

 

Just when we thought we probably wouldn’t have another opportunity to return, Christi and I received a call from our friends Dave and Beth Kanelos asking if we’d volunteer as leaders for their Club Beyond youth camp in Japan.

Hmmmm, we’ll have to chec……OK.

We flew into Tokyo and made our way to Mt. Bandai. We spent a few days hiking, canoeing, and discovering vending machine delicacies such as waffle ice cream sandwiches with students and leaders from Misawa and Yakota Air Force bases.

(Click pics to enlarge)

 

 

After camp we spent some time in Misawa:

 

 

We then made our way down to Sendai and caught some views of Okama Crater near the summit of Mt. Zao:

 

 

Oh no…here it comes….brace yourself….an inspirational quote:

I am not the same, having seen the moon shine on the other side of the world.

– Mary Anne Radmacher

 

Here’s to moonshine…..wait…yeah, that’s what I meant,

A

Japan: Part 2 (Video)

 

Last week I shared some pictures from Japan.  This week,  you guessed it,  more pictures and a video.  I’ll just be quiet and post that stuff right now:  Continue reading

Japan

In the Spring of 2012 and 2013 Christi and I traveled to Japan.  It’s one of those places we always wanted to go to but never thought we would.  Then when we did, well, we liked it so much we had to go back.  And since I’m a firm believer that all good things come in trilogies (except arguably the Star Wars Prequels),  we hope to return again someday.

It’s a place simultaneously rooted in historical traditions and technological advancements.  Where city frenzy lives alongside countryside serenity.  The food deserves an entire website of its own,  but to summarize it in a single word:  yum.

Here’s an extremely random assortment of pics from both our trips combined: Continue reading

This Tooth Shall Not Pass

As much as I love to travel I’m not going to sit here in my kitchen/living room/office and pretend it doesn’t have its pangs and perplexities.  It’s moments when you look to the “friendly skies” and wonder what was I thinking?  Don’t need to spend 17 hours of my life in an airport.  Don’t need to get yelled at by a flight attendant;  “I said turn your phone ALL the way off sir.”  Getting frisked by a large man in uniform…not my idea of a holiday in the sun.

Everyone’s tense.  Everyone’s in a hurry.  Some are yelling or coughing or just have a thick Italian accent,  hard to tell.  Traveling can feel like a perpetual trip to Costco during Christmas with a neck pillow.  Continue reading

Kiwi Time

I once saw a guy order a drink at Starbucks and jet toward the exit without his latte.  You could see the moment he realized his mistake,  like he stepped on an invisible turntable and spun back on track.  Guy was in a hurry,  and based on his cat like agility,  didn’t really need anymore espresso.

I get the same way before trips.  I’m excited,  my mind is scattered,  and I try to do things like go to the post office to get my car washed.   Continue reading