Yes, I am back

Well, as my dear friend Jet has pointed out, I’ve made it back safe and sound, even with the forces of the universe conspiring against me!
For those that want a recap, click below, for those that don’t, well, move along now! :lol
It all started when I left work Tues. morning…(**warning, very long!**)

The Trip There
I had my ticket, boarding pass, and everything else I needed, the only thing I was worried about was getting to Jet and speed’s on time. I get off work at 7am, they live 2 1/2 hours away, and my flight leaves at 11:30am…(however, this is Dallas and Ft. Worth traffic we’re talking here) so I was a bit concerned, made it in plenty of time though. *s*
so speed fixes me food, and off we go…again, make it in plenty of time, the day is very nice, if a bit hot, so I’m not expecting any problems…oh I should have known!!
the airline I was flying (Airtran Airways) routes all of it’s flights through Atlanta, it seems that EVERY flight they had that day was late…well, except one, but I’m getting to that…they were having some storms in that area and the incoming flight was delayed, so our flight was delayed, not to worry though, they said no connecting flights would be missed
yea right
we get there 15 min. before my flight leaves…10 min before by the time we get off the plane, I head over to find out what gate my flight leaves from, just in time to overhear someone telling the gal standing there to direct people to their connections that “the flight to Boston has closed and is taking off now”
WHAT!?!
yea, the one flight on time that day, and it has to be mine!!
so I go get my ticket changed for the next flight, (which is 4 1/2 hours later, thank god they have a smoking room in that airport!!) call Bluewolfs mom (got the voice mail), her voice mail, and even have the people at the customer service desk call the airport to leave a message, hoping that somehow she’ll get one of them…well mom hadn’t gotten back by the time my flight there (that I wasn’t on) landed so of course, she’s wondering where the hell I’m at (thank god for cell phones) she calls me and I give her the new info (then gets ahold of mom to get the message that I left..LOL)
So I finally arive….after the flight I was moved to was delayed 45 min, then sat at the gate for another hour (can you tell I’m not going to use this airline again??) *s*
The Visit
We had plans to stay in Salem that night, because we wanted to see the sights (and the shops *g*) the next day, Bluewolf had already checked us into the room (thank god) so we went directly there, took my stuff to the room (we stayed in the Hawthorn Hotel, very nice!!) and went for a walk around the town to see if we could find a place to get a drink, and ‘pre-shop’ *G*
We found a place that looked to be the local hangout…was mostly college age kids there, we didn’t exactly ‘blend’, lol…but the thing we noticed most was they were so polite, no fighting, arguing, or anything, just kids hanging out having a good time.
After a walk around the shops and deciding what we had to go to the next day, we went back and got some shuteye.
The next day…Bluewolfs birthday (July 2nd)…we did Salem up right! I think we hit about every shop that the town had, spent wayyyyy to much money *g* and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves…I managed to find several books I’d been looking for, met some very interesting people, and found some neat things called ‘spinner rings’ which was lucky because I’d forgotten my rings at home
🙁 so naturally they had to be replaced *g* because I felt like I was walking around naked!
I wish I could remember the names of the shops we went to, because if you ever get the chance to go you should really check them out *s*
but they roll up the sidewalks early there, so we started back, stopped by another little shop she knew of over by her neck of the woods (was closed), and went to see T3 (awesome movie!! and I haven’t even seen the first 2 yet)
The next day, we got a late start, so we stopped by the little shop again and waited for it to open, which had the last book I’d been wanting to get but couldn’t find in Salem because they were all out of it, and went to P-town!
we were worried everything would be closed when we got there, due to traffic, etc…we didn’t arrive until about 5…not to worry! the manager at the restaurant where we ate (which I don’t recommend! if I could remember the name of it! but the manager was very nice) told us most stuff didn’t start closing up until 11 or so…so we were off again…*s*
found several little things, (some are surprises so I won’t post them here just in case) some of the stores were ummm..’interesting’ shall we say? LOL. got gifts for the kiddos, and had another great day…
one thing I’ve got to say about this town, it’s wonderful, no, fantastic, when you can walk down the street, or through a shop, or anywhere there for that matter, holding hands and you don’t get ‘the look’.
Heteros don’t know what I’m talking about, I’m sure, but it’s the most awesome feeling in the world to be able to do that without fear or worry…such a simple thing, that whole “this one’s with me” feeling, but it really does make a difference *s*
OK, next day (the 4th).
We went to her Aunt and Uncles house, where I got to meet most of the rest of the clan (had already met her Mom, Sister in Law, and Nephew) who were very nice, wonderful cooks, and went out of their way to make me feel at home, not to mention feed me! LOL
We spent the day hanging out, eating, drinking and they played something which I’m sure I would misspell if I tried but was (I think) also called ‘lawn bowling’??
They’re a great family, very nice to have some faces to go with the names! and her Dad, omg, he’s just like I thought he would be!!
The trip home
unfortunately, all things come to an end 🙁
we get up, get ready, and head to the airport…we’re there in PLENTY of time (shut up Jet!)
I had my ticket, and in most places that is all you need (plus your id) to get through security…or at least it was when I was there before x-mas…well, not this time!
It seems their policy has changed and now you have to have your boarding pass to get through security…so they send me over to the ticket counter…
I swear, it was this guys first day!! everyone else up there had to stop and help him at least once…so we’re standing in line for 20+ min….I get to the counter, show her my ticket, only to be informed that the flight has closed and is about to take off!!!
grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
and the next flight leaving for Atlanta (yea, remember Atlanta?) didn’t get there till 15 min after the next flight for DFW left…and there was only one more flight after that for DFW
which wouldn’t get me there till 11:50pm
ummm…I’m supposed to be at work at 11pm
*deep sighs*
well, OK, nothing I can do about it…so I rebook my flight, call work and tell them what happened, and we go putter around town till time for my next flight to leave.
all in all, a very enjoyable visit…can’t say much for the trip itself *G* but the visit was wonderful 😉
oh, and if you’re ever stuck in Atlanta airport, in terminal C, I highly recommend Charlie’s grill, and the ultimate gourmet fries *s*
and now that I’ve bored you all silly, I have to get ready for work!