Friday September 24
Finally, we're traveling again! It was twenty-two months ago as we sat around the dinner table on the Douro River in Portugal that I posed the question to the other couples, "We'd love to travel with you again, would you be interested in planning a future trip together?" And when they said yes, I said, "NO....you don't understand....if you're serious, I will NOT let this go until we are all traveling together again." And they were serious. Now, in spite of a global pandemic and limited travel options with restrictions and protocols....here we are. Together again (sans Dennis & Mary) in Seattle, ready to board the American Cruise Lines American Spirit to sail the Pacific Northwest through the Puget Sound tomorrow.
We had numerous issues which could have been road blocks but we overcame them. The most recent was that all six of us were required to be tested for the COVID-19 virus and get a negative report no earlier than 72 hours prior to the trip. Our test was scheduled on the 21st, with our flight early in the morning on the 24th. CVS said the results would be available within 48 hours, but probably within 24-to-36 hours. When took the test, literally WE took the test, at a drive through with no guidance and put the test tubes with the swabs in a baggie and hoped for the best. Not only did we have to be anxious about testing negative and the test results being accurate, but we also had to wonder if we self-administered it right. Twenty-fours went by and .... nothing. At 10:30 pm I got my results, Kim's came a little after midnight and Pam & Bob got theirs the next morning. Mary Pat & Tom were fortunate to get theirs by the 22nd. And so we were up by 5:15 am and arrived at the Fort Lauderdale International Airport around 6:30 am. Cleared security and were in the air a little after 8 am. No issues to Denver, the flight left there on time and landed a little early in Seattle - at 2:21 pm PST. But the gate was not available. NEARLY AN HOUR before we got off the plane. So late that our booked ride began texting me, "Where are you?" Finally got off and picked up the luggage. About half an hour to the Crown Plaza Hotel in downtown Seattle where we met everyone in the lobby. Got our room (#1162 - yes SIXTY-TWO) and then by 5 pm we were off to the waterfront - by foot - for dinner (Mary Pat had made reservations.
We were seated within minutes and soon had our wine, or other "adult drinks" and were exchanging stories about what had been going on in our life over the last many months. It was so SO good to be with everyone again - seemed like just last week we were all together. As we finished a delicious dinner the sun was setting over the harbor and we took a group photo. Then we walked along the pier for a while before heading back to the hotel. By 8 pm we were all exhausted from the day's travel - now note before you say, "EIGHT O'CLOCK, WHAT?" - that's Pacific Time, so to us it was 11 pm AND we'd all been up by 5 am or earlier. A great start to a great adventure!
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