The In Between

Time off between jobs was fabulous!

First we went way up to Downeast Maine for three days at a lakeside cabin with a group of friends. We also spent time at Acadia National Park. I just can't get enough of glacial landscapes. We even saw the only fjord in the continental United States!

It was fairly cool at night, and we saw a few trees that had some fall leaves. It wasn't even Labor Day yet. I'm not ready for the cool down. Bring on Indian summer.

Because the drive was so long, about five hours, we split up the return trip and spent the night in Portland, ME. It has a revitalized downtown near the water that is charming. We had a very nice meal then spent the night at a Travelodge. It's all about balance.

After Maine I spent two days cleaning house (it really needed it), and one day celebrating my birthday with a mani/pedi and a nice dinner at a new semi swanky place in our town. The fact that our town has a new upscale restaurant is a really good sign. We're hoping this place is on the way up.

The next day I was off to San Diego for a college friend's wedding. I had a lovely time hanging out with my former roommates and Mizzou friends while enjoying the perfect weather. The wedding was at the beach and beautiful.

The flight home was anything but beautiful. It was red eye because I had decided I would rather fly all night and sleep than waste a day. I still think this is preferable. What I don't recommend is having to make a connection prior to the red eye flight.

I had to go from San Diego to LAX. American has about four of these between 6 and 8 p.m. I was very early, and there was room, so I was offered the opportunity to take two flights earlier than the one I was scheduled on. I declined. If I stuck with my iternary, I would wait about two hours in San Diego and two in LA. I didn't want to wait a lot longer in LA.

I finally got on the plane, and all systems were go. Then the engine went off. They told us that there had been a power failure on one of the runways at LAX. It would be at least an hour. We were getting off the plane. I couldn't believe I had waited! I was lucky, however. Before they got everyone off, the lights at LAX were back on and so were we.

Once in LA, I thought I would be set. I would wait and then sleep all the way back to Boston. Unfortunately, my flight was delayed. Bad weather in Dallas messed up all American flights for the whole day. I really struggled to stay awake in order to board. When I finally got on, I went immediately to sleep. I only woke up once because the woman behind me was snoring---an unforseen consequence of the red eye!

When I finally got to Boston, I was greeted by a wonderful husband who took me home to my wonderful bed. I'm think I'm finally back on Eastern time.

The length of this post proves my time off was well spent!