Well, we made it... it's been over 24 hrs since we awoke in Shannon, Ireland until we put ourselves to bed in Iowa and what an adventure it's been getting here.
Our hotel was literally in the parking lot of the airport, so we just wheeled our luggage over, in the spitting rain. We have been SO extremely blessed with absolutely gorgeous weather for the past 13 days, so once the spitting started, we left the country. In the Shannon airport, they checked us in in groups of 5 (important for later), got thru security no problemas. Met some lovely people from Maquoketa, IA, as well as Waterloo, IA... such a small world. Had about 3 hrs in London, which is where we said our good-byes to the other 3 groups. Grabbed some lunch and once our gate was posted, headed to our gate.
Since we checked in on Aer Lingus (who gave us boarding passes all the way to DM), United decided that we needed new boarding passes. So, off to the service counter we go, they enter in our luggage tracking #'s and give us our 2 new boarding passes and off we go. Flight from London to Denver is delayed leaving - weather issues in Denver, but eventually we take off on our 9+ hr flight...
We got to watch 4 movies - I watched Last Chance Harvey, Confessions of a Shopaholic, Paul Blart: Mall Cop and most of The International. Got to do some loopty-loops over Nebraska cuz of weather and trying to avoid it... oh joy!! But made it safe & sound.
All the luggage showed. Went thru immigration and rechecked our bags. Viola! After a potty break, stood in the HUGE security line at Denver and off to our gate we went. Our 3 hr lay-over turned into about an hour... not too bad.. enough time for a drink/snack and back on our 3rd plane of the day. Most of us zzzz'd during the last flight, otherwise was a nice flight.
Made it to DM safe & sound and headed to baggage... to NOT find our luggage.... yes, ladies & gents, none of our 12 pieces of luggage made it!!! So, over to the United counter we go to the extremely rude lady who, since we checked in together (refer to above), we don't know which tag belongs to which person to have it shipped to either Omaha or Moline.... GRRRRRR!! So, am basically told I could have them all shipped to one locale and I have to pick them up and decide to have them go to DM.... so, I'll be back in the car to DM tomorrow since the next Denver flight gets in at 1 p.m. Happy?!?! Elated.... Fortunately, Mary is coming to meet me in DM and take the Riverside kids their luggage so I don't have to drive all the way over there and then back.
So, get the car from the Holiday Inn - say good-bye to all my good friends and off we go east whilst the others go West. About 1/2 way home, I run over a dead deer in the road - there were lots of guts from other deers previously, but this one was pretty intact. Pull over, pop side bumper back in and we're in business. Thank God for Jenna who stayed awake the entire way and kept me awake (mwah!!). Drop off Sanjana and then Jenna, whose lights were on and I can see deer fur hanging from the bottom of my car... oh joy....
So, yes am glad to be home... wish we had luggage, but if it's just delayed, no problema. Glad I have new clothes here so I can change out of mine that I've worn for a while. Think my bed will feel good tonight... turned on the A/C (apparently it's been hot here) and apt is cooling down nicely.
Will report tomorrow on luggage status, but it's bitter sweet being home.
Buenas noches - I'm exhausted!!
~steph :)
Our hotel was literally in the parking lot of the airport, so we just wheeled our luggage over, in the spitting rain. We have been SO extremely blessed with absolutely gorgeous weather for the past 13 days, so once the spitting started, we left the country. In the Shannon airport, they checked us in in groups of 5 (important for later), got thru security no problemas. Met some lovely people from Maquoketa, IA, as well as Waterloo, IA... such a small world. Had about 3 hrs in London, which is where we said our good-byes to the other 3 groups. Grabbed some lunch and once our gate was posted, headed to our gate.
Since we checked in on Aer Lingus (who gave us boarding passes all the way to DM), United decided that we needed new boarding passes. So, off to the service counter we go, they enter in our luggage tracking #'s and give us our 2 new boarding passes and off we go. Flight from London to Denver is delayed leaving - weather issues in Denver, but eventually we take off on our 9+ hr flight...
We got to watch 4 movies - I watched Last Chance Harvey, Confessions of a Shopaholic, Paul Blart: Mall Cop and most of The International. Got to do some loopty-loops over Nebraska cuz of weather and trying to avoid it... oh joy!! But made it safe & sound.
All the luggage showed. Went thru immigration and rechecked our bags. Viola! After a potty break, stood in the HUGE security line at Denver and off to our gate we went. Our 3 hr lay-over turned into about an hour... not too bad.. enough time for a drink/snack and back on our 3rd plane of the day. Most of us zzzz'd during the last flight, otherwise was a nice flight.
Made it to DM safe & sound and headed to baggage... to NOT find our luggage.... yes, ladies & gents, none of our 12 pieces of luggage made it!!! So, over to the United counter we go to the extremely rude lady who, since we checked in together (refer to above), we don't know which tag belongs to which person to have it shipped to either Omaha or Moline.... GRRRRRR!! So, am basically told I could have them all shipped to one locale and I have to pick them up and decide to have them go to DM.... so, I'll be back in the car to DM tomorrow since the next Denver flight gets in at 1 p.m. Happy?!?! Elated.... Fortunately, Mary is coming to meet me in DM and take the Riverside kids their luggage so I don't have to drive all the way over there and then back.
So, get the car from the Holiday Inn - say good-bye to all my good friends and off we go east whilst the others go West. About 1/2 way home, I run over a dead deer in the road - there were lots of guts from other deers previously, but this one was pretty intact. Pull over, pop side bumper back in and we're in business. Thank God for Jenna who stayed awake the entire way and kept me awake (mwah!!). Drop off Sanjana and then Jenna, whose lights were on and I can see deer fur hanging from the bottom of my car... oh joy....
So, yes am glad to be home... wish we had luggage, but if it's just delayed, no problema. Glad I have new clothes here so I can change out of mine that I've worn for a while. Think my bed will feel good tonight... turned on the A/C (apparently it's been hot here) and apt is cooling down nicely.
Will report tomorrow on luggage status, but it's bitter sweet being home.
Buenas noches - I'm exhausted!!
~steph :)
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