Category: 25th Wedding Anniversary

Midway Is Part Way To Vegas

It’s so nice not to have to find a powered wall to sit near (usually on-the-floor).

midway-power-plug.jpgWe are on-the-ground at Chicago’s Midway Airport. As we taxied to our gate it was easy to see how shoehorned in this airport is. There were row homes just feet beyond the airport’s fence. The runways here are about half as long as nearby O’Hare.

Our gate has more of those big chairs from Bradley. These, however, do have power plugs. It’s so nice not to have to find a powered wall to sit near (usually on-the-floor).

No free Wi-Fi at this airport. I’m using my cellphone as a modem. It’s perfect for short stretches like this. No Bluetooth in this laptop either (who knew) so I’m wired up through a USB port.

I just checked on Stef’s flight. She’s crossing the border into Ohio, doing 407 knots at 36,000 feet. My folks are 32,000 feet above Tallahassee cruising at 380 knots. They should get to Vegas on-time or close.

The incoming leg of our next flight is behind schedule from Norfolk. We’ll be a little late to McCarren.

At The Airport

bdl-curbside.jpgWe’re at the gate. Southwest has added substantial padded chairs. I’m not sure what the final thought is, but there are change slots on them–or seem to be. Maybe they’ll be converted to power outlets, though not yet.

We got to the airport early. This is, after all, the busiest day of the year and it’s all infrequent fliers! Not that I’m any better.

PA Announcement: Will the passenger who left a black belt please report to the TSA stand at Gate 1

That was me.

Not Yet To Bed

I was relaxed about what I was doing. Helaine and her family looked like they were on their way to a firing squad. All the pressure is with the bride.

I’d like to think I’ve remembered everything. I just went downstairs and signed a few anniversary cards. That’s important. I think everything I’m responsible for is packed. God–I hope so.

I have packed too much gear. I’ve got my camera, plus five lenses and a tripod. I wish I knew how to cut back. On top of that there are all these wall wart items that need a discrete one-of-a-kind plug. Phone, camera, computer, GPS–there’s a small bag full of electronics.

For the past few years we’ve been bringing a strip plug extension when we’re on-the-road. I told my mother–bringing one too! When do hotels start adding on electricity surcharges?

I’m trying to remember back 25 years ago. This night before our wedding was reasonably quiet. There had been a beautifully fluffy early season snow which quickly melted away. I was relaxed about what I was doing. Helaine and her family looked like they were on their way to a firing squad. All the pressure is with the bride.

There’s an immense amount of coordination taking place today. We should land in Las Vegas about the same time as Stef, who is flying non-stop from JFK. My parents get in a little earlier, non-stop from Ft. Lauderdale. Our California cousins have an early morning court date (they’re attorneys) then drive through the desert.

We have to get a car, check-in at the hotel (if they let us check-in early), freshen up, then drive to the chapel. As the Sun goes down we’ll be getting re-married.

Our weather looks quiet until Las Vegas where rain is expected. We are changing planes at Chicago/Midway–always a wild card, though we’ll be early and the weather non-threatening.

The Photo

wedding-photo.jpgAs long as we’re heading to Las Vegas for our 25th, I might as well give you an idea what we looked like way back then.

Helaine has not changed. I, on the other hand, am no longer thin–and I was really thin back then.

Busy Week Ahead

If all you do is look at the number, 25 seems like a lot of years. In real life you live it day-by-day. That’s why 25 years actually feels like the blink of an eye.

There’s a lot going on with the Foxes this week. Everything is pointed toward Wednesday–Helaine and my 25th wedding anniversary.

If all you do is look at the number, 25 seems like a lot of years. In real life you live it day-by-day. That’s why 25 years actually feels like the blink of an eye.

We’ve been through a lot. We met in Philly, married while living in Buffalo and moved to Connecticut in 1984. Stef was born three years later. Helaine’s parents have passed away. Mine have moved away.

We fly to Las Vegas Wednesday morning. I’m not sure there will be time to sleep after working Tuesday night. We’re praying for good weather at Midway where we change planes.

Stef and my parents arrive separately as do my California cousins. Wednesday evening we’re renewing our vows in a wedding chapel on Las Vegas Boulevard. Elvis is not attending.

It’s winter in the desert too. Rain is expected while we’re in Nevada. They’ll welcome it. We definitely will not.

There’s a lot of configuring and packing still to come. Like I said–busy week ahead.