The Backstory
The past year has been a whirlwind of events and emotions
but after, yet another trip was cancelled in February due to the great Texas “Apocalypse”,
we knew we had to do something, and something big. We have had 3 cruises
cancelled, including 1 with the kids and our EPIC Baltic Cruise planned for
this summer for our 15th wedding anniversary. We all needed a
vacation and a true getaway. Once I realized MLB baseball was in fact going to
return, my mind shifted from the high seas to the ballpark. I started to look and
see who was in town during our 2nd school break this semester… our
SPRING BREAK.
The first team I looked up was Arizona Diamondbacks as it
was one of the 6 MLB Stadiums I have not been to. They were in town but only for
two days. Luke had a baseball tournament that 1st weekend but we
placed our bet and planned a trip to Phoenix to see the DBacks. The kids had NEVER
flown or been on an airplane before, so we knew we wanted to fly to AZ. About 3.5
weeks out, I found a KILLER DEAL on a flight, hotel and car package and knew
this was it! I booked it and we were set to check off another MLB Stadium off
our Bucket list.
We told the kids we were going somewhere fun but never said
where. The 2-3 weeks leading up the trip were full of questions and guess as
well as many, MANY clues from Chris and I about the destination.
We had Alexa play “Wild, Wild West” and “Leaving on a Jet Plane”.
We also watched Arial America about many states but included Arizona. Chris even drank Arizona Tea every night at dinner for a week! They just had no clue! About 2
weeks out Luke said, “I think we are going to Arizona and the Grand Canyon
because I saw your computer at school was full of information about The Grand Canyon”
Ha… yes Luke! You figured it out. But we still played it off and let them keep
guessing.
We are ready to go... Let's do this!
We came home, cleaned up and grabbed our suitcases before
leaving the house around 5PM to get to the airport. The kids tried to guess
where we were going but since we first drove south, they only really guessed Galveston.
As we got off the interstate and the Hobby Airport signs were EVERYWHERE, they
still had no clue. We got to “Airport Blvd” before Natalie said, “hey wait, are
we going on an airplane”. With the camera rolling, Luke SCREAMS loud and scary “NO
I’M SCARED”. I turned the camera off and settled him down, but he was so scared
about the plane crashing. We did not see this coming… like at all! We have always
talked about flying and he never said he was scared. I never dreamed he would
be this scared!
I kept yelling out "HINT HINT HINT" and they saw palm trees and guessed the beach!
By the time we got into the terminal, he was doing much
better but still anxious. We checked in and sent our bags to “Checked Luggage”.
TIP- You’ve gotta love Southwest… All 6 suitcases fly FREE! Southwest Airlines
allow 2 checked bags PER PERSON to fly free and this helps a lot when a family
is traveling! The wait to get through the security was over 45 minutes but the
line moved. We all got through security and looked for a place to eat. Houston Hobby
Airport has many food options, but most are on the higher end of eateries and
are more sit-down restaurants. Most of the places were full and had a wait time
of 30+ minutes so we opted to eat at Wendy’s. This still cost us $50+ for the
four of us! IF we start to fly more often, I’m going to need to get a second
job! These prices are CRAZY!
You can still tell, Luke was a little unsettled!
We have our boarding passes... we're ready to go!
Our plane has arrived! YAY!
We like flying with Southwest as you can choose your seats.
The biggest tip I have about this is to be sure and check in on time. You can
check into your flight at EXACTLY 24 hours prior to departure. Be sure to set
an alarm… OR TWO. I checked in EXACTLY at 9PM the night before and we were
still in group B. When we got to the gate, we were told that the flight was
full. I secretly hoped that the late departure meant less people… NOPE! We
boarded at 8:40PM and luckily, we found 2 rows of empty seats about 8 rows from
the very back of the plane. The boys sat on one side and the girls on the
other. Natalie LOVED the window seat. Chris had a drunken guy who smelt like
weed beside him and I had a nice grandma beside me.
The kids were so excited to be on the jetway!
The boys are ready...
And so are WE!
The flight was quick and painless with minimal turbulence, free
drink and snack service and no crying babies! Natalie loved having the free TV
and movies available and watched many episodes of Friends Season 10. I learned
that I need an iPad! Luke did very well and was not as nervous as we actually
took off and in fact, he fell asleep about an hour into the 3-hour flight. For
a first flight for the kids… It was a WIN!
He told us in the car on the way to the hotel that he DID NOT FALL ASLEEP!
This proves otherwise!
As we flew over El Paso, I noticed this!
I think it is the Rio Grande separating El Paso and Juarez!
THIS IS SO COOL!
FLYING DURING COVID- This was the 2nd time we
have flown since the pandemic. The first being Dallas Love Field to Las Vegas
on American Airlines in December. This flight seemed to push the mask more than
our December flight, but that might have just been because some states are now
WAY more open than before. We respectfully kept our masks on and overall, I
felt very safe and comfortable on this flight during COVID.
We landed at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport around 9:45PM,
earlier than expected. We grabbed our luggage and made our way to the Rental
Car Center located off the airport premises, via a shuttle. Even late at night,
it was very easy.
Waiting for the Rental Car Center Shuttle!
We had to wait about 10-15 minutes!
The Budget Rental Car desk was closed but the kind people at
Avis helped get us all set up in our Chrysler Minivan. This was a VERY nice minivan.
Completely “loaded” and less than 1K miles on it. In fact, I am not sure which
Chris was more excited about… the trip or the minivan!
We got all checked out of the Rental Car Center and made our
way to our hotel in North Paradise Valley just north of Phoenix. We stayed at
an Embassy Suites at the Stone Creek Golf Course and it was so gorgeous. We had
a 2-bedroom suite and it was so perfect for our family. We even had a balcony
with a view of the golf course. The beds were DOUBLE (full) beds, though so it
was a little cramped. Especially in the “kid” bed. I guess the era of them
sharing a bed has passed… who knew!
Eventually, we got settled and called it a night. It was
already past midnight West Coast time and that meant it was past 2AM central
time. We were all exhausted!
Despite the surprise not going as we thought or planned, it
was a VERY SUCCESSFUL first day of our Spring Break Bucket List Trip. The real
fun starts tomorrow with a FULL DAY of fun in The Grand Canyon State!
UP NEXT... DAY 2 in Phoenix and CHASE FIELD!
Thanks for following along! We appreciate your support!
God is good... ALL THE TIME!
No comments:
Post a Comment