On Wednesday, we drove to Travis Air Force Base (about an hour from San Francisco) and were lucky to get a VERY nice room in the lodge there as the first plane out to Hawaii didn't leave until the next day. We woke up early and got out on the second plane that went to Hawaii. After getting to the base in Hawaii, we were lucky again to get a room which wasn't as nice, but it was fine for only one night. We were tired, but figured we'd see a little of Hawaii, so we drove out and found a shopping area and resturaunt to eat in and Allie got to have her birthday dinner in Hawaii!!
We got up early again and dragged our luggage - we had 320 lbs of luggage... 10 checked bags plus carry-ons (UGH) - out AGAIN to the terminal where the fun began. We got there at 6:30am and there were 5 flights scheduled for Guam that day, but then they began to be delayed. The first flight that was scheduled at 7:10am left at around 11:00am. They called us to get on that one, but they only had 4 seats left and we needed 5, so we couldn't go! Then, nothing went out for the rest of the day! We had to keep waiting because we didn't know when they would actually go out and we were first on the list to get on the next plane out IF we were there when it left. Also, they had given away our room at the lodge and there were NO more rooms left at all. Another factor is that the a/c was out in the terminal which made the wait seem even longer.The girls had fun playing on an indoor playground while we all waited and waited. Finally, at about 11:15pm (19 hours after we arrived) they finally did the roll call for the next flight and we made it on. We were SOOOOO happy, but felt bad for the other people that we had met who didn't make it on - there were only 10 passengers on this flight and there were at least 60 people waiting!! So, at 1:30am we boarded the plane and were exhausted of course!
We were SO happy to be on the plane, but experienced a traumatic event - it was a refueler plane, so it had the jump seats like you see on the planes on TV sometimes. They also had some bunks in the back that people could trade off sleeping on. So, since we got on the plane at 1:30am, we were all exhausted and slept most of the way. Adysen and I were sleeping on the bunks in the back and Allie and Kelsey were stretched out across the seats alseep (without seatbelts). Jason was awake and reading when we hit a HUGE pocket of turbulence and Jason, Kelsey and Allie were thrown up in the air and across the plane. Adysen and I went directly up, I hit my head on her bunk and back down again. Even the crew was amazed - they said they have rarely ever experienced something like that and the pilot said there was NO indication on the radar that it was coming. It was an experience that I hope I never have to repeat - flying makes me nervous anyway and that didn't help! The good news was that it was only about an hour before we landed, not at the beginning of the trip!! Allie's knee was sore for a while, Jason hurt his shoulder and I have 2 big knots on my head and pulled a muscle in my back, but luckily, those things are pretty minor. We are SO happy to be back in Guam and hope to stay off planes for a while! :)
2 comments:
Oh my goodness...I've just spent the past two hours reading your entire blog! It's hard to believe my little bow-headed Kelsey is so old now! The girls look beautiful, and you are making some wonderful, life long family memories. Sending big hugs your way! :)
Ms. Bunch/Mrs. Williams/Heather :)
I know - time goes SO fast! My baby is starting first grade this year... seems like yesterday it was Kelsey! :) I keep up with your growing kids on your blog too!!! Blogs are the best!!
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