Travel Blog

It had been about three years since I had been home to Pennsylvania, so I thought it was about time to get back there for a family visit. I didn't tell anybody except my family that I was coming home, so if you're a PA pal of mine, don't get offended that I didn't come and see you. This was a quick check in with the folks to see how things were going with them. I even came without Phil. Hopefully someday soon we can both make it back and visit with the rest of ya'll.

It had also been about three years since I had flown. And I think it sucks. I flew Southwest, and it was weird not getting a seat assignment. It was like back in my school days when I had to find a seat on the bus. Can I sit here? No, I'm saving it. Well, shucks. I can't even pick my own seat very well. On the flight to Pittsburgh, I sat behind a kid who sang the entire flight. She didn't have a bad voice, but still. And on the way back to Phoenix, I had a kid in front of me whose mother thought it was ok to let him watch movies without headphones. And a woman to the right of me talked nonstop to her seatmate. I mean, I'm amazed she still had a voice by the time she landed. Good grief. But at least I made it out alive.

My sister came to Pittsburgh to get me, and I'm glad she's smart, because I couldn't find my baggage area and called her for help. She was already waiting for me by the right twirly-gig, so that was good. That was Friday. On Saturday morning, my mom is talking to my other sister, Lou, and hands me the phone. Lou asked if Gina and I wanted to meet her at a Nanty Glo bar at midnight to celebrate my nephew's 21st birthday. Yes, his mother was going to be at the bar with him. It's not as bad as it sounds. Lou is cool, and all the kids like her. It was weird being surrounded by all these youngies, but they were nice, and we played pool with my nephew's best friend. Gina and I whupped him, but that's neither here nor there. And, of course, we were sober.

The rest of my time flew by. I think time moves faster in PA. I caught up with the Harry Potter movies, played cards with the family, went shopping and got a haircut. All in all, it was a great trip home. Next time, though, I think I'll take the RV.