Day 1 - Leaving on a Jet Plane

This is Ethan's senior year and Libby's junior year of high school. We had to grab the opportunity for one big, grand family trip. After a lot of research, mostly done by Libby, starting almost three years ago, we decided to go on a cruise with stops in Mexico and Honduras. This is our children's first time on a plane, everyone's first cruise, and everyone but Michael's (Canada) first time out of the country. We spent a lot of time preparing, fretting, and saving for this trip. And then on February 11, 2022, the big day finally came.

We got up at 5:30 am to catch our 7:40 am flight out of Boise to Miami. As we made our bleary-eyed way through security, the girls reminded us they had never flown before and were sore afraid. They wondered if we should just turn back now.

With a little bit of convincing, we made it through security, to the gate and on to the plane.

We managed to snag seats all together, despite Southwest not offering assigned seats.

As we lifted into the sky we flew into the sunrise, and headed out for our adventure.

The girls did much better than they expected. They went white knuckled during take off, landing, and through the frequent turbulence, but they endured.

We had a brief layover in Denver with a few pre-packed snacks.

Grace even found a bird best friend in the Denver airport.

At eleven we climbed into the plane headed for Miami. This leg took four hours in the plane, six hours with the time change. It was long and boring but included a view of the Mississippi.

We left Boise with frost and snow on the ground. We arrived at Miami to 80 degrees, 80% humidity, and blue skies. We were shedding layers and snapping photos like all the other tourists.

We arrived safely in the city, all people and bags accounted for. We took two reserved Lyfts (there was no way our luggage and selves would all fit in one) to our large, overpriced hotel room. Our (me and the girls') driver gave us the rundown of what to do in Miami and where to play in the ocean. The boys' driver barely spoke to them. Regardless, we all arrived safe and sound to our hotel. Also sweaty and sticky.

Thankfully our hotel came with a pool. Even though the skies opened with a deluge, we still jumped in the water. The rain was just as warm as the surrounding air.

With no lifeguard on duty we had to play chicken. I still have the bruises to prove it.

After a swim, Ethan and I went on a walk in search for the legendary fried chicken available at Publix Grocery. Alas, they were completely out. Dinner ended up being fast food close to the hotel.

Ethan did find an opportunity to break the law though, so not all was lost.

We climbed into bed, exhausted from travel, but looking forward to boarding the ship on the morrow.