On the Road Again!

Up at 4.30am local time to make sure we are packed and ready to rock and roll. Easier with one suitcase!! Checked Air Canada baggage and not yet returned. Had hoped that the people that had ours would have had the decency to go back to the airport in a hurry but apparently not yet. Caught the 5.25 shuttle bus and after some problems with the automated check-in we finally entered the US pre-security area.  I was singled out for a chat with the officials and then allowed through! Very nerve racking. But another stamp in my nine year old passport. Two now!! All the right information had been entered months ago via Air Canada, passport numbers etc and where we are staying in the US. But I gave it to them again plus it was on the customs form we had filled in. Once air side we had breakfast and found the wifi. Slow to connect on iPhones as seems the norm but was okay. Then aboard the fight from gate F57. Writing this as we fly over Charlotte and Columbia SC on the way south. Although bo...

Once back at the hotel I logged into the laptop and Air Canada to see if the others had turned up. No. We headed out for food, deciding on Casey's Grill and Bar attached to the hotel. Marvellous waitress called Chantelle. Started with a beer each. Local "Steam Whistle" pils. Claire had a stir fry and I went for the two half pounders and a Caesar salad. Both really good. After months of eating less the two real mince burgers were a struggle. Plus had I had fries rather than salad I might have been in trouble. Second beers were Chantelle's  recommendation, "Rolling Rock".  Not as good as the "Steam Whistle" with far less flavor. And then to bed. After all, it was 0111 for us and 2011 locally! One final attempt to see if our case had turned up. It hadn't. It has to be said that this is the best Travelodge I have ever stayed in. The room cost 109$C and I think that's about £65. More expensive that at home but vastly better and no sign of it bei...