December 29th
This was the 22nd anniversary of my mom's death and I had debated on staying an extra day but I figured packing and travelling and flying would be a good distraction for me and it was.
No fog today!
Rob and Kira went to Waffle House on their own to have some breakfast while I stayed in the room and packed us up.
Two new ships today in port...
A storm blew in and I enjoyed it from the balcony for awhile. We had some time to kill because our flight wasn't until 6pm. We got a late check-out, so that helped.
I barely managed to get all of our stuff into our three big suitcases and the extra carry-on that I had brought. I didn't tell you but Rob packed on his own for this trip, usually I am there to help him. I had noticed that he packed way too much but he was adamant that he needed it all.
I assure you now, he did not.
I told him that was the last time he would pack without me.
We were packed full!
We kept laughing at this...there is a big sign with Jesus written on it, which is immediately next to a...gentleman's club.
In all previous years, we've taken the 45 all the way up to Frontage Road near the airport and ate at the Waffle House but this year we were changing things up. We wanted to eat at Cheddar's one last time so I checked out the closest one to IAH and found one in Humble that would work.
So we took the 45 to the 59/69, the way we go from IAH to Galveston, and then a little further up to Humble.
It was funny because it took us about 90 minutes and when we got out, Kira asked me what took so long. So I started explaining to her that we are past the airport now and it was a long way. She got out of the car, looked around and said "Ohhhhh, I thought we were just going back to the one in Webster!"
Umm no, that was only 30 minutes away and they weren't hungry yet!
No idea what they were laughing at but they were in a good mood.
Looks like Rob is sunning himself with that menu BAHAHA!
First set of croissants...done!
I decided to try a Club sandwich and I am so glad I did! It was a million times better than the one from RFC and it reminded me a lot of the Club from Margaritaville, which is my fave Club sandwich ever!
Kira got the chicken strips, of course!
And Rob got salmon and shrimp, which he said was delicious!!
We all only ate about half of our food so we took it to go to snack on the plane. The tenders weren't fabulous by the time we got to them but the sandwich and Rob's stuff was delicious!
We were all kind of tired now and just wanted to be home. We still had a long journey home.
That was fabulous though,
so glad we went to Cheddar's one last time! If we do this again next year, I think we will just do a post-cruise night in Humble and either skip Galveston completely or just do 1 night at a different hotel and then spend our last night in Humble.
My brain is already filled with ideas for next time.
We took the back way to the airport, filled up the car with gas and then headed for the car rental place.
We actually got to see the airport this time. We normally come from the south and don't see it at all until the rental car shuttle drops us off.
Just look at these beauties!!
Dropped off our car, grabbed the shuttle to Terminal A...
We checked in with Westjet and all three of our bags
just made it. Am I good or am I good?
He even offered to check our carry-on for free since it was a full flight. Oh, that made me sooo happy! It was sooo over weight and packed full of dirty clothes that I was all too happy to not drag around another second.
For the first time, our gate was on the other side, which works because that was the side where TSA Pre-Check is.
We found a seat at our gate, got some water and then waited to board our plane. Our plane was on the tarmac waiting for the gate to clear out and it sat there for at least 50 minutes!
I'm so glad we were not stuck on there, I hate waiting like that! I did that in NYC in October and it was such a pain, you can see your gate, you are there and ready but another plane is in your spot.
We left a little late because of it but I got to enjoy the sunset from my seat.
Last selfie!
Good-bye, Houston! I hope we see you again in about a year!
Kira watched movies on her phone, Rob watched movies on his iPad and I stole Kira's blanket and Stitch pillow and slept a little. I got about an hour or so, which totally helped pass the time.
I am quite uncomfortable on planes because I have Restless Leg Syndrome and a birth defect in my lower back so sitting in those tiny seats for 4.5 hours can be rough.
Before long, we landed in Calgary and Kira was thrilled to turn off the airplane mode on her phone! She can text anytime now.
We were at the back so it took awhile to get off the plane and it's a very long walk to get to customs.
Thankfully we have Nexus and it's super fast to get through Customs. They were total jerks that night, the guy yelled at me for having all three of our printed forms in my hands. He said next time to make sure everyone is holding their own! Funny because the last time we came through together, in August, we all had our own papers and the guy told me to hand them to him all together.
Make up your mind, guys!
Normally it's the USA Customs that have the attitudes but the Canadian ones were snippy that night.
All four bags made it, yay!
We walked over to the Park2Go shuttle and they got us to our car very quickly! We loaded up our truck, and then we hit McDonald's on the way home. I wasn't actually hungry but I wanted my Diet Coke fix! I don't drink it except when I'm on vacation so it takes me a day or two to get the rid of the need for it
We got home, turned the water back on and then Rob went to get our Boo from her Uncle Ken's house while I unpacked and sorted all of the laundry. Good Lord, we had SO much dirty laundry!!
My Boo boo came home and we snuggled and everything was right in the world again.
This was an AMAZING trip, definitely my favourite Christmas cruise and Rob and Kira's favourite too, I think.
Thanks for reading along on yet another journey. We've been incredibly lucky to have quite a few of these lately. I am sooo very blessed!!!
I write these reports for myself mostly, so I can remember the details but also to share my knowledge and experience with you all in the hopes that you will learn something that might help you have a better cruise or vacation experience.
I really appreciate all of your comments, it only takes a moment but it means the world to me knowing you are here and enjoying all of the hard work I put into these. I hope this one has entertained you a little bit. Thanks everyone!!
My next adventure begins next week when I attend a work trip in Orlando and then Rob is flying out to meet me for a few days so that we can experience Star Wars Galaxy's Edge at Disney Hollywood Studios together.
Sadly Kira is not joining us and I'm
not writing a trip report for it.
The last report that I wrote about attending a work thing was deleted, as I recently found out.
All that work and effort..gone! And they didn't even give me a warning or anything! Just poof
GONE!!!
I will try my best to make a YouTube video for the SWGE part so keep an eye our for that, if you're interested.
YouTube channel is Cass327
I will also do my best to work on this trip's videos in the next few days and have them posted before I leave. I will post a link to them here when they are done.
So, until next time, folks, I'm outta here.
THANK YOU FOR READING!!
Adios amoebas!
-Far Side reference, lol