Travelogue, days one & two

Jess and I went to the Lindbergh terminal first, only to realize that we wanted Humphrey. Now, they've apparently remodeled it since I was last there (YEARS AGO!) The building looks completely different from what I remember. I've also never been IN Humphrey terminal. Jess and I have both used the main terminal before, but after yesterday, we are converts for life. We both LOVE Humphrey terminal. It's so relaxed and small, most of my anxiety over flying was gone just from how easy our check-in was. However, it was actually a bit too easy. We had arrived nearly two hours early, and suddenly found ourselves with about an hour and a half of travel time.

My only complaint about the first flight to Atlanta was the dog. One woman had a dog in a carrying case who was definitley not happy to be in the case. I thought at first that what sounded like a whimpering dog actually had to be a squeaky wheel on a carry-on case. Imagine my surprise when I realized it really was a whimpering dog... who was going to be on our flight with us.

The flight itself was delightfully smooth, and once in the air I was fine, even when we hit pockets of turbulence descending into Atlanta. Jess graciously allowed me to have the window seats both times, even though the tickets said that was her seat. Luckily, I was also over the wing both times, which is my favorite place to be. (I can make sure they don't fall off!)

We only had about 40 minutes to get from concourse D to concourse C once we got into Atlanta, and by the time we got there they had already begun seating... so off we went a second time. This place had the engines on the main body of the place, while the first had engines under the wings. Both were very nice planes, though I think the first had an overall smoother ride, while the second went considerably faster. Our flight from Atlanta to Buffalo was only about 75 minutes! I barely got halfway through the album I was listening to on my MP3 player, and when I did start to doze, I was quickly awakened by Jess to give my beverage order.

Buffalo international airport is about the same size (give or take) as the Humphrey terminal back home. We were out of there in under 10 minutes, and Robyn and Bob met us before we got our baggage. We hit a Ruby Tuesday's for dinner on our way from Buffalo to Ripley, where I had the Cajun Catch with steamed broccoli and grilled asparagus, as well as a run at the salad bar. Good food. It was totally dark by the time we got to Robyn's place, so I didn't get to see any of the wine vineyards and farms we passed on the way in, but they have a lovely little house... I'll try to remember to send pictures later. We watched some of Dancing with the Stars, The Middle, and Castle (one of my favorite shows!) and went to bed. Robyn had carefully vacuumed both guest rooms, washed the sheets, and been keeping the cats out for weeks (they have four now!) to make sure my allergies weren't a problem while we are visiting.

This morning we got up and went to Meeder's, the only restaurant in town. We were too late to be introduced to the "usual crowd" however. They offer delicious toast made from home made bread. It was very good dry with a bit of jelly. After breakfast, Robyn gave us a look at the veteran's memorial (which is unique in that it includes the names of living veterans from Ripley as well as deceased,) then gave us a brief driving tour of the town's more notable decrepit buildings. I then got to meet Noni and Bill (Robyn's parents.) They were very nice, if a bit terse. I seem to have made a good impression, though. Noni told Robyn, "He isn't what I expected. I like him." Bill showed us all his recumbent bicycle and made us each take a spin around the yard (though it has no traction on the tires - they're made for riding on a track, not off-roading.)

Then we ran back to Robyn's and Bob's house. Robyn and Jess went to get pedicures, to be followed by some grocery shopping. They went to one of Ripley's sister towns, for these errands, though I can't now remember if it was Westerfield or Northeast they went to. Bob and I stayed home. I worked on a little of the massive amount of homework I need to do while I'm here, and Bob has alternated between reading, replacing the water filter, and keeping the cats away from me. Once I finished my homework reading, I decided to hop online and take care of a few things (like the 22 e-mails that were waiting for me. Just while typing this, I've gotten 2 more!) I'm not sure what is planned for the rest of the day, but I know Jess also has homework to do today.

Tomorrow Robyn is going to take Jess and I over into Canada to check out Niagara Falls. On the U.S. side it's a national park, but the Canada side is a swinging tourist spot. Hopefully should be fun.