A Sampling of the Rest of 2016 & Some of 2017

October 2016 - February 2017 

We were able to get some more traveling in towards the end of 2016 and early 2017. 

The highlight was meeting E's family at Myrtle Beach, South Carolina for a week long vacation. We FINALLY were able to meet our precious little niece and enjoyed some ocean air. 

Our Summer So Far...

Utah, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Utah, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Utah, Wyoming, and back to Utah. April-August 2016

Here is a brief photo recap of our summer so far. We were able to travel a lot more than we have been able in the past year and we took full advantage of that! When we were not traveling, we were at home recuperating from our travels (or I was and Chris was working).

Wedding in August



 August 2015 - Lancaster, Pennsylvania and Baltimore, Maryland

This August we dashed to PA for a wedding I was not going to miss. My beloved brother got married to his lovely girl and it was marvelous! Here is a quick recount of our whirlwind trip with many adventures.

First up, a totally unflattering picture of the two of us. This is us at midnight, on our way to make it to PA in time for the rehearsal dinner....

Flexibility

Sometimes life throws you a few curve-balls. Some times you can see them coming, most of the times you don't. You take a deep breath, close your eyes (or don't), and swing with all your might. Some times you miss and sometimes you hit a grand slam.

Other times...seats fill up on airplanes and you have to turn to plan B or C or D or Q.

When people hear I am married to a pilot, one of the first things people say is "I bet you guys can fly anywhere you want for free". Yes and no. Sometimes you hit that gram slam and sometimes you strike out. Sometimes it would just be easier to purchase a ticket. But each time we fly standby...we walk away with a story.

Recent Travels

February 9th-13th  

Our most recent travels were a result of the passing of my (Elisabeth's) beloved Grandfather. We were blessed to be able to travel to Pennsylvania for his Celebration of Life service and that Chris was able to get the time off from work. Health wise...it was not something I should have done. But, there was no way I was not going to not be there. My doctor said..."do what you have to do." So, I did it. 

Our travels from late Monday night through early Friday morning, took us through five states in one week (and six states for Christopher - he just got back from California Monday afternoon.) 

Well....That Was A First

January 26th - Bozeman, Montana

Ok, I have driven an hour or so to visit doctors before...but flying to see one? Sounds crazy right? But, we did it! It was that or driving north for 6 or so hours (and right past or through Yellowstone National Park). We chose to fly - 1) it's winter and we did not want to risk it. 2) We did not want to do too much all at once and go backwards energy wise. 3) Because we can. :-P

A Victorious 6th Month Anniversary Trip

San Diego, California  - January 18-20th 

Technically I (Elisabeth) should not travel until I visit with my doctor in Montana next week. But, after that horrible week in bed, we decided to take advantage of Chris's four days off and find some sun and warmth. We knew San Diego would be the best choice to go on a travel trial run. I always thrive in San Diego and this trip did not disappoint! Plus - we wanted to go and do something exciting to celebrate being married for six months, me being home for a month and improving, and just to celebrate the victories we have been achieving.

Not So Sure, St. George

St.George, Utah - August 1-2, 2014

Okay - so I have tons of fun with feeling a little naughty following my husband in uniform down a hotel hallway at 11:30 at night. We look like two teenagers and we have fun with that too.

This trip to St. George was supposed to be a romantic weekend out with most of Saturday to ourselves and a new town to explore. Together - we love being together...so I like to try to follow him whenever I can.

The Man With Stinky Feet

Salt Lake City Airport - August 1st, 2014

I plan to apply (very soon) to be on the TSA Pre-Check list. With the amount of flying that I have been doing and will be doing...it just makes sense. Then Chris and I can go through security together and no more panic attacks in long security lines.

This last time about did me in...

The Great Scare

Rock Springs, Wyoming. July 27,2014

The alarm went off at 5:00am (the day before it went off at 4:30am) and we tried our best to wake up and roll out of bed. We rolled out, but far from awake. We got ready and were down at the lobby to wait for the airport shuttle in record time.

Before I move on to tell you about “The Great Scare”, I should say a few words about Rock Springs.... I wondered why a gate agent in Denver chuckled at the fact that I was overnighting in Rock Springs with Chris. Now I know. The airport is in the middle of nowhere. When we landed, it felt like I was on another planet. Dry, dusty, and very rocky. We landed and walked out to “the gate” and walked through the tiny terminal and out to wait for the shuttle. We had to wait a few minutes, so I explored some. We were surrounded by canyons and rocks....lots of rocks. I kept expecting a heard of buffalo to appear with Indians riding horses behind them. Our shuttle came before the buffalo..so we were sad to miss that. Our drive to the hotel was long and it was quite some time before we even saw a town. Just road and rocks. Anyway – the scenery was really cool and I wish we had more time to explore, but food and sleep were at top of our list.

The next morning came and you already know that it was early. We piled into the shuttle with the captain and flight attendant and drove off to the tiny airport among the canyons. Chris went off to start his job for the day and I had to go through security like a regular boring person. Easy right, just like in Laramie?? Well...

Birthday In 2C

Laramie, Wyoming. July 25th, 2014

Today I flew on Chris's plane for the first time! I boarded last and got to meet the captain and flight attendant. The captain asked the flight attendant where I was sitting...I just thought Chris wanted to know where I was sitting. When the captain did his announcement he said that the lady in 2C was celebrating her birthday and the make sure to wish her happy birthday.... very funny. A few people actually did. I really could not say that I was the first officer's wife and it was a joke. So, I just said thank you and hoped no one would ask how old I was.

My stash of boarding passes by time the weekend was over!

The Time We Rode Two Trains (In An Airport)

Denver Airport. Friday, July 25th 2014

On this day we had several hours to kill while waiting for Chris's next flight. We sat, walked, talked, ate food, and snuggled (while trying not to look too scandalous with him in uniform.) We had a grand time. But then I got really hungry for a McDonald's apple pie. Yes, you did read that right. I have a major weakness for their apple pies. I was eating our packed food all day and I was really wanting something warm.

The Long Walk

Salt Lake City - July 25th, 2014

Trying to catch up with Chris in Denver. In order to catch up with my love (after the Great Disappointment the day before) I had to leave our apartment at 5:30am. No big deal, right? Right.

But...there were a few exceptions. I spent the night alone in our apartment. It went a lot better then the first time around. I actually slept well but really missed Chris.

My alarm went off at 4:30am. It was quiet out- not a sound...wait...what? There was someone digging around in the dumpster with a flash light! I have to walk right by that dumpster, up a drive/ally way, up (and I mean UP) a hill, and up again where our parking spot is. Great. It's dark, I am alone, and I will have two small carry on bags with me. I prayed that someone from our building would be going to work and walk out at the same time so I would not have to walk totally alone. (Before I go on...I grew up in the country and cities always gave me the creeps. I have been slowly getting use to the idea of living downtown in the middle of everything!)

The Great Disappointment

Salt Lake City Airport, July 24th 2014

On Monday, July 21st, we officially ended our official honeymoon. That Tuesday Chris did an overnight trip and I was home alone for the first time. I survived – but would have preferred to have Chris near by. He was home for Wednesday night. Tuesday was our one week anniversary and I decided to celebrate Wednesday night after I picked him up at the airport. I made dinner, put make up on, made my hair all pretty, and put on my LBD. I drove to the airport and picked up this hot pilot from the curb. We had a lovely picnic dinner on our floor (our table was too covered in things to unpack and organize).

Chris mentioned that he would love for me to to join him on his four day over the weekend. I loved the idea – for I was not totally thrilled to stay alone all weekend. I was pending for Delta privileges and his first flight to Gillette was a Delta flight. I was already ready to go to fly United. 
For the next couple of hours we threw ourselves into packing clothes and food for the next four days. We went to bed early and set our alarm for 4:30am. 

We then woke up and were out the door by 5:30am. Chris and I drove to the airport, parked in employee parking, rode the shuttle in to Terminal 2. The entire time Chris checking to see  if I was cleared to fly standby with Delta. We got there, double checked with a ticketing agent....and no luck. I was not cleared yet. We said very teary goodbyes and I shuffled back to the shuttle stop. Terrified to be alone all weekend. Deciding it should be a crime to separate newlyweds like that. I rode the shuttle back, luggage in hand. Got in the car...and cried. Drove home – just as the parade downtown ended (apparently Pioneer Day is bigger than the 4th of July!) So the 15 minute drive home turned into a 45 minute drive home. Crazy! I threw myself into our to-do list and did my best to push through. As the day progressed things got better.

Chris had an idea that I could meet him in Denver the next morning via a United flight. Should I go? Should I stay? Should I face and battle the giant? Or, should I go on another adventure? I decided....I would take that “Long Walk”.