We have to fly to Minnesota. To the degree that arrangements for old people with “issues” can be made, they have been. Wheelchairs, because neither of us can walk any distance (me even less than Garry). Special seating because Garry is deaf and they need him near the front so if they need to talk to him, they can. The Delta lady was exceptional nice about moving us to better seats. Instead of being buried in the back on the inside (window and middle), we are in the first row right after the “comfortable” section.

They now charge for any bag other than a carry-on. The size you are allowed is 22 X 14 inches. That doesn’t sound so bad, but they include handles and wheels. So our carry-ons were, with wheels, each two or three inches too long.

We packed. Then, I measured. I should have measured first, but I was so sure our bags were okay until I reconnoitered wheels and handles.

We found our oldest bags and packed everything a second time, discarding anything we could. Neither bag has wheels. Mine is basically a big gym bag and Garry’s is his oldest but his favorite carry-on. I remember when he bought it sometime during the early 1990s on Martha’s Vineyard. I thought it was a crazy amount to pay for one overnighter — even in red leather — but he has been using that same bag for more than 30 years and it isn’t done yet. I guess he got what he paid for and then some.

We wouldn’t need so much luggage if I didn’t have to carry so much medication and Garry didn’t need to carry all his hearing equipment. And electronics. My Kindle and speaker. Garry’s iPad. My computer. Phone charger. Mouse. Nothing is big or heavy, but collectively, it adds up. So my wheelless bag is heavy. Good thing we’ll have wheelchairs. Roll on, roll on.

It would also have been easier though far less entertaining, if the schedule were less interesting and varied. We are going to a concert where Anton is conducting. Church where I’m counting on hearing a great choir. A couple of nice dinners. Garry can throw a blazer over jeans and look cool. It’s a bit more complicated for persons of the female persuasion. I still have nice clothing half of which is years old and still has its original tags. I feel I ought to wear it.

We have to be at the airport before 7am. Alarm is set for 5am. We are bringing just one camera (mine), the Pen F with the 25-200mm lens — but I snuck the 25mm f1.8 lens into my bag in case I’m shooting indoors and need the extra stops. Otherwise? A couple of spare batteries, no charger, two spare SD cards. I almost didn’t bring a camera at all. I’m not expecting a lot of events where a camera will be needed, but I’d feel pretty stupid if I turned out to be wrong. Besides, I’m not sure I can go on a vacation without a camera. That just feels wrong.

It took us all day to get this done, including changing seats, printing itineraries, measuring and re-measuring those carry-ons. We’re tired — the perfect way to prep for a mini-vacation, right? I always feel I need a vacation to rest up from a vacation. This time, I need an advance vacation to rest up so we can take the vacation.

Birds should fly. People should not fly. We should stay home in comfort. I hope this is a great little vacation because I don’t think anything in the world will get me on another airplane.

Categories: #Airplanes and flying, #Photography, Anecdote, Travel, Vacation

Tags: #Photography, Airplanes and airlines, luggage, Marilyn Armstrong, travel