Yet more noodles

Actually I mean yet more travel, but the title is a favorite phrase from our lasagna recipe.

A word to the wise- the Sacramento airport is an absolute mob scene at 5 AM. The gate agent told me that every airline has multiple 6AM departures, probably because everyone is heading for a connection somewhere else. The line to check a bag was beyond anything I've ever seen, and the security line went halfway across the bridge to the parking lot, which I heard was relatively "short." PreChek probably saved me 20 minutes and having only carry-on luggage another 10 or 15.

The hotel where I spent my last few hours in Sacramento was very nice. I got upgraded to a suite, into which you could have fit 4 of my rooms at the Best Western Plus. I sat at the desk and had a beer and wrote and then I went to bed. I only traversed the space to close the shades, which was ridiculous anyway because I was getting up before sunrise.

I know I keep coming back to this, but there’s been a surreality to this whole thing, from the timing to grocery shopping with my sister and everything in between. But I’ll never forget the warmth and unrestrained love that permeated the whole time.

The flight was pretty uneventful. I had to change planes in Phoenix, which is a huge airport where it can be daunting to change planes if you have to go from one terminal to the next (leave plenty of time if you ever connect there). But my flights were next door to each other, so I just went for a little walk to stretch my legs.

Got into Philly on time and completely disoriented. It wasn’t much better when I got home- nice as it was to be home. I (hopefully) managed to pack properly for the next trip and basically stumbled around. Ate dinner, watched some TV and went to bed.

This morning I got up and prepared to get out of town. Went to the airport and are now on our way to Miami for a few relaxing days in Key Biscayne. It seemed extremely odd to be going back to the airport less than 24 hours after getting home, but I'm happy with where we’re going. It’s a relaxing place and it’s familiar and so will not take any adjustment. We can just settle in quickly.

Eventually got through Miami's awful awful awful airport and waiting to get into our room here. I can’t help but feel a part of me still with my cousins, and my uncle’s passing is taking its time seeping through me. I’m sure that will gradually fade off, though I don’t want it entirely gone. Now I’m left to contemplate what my own next steps are. One of the reasons I wanted to go away to this place at this time was to try to disengage myself. I’m pretty sure I can at least mostly do that. It's nice to be here.