The Cruise: In the Beginning

I have a lot to share about our cruise, so I will break it up into a few posts.

On the Saturday before the cruise, we picked up Eli (our wonderful friend and new housesitter) from the airport. He is just moving back to Eugene, so we asked him to take care of our doggies while we were away. Yay! After a last minute trip to Target, a lost wallet, and some instructions we were finally on our way to my parents' house.

Our flight left at 5 am on Sunday morning, so we spent the night in the guestroom at my parents in order to be able to leave Bella there without having to wake her up all the way and drive across town at 330 am. When our alarm went off at 345 (very quietly), Bella sat up and said, "All done!" We put her in bed with Grama Jamma and left for the airport.

The first flight out of Eugene is definitely the way to go. No lines, no delays, yummy chai tea. The first flight from Portland to Santa Ana is the same, but much, MUCH louder! I did not anticipate the 35 kids and families on their way to Disneyland. Good thing we like kids!

Yadira picked us up at John Wayne (where we saw the Timbers plane!),

and we had some time to visit with the family. We also took a trip to IHOP, which never happens, but there is no Elmer's in LA. Sad!

Post-lunch, we drove to Long Beach, waited in line to go through security and board. And we were off!

I am on a boat!