Day 1: KC to Dallas to Miami to St Thomas

For my “travel day” from KC to St Thomas I decided that rather than waltz you, the reader, through my day using witty puns and verbal ornamentation that is humorous yet compelling I decided to use simple notes and random thoughts.  Although instead of embracing technology I opted for a good old fashioned pen and notebook.  I like to refer to it as “roots” Twitter.  Enjoy.

(Pic below is the sunrise above the clouds somewhere beween KC and Dallas)

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- Lousy weather in KC.  Lousy weather in Dallas.  I hope this isn’t a sign of things to come.

- Dallas/Fort Worth airport: soldiers returning from Iraq.  The airport came to a standstill while everyone clapped until every single deplaning soldier had passed by.  Very cool moment.  A rare feeling of patriotism not felt since 9/11.  Thanks fellow travelers!

- Air between Dallas and Miami: I find myself getting emotionally involved in Deal or No Deal playing on the overhead screens.  I just need to walk away.  …but can’t.  Oh, Howie.  How you have your claws in me.  Deal!  Deal!!  TAKE THE DEAL!!!

- Touched down safely in Miami.  I see sunshine and palm trees.  I am happy.

- Miami: Hef’s flight out of KC cancelled.  He can get to Puerto Rico tonight and meet us in St Thomas tomorrow.  No word on if his luggage (boat) will be with him.  ..and so it begins.  Frank should be here soon.  We’ll start formulating plan b over airport beer. 

- Air between Miami and St Thomas:  an underlying nervousness is starting to set in.  How are we going to pull this off?  Have we bitten off more than we can chew?  Untested boats on the ocean with three of us who have 0 boat building experience and 0 ocean kayaking experience.  …ready or not.

- Air between Miami and St Thomas:  Is our in flight movie really Grease?!?!?

- Cyril E King airport, St Thomas:  walking down the steps and onto the tarmac feels like walking into my sanctuary.  Warm, tropical air.  I close my eyes.  I take a deep breath.  I smile.

- St Thomas airport to Emerald Beach hotel: $4 per person + $2 per small bag + $4 per big bag + grand total of 60 yard drive from airport to hotel = $30 cab ride. 

- Over Beachside Pusser’s Rum Frank and I learned about the ins and outs of Illinois psychosis, the benefits of an Iowa auctioneering college, and how to get a non bipolar diagnosis at the mayo clinic.  …all from one dude at the Emerald Beach bar.  I love the islands.

- Does a moonlight barefoot stroll on the beach in the Caribbean with another dude make you gay?  …how about the after stroll sex?  Does that make you gay?  (post trip note:  That was a joke and if you can’t laugh at that you may not want to read on as this trip progresses.   Although sarcastic gay sex will not be a primary topic of conversation, my trip stories will probably offend you at some point)

- Tomorrow the adventure begins.  Quick prayer and off to sleep.  Goodnight.