CA to TN to NY

We booked a flight to California, mostly for work but it was a good excuse to see family as well. We dithered for awhile the day of our flight whether we should take an Uber or the subway. We were flying out of LaGuardia which is northeast of us in Queens. We can take the F train most of the way if we go through Manhattan, cross Governor’s Island and then take a bus to the airport. But that takes an hour and a half. And we only live 14 miles from the airport. 😳 We decided to take an Uber. That only takes 30-45 minutes depending on the time of day. Yes, still a long time, but we could leave later and didn’t have to worry about transferring lines or delays with the train.

I packed everything we needed in our backpacks so there wasn’t any hassle with checking suitcases. Or RJ saying anything about how I always pack too much stuff. 😏 So far, we’ve never had an issue flying out of LG and TSA is a breeze with no waiting in line. We were at our gate with plenty of time to spare which is quite unusual for these Garcia’s. I mean, why have the peace of mind that you made your flight when you can panic the entire way to the airport wondering why you didn’t leave sooner?? I have a handful of stories to share of us running though the airport and making it on the plane with only 30 seconds to spare until the door closed… So far, we’ve always made our flights. I guess we’ll see how long it stays that way.

RJ programmed on the flight while I listened to podcasts about murder mysteries and such. Just a little something to spook me while walking around NY by myself. ✌🏼

My parents picked us up from the airport that evening. Of course, we had to go to In-N-Out on our way home; the tradition when picking up or dropping off someone at the airport. It also happens to be RJ’s favorite place to eat.

RJ had some work to finish up that he had taken on before starting full time in NYC so he was busy with work every day while Mom and I kept busy with the fun things. We drove to Yuba City to go shopping and pick up our moving pod that we were keeping in storage there. We brought it back to Dad and Mom’s and unloaded the pod into the shop instead. We didn’t have much in the pod so we were done in no time.

Mom, Bud, RJ and I drove out to the uncle’s shop so RJ could have a meeting with Uncle Geoff and go over the app for the huller. Mom and I organized and cleaned the break room. We took everything out of the cupboards and the fridge, wiped everything down, organized, and took inventory of things they needed. Then we went to town and bought it all. Plus a bit more. It’s not like the grocery cart was overflowing or anything… Karlene definitely does not take after her mother. 😉 (family joke)

That night, Alex had a home football game. Cole, Sam, Mom and I went to cheer him on. Durham did great and crushed their opponent. I’m so glad I was able to be at one of his games. After the game we had to run on the field and embarrass him and make him take pictures with us. Ain’t he a cutie?! I swear, he gets taller every time I see him! Love ya, Bud.

All too soon, our time was up at Mom and Dad’s. We/I packed in a lot in the few days we were there. Trips to Dutch Bros, sitting around the fire in the backyard talking, a fun evening out to supper with Ken and Whitney, and a coffee date with Cole and Juan.

We hopped back on a plane, this time to Tennessee to see RJ’s family and pick up our motorcycle. Dad and Jessie met us at the airport and they had the Yeti full of ice and a jug of chocolate milk and chocolate pudding. Now I know most of you all are thinking that is the strangest thing ever but Dad had been telling me for weeks how amazing the Weigel’s convenience store/gas station is, which is where the choc. milk and pudding was from. We had both read that their chocolate milk was the best; three time first place ribbons at the Tennessee State Fair. Let’s just say that Jessie and I did not run out of pudding or chocolate milk while we were there. And it really is the best chocolate milk and pudding.

First things first, we had to see the dogs, goats and donkeys. I could just tell that Emmett had really missed me. A hug, a few leaves to munch on, and some scratches on his head and he was good to go. GusGus was changing from black to brown. He’s the cutest thing!

One can become a very close friend of Emmet’s if you hold him up to eat the leaves right off the tree.

Jessie and I went for a ride in the mustang with Dad. We drove through the countryside and into town. Dad went to the DMV while J and I walked into the store next door. Dad gave Jessie his credit card to buy a couple things he needed. We told him not to worry if we came out with a few more things than what he asked for. We munched on free popcorn while looking around the store for things we could spend money on. We got distracted by the bunnies.

We found what we needed then walked over to the DMV to wait on Dad for 5 hours. Well, I think it was only 20 minutes or so but it felt like a really long time to us. Then we went back to the house to pick up RJ so he and Dad could go get a haircut. Jessie and I went shopping.

The next morning, we went to Pigeon Forge for pancakes. Jessie and I went go karting and rode a roller coaster before heading back home to go on a ride through the country side on our motorcycle. Dad, Mom and Jessie led the way in the mustang.

I whooped the socks right off Jessie in our go kart race.

A couple more things Jess and I did while we were there:

J and I watched Mary Poppins Returns while eating chocolate pudding, of course.

Visited the cemetery down the road one morning with the dogs.

Saturday morning RJ and I installed crash bars on our motorcycle. We figured NYC is the place to have them. Occasionally you will see mopeds or motorcycles on their sides because someone backed into them. A couple hours later, the bars were in place and we tested them out. They worked great so we said goodbye to the fam, the animals and hopped on the bike to head home.

The crash bars took longer than we thought to install so we had a late start to our day. Usually, we could make this trip in a day but it was getting late and RJ was tired so we stopped for the night in Pennsylvania.

We made it home Sunday afternoon and I raced into Manhattan to see Carson, Rosy, Shelli, and Holly before they left the city. Kinda crazy how I’ve seen them more now that we live 3,000 miles away instead of 40.