The journey started Tuesday, December 18th, 2012. Matthew and I made our way to the Arnold Palmer Regional Airport, which finding was an adventure all of its own.
My Grandpa Phil was driving us to our destination which at the time I thought was the Pittsburgh International Airport. Realizing that our 2 and a half hour car ride was way too long, I checked where he had his outdated TOMTOM taking us. I had previously told him that we needed to go to the Pittsburgh Airport, yet his GPS had us going to Johnstown. I instantly went into a silent panic, knowing we were never going to make our 6pm flight. It was already 4pm and our current location was a hour away from Pittsburgh. It was a good thing I rechecked the airport we actually needed or we would have never made it. The airport we needed was only 20 mins away from where we were. What a relief.
The Arnold Palmer Regional Airport was not what I expected. It was very small having only 3 gates. This was a relief and an added pressure for me. A relief in that I knew check-in and the security check would go fast, but an added pressure in that I didn't know how safe it would be. TSA was pretty strict which made me feel better.
We made it though security and sat at Gate 2 only needing to wait 30 mins for the plane to arrive. I had brought with me supplies to make more friendship bracelets and my headphones which I had started wrapping in string.
The plane ride was smooth with no problems. We sat in the exit row o the plane so we had a little more leg room which was really nice to have. The ride was only about an hour and half long, arriving 15 mins early to Orlando, Florida.
We found our bags and waited for my cousin and her grandma to pick us up. They were running a bit behind so we ate at the airports Macaroni Grille, which was without a doubt overly priced because of location.
Our chariot for the night was a Ford pickup truck which seats 5 but shouldn't. Cramped in the truck was Allison, Jo Marie, Matthew, and myself.
Our first stop was my cousin Barbie's house. Here we spent three nights. Her home was a short walk away from a few stores and a wonderful Mexican restaurant, Coyote Rojo II. We walked to these stores everyday, enjoying the sunshine and warmer weather that we miss. Ohio had just got hit with their first snow fall of the season the day after we left.
I had noticed that I had missed the smell of Florida. I am a Floridian at heart, and just the smell of the air was refreshing. Every day had a cloudless, blue, and sunny sky and the nights were very clear.
After three nights with Barbie we were picked up again by the lovely Ford pickup but instead of transporting 4, we were now 5. My other cousin, McKenzie had joined us. Sitting in the middle of the front was actually more comfortable than the back. We stopped for dinner at the Cracker Barrel. Then it was off to Leesburg for the rest of our time in Florida.
The first night was great. I taught McKenzie and Allison how to make friendship bracelets, ate popcorn, and spoke to my Uncle HT, who I hadn't spoken to in over 6 years.
Realizing just how blessed I am to have such a welcoming and helpful family has been on my mind. Jo Marie and her husband, Hank, are my cousins grandparents. I haven't seen them for over 6 years and yet they still open their home to me and my friend, Matthew, like we never skipped a beat.
I thank God for all of this. For the opportunity to travel and spend time with my extended family. It really is such a blessing.
We leave for Colombia Christmas Eve and arrive on Christmas Day due to some layovers. The excitement is still growing and I cannot wait to finally be there.
Until next time....
-Elizabeth Stafford-
