US Tour 2010 Part 1
In the days leading up to the trip, I found myself gripped with fears and questions that I had never concerned myself with before: how will I manage my bags and check in and security with Griff, how will I get the baby carrier back on while holding Griff once I get through security, how will Griff do on the plane, will he just go crazy and scream and get us kicked off the plane (thanks for that one, Grandpa), how will I get our bags and the carseat from the baggage claim and them get all of us to the shuttle to the car rental place and then get the car seat strapped into the car while Griff is in the carrier? The anxious list goes on. As you might guess, Griff and I were travelling the first leg solo, leaving on Thursday, flying into Denver and then driving to Laramie to stay with my adviser and his wife.
It turned out to be a lot easier to travel with the munchkin than I thought, particularly with the help of a few tricks. Brandee drove us to the airport and helped check the bags and carseat in. It was super easy to haul the carseat with this little t-strap that lets you attach the seat to a rolly bag. Darrell and I laughed at it when we got it, so simple, but it was a lifesaver many times on the trip! Once I had tickets in hand and luggage checked, Brandee took off (thanks again, Bran!) and Griff and I were on our own. We headed to security. I was delighted to find out that I could keep Griff in his carrier, but as a suspicious character, he had to remove his booties--hilarious! No offense to the people working there and following regulations, but TSA is security, not intelligence.
With our shoes on, we headed to the gate. We boarded the plane and I promptly offered earplugs to my neighbors since I didn't know if Griff would be using the high-pitched scream he favors when displeased. No one took us up on it, but it broke the ice and everyone was very friendly and helpful. I pulled out a nursing cover so we wouldn't offend anyone, especially the 14 year old boy sitting next to us. Since Griff isn't used to using a nursing cover, he thought it was a great thing to play with, push aside, paw his way out of. I think the 14 year old was properly embarrassed at our nursing that I still managed to do discreetly, but other than that, Griff was a trooper. He played a bit and slept for a good amount of the trip.
Once in Denver, we got our bags and carseat and headed for the car rental shuttle. I called my adviser's wife who told me that it was almost blizzarding in Laramie, not a good driving situation for someone who has never driven in the snow, so we decided to head into Ft. Collins where it was clear and relatively warm, about an hour from Laramie, and see what it was like the next morning.
So, off Griff and I went to get settled into our car, a Prius. And can I tell you that if you are travelling alone with a small child who can't climb yet, this is the car to get. Why? It had a built-in playpen (yes, Katie, I know the other reason you and Alden got a Prius). I put Griff in the back with a book, closed the back, and he was happy as a clam to play and crawl and practice pulling to standing while I got the carseat in, organized the car, made arrangements at a bed and breakfast in Ft Collins, and realized I had left my jacket at home (oops!)
We took off for Ft. Collins and boy it looked ominous. You couldn't see the Rockies and road signs said that the routes to Laramie had been closed due to snow and wind. We arrived at the warm and cozy Sheldon House in Ft Collins where she cut us a nice deal and gave us the entire attic suite. Griff loved all the space to crawl and play. I was glad I had brought a bag of outlet covers since Griff is suddenly interested in the holes in the walls. After a bit, we ventured out on a walk to the downtown area where I found some dinner to bring back and a jacket for $10. Score!
Day one travelling with the munchkin a success!
Coming next, sideways snow and real Easter bunnies!
The Prius Playpen
Looks like some weather on its way.
Playing at the Sheldon House.
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Nice playpen!!
I definitely thought of you guys when I put him in there and I think I even remarked to Griff about you guys using it for your new munchkin in my constant monologue to Griff...boy, did I get some looks for that once I left Santa Cruz! I guess people don't talk out loud to themselves as much as they do it here. hmmmmm