Smooth Sailing, Burger, Beer, and Restless Leg Syndrome - Sunday, 17 April

I got a very nice Uber driver for my trip to the airport.  It was good that I booked my ride in advance because doing so allows the driver to wait a few extra minutes before giving up on you & leaving & charging you for the no-show, and I had a hecuva time getting my suitcase locked!  Um, I suppose that I could have closed it earlier, but what’s the fun in that?!?  Anyhoo, it turns out that the driver also has a small firm of four cars/drivers that provides transportation almost exclusively to the airport, and I can book in advance by phone or text to get a good deal.  Gotta give it a try for my return home - they will monitor my flight status, add in some time for going through customs, and be outside waiting for me.  

I do love TSA Pre-Check!  The airport was busier than I expected, so the easier process and shorter line were most welcome.

For my traditional LBBP (last burger before Paris) I changed my routine a bit, eating at Stone Arch just outside Concourse G.  Good decision!  Tasty beef, hand-formed patty, correctly cooked to pink, just enough fries, terrific pickles.  And since I didn’t get my Easter ham this year, I went for the "bacon & blue" version. And a Lift Bridge Fireside Flannel Brown Ale. Yum yum. 

The rain hadn’t started yet when I arrived at the airport, but the clouds looked snow-dark. By the time we left the gate it was snowing a bit and we had to be de-iced.  Chilly temps and every type of precipitation are in the forecast for this week.  What an excellent time to head out of Dodge!  It should be in the high 60s - low 70s in Paris, and about that when I return home!  We’ll see.

There were more little children on this direct flight to Paris than I remember seeing before.  I mean, not those groups of high school kids on a school trip or anything.  Nope, lots of elementary-school-age kids with their parents, and several infants.  What’s up?  Does Disneyland Paris have a deal or something?!?  Sharing my row were a mom holding a baby boy (about 6 months old) and her daughter, a bit over 2 years old.  They were mostly well behaved, but oh my goodness, the mom had her hands full.  And the little girl seemed to have “restless leg syndrome” - she would lay down across two seats to take a nap (although I don’t think she ever slept) and would kick me occasionally!  Not hard, of course, but y’know, it was a little jolting!  The funny part is that she finally fell asleep about 5 minutes before we landed.  The mom just rolled her eyes and sighed and said "wouldn't you know."  They had a five-hour layover in Paris before continuing on to Lebanon.  Bon voyage to them!