I am a bit embarrassed about not finishing the story of our trip to Houston on Sea N' Stars. Once we got back to Key West, to be honest with you, I was so tired from pushing from September to January with her, I just had to stop and collect my thoughts.
So for those of you who believe we are "Living The Life", this is the beginning of our trip to Italy to meet Doug and Barb!! "Space Available" flights are flights with the military which are already scheduled to fly from one base to another hauling military personnel or cargo, that "MIGHT" have just a little room aboard for "stowaways".
In our past adventures, that has included a C-5 Galaxy
or a 767 charter flight
All of these aircraft have had "Space Available" for us in the past whether we have flown from Charleston to Sigonella or from Andrews AFB to Los Angeles
So we found a "Free" flight leaving on Thursday, May 7, from Norfolk, Va on a C-17 to Sigonella which will be perfect for meeting Barb and Doug! So. . . .to save a few bucks we depart KW and head for Norfolk:
Tues, May 5 - Leave KW and drive 15 hours north to Fayetteville, NC (excludes 3.5 hrs in Jacksonville for personal business) - 850 miles plus hotel room ($85.00)
Wed May 6 - Leave Fayetteville and drive 5.5 hours to Norfolk, Va, check in to room at Naval Station - 359 miles plus a night at the Navy's Gateway Inn ($75.00)
Thurs, May 7 - Last minute shopping, head for Norfolk Passenger Terminal for "Free Space A Flight" to Sigonella, Sicily. Passenger show time 2:45pm, take off time at 5:45pm. At 5:00pm we get word the C-17 is NOT taking any "Space A's". Hmmmmm. Go find another room at the Navy's Gateway Inn ($75.00)
Back on the computer and find two flights leaving the Norfolk Passenger Terminal on Tuesday, May 12 - a C-17 first direct to Rota and Sigonella (Perfect) and a second 4 hours later if the first falls through to Rota and on to Naples, Italy, which will require an overnight ferry ride to Sicily (okay, but not ideal)
Friday, May 8 - Drive to Williamsburg, Va for some sight seeing - had a great time! Love that city! That and Annapolis are my favorites sites to see in the US. Another night at the Navy's Gateway Inn ($75.00).
Saturday, May 9 - Drive to Hertsford, NC (family business) then on to Columbia, SC to see Renne's mother for Mother's Day, and the rest of her lovely family - 400 miles
Sunday, May 10 - Mother's Day relaxing and cooking dinner
Monday, May 11 - Drive back to Norfolk and order a trailer hitch to arrive when we get back from Italy to be installed first week of June - 420 miles and another stay at the famous Navy Gateway Inn ($65.00 - not the same room).
Tuesday, May 12 - Arrive at Passenger terminal at 12:30pm to ensure we are in line for 2:45pm show time for 5:30pm departure. At 4:00pm, the C-17 departing for Rota and Sigonella is NOT taking "Space A" flyers. Register for Naples, departing at 10:30pm. At 8:30 pm we are informed that the 767 with 199 seats available is full with Cat 2, 3, and 4 Space A's. We are Cat 6 (lowest priority as retired military). Oh did I mention, for this flight, there were some 250 people competing for seats! Drive to Navy Gateway Inn to see if there is a room available - $55.00 tonite as it is a different room)
We got back on the computer - decided to go ahead and fly Richmond to Naples on Thursday. US Scare, oops, US Air has a flight for less and we have the last two seats on the airplane - that leaves exactly 9 days and a bunch of money later than we had planned.
Should have flown out of Miami and paid for a good flight! So much for our "ADVENTURE"!
I am convinced all Renne' and I do is push through things. This retirement thing is just a bit more than interesting. We are always on the move!! Arghhh! Hehheh!
We will fill you in later. In the meantime!! We aren't anywhere you can find us for sundowners!
Jon and Renne'
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