The Trip To ... Next Flight Out Is?



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It has been a number of years since I took one of my spontaneous trips but this weekend, it's just what the doctor ordered.  I have had a long spring and an even more challenging beginning of summer so I thought a trip was in order.  My plan is to leave work late afternoon on Sunday and make my way to the airport.  I've taken trips like this several times in the past and have enjoyed the experience immensely. 

Unfortunately, each time I have taken one these excursions, I have done so alone.  This trip too will be solo as my long-time navigator has gone missing.  I believe she was abducted but I have as yet to receive the ransom note.  I'm hoping that I will receive it sometime soon.  I miss her. 

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One of these trips found me arriving in Kansas City.  Another one was Atlantic City and finally a third one was Pittsburgh.  Kansas City was fun as I enjoyed a Royals baseball game; visited the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library; enjoyed shopping and dining at the Country Club Plaza and finally spent a portion of my time at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art.  Also had the best barbeque that I have ever had in Kansas City.

The trip to Atlantic City was all about gambling.  Never even left Harrah's once to enjoy what little there is to enjoy in this shore community.  Stayed there, ate there and gambled.  Didn't lose any money but really didn't win any money either.  I had been to Atlantic City a number of times when I lived in South Jersey but this trip was exceptionally fun.

Pittsburgh was during football season but the Steelers were out of town.  Settled for a University of Pittsburgh game against rival, West Virginia.  What a great game I saw.  Ended up spending Saturday Night with a bunch of Pitt fans celebrating their victory. 

All three trips were spontaneous ones.  By spontaneous, I mean the destinations were picked for me.  Not picked by anyone in particular but by chance.  My itinerary for these spontaneous trips is quite simple.  I pack a bag along with a suit bag (never know what to plan for) and make my way to the airport.  Park my vehicle in long-term parking even though these trips are only a few days in length.  I make my way to the terminal and approach the first airline counter I come to. 

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Upon reaching the front of the line and the smiling, pretty face of the airline representative, I respond to her "May I help you?" with "I need one ticket for the next flight leaving Myrtle Beach."  She looks up now and gives me the once over.  She's thinking for sure that I am evading the law or just outright crazy.  I must admit that she may have the latter part correct. 

Upon relaying my spontaneous plans upon her, she smiles, thinks that's kind of cool and proceeds to tell me destination, departure time and cost.  I hand over my credit card, grab my ticket and off I go on my spontaneous trip to somewhere.  I suspect this trip will have to be handled slightly different than the ones previously as Homeland Security might want to question me on why I am taking a trip to somewhere by my manner of method.  Surely, I don't want to blow the whole thing by spending the weekend in some security room answering questions.

There you have it though.  I have no idea where I'm going.  Leaving Sunday afternoon for places unknown.  Should be fun.  At least this way I don't have to wait endlessly for a flight as I take the next plane out of town.  I've been lucky in the past but I suspect one of these times my luck may run out and will find myself somewhere cold and snowy. 

I won't allow myself to cheat the game by looking online to figure out departure times to more popular cities.  I also only accept direct flights not wanting to waste time with any connections.  Two flights leaving at the same time, I will flip a coin. 

From Myrtle Beach, the number of direct flights have increased over the years.  Who knows, maybe this time it will be Atlanta, Orlando, Charlotte or some other fun city.  Keep your fingers crossed, I am.        

Savannah's Necklace

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 Katie was smiling at him and saying how great they were doing on time.  That was then they both heard the thump, thump, thump.  It was the right rear tire.  It had blown.  Jimmy was quick to pull over, open the trunk and mount the spare tire donut.  Not ten minutes had passed, they were back on the road and Katie was smiling and saying how Jimmy didn't make a big deal about any problems like a tire blowing out.  She loved that about Jimmy.   

Katie was excited about the weekend as she knew she would have Jimmy's full attention.  She would always say that going away was the only time she knew she had all of him.  This was their second trip to Savannah so they had a pretty good idea of where they were headed.  Quickly registering at the hotel, they ventured downtown to Churchill's, one of their favorite Savannah restaurants.  They were famished and the stuffed flounder being served at the next table looked incredible.  They both ordered it.  They were alone, happy and planning their three days together over a great meal with exceptionally good service. 

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After dinner, Katie and Jimmy were walking to their car across the road, just above River Street, when Katie noticed a shiny necklace lying in the grass.  She bent down and retrieved it.  It was a fairly simple piece but very elegant.  "Jimmy, this is a very nice necklace, very valuable." 

"How you do know baby", said Jimmy.  Katie loved it when Jimmy spoke to her in that fashion.  Made her feel great. 

"Look here", Katie said.  "These are diamonds, I'm sure of it.  She's going to be missing this".

Jimmy just looked at her.  He wondered what was coming next.  He knew it would have some impact on their three days together. 

"We have to find her.  This is too valuable!", said Katie.  Jimmy was right.  Here we go.  Couldn't just turn it into the Police.  No, we have to figure it out.  Oh well, at least they would be together. 

The weather for their stay was expected to be perfect.  As always, Jimmy retrieved Katie's early morning wake-up coffee.  Two cups.  He placed it on the night stand next to her.  She always looked so wonderful in the morning he thought.  So rested and beautiful.  As he turned on the television, Katie was already strategizing their plans for reuniting the necklace with its lost owner. 

"She will retrace her footsteps", that's what I would do", said Katie. 

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"Katie, we're in Savannah.  She probably walked everywhere, up and down the Squares, you name it, everywhere", said Jimmy.

"Maybe, but we found this near where she would have entered her car.  My bet is that she will return to where she parked.  At least, that's what I would do", said Katie.  "Don't worry, we won't spend all day trying to find her.  If my guess is right, she will be around the area where she parked either this morning or tomorrow morning."

"How, may I ask that you've come to that conclusion?", asked Jimmy. 

"That's what I would do", was all Katie said.  "Let's get going.  She may be combing the grass right now".  Jimmy knew he had no choice in the matter.  She got her way when she was determined like this. 

Jimmy and Katie sat on the park bench right near the area where Katie had found the necklace.  Two hours had passed and Jimmy had read nearly half of his new Tom Clancy novel.  "Okay, Jimmy.  We can go now.  We'll come back tomorrow morning", Katie said. 

They were scheduled for a trolley ride.  They would get out along the way and enjoy the Squares, do some shopping and finally end up on River Street for dinner.  Although they were entirely different in their shopping routines, both were motivated shoppers.  Katie could spend all day in one aisle whereas Jimmy would shop the aisles like he was inspecting a column of troops. 

Returning to the hotel, they were tired but very much in love with each other.  Early the following morning, well-rested and awake by dawn, Jimmy ventured to the hotel lobby to see if he could grab a glass of orange juice.  They had a full continental breakfast.  The bagels looked good so he grabbed one, loaded it up with cream cheese and sat reading the morning paper.  Returning to the room with her required two cups of coffee, he placed them on the night stand for his sleeping beauty. 

"Do you ever sleep", she said.  "Thanks sweetheart.  You're the best".  He loved doing little things for her.  It made him feel good about himself.  "We should get over there earlier this morning in case she's there". 

"You're in charge, honey", whatever you want to do", said Jimmy.  They always had a running commentary with each other with regard to who was in control of their relationship.   

Arriving at the park bench, they both took their spots from the day before.  "I'm sure she'll be back", said Katie. 

"What if she doesn't know that this is where she lost it?", asked Jimmy. 

"Jimmy, she will be back this morning.  I'm sure of it", said Katie.  It was a beautiful morning.  All the walkers, runners and bikers were up and down the sidewalks and streets.  Jimmy was playing spectator and drawing the watchful eye of Katie as she knew his preponderance for blondes.  She always would tease him about it.  He would deny looking of course.  It never fooled her as she would laugh and laugh about it. 

The little red sports car had driven around the block twice now.  They were probably looking for a spot to park.  Katie was looking through the street map as they soon would be taking their walking and shopping tour.   There was the red sports car again.  Jimmy wondered if they would get to the open spot before someone else beat them to it.  Sure enough, they got their space.  Good for them thought Jimmy.

Katie was pointing out the location on the map of a shop that she wanted to visit when Jimmy noticed the young lady from the red sports car heading their way.  In tow, was either her husband or boyfriend.  She had an anguished look about her and the man was troubled as well.  They were still too far away for Jimmy to make out their conversation but clearly, they were looking down at the ground.

Jimmy nudged Katie and gave a small gesture with his hand.  Katie smiled at him and rose to her feet.  "Hi there", said Katie. 

The couple looked up to see Katie smiling at them.  "Looking for something?", Katie asked. 

"I've lost my necklace.  It was my Grandmother's", the woman said.  Katie immediately looked over her shoulder at Jimmy and smiled. 

Jimmy stood up from the park bench and walked over to Katie.  Reaching into his coat pocket, he retrieved a small cloth pouch which Katie had purchased yesterday at one of the many shops they had visited.  Jimmy handed it to Katie. 

"We found it two nights ago when we were returning to our car from dinner", said Katie.  The woman opened the pouch, saw the necklace and lunged toward Katie embracing her and crying.  Her husband, Jimmy had noticed the ring on her finger, stuck his hand out wanting to shake Jimmy's hand. 

The man asked, "How did you know we would come here?"

Jimmy replied, "I don't know, Katie was sure that you would return to this very spot." 

The woman shared the story of how her grandmother had given her the necklace as a wedding gift.  They couldn't believe that Katie and Jimmy had found the necklace and made the effort to return it to them.  The four of them talked for a good hour learning everything about each other.  Refusing reward, Katie and Jimmy finally agreed to lunch on them. 

At dinner that evening, Jimmy looked over at Katie and said, "Baby, I am so very proud you.   You are one very special girl.  I love you very much".