We didn't have a spring or summer vacation this year, so we decided on an autumn getaway. The beach is always great, so how about trying a new one? And how about making a long (for us!) round trip road trip? And see some new places? And visit with family? All those things are great!
On Monday, Nov. 6, we flew from Düsseldorf to Munich to Charlotte. First, our usual breakfast at the D-dorf airport.
Then it was on to Munich. Probably for the last time, as it just seems silly to us to fly in the wrong direction like that. And also it makes for a damned long flight to the US.
Arrived all safe and sound in Charlotte. However, the immigration lines were very long and slow -- we arrive at the same time as a charter holiday flight returning from the Caribbean -- and I had to stand there shuffling along for 45 minutes. My knees and back were in agony by the time I met Norbert at the luggage pickup. He had gone through the non-US line much faster.
As we walked, or hobbled, along towards the rental cars, I said, "Next time I will get a wheelchair!" and 10 seconds later, I heard, "A wheelchair? Just wait right here, I'll get you one!" It was the woman in charge of some matters, and she had overheard me. I was embarassed, but gladly accepted the wheelchair. Then rolled all the way to the rental car counter!
The flight gets in late enough in the afternoon that we once again spent the night in the area. The hotel we were at the previous time had been impossible to find, and nowhere around to get a bite to eat or anything to drink.
This time I took a Marriott Fairfield, which was very easy to find and very near stores, etc. As a member of whatever their club is, they gave me a free upgrade to a "junior business suite. Always nice to have a bit of extra space to stretch out, especially when you have just spent endless hours on an airplane.