The Flying Kiwis Return: American Road Trip Part 2.

[Kiwi cop]

It has been 3 years and 11 months since our first trip to the U.S. We have been planning a return since about 6 weeks after we got home, but the world had different ideas.

Four months ago it looked like we would not get there again in 2022, but then the stars aligned and the trip was back on.

I slept poorly last night, about 3 1/2 hours in total. This morning it was up at 6 am and my brother picked us up at 9:30 for the two hour drive for our flight to Auckland.

Right now (abt 4:30 pm Thursday 8th September) we are in the international departure area at Auckland Airport. We have gone through security and customs. In about 2 1/2 hours we will take our seats in an Air New Zealand 787 Dreamliner for the 14 hour flight to Houston. We will land in around 17 hours. Locally it will be about now (4:30 pm Sept 8th) thanks to the magic of international time zones, for a four week tour of Texas, Louisiana Mississippi, Tennessee, Arkansas, a short trip into Missouri then back to Texas again.

Let the good times roll.

 

[johngalt]

Welcome back! Hope you have a great trip!

 

[Onomea]

Safe travels, Kiwi and your missus! Welcome back!

 

[LoboGunLeather]

Enjoy! Friendly port in southern Colorado if you find the need.

 

[Maddog 521]

You picked some good states to visit. Be careful and be alert. Enjoy your adventure.

 

[Old_Cop]

Keep us posted on your adventure.

 

[Muss Muggins]

looking forward to following this again . . .

 

[TXBryan]

Let us know if/when you may be in the center of Texas. Even is it's a drive-through we could arrange an opportunity to break bread and meet y'all!

Bryan

 

[Skeet 028]

Welcome back y'all. Hope you have a great trip. Now for the real question...When are you coming back to stay for good??

 

[lkabug]

Welcome back Kiwi! Enjoy your visit. There's much to see and do.
Should you venture to Virginia, you're have a place to rest here at the lake.

 

[two-bit cowboy]

Enjoy this chapter.

I look forward to this year's travelogue as you make your way through the south.

As attributed to Horace Greeley, I look forward to the day when you and your lady "Go West, young man." (I know you did Route 66 when last you were here, but "The West" is different than that.)

 

[hsguy]

Brent and Karen, I look forward to your reports and so glad you are coming back! Enjoy your flight on the "Plastic Princess" my new favorite plane. Safe and enjoyable travels. [ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XgOt3gTUSQU[/ame]

 

[Kiwi cop]

A very long day.

After very little sleep Wed night (Kiwi time) we found ourselves sitting in our seats a little after 7:15 pm.

First, a passenger had to cancel, so we had to wait until their bags were unloaded. Then, weather forecast in Houston was for thunderstorms around the time of our arrival so the plane had to take on extra fuel.

We finally left the ground 45 minutes late.

A nice dinner (slow cooked lamb) followed by a movie (Top Gun Maverick) and I tried to sleep. Fat chance.

Another movie started (The Batman) but eventually got tired so we both dozed in our seats for several hours. Crammed into a window seat I was not very comfortable.

A late breakfast, just as good as dinner, and soon the windows were cleared and we were back in daylight again.

We landed at 5:15 US Central time (around 10 am Fri back home) 25 hours from our home gate.

Karen was drained. After the walk between terminals and to the departure gate, plus an uncomfortable night, Karen got to the bottom of the jetway and spotted a vacant wheelchair which she decided to take advantage of. Great move. By the time we got to Immigration we were taken out of the line and given a "speed pass". Had a great discussion with the Immigration officer about his sidearm.

Out to baggage claim and a change of carousel. Waited 15 minutes for our bags to appear then exit and find the taxi point. Bloody hot and were both sweating after a few minutes. It'll take a couple of days to acclimatise.

Wait for the cab to arrive and by 6:30 we are booking into our hotel for the next three nights, the same one we used last time. Arrange for taxi driver to pick us up at 8:30 tomorrow to take us to our rental car (saved 60% over what rentals at GBI would have been by doing it this way).

Room not quite as good as last time but comfortable. No desk or suitcase stand but we made do. Unpack, find power adaptors and plug in phones, iPads and my laptop to charge.

Karen turns on TV and surfs the channels until she finds one playing Gunsmoke all night

Grabbed a Macaroni Cheese snack from downstairs for dinner, although neither of us is hungry tonight.

Tomorrow the shopping and sightseeing begins.

 

[robvious]

enjoy your travels... looking forward to the "range report"

 

[Rustyt1953]

I envy your ability to travel and hope every moment of your holiday is happily memorable.

 

[Nevada Ed]

Have a great trip and hope all your rooms and food are fantastic.

When in Mississippi , don't drink the water !!

 

[Moo Moo]

What's your itinerary Kiwi? (Just so we can keep up). You on a Coach Tour or Self-driving a Hirecar?

 

[llowry61]

Welcome back, I hope you have a great time. You chose a beautiful part of the country to visit at a great time of year.

I look forward to following your progress from the great state of Ohio.

Larry in Ohio

 

[Rudi]

Keep your head on a swivel. Crime is rampant in the big cities now. So sad.

 

[Kiwi cop]

What's your itinerary Kiwi? (Just so we can keep up). You on a Coach Tour or Self-driving a Hirecar?

We are self driving.

Houston 3 nights.
Baton Rouge 1 night.
New Orleans 2 nights.
3 days up through Mississippi with stops either Natchez or Vicksburg and Tupelo.
Chattanooga
Pigeon Forge
Nashville (half day in Knoxville)
Memphis.
Branson.
Fort Smith.
Dallas/Fort Worth.
Abilene.
Waco.
San Antonio.

Return home October 6th.