11/1/07 WHY? WHY? WHY?

WHY?

Why is there a packed suitcase laid out waiting for last minute things?(Blurry as it is)

WHY?

Is the computer screen set on Delta.com?

WHY?

Are Bob and Snookie up and out early enough to see the sun rise over the mountains?

WHY?

Are Bob and Snookie going to the Albuquerque Airport? Picking someone up?

WHY?

Why are Bob and Snookie heading towards the departure section?

WHY?

Is there a picture of a palm tree if Bob and Snookie are in the New Mexico desert?

Lots of questions to be sure.

Well, we decided a week ago to fly down to Tampa to meet up with friends for the Jimmy Buffett concert on November 3rd. We've known about this concert for some time now but waited until October 27th to decide to go. Actually, Bob thought the concert was already over and when I told him I wished we were going and that it was the following Saturday he said, "Get on the computer tomorrow morning and make the arrangements, we're going".

The best part? My brother and SIL along with their son and DIL are also going and we didn't tell them we decided at the last minute to go too so it will be quite a surprise when they see us there!

The couple we met up with last year, Chris and Bonnie are also going and have plans already to meet up with Billy, Michelle and the kids in addition to a group of their friends that also have tickets.

We did the Priceline.com thing to get airline tickets, hotel reservations and get a rental car lined up.

We left at 6:45 this morning to get to the Albuquerque Airport which is 150 miles away. We arrived about 9:15 and got checked in for our 11:14 flight. Bob and I figured out its been about 16 years since we've flown anywhere together and even that trip was to Florida.

It's going to be a long day since we have to fly to Atlanta for a connecting flight and have an hour and a half wait. We arrived in Atlanta at 4 pm (keep in mind the time change) and grabbed something light to eat before boarding the flight for the last leg of our trip. I felt sorry for Bob on this flight because he had a middle seat between two women and he couldn't even move! I too had the middle seat across the aisle and even I felt cramped.

By 5:30 we were on the plane and heading towards to Tampa with an arrival time of seven. I'm trying to figure out why we can be in Tampa in a little over two hours from Philadelphia and it takes an hour and a half from Atlanta.

So we finally make our destination and set out to get the rental car. We were given an 07 Toyota Corolla and I must say it is a nice little car. It still had the "new car smell" even.

We are staying in the Doubletree Hotel just three miles from the airport so it didn't take long to get there. When we arrived the place was just packed. It seems this weekend is booked solid because they are hosting a Line Dancing convention. People from all over the country and even several other countries are here to line dance the weekend away. Dancing starts at 7:30 every morning and goes until 5 am the next day.....EVERYDAY for 4 days. I did step into one of the rooms to watch a lesson and these are very complicated and intricate dances.

At check in we were given fresh out of the oven chocolate chip cookies so that we would have "sweet dreams".

Our room is located on the 5th floor and after getting settled in we made our way down to the hotel restaurant for dinner. Its been a long day so after eating we went back to our room for the night.