This trip was probably the most spontaneous trip I have planned. Normally, I would drive to mom and dad's or to Raleigh for that matter so being spontaneous really isn't an idea its just normal. But when driving to Chicago, spending the night in a hotel, flying to Raleigh, surprising family with only two weeks notice....this is spontaneous for me.
Two weeks ago I planned a trip. You see my brother in law is leaving for Iraq at the end of March and his deployment ceremony was this weekend. About two weeks ago I received a call from my sister letting me know when the ceremony was. I frantically looked for a ticket home only to realize that is was spring break for UW and the tickets were outrageously expensive. I looked at many of ways travel. I even looked at Amtrak...camel, horse drawn carriage and hot air balloon. I just need to get to Raleigh!!!!
I told my parents that I was unable to find a ticket and that was that. I was not going to make it! =( I told Sara that I would keep on trying to find a ticket but didn't have much hope for finding an affordable one that didn't have 3 connections just to get to Raleigh or Greensboro for that matter.
Two days after I had given up hope I decided to take another look. I pulled up Chicago to Raleigh just for fun and what do you know, I found 2 seats left on a plane headed to RDU for only $108. I booked them fast! I would be leaving at 7am and getting to RDU by 9:45 am. I was so excited. Even if I had to drive down to Chicago the night before and stay in a hotel...since the flight was so early I didn't care...that is what our Hilton Honors point are for.!! (American Express should pay me for this advertisement)
I called Sara as soon as they were purchased and told her my news. I also told her to not tell mom and dad, I was surprising them.
I arrived in Raleigh on Saturday morning and was traveling around Raleigh by 10. It was fantastic! Our first stop was to see Keith at the armory. He was in a meeting so it was uneventful except for me feeling like a big girl walking around with all of these army guys in uniform and me prancing from rain puddle to rain puddle in a white vest with a fur trimmed hoodie. I felt way too girly there!!!
Our second stop was to see my Auntie Gene and Uncle Jim. Gene was so surprised when I knocked on her door. Gene thought she was having lunch with Sara but little did she know I would be there too. We went to my favorite lunch spot, the Seaboard Cafe in Logan's....or we just called it Logan's.
Next was to surprise mom and dad. Sara and I awaited their arrival. Once they pulled into the driveway I hid upstairs while Sara greeted them at the door. They didn't suspect a thing. Once they got settled and were talking to Sara I waltzed down the steps and said "man I'm hungry when are we going to dinner." Their faces were so funny!! I loved it!! So did they!
Now for the real reason I was in Raleigh in the first place. Keith and Sara.
I came to Raleigh to go to Keith's deployment ceremony. Sara and I have/are starting a blog for him while he is away. Our goal is to have his friends and family send care packages, letters and cards to him. The blog will be called "Keeping Keith Company" and we will have a post about it very soon. The blog will have care package instructions, updates about Keith, his favorite things and a place for you to request his mailing address. For safety purposes we are not posting his address online. You can simply email Sara or I and we will send it to you.
Well that is all for now. Look for a posting about Keith's blog very soon.....
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