Day 23-25 Addendum: Final Fun!
Final Fun #1:
Final Fun #4:
A lovely rendition of Oh But God:
Here we are after the Worship Service
After lunch, we had a nice family walk on the Coronado side of the Bay looking at downtown San Diego.
We made it to Sacramento, surprisingly our bags arrived and our housemates Zach and Paul met us at the airport with no issues. Home and in bed by 11.
(btw, we're just recreating the WW2 Kiss statue over Peggy's left elbow)
Friday's 4pm flight to Chicago's Midway Airport arriving at 5, a 4 hour layover providing enough time for dinner, followed by a 9pm flight to San Diego arriving at 11:30pm then an Uber to Coronado and boom, in the house Friday night at midnight to enjoy the patriotic 250th weekend events, ie. Parades, fireworks etc., with Kevin, CJ, her dad, Dave, and 3 of our grandkids. Pretty sweet and straightforward? Nope!
The Buffalo flight was delayed for 3 hours due to weather. No problem given we had a long wait at Midway anyway. Many folks were stressed, we relaxed.
Their 9pm Midway flight kept announcing weather delays as well until we finally boarded at 11:30pm. Lightning was all around and the radar map showed continued storms, but they sounded encouraging and loaded us on the plane, set out for the tarmac and we sat for an hour.
Yep, they announced air traffic had put a hold on flights taking off and so we taxied back to the gate and deplaned.
Not to worry, the confident gate agent said in about ten minutes it would clear and we'd be back on the plane heading to San Diego.
You know where this is going. A 1am gate announcement was made informing us that the crew had "timed out" and they were looking for another pilot and first officer, but don't worry, in a few minutes we'd have updated information and we'll get on our way.
I was surprisingly chill.
The official announcement that all flights were canceled came at 2:30am. By then, all local hotel rooms were booked, early morning flights out were booked and we were on our own.
The customer satisfaction desk told me that Southwest would reschedule our flights and seats, but no vouchers for rooms, food etc because the delay was weather related, not Southwest's problem. We decided to stay put for a few hours before boarding. Freezing cold gate area, no couches, filthy floor, 300 of our closest friends and an active cleaning crew. Lemons into lemonade time!
Our plush stateroom:
After a refreshing 25 minute nap and much tossing and turning, we maintained our peace and joy, by God's grace, and looked forward to a few naps on our upcoming flights, which we got thankfully, as we were beat!
Our rebooked flight out was from Midway to Denver at 7:30am (not a direct flight) and then Denver to San Diego, arriving at 1pm.
The parade was from 10am to noon, so that was missed! But loading our heavy large suit cases upstairs at Dave's house when we arrived at 2pm was made simple. Let's take the elevator!
No surprise to many of you, seeing the grandkids when we arrived was worth it all!
Final Fun #2:
While we missed the grand parade, we bbqed burgers for dinner and then walked at sunset to the local golf course to have front row blanket and chairs for the local fireworks show. A great time with the family. The fireworks were solid and our location was unbeatable.
Final Fun #3:
Sleeping like rocks, I managed to get up early and walk to our favorite breakfast spot called Night and Day. I picked up Peggy's favorite breakfast burrito (the Coronado), and it was large enough to let everyone have some bites. These guys are great!
Whenever the First Baptist Church of Coronado hears that CJ will be in town, they love having her sing a worship song or two. That's happening in a half hour and we can't wait to worship.
Oh But God
Song by Davy Flowers ‧ 2022
Overview
Lyrics
I was buried beneath my rebellion
Lost without hope of redemption
Blind in my need for a Savior
Oh but God
Crushed by the weight of my failure
Living the lie I created
Digging my grave without knowing
Oh but God oh but God
Rich in mercy how You loved me
Too much to let me stay lost
My salvation sent from heaven
Nailing my sin to a cross
Oh but God
You gave me a truth worth believing
And I traded my chains for Your freedom
Cause You were the one that I needed
Oh but God
Resurrecting my heart from the ruins
My rescue came through like the morning
Now this is my sure testimony
Oh but God oh but God
Rich in mercy how You loved me
Too much to let me stay lost
My salvation sent from heaven
Nailing my sin to a cross
Oh but God
All the wreckage of my choices
You have turned to life from ashes
Lifted from death risen with Him
Now I stand in confidence
All the wreckage of my choices
You have turned to life from ashes
Lifted from death risen with Him
Now I stand in confidence
Rich in mercy how You loved me
Too much to let me stay lost
My salvation sent from heaven
Nailing my sin to a cross Oh
Rich in mercy how You loved me
Too much to let me stay lost
My salvation sent from heaven
Nailing my sin to a cross
Oh but God
Oh but God
Oh but God
Oh but God
Source: Musixmatch
And if you're wondering, CJ is wearing a temporary, patriotic cheek tattoo:)
Dave is a great photographic historian, capturing all the family moments.
Final Fun 5:
The Landing is a very walkable plaza of shops and restaurants over looking San Diego. For lunch, we are at a Greek restaurant that looks out across the Bay to San Diego.
Kevin returned north to be back for work, while we watched the great Mexico/ England soccer match. Great efforts on both sides.
Being exhausted, still, it's an early evening. Maybe tomorrow, before departing at 7:30pm, I'll add additional Final Funs. We'll see.
Final Fun 6: Monday the 6th we enjoyed ferrying to the USS Midway. The day was beautiful and the ship was incredible. Great time, humble appreciation for all who serve(d) in our Armed Forces and a great experience to share with the grands.
Even Eliana was fascinated by the audio tour.
Not a bad addition to the men's room during the World Cup and beyond.
A very special moment for the grands to receive their Bravo Zulu wings for finding all the scavenger hunt answers.
The ferry ride back to Coronado was also beautiful and a great finish to a great visit. Time to pack and hit the airport in a few hours.
(Just got an alert that our flight has been delayed 35 minutes, and praying it doesn't turn into a Midway nightmare: ). It didn't!
Final reflections:
* What a God to carry us through this amazing adventure!
* 25 Days
* 40 different and dear friends and family greatly enjoyed!
* many new extended family members met
* 5 States
* 1900 or so miles
* 10 beds (one was really a hard plastic chair)
* 2 speeding tickets barely avoided
* many prayers answered
* Gideon Bibles handed out to thankful folks
* beautiful cool weather (except for Chicago lightning storms)
* a number of not California quality wines
* 6 pounds added(and it feels like it), all coming from the world famous and dreaded 7 Ps and a B!
Pretzels, Pizza, Potatoes, Pasta, Popcorn, Pugliese, Pilaf and Bagels!
* 588 Months of marriage celebrated with my greatest friend and traveling partner.
Hopefully you've experienced and enjoyed a sliver of our trip through this blog. We are so thankful and blessed. This was a great, temporary joy, and a taste of heaven. Ask me about the Gospel of Jesus Christ anytime as that discussion has eternal implications and can assure you of a home (not just a taste) in God's true heaven!
Love from me and Peggy and over and out!
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