I am happy to say that we are finally home. We landed in Dulles at around 5:15 pm today. There was horrible traffic getting on 495 from the Dulles Toll Road and we stopped at Siena's for dinner. But now we are home. The kids are in their own beds. I am happily not unpacking yet.
I have a laundry list of things to complain about as that is much more fun than saying what was good about our trip, but I guess I will say a few good things. It was good that we got to visit Greg's grandparents and aunt and uncle and see where his grandparents live. It was nice spending time with Greg's Russian cousin's and his cousin Julie and her husband Josh. It was nice seeing new places like Monterey. It was nice spending time with my mother away from Baltimore. It is nice to be home.
OK, here is my number one gripe of my trip. I hate the liberal agenda. I was in the supermarket in Palo Alto and I went into the express check out lane. In most normal places what does it say at the express lane? 10 or 15 or even 20 items or less. But no, not here. There was a sign over the lane that read "ABOUT 12 ITEMS.". About 12 items! About 12 items! We don't want you to feel bad if you have more than 12 items. We don't want to label you by saying 15 items (or less)! We don't want to characterize you or label you as something you aren't by limiting your number. So, please put about 12 items on this belt!
Also, the HOV lanes are slower than the regular lanes in Northern CA. Why is that? Well, because you don't only have to be a HOV car to go in the HOV lanes. Hybrid cars that apply for a sticker (for a one time fee of $8) can go in the HOV lanes as well! I am all for saving the environment, but COME ON! It isn't enough that you get to be smug about the car you drive? Now, you have to come into the HOV lane and slow traffic down there?!?
I am sure I have a bunch more gripes, but I will limit it to two. I don't want to sound like a bitter east coast, gas guzzling, unfeeling, cruel to animals, not completely anti-war, pro-Israel, meat eating, heterosexual, conservative.
Oh wait, I do.
Posted by peninah at August 24, 2006 09:14 PM | TrackBackIt was a great trip, wasn't it???
Posted by: BubbyT at August 24, 2006 10:05 PMIt was a great trip, wasn't it???
Posted by: BubbyT at August 24, 2006 10:06 PMC'mon, Peninah. Tell us how you really feel.
Posted by: Greg at August 25, 2006 12:18 AMNext time, I think you should vacation in Iran.
T
Yeah, California is really liberal. I noticed that when I visited last summer. Looking forward to seeing you next week!
Posted by: Sara K at August 25, 2006 01:18 PMHate to tell you this, but Virginia lets hybrid vehicles in their HOV lanes, and it tends to be a Republican state--and it's an east coast state as well.
I can empathize on the Dulles trip. I flew into Dulles on Wednesday. From landing at Dulles until I got home was FOUR hours. Ridiculous! Sunday I get the relative calm of BWI. :)
Welcome home!
Posted by: Lara at August 25, 2006 04:52 PMbwi is calm...12 minutes at 5:30 AM sunday from check in through security to the gate...coming home: different story: 5 airports: Oakland, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Philadelphia and finally...21 hours later: BWI...home 10 hours later than expected...a nightmare!! but the trip was worth it!!
Posted by: bubby at August 27, 2006 12:02 AM