Almost Cruise-Day!

“It is good to have an end to journey toward; but it is the journey that matters, in the end.” - Ernest Hemingway

I'd be counting a long time if I counted all the things that went right today. 

• I sailed through TSA for the first time in years without a pat-down. Having TSA pre-check meant I didn't have to remove my shoes or laptop or liquids. Of course both Herkimer and Percival (my portable oxygen concentrators) were whisked away for closer scrutiny and my carryon contents were given a cursory look-see. (Totally understandable since half of it was prescription drugs!) But no hand was placed on my person. A total win!
• All our flights departed and arrived early or on time. 
• Our checked bag made the transfer with us in Dallas and arrived when we did. This was the first time I used an Air Tag to monitor its whereabouts, and truthfully, it gave me less comfort than the real time texts from American Airlines when our luggage was delivered and loaded on our flights.
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• New technology--I was astonished to see a self-pushing wheelchair at LAX. An involuntary "Hello there" escaped my lips and the cheeky thing flashed "Hello" back at me. But it didn't stop to chat. A big "reserved" sign announced it was on a mission, heading to a gate to pick up a passenger who needed mobile assistance.
• Our friends Kristy and Dave made the drive up to LA from their home near San Diego to join us for "Linner" at The Green Onion. That's sort of a late lunch/early dinner. I highly recommend the Fajita combo--beef, chicken & shrimp! Yum! 

Kristy & Dave are proof that one of the greatest treasures of travel are the friends you make along the way!

It was great to talk and laugh and reminisce with our friends. Their room wasn't ready yet, so we hung out together in ours and caught up with all the doings in our lives. We'll meet them again for breakfast tomorrow and they've kindly offered to taxi us to down to the pier.

The California sky gifted us with a glorious "Good night."
 

5:26AM Update

Yes, Mom, I know I should be sleeping in, but my body is still on Central Time. We woke early to get ready for embarkation day and the DH managed to capture the Viking Sky cruising down the harbor canal past our hotel.

This sleek 930 passenger ship will be our home away from home for the next 4 months! I'm in awe of the blessing we're receiving and filled with gratitude to be able to explore this unneccessarily beautiful world with my Dear Husband, lover and best friend. (Don't worry. They're all the same person!)