It is early in the morning and I’m in the hotel bathroom with the light on, trying not to stir anyone. We got in after midnight, so everyone should be pretty tired and sleep for a bit, but you just never know. For now, though, the kids are asleep. My husband has gone to get the rental car, and I’ve finished my devotional time. I was debating between trying to catch a few more winks, or sharing a bit about our trip.
I guess I’ll share for a bit…
We are over the river and through the woods, but not quite to grandmother’s house.
Last night we arrived in Buffalo and later today we will drive to the Finger Lakes for our Thanksgiving vacation.
A few years ago, after fitting in two different family trips in two different states within the week of Thanksgiving, we decided to use Thanksgiving as a time for our own immediate family vacation. Sometimes we see extended family and sometimes we do not. But we always have great adventures.
This year we plan to explore the wineries of the Finger Lakes in New York and also add in some family-friendly activities. We packed a few of the kids favorite games and intend to s-l-o-w down the pace and relax together this week.
And our traveling has already gone well.
The airport was quiet yesterday… so quiet that there wasn’t even a line at security at all! Cha-CHING!
And, at security we learned that kids under age 12 no longer have to remove their shoes at security.
My 10 year-old was bummed at this news.
“Now they won’t know how good we are at getting through security,” he said.
(My kids do rock at getting their backpacks and shoes off and in the bins at security. I think they breeze through faster than many adults, to be honest.)
So we got through security in a snap and then found a restaurant to grab dinner and just hung out for just over an hour before heading to the plane and boarding. Both of our flights were on time and all of our luggage made it beautifully. (Yippeeeee!)
The aforementioned 10 year-old did leave his sweatshirt on the plane which, thankfully, when we called from the baggage area, a USAirways employee cheerfully retrieved from the plane and brought it to us. (Thank you!!!) Guess he’s great at security, but can still be a bit forgetful. Oh well.
Right now we are at the Fairfield Inn and Suites right near the airport for just one night.
We were looking for a hotel near the airport with a shuttle from the airport and this hotel had that, as well as several great reviews on TripAdvisor.
It has proved to be an excellent choice. The shuttle driver was extremely friendly and helpful last night and the lady at check in was equally delightful and accommodating. Our room is the perfect size for a quick overnight, is very clean and has a groovy decor, which is always fun.We have a room with a king bed and a pull out sofa and I like how the room is arranged so the beds are not right next to each other but, instead, that the pull-out is an a different alcove.
We have free wi-fi (yay!!) and there is a complimentary hot breakfast downstairs.
After breakfast, we will be on our way to the Finger Lakes!
I’ll report back later and try to snap a few pictures to share.
So far, our Thanksgiving travels have been easy-breezy. If you are traveling this week, too, I only wish the same for you.
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