I’m going to share some photos and stories of taking Caroline (6) and Andrew (3) to Florida for the launch of Space Shuttle Discovery on April 5, 2010. It was a big undertaking for a single dad to take two kids on such an ambitious trip but the trip went extremely well.
Except for when I got to the airport and realized that I forgot my backpack with my camera! While it would have been a good excuse to buy a new Canon 50D and 400mm prime lens in Florida, I saved myself an additional couple of thousand dollars thanks to my girlfriend who can drive really fast and short security lines at the airport. With backpack finally on my back, I literally ran with Andrew under my arm like a football and made it to the gate as they were boarding. In fact, the flight crew distracted the kids in the cockpit while I got settled in three seats near the back of the plane. Southwest Airlines is great!
Notice how they both wanted the left seat!
Besides the camera, I also forgot Lunchables and cold pizza. Southwest kept us satisfied with a nearly unlimited supply of crackers and peanuts and cookies.
The kids were great on the flight. I’ll take a middle seat between them any day!
We had a stop in St. Louis but didn’t have to change planes. The kids loved watching the ground crew working at Lambert-St. Loius International.
I think this is the Mississippi river full of barges. We saw what I think was the Missouri River west of St. Louis. I love figuring out where we are while flying but that ability is greatly diminished anywhere east of Texas where I rarely fly.
Andrew slept most of the way from St. Louis to Orlando.
Ready for Florida!
Look kids! The pilot deployed the spoilers!
Riding the people mover in the Orlando Airport.
Caroline dragged this huge suitcase and her backpack through the airport and to the rental car.
I dragged all this through the airport. Andrew was useful in pressing elevator buttons. The two car seats were in the plastic bag.
Settled in the rental car. We would spend a lot of time driving.
We had dinner with my niece Julianne near her dorm at the University of Central Florida. It was great visiting her!
We dropped Julianne off and checked into a motel in Cocoa Florida for the next few days.
