Flight-Mare

After a great weekend away with some girlfriends - I had a whole lotta trouble trying to get home.. I wanted to share my flight mare experience with ya..

Sunday: arrived in Baton Rouge at 2:00 had a wonderful late lunch with my family at the Chimes.. and old college favorite, saw cousin's dorm room (cute!) and my sister's new house (so nice!) and off to the airport to be there for 4:15 - rainy bad weather.

Flight was supposed to leave at 5:10 but when I arrive at the gate I notice there is a delay. Not leaving now until 5:45 {puts a crunch on my connection (30 minutes to get across the Atlanta airport and make the flight before departure) - but it is possible}

Board the plane in Baton Rouge at 5:45, flight attendant is interrupted by the pilot's announcement: "All Atlanta fights have been grounded because of weather. hang tight - sit on the plane and wait for another update in 45 minutes." Connection is totally impossible -so, start calling people to reserve a rental car (thanks mom!)... my only hope to get home tonight is to drive to Greenville from Atlanta (2.5 hours).

45 minutes is up - pilot gives us the update: still aren't leaving, you might as well get off the plane and get comfortable. Gift shop is starting to close - run in to look at dinner options.. gummy bears and chips sounded gross - browse for 10 minutes and leave empty handed.

8:15 p.m. Go back to the gate - ticketing agent says get back on the plane - we're leaving. YES! plane is freezing, grab a blanket and a cup of coffee and a bag of peanuts for dinner. yum.

Land in Atlanta at 10:20 p.m. heading for the rental car - notice a flight about to leave for Charlotte, NC (only 1 hr & 20 minute drive). Get on the train. Go to concourse A - people everywhere - everyone is stranded (glad it isn't just me). Wait in line. Everyone quickly walks past me - gate changed. Wait in line again.

Flight is too full (10:35 p.m.) Start heading to ground transportation. Can barely get through the crowds - skip the train - too crowded.. walking the whole way. Get to the rental car counter. long lines... use kiosk instead. $200 later, I am a proud renter of a Chevy Malibu.

Go flag down the shuttle bus - he started to leave. drizzling rain. Get to the car 11:00 - wait in line to check out of the rental car gate - 15 minutes. Finally I'm off. Rain is getting heavier... can't see much, trying to adjust mirrors and get windshield wipers to function properly. Found signs pointing to 85 {that's the way home}.

Raining even harder - trying to maneuver in traffic, skinny - narrow lanes, 6 lanes across going north and 6 lanes across going south... roads are PACKED. thinking "what are all these people doing this late on a Sunday night?!" It is now pouring down - can't see much in front of me - hazard lights on, going slow, knuckles are white, eyes are blurred with tears, jaw is clenched - praying constantly for protection.

12:30ish out run the rain - going fast, too fast trying to make up for lost time. Getting tired - crank up radio & chew gum to stay awake - praising God for getting me thru the traffic & weather alive. No one is on the roads - very dark.

1:20 get home.. (made it in 2 hours.. i drove too fast) open our garage door walk in the door to a big sign, "Welcome home, Mom!"

it was all worth it. asleep by 2:00a.m.

He gives power to those who are tired and worn out; he offers strength to the weak. Isaiah 40:29