The return trip

We’re going to try to fly home today, called last night and was told there is one flight to Kadena at 3:30 pm. Called again at 8:45 this morning and told there is a flight to Kadena – roll call 9:00 am! Ahhh!!! Got kids dressed, packed and checked out of the hotel in 15 minutes. Returned rental car and begged a ride off a complete stranger at the gas station to the airport on base. Arrived at airport at 9:25 – flight delayed until 1:00. Breathe…

10:10 took shuttle bus to Exchange to kill some time and buy food. Told to be back at 11:30.

11:30 returned to airport.

12:30 told flight delayed until 1:30 – other people in uniform walking in… not good – they trump us.

2:00 on a flight headed for Okinawa! Yeah!!!! It’s not the one we were originally trying for, but it’s going our way. I felt like a hitch-hiker at the terminal trying to find out if anyone were flying to our little island and would take us there. We’re going on a little bitty airplane just us and one other passenger – what fun!

3:00 – on the plane flying high! I could get used to this Space A thing.

Here’s Emmy talking with the pilots.

And London and the luggage.

And Okinawa from the air.

5:00 - home safe and sound