A bit of a rocky start...

After a bit of a rocky start we have arrived at our first glorious—well, maybe not exactly glorious, it’s only a Marriott Residence Inn—stop enroute to our ship, the Holland America Ryndam.

What was rocky? Well, at 8:48 this morning—exactly 24 hours before our flight departure—I tried to check in and get our boarding passes. The USAir site said in effect that they never heard of us. Huh? I have a copy of our reservation in my hot little hands AND the UAL (who made the reservation) and USAir confirmation numbers. Didn’t matter, they knew nothing about us. Tried calling and we were put on perpetual hold due, the disembodied voice said, to inclement weather at many of their stations. Since we had to go south of town to pick up our rental car we just decided it would be easier to go to the airport and get them to sort it out. Probably faster than waiting on the phone. Especially since we were cut off once already.

Off to TUS (or TIA as everybody here calls it). We did finally get our boarding passes but it wasn’t easy and took time at United (who issued the ticket) and then USAir (whose plane was flying us) to finally get it done. Pretty much only happened because the gate agent used her own phone (nevermind that she has a terminal right in front of her—she said she could only issue a boarding pass four hours before departure even though if she called she could then do it 24 hours before). Confusing, I know, but the bottom line is that we have our boarding passes. Now we just have to hope that it doesn’t cancel.

Then I typed 801 N 44th AVE into the MapQuest app instead of 801 N 44th ST! BIG difference! Through Friday afternoon traffic no less. We only discovered my mistake when we arrived in a large industrial complex. Darn. Back through traffic to the ST rather than the AVE!

Notice I've already taken off my shoes! Feeling right at home, I am!

Our little home is the Residence Inn. We love this chain because they always have two room “suites” with a mini-kitchen. Not that I’m going to cook anything, but it’s nice to have a full-sized coffee pot available and a sofa to watch TV from.

Tonight we’re going to The Stockyards, an old (since 1947, I think) Phoenix steakhouse for dinner. Review will come later.

Addendum: Some of you may have noticed I have a counter on the right; both a "Vacation Countdown" and a "Flag Counter." I have had visitors to my blog from 17 different countries and the most come from (as of 4pm 4/4/14) the US (448), New Zealand (!) (282), and Australia (AKA "OZ") (107). I am mystified as to why I have so many visitors from New Zealand. Don't get me wrong, I love the Kiwis but I really thought I had lots more friends in OZ! Just goes to show that you never know who is going to be interested in a blog. We really should make our next trip to New Zealand!