Friday. Departure day.
We all started heading east. Betty and I began first since we were coming from California - me from San Francisco, Betty from San Jose. I left home in Moss Beach where the geography and weather there turned out to be quite similar to Ireland - especially County Kerry where we'd spend the first week. For comparison purposes, here's what my neighborhood in Moss Beach looks like. (Our day on the Dingle peninusula a few days later felt much like home - albeit greener.)
My friend and neighbor Olivia had generously offered to drive me to SFO @ 6 am for an 8 am flight. This is Olivia, generous, early-rising friend:
I was first flying to Boston to meet up with a large group - everybody except Betty, Patty and Patrick would gather there for our flight to Shannon Ireland. SFO. The plane pulled away from the gate on time, then stopped. After 15 minutes, back to the gate with mechanical problems. It is now 8:45 - problem is fixed and we took off about one hour late. Still plenty of time to make my connections in Boston.
This is my first trip since Italy nearly ten years ago that I have taken two weeks off - without taking computer and working..It is also the first vacation I can remember where I am neither working nor taking care of someone else. Just-- vacationing. Wheee!
A large contingent from the midwest - Kate, Joe, Sarah and Patty & Patrick from Iowa and Theresa and Molly from Wisconsin - all flew or drove to O'Hare in Chicago. Here some of them at O'Hare. (Patrick, Patty, Theresa, Molly, Sarah, Joe.)
The plan was to fly to Boston together. (Except for Patty and Patrick who would be flying to London first and then back to Ireland.) Sheila, John and Johnny were already at Logan airport in Boston when we starting arriving from further west. Here's part of the group of nine that would fly together to Shannon. Ger, Joe, Sarah, John, Johnny, Theresa, Sheila. (Looks like Ger's been traveling quite a while already. With many hours left to go.)
Our flight took off just about on time. The only problem was a baby with terrific lungs and endurance who wailed continuously for about 1/2 hour before taking off and 1/2 hour after. He eventually gave it up, however, and the flight was pretty uneventful after that. It was pleasant having a whole section comprised of Kanes.