Off and running

We are off and running and are already having an amazing trip!
Melanie gathered me and, then, Earla about 5:20 this morning and we were off to Sea Tac. We had time at the airport to check our luggage and secure seats for the second leg of our trip today. Then we headed for security, together of course! Well, that lasted until Earla went to one line and the security officer pointed me in another direction. The other direction was the slow line - what do you think that meant? I did get to know a very nice woman from San Francisco who was on her way to visit her daughter in Brooklyn. By the time I plowed through security, Earla was certain I was lost. We still had time for cinnamon scones and coffee at, where else?, Starbucks. And, on to the plane. We had the aisle seat and the window seat assuming that no one would want the middle seat. As it turned out, a very nice young man who works for Microsoft had the middle seat. He was very patient and polite and interesting. He was on his way to Chicago for training. We napped and chatted and had some water and voila!, we were in Chicago with what was the smoothest landing ever. At O'Hare in Chicago, we walked half way to Des Moines. It was so far, we had to stop for a snack. We discovered a place we could get paninis. Unbeknownst to each other, we each ordered the same one, chicken pesto. We figured that that was a good omen for a smooth trip. The trip to Des Moines was short and smooth. We took a quiz in the in flight magazine and discovered together that we are ready for Mensa. Got to Des Moines pretty much on time even though the flight was late in taking off. We secured the rental car and off we went in search of my cousin Mike and his wife Chris' house. That was easy going, I think. Earla was driving and it was dark, so her position might be a little different. Rights and lefts to the last right which should have been a left. Fortunately, because we are Mensa candidates, we (Earla) figured it out and we found the house. We were greeted with hugs and handshakes, wine and cheese, good conversation, and Gunner the big yellow lab. Our hosts here are gracious, the accommodations are quite nice and comfortable. We are ready to settle in for the night. Tomorrow is another day on our journey.