Travel Day
The day started off like any other travel day for us, very little sleep the night before, grubhubbed doughnuts from bosa while we waited for it to be time to call the lyft.
The trouble started when the lyft arrived - or perhaps I should say that it started when I decided to way overpack. We had 2 large suitcases, 2 small suitcases and a carry on duffle bag, in short way too much luggage to do our usual regular lyft... so we went ahead and went uber lux in order to have room for us and our luggage, and my rollator.
We thought we were set, until the ride arrived and I realized that I couldn't step up into the cab of the vehicle. We didn't really want to mess with risking having to order several to find one I could get into. So it was decided that the wife would go to the airport ahead of me - and I would take a separate lyft. I sat there on the curb watching her drive away sadly realizing she had the key and I was trapped outside on an unseasonably cold morning while struggling to keep the impending Asperger melt down from crashing in. It felt like a warning of what was to come. That said I am a bit of a Diva and danged if she was getting lux and I wasn't - so I did get to mark off the bucket list item of riding in a BMW and apparently my driver was much nicer than hers.
When I got to the airport things got much better, we immediately found people to help us and had no trouble finding a wheel chair and a wonderful, amazing, funny young man to help with pushing my wheelchair.
We checked out the Admiral's Club, we paid for privileges for the day. It was tiny and full so we were left at our gate terminal... 6 hours early. What? I was really, really, really worried about missing our flight. We spent a very slow hour in the terminal until a kind soul came by to do a wellness check and moved us over to the now emptier club lounge.
We spent our long wait eating snacks in the lounge and playing gim rummy with a deck of cards Deb found in her purse. It was actually a really good time and it went fairly quick after we got into the lounge. Money well spent.
Things did get a little tense as they kept putting off our boarding time in half an hour increments while some guy at the bar kept telling horror stories and talking about how a postponement was the same as a canceled they just didn't want to tell us yet.
Finally we boarded and got to enjoy first class for the first time. (We're both big women and would have had to buy a 3rd seat if we went coach or southwest, the prices for that and first class came up similar so we splurged) We're right up front so plenty of leg room. The wonderful flight attendant fresh brewed a cup of hot tea and then gave me a glass if ice to get around the lack of ice tea being served on board. We thought that was really generous of him and were very touched by his kindness.
Get to San Diego airport and right away received the help we needed to go down get baggage, and get over to the whyndam shuttle. Luck was on our side and the shuttle was just arriving as we pulled up and we were there in no time.
In hind sight I should have asked them to put the ramp down so I could walk down that way, but didn't and fell on the stairs trying to get down. My knees have never been great and they haven't gotten better with age. I say this just to say if you need extra help due to disabilities - don't be afraid to ask for it.
The Whyndam was nice, clean, the bed was comfortable and the staff friendly. If you do have knee issues ask for a handicap assessable room as the toilets sat a little low for easy use . We'll be sure to book one next time.
Cons of the Day:
- Separate rides to start our anniversary vacation.
- Falling on the shuttle
Pros of the Day
- Playing Gin Rummy! Oh and I forgot to mention I went from 200pts behind to 300 pts ahead by the time the game ended so that was fun!
- Comfortable well stocked Admiral's Club
- Wonderful service at both ends of the airport.
Please bear with, still trying to find the few pictures we did take.