Our trip started at an unnaturally early hour. We were awake at 3:30, though I admit I didn’t get out of bed for another 20 minutes. Only raccoons and bakers should be coherent that early in the morning. The previous night was spent packing and worrying about my sore throat. The last thing I want is to spend my entire trip suffering with cold symptoms. I started taking zinc and Vitamin C yesterday. In the past, that combination has helped forestall a cold, or at least shorten its lifespan.

Once the taxi dropped us at SeaTac, everything started moving smoothly. Our American Airlines Platinum status enables us to use first class check-in, as well as the express lane through the TSA security checkpoint. The process took all of 15 minutes. And, happily, for the first time in two years my check-in was not delayed because of my name matching that of another John Carroll on the federal watch list. I guess the fact that Uncle Sam now has every piece of identifying information about me short of a blood sample has finally reaped some benefits.

So here we are crammed into coach class seats on our way to St. Louis. The flight attendants are surly and the seat in front of me seems closer than I recall from previous flights on an MD-80. But none of that has spoiled this leg of the trip. Thankfully, from St. Louis to Ft. Lauderdale we are traveling first class. Platinum status has delivered another reward – an upgrade. We are hoping for lunch service on the next leg of our flight, not to mention a little ass kissing from the cabin attendants. It’s good to be the king!

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Ahhhh,, . now this is the life! We’re relaxing in first class, our lunch is being served, and we just finished our first Bloody Mary of the trip. Unfortunately, the 12V power supply I bought recently for my laptop is no longer working. That’s a small disappointment. Currently it’s 3pm Eastern. We’re munching on warm cashews and sipping cold club soda. Our turkey sandwiches will be served soon and then we will land in a couple hours. It’s our first time in the Miami/Ft. Lauderdale area. Soon after, Gene and I will pick up our convertible car and check into the Riverside Hotel – the oldest and finest resort in town. Nothing’s too good for my half-century old husband

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Here we are, in Ft. Lauderdale. We flew over the Everglades and Lake Okeechobee. Soon after retrieving        our luggage, we picked up our convertible rental car. A brief tour through town ended at our hotel. We were lucky enough to receive a small room upgrade. Now we have a beautiful city and river view with a wrap around terrace. After a quick change of clothes, we began searching through the bistros and restaurants of Las Olas Boulevard, the historic heart of Ft. Lauderdale. We ate dinner at La Bonne Crepe. Gene and I both ordered a small Caesar salad and a seafood crepes. Though the crepes were not as delicious as those served to us last summer in Brussels, the Florida version was none the less quite good.