Cleghorn Ridge Trail – The entire trail is a fire road with a more challenging trail winding back and forth across the fire road.  It starts at the Cajon Pass, 15 fwy and Cleghorn Rd and runs to highway 138 by Silverwood Lake.  This dirt trail is about 14 miles long each way. The trail starts at about 3,000 feet and peaks out about 5,200 feet and has lots of side trails that criss-cross the main easy road.  The roughly graded route in this trail is suitable for medium clearance 2WD in dry weather. The trail is considered extreme when very wet.  The US Forest Service has designated this trail as 2N47.

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During our drive out there, the rain got worse and worse.  Cleghorn is at the base of the foothills and traverses up the mountains.  It happened to be in the path of the storm.  Before we even got there, we had strong winds, rain and hail.  We got there with a little time to spare so we hit McDonald’s for breakfast before we met up with the club down on Cleghorn Road.

We pulled in under the freeway overpass to air down the tires.  We were the first ones there.  It was pretty cool to see other Hummer owners pull up and to the side to air-down to get ready to go wheeling.  We finally got to meet a few from the club and exchanged names.  Our good friends Laura and Sheldon H. with their kids Jewel and Ethan showed up in their Jeep.  Seth, our group leader, gave a short meeting on rules and what to expect, before long everyone was ready to hit the trail.

We took the trail headed east towards Silverlake.  The trail snaked its way up the side of the mountain crossing pools of water as he kept heading up.  Off our left shoulder was a valley with a small rainbow sitting in it.  Our first optional play area was  Powerline Hill.  Basically it’s just a hill climb to the top where sits a power line tower.  This was the first time stepping out of the vehicle since ascending.  As I placed my foot down, the ground beneath felt like melted chocolate.  I didn’t realize how much mud we were driving through.

ChasH3

It became more apparent as some of the guys were trying to go up the steep incline only to loose traction and slide back down.  After a while of playing there we continued on.

This is where it got interesting.

We headed up a rather steep incline as the rain begin to intensify.  The lead H3, Seth, got to a point where he couldn’t keep his momentum going and began to loose traction.  Before too long Seth could go no further.  We got out and stacked some rocks to help keep the rear passenger tire from dropping into a deep rut and bottoming out.  He was able to reverse out, turn a round, and head back to the main fire-road, upon which we all followed behind.

Later on down the road I took a wrong line and kept getting sucked in to a rut.  The mud made for a huge amount of grief.  I eventually tried to turn the rig around and got high-centered on a berm.  After a quick strap yank we were headed back up the mountain.  The rain and hail made even the easiest parts of the trail challenging.  Going up and around corners in the mud and driving rain was almost like slow speed drifting, with the exception of the mountain cliffs on the side.

Sheldon's Jeep

"BeHummer2" Ben, "Family Jeepster" Sheldon, "Slogger" Adrian.

H3Play on Articulation Hill

We had a great day out on the trails, a new trip is being planned to explore this trail once again in dry weather.  This way we will be able to get a better view from up on top instead of driving through the clouds.  Although the views that were presented to us were quite spectacular, I’m sure on a clear day it will be much more grand, especially when there is not the worry of getting stuck, cold wind and driving rain.

AlanM

JeffH3

H3Ing

Slogger

Until next time.

Feel free to leave comments!

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Cabrillo Beach is a historic beach located in San Pedro, California. Cabrillo has two separate beach areas.  It is also home to a few famous landmarks, namely the 1.75 mile Los Angeles Breakwater which ends at the Angel’s Gate Lighthouse, the recently restored Cabrillo Beach Bathhouse, and the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium.

We had just visited the tide pools in Laguna Beach a couple weeks earlier and realized he really liked seeing the wildlife in the water.  Laguna Beach had the anemone police out so we couldn’t touch anything but this time Cabrillo Beach was unpatroled…

We made it to the parking lot and parked in front of the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium.  The tide pools are on the ocean side of the breakwater/jetty.  After a short walk about a quarter mile down we arrived at the tide pools.

There were tons of anemones everywhere.  We showed Skyler how you can gently push down on the anemone it would squirt water.

While looking around and exploring Skye found two large spiral shells.  We took a picture of them since we are not allowed to take anything from the beach.

We had a nice time at the tide pools, the water was beginning to return so we had to pack it out of there.  We’ll have to go back this summer when it’s a little warmer.  More photos at my photography website, CounterPointPhotography.com

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The Santa Monica Pier is located at the foot of Colorado Avenue in Santa Monica and is a prominent, 100-year-old landmark in Southern California.  The last time I was like 10 years ago.  It was time to head back.

The smell of the ocean and creosote filled the air.  The parking lot on the pier is next to the old Carousel Building.  The Carousel Building was designed and built in 1916 by Charles Looff, one of the original designers of the Santa Monica Pleasure Pier.  It’s been restored a few times and is listed in the National Registry of Historic Places.  With a Byzantine-Moorish style, the building houses one of the few surviving all-wooden Carousels in the world – less than 70 continue to operate today.  Painted ponies and chariots, restored in 1990, brings you back to an earlier, simpler time.

Skyler heard the calliope playing and we knew we’d have to start the day here at the Carousel.   It’s pretty funny, Skyler get so excited to go on carousels but when he is on it, he gets really serious.  We went on a couple of times it only cost $1 for me and Skyler was free (children under five are free).

A surprise to me was once it started up, it hauled butt.  Seriously.  We’ve been on other carousels but nothing prepared me for the speed at which the Santa Monica Carousel goes.  Skyler loved it, with the music blaring, and the speed of going round and round and round.

He still kept his serious face.  ”Come on Dad, I’m riding a horse.”

After we made it off the speeding carousel, we headed down the pier to grab some lunch.  There are a ton of greasy, carnival stand eateries that line the walk.  We jumped into one and ordered the staple, Fish and Chips.

Pacific Park is where all the rides are located.  Each ride requires tickets so we bought a few so we could ride the Pacific Wheel. Completely solar powered, it stands 85 feet tall, carries 20 gondolas and sits on the pier.  Pretty impressive.  We stood in line for a while.   Quite comically the least efficient employees were working this attraction but it worked out alright.

There was a nice view of the ocean and the crashing of waves below us that kept our attention on other things rather than waiting.

Ready to board, it’s like he pulls it out of his pocket, The Serious Face.

Over all it was well worth the wait.  Only in California can you be at the beach in 80 degree temperatures and spy off in the distance the snow covered peaks of the Southern Californian mountains.

Time really does go by fast.  Able to ride the larger kid rides Skyler and I decieded to ride Inkie’s Airlift, A scaled-down Scrambler for children, and then road the ‘off-road’ Pier Patrol – A ‘train’ of cars that run around a beach-themed track, with Skye.

He had a blast, but it was getting late and we were getting into Skyler’s nap time.  We finished up and headed towards the car and remembered we wanted to visit the aquarium.

Quickly we found the signs for it under the pier and paid a $5 donation to the Heal the Bay Foundation to go in the aquarium.  Saw som Jelly Fish, Star Fish and a few small sharks.  Not a huge aquarium or even big for that matter, but it’s nice to see people passionate for a cause.  Time was running before we’d reach the point of no return with Skyler so we packed it up and headed out.  Skyler fell asleep in the car.  It was a fun day.

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Rose Parade 2010

Is there a better way to start off the new year than to go to the Rose Parade?  There might be.  But this year, there was no better way to celebrate the new year than to head down to Pasadena, California, and find a spot on the parade route. One of Skye’s students was able to get us up-close and personal seating on the parade route with excellent parking.  This helped out so much, especially with Skyler.

The night before we set and packed the car so all we would have to do is get up, get Skyler dressed and head out the door.  Skye’s Mom and Step Dad were coming too so they were going to meet us at 5:30am when we were set to head out.  Nicely everything went as planned.  Before long we were already in Pasadena and could see the crowds of people.  The GPS didn’t help much since as you got closer to the parade route the more we found barricades blocking off streets.  We had  a printed out map for where were were to park so I just used that.

We found the parking.  It was a block away from the Pasadena City Hall and about half a block away from the parade route.

The reserved seats we had were across the street from the post office and on the street.

This was the view we had of the parade.  We actually were sitting on the street level as the floats passed by.

The floats were impresive, the crowd was respectful and everyone had a great time.  We saw Oscar DeLaHoya hanging over a balcony behind us and Jack Hanna on a float.  Now where else can you say that but at the Rose Parade?

Skyler loved watching the bands, especially the drummers.

It was a cold, early morning but we all had a great time!  What really impressed me was the fact that we could actually smell the flowers on the floats!  Pretty cool.

Here the link to all the pictures from the Rose Parade.

Rose Parade on CounterPoint Photography

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I got home and installed the battery as fast as I could.  My son was with my wife at “My Gym” so I had about 45 minutes to get this battery in.

Installation should take about 15 minutes, it took me about 30 minutes, mainly because I double checked everything and took pictures along the way to make sure I didn’t forget anything.  It was dark.

It’s really quite easy.  The battery I installed was a Bosch PremiumPower.  (about $75 USD)

This summer when I have time, I’ll probably install an Optima Red Top and keep this guy as a backup.

Here is what it says on the top:

• CCA @ 0^F : 630
• CA @ 32^F : 785
• RC Mins @ 25 Amps : 90
• Part Number: 86-630B
• Group Size: 86

Uninstallation of Old Battery:

Click open the battery’s negative (black) cover to access the post and nut.  Loosen the negative battery cable nut.

I used a 10mm socket wrench for this.  Pull it off the post and set aside.  Make sure it doesn’t touch anything.

Click open the battery’s positve (red) cover.  Loosen the positive cable nut.  Work it off the post and set aside.  Again make sure this doesn’t touch anything.  Even though it’s not connected to anything it’s just a good habit to keep when working with electrical stuff.

Remove battery vent hose.  It slides right off.

Remove the battery upper box.  Press the locking tabs inward and lift up.  It might be easier to do one side and angle it up to release the other tab.  The tab closest to the fender is a little tight to get your hand in to push the tab.  Angle it out.

Disengage the battery strap.

I used a 13mm socket wrench for this.

Loosen and take off the nut.  Slide strap end up.  This will create the slack you need to take the strap off the other side of the battery’s lower tray’s restraint.  Also this exposes the cleat that holds the base of the battery down.
The cleat fits over a groove that is in the battery and wedges it down.  Remove the cleat by pulling it straight up along the bolt that it sits on.

Here is a picture of the cleat.

You must remove the cleat before you remove the battery.  The 2 pictures above where shot just to show the cleat.  I had already taken the battery out so you can see how it wedges the battery down. Just imagine the battery sitting in the tray. You’ll see in a couple of photos below with the new battery installed.

Remove the battery.

Installation of New Battery:

Note the groove toward the bottom backside of the battery.

Place new battery into lower half of battery tray.  Notice there is no cleat yet.  Make sure, if you are installing a battery intended for a Hummer H3, the groove on the back of the battery is closest to the firewall of the engine compartment.  This is where the safety cleat will clamp down on.

Place safety cleat over bolt and slide down into position.

Place battery strap on the front side, hook into position.

Place end of battery strap over bolt on top of the safety cleat.

Install the retainer nut.  Use that 13mm socket and tighten down.  If the battery you are installing sits a little shorter, wedge it with some material that can take some heat, it gets hot in there.

Install the battery upper box and make sure the tabs click.

Make sure your Positive and Negative battery cables are free from corrosion.  Use a wire brush to clean.  Install the positive (red) cable.  Use the 10mm socket to tighten nut.  Install the Negative cable, tighten the nut.  Close the plastic covers.

Connect the battery vent hose.

All done.  Start her up!

Hey, Leave a comment.  Let me know if you stopped by!  Thanks!

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It doesn’t help that recently my 2 year old has taken a liking to playing in the H3.  He likes turning on the lights, rolling down the windows, opening and closing the sunroof, turning on and off the fan for a good 10 to 15 minutes almost every time we get home and pull into the driveway.  That’s another story.

I threw a question out to my Hummer Friends at HummerXClub.com for their suggestions on what is the best battery on the market for an H3.

“I have a 2006 Hummer H3. What’s the best battery for the rig without too much fuss of installing?”

Many came back with great pictures of their installs.  The overwhelming response was the Optima brand, more specifically, the Optima Red Top.  Well as time passed by my battery grew weaker and weaker.  I still hadn’t pulled the trigger as to which battery I’d get.  In the long run the Optima Red Top would work the best however there were some immediate drawbacks.

Optima Red Top

CONS:

• I’d have to modify the existing battery enclosure in-order to for the optima to fit.  It’s a little taller than the OEM sized battery.
• Possibility, based on current reviews of the battery, that it potentially could be hit or miss on getting one that was DOA or with non-working cells.
• Price.  The Optimas tend to be a little more pricey than your everyday battery.

PROS:

• Well liked and a good name in the wheeling community.
• Powerful battery used in cold weather.
• Sealed and maintenance free and lasts a long time. (As long as you get a problem-free one…)

My dilemma?  How much time would I have to physically replace the battery given the variable of my two year old son?  In a perfect world, a couple of hours and a beer; in the real world, 3.5 minutes and a red-bull.  I needed to find something in the middle.

Let’s jump to the end of the month, December 28th.  The original battery lost it’s mojo.  Not bad, I guess, it lasted a good 3.5 years 62K miles.  I walked out to the parking lot after work, turned the key and there was silence, a silence similar to what I would give in place of vermouth to my dry vodka martini.

I was the last one out to lock up that evening, but luckily my friend and co-worker, Finlay G., was in the area to come back and help jump start it.  He followed me over to the Sear Auto Center, given the lack of time I thought, “Die Hard, that will work.”  Much to my surprise Die Hard/Sears don’t make a battery for the size the H3 needs.  Bummer.  The guy at Sears pointed me over to PepBoys a few miles away.  Jump start and I was on my way.

PepBoys – for some reason the same smell of tires and stale car fresheners has stayed the same over the years.  It triggered memories of when I was a toddler going up and down the aisles with my dad looking for parts for either the Pinto, the Corvair, or the Volaré.  Classic.  I went to the back counter and asked for a battery for the H3, they had one.  And when I say they had one, I mean they had one. One brand and only one in stock.  ”I’ll take it.”

Bosch Premium Plus

CONS:

• I hadn’t done any research on this battery.

PROS:

• I’ll fit.
• I can install with minimal time and effort.

Read the Installation Here.

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Dinner at Gasho's

Saturday started off a little late. It was nice to sort of sleep in. Because of the time change Skyler wasn’t getting up until 8am. That was pretty cool, only thing about that is that we had a late starts in the morning. This morning Skye had some errands to run with Charlanne, so Skyler and I headed to some random park. It wasn’t the best of parks but it served it purpose. When we got there we were the only ones there. By the time we left there were like 10 other older kids running looking for trouble. A few days earlier we had bought Skyler a sand pail and shovel from Target. I brought that with us to the park here so Skyler could play in the sand box. There were kids that were circling us like vultures because they wanted to play with Skyler’s sand toys. Mind you, these kids weren’t 2 years old or 3 or even 4 years old. They had to have been at least 8 or 9 years old. At one point, one of the kids tried to reach for the pail and I said, “I don’t think that’s yours.” That made him back off to regroup.

Skyler - Cold Spring Harbor

Soon after that Skyler was done with the park and so was I so we got back in the car. It was hot so we headed to the mall. When we got to the mall there was a little carnival set up in the parking lot with the usual cast of strange “carnies” manning their stations. We walked around but there was really not much for Skyler to do so we headed into the indoor mall. We found a smoothie stand and ordered a peach smoothie. Skyler loves those. He pretty much finished the whole thing.

On our way home we drove past a White Castle. Skyler had fallen asleep in the backseat so I pulled into the drive-through. I ordered some sliders. Those things are greasy, but good. I think a couple of greasy sliders every couple of years is all right.

Skyler looking for a rabbit

After the nap Skye was free for the rest of the day. We decided to drive up to Cold Spring Harbor. Charlanne had told us there was a fish hatchery up there that one of her patients goes to with her boys. It was only about 20 minutes away but seemed like it should be farther. We drove though the town and it reminded me of Vermont.

We found the fish-hatchery but it had just closed. The parking lot was connected to an old church that sits on a large pond. We decided to walk around and check out the scenery.

Skye and Skyler at Cold Spring Harbor

As we walked up to the side of the church there was a very nice sight. Canadian Geese were swimming around the pond as a mother and daughter looked on. The mother had to have been in her late 80s or early 90s, the daughter in her 60s or 70s. There were just sitting on a bench looking out over the beautiful, picturesque landscape; it was such a nice memory being made for them.

Skyler at Cold Spring Harbor

We walked around the fed the geese, chased a rabbit and Skye and Skyler found some old Easter eggs. It looks like the church must have had an Easter egg hunt and not all of them were found, until now…

Skye and Skyler - Cold Spring Harbor

We had a dinner reservation at a Japanese steakhouse called Gasho’s where we were to meet up with Charlanne’s Mom, Ruth and Step-Dad, Neal. It was a restaurant like Benihanas, where the cook cooks in front of you. There was some minor drama involved when we got there but things worked out and we had a nice time. It was entertaining.

Skye and Skyler - Cold Spring Harbor

We came back to the hotel. Had a swim in the pool and went to bed.

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The Bayard Cutting Arboretum

Skyler Under a Tree

The morning came much too fast.  Skye had things to do with Charlanne to prep for the wedding on Sunday so Skyler and I were on our own in a “foreign land.”  At first we just got in the car and headed out to go find a park.  Luckily we had the GPS and there was a listing for parks.  I popped in the closes park and we were off.  We arrived 10 minutes later.  The park where we arrived was an equestrian park.  It looked kind of creepy so I just made a U-turn and headed right out of there.  Skyler was happy enough just looking out the window.  I sifted though the listings in the GPS and came upon an arboretum, the Bayard Cutting Arboretum; it was only 15 minutes away.

View photos at SmugMug

On our way there Skyler fell asleep.  Jetlag is a pain.  We pulled into the parking lot and all you could see were so many huge trees and green, green grass. It was great.  Skyler had only been asleep for about 10 minutes so he woke up a little groggy but once he saw all the trees and grass he was ready to just run around and explore.  We took a lot of pictures here.  There were gaggles of Canadian Geese walking around the grounds.  Skyler really found it fun to run after them.  There was this one huge tree that must have been a hundred years old.  It just stood out among the other trees with a sort of majestic aire.  Skyler ran over to it and I was able to fire off some amazing shots.

View photos at SmugMug

I got to talk to a mother with her three children and she told me about the other side of the property.  Apparently this used to be a private residence in the early 1900s and where we were was just the backside of the house.  She said the front lawn was much better because it lead to the water.

View photos at SmugMug

I went back to the car and put Skyler’s lunch stuff in the Sherpani Kid Carrier, Skyler jumped in and we were off to explore the other side.  The trail led to the front of the mansion.  Beyond us lay an expanse of grass, trees and the Connetquot River.  There was a weeping tree that was so big.  We found a way inside and under the tree branches; without exaggerating, you could fit a house under that tree, it was so big.

View photos at SmugMug

We had lunch under one of the big trees on the front lawn.  Soon it was time to head back.  Skye called to tell me she was back at the hotel.  We packed up and headed back to the car then back to the hotel.

That evening we had a pizza party at the hotel.  Charlanne invited all the out of town guest and people in the wedding to come.  It was a nice time.  Skyler has been working on his different faces so he did some showing off on how he can make his surprised look, his sad look and his serious look.

View photos at SmugMug

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New York Arrival – JFK Airport

Waiting for our stuff.

We landed and waited for everyone to filter off the airplane.  It is much easier that way.  It always cracks me up how when the lights in the cabin announces you can take your seat-belt off, everyone jumps up and grabs all their stuff only to wait until the slower people in front of them get ready.  The other kicker is how they all rush off the airplane only to wait for their luggage at the carousel and the carousel hasn’t even started yet.  It reminds me of the idiots that race from one stoplight to the next only to arrive at the same time as you.

Rental Car

Working on about 3o minutes of sleep and a year of adrenaline, we picked up our luggage and headed out the airport doors to find the Hertz rental office.  Funny thing, the people who were racing off the airplane were still standing there waiting for their luggage.

There was a bit of confusion as to where the rental office would be, eventually we found it by way of some parking structure that happened to be connected to some sort of elevated train call the AirTrain.  Halfway to the AirTrain my luggage handle bent because of all the weight that I had on it.  I had to do some minor field surgery on my new suitcase to keep pushing forward.  I’m sure the amputated aluminum pull-handle still sits sadly abandoned in that random parking structure outside the elevator.

We took the AirTrain to Federal Circle.  Federal Circle is the stop where all the rental car offices are.  Our reservation was with Hertz.  I had reserved a Ford Edge to drive for the week mainly for the size, it wasn’t too big and it wasn’t too small for our roadtrips around Long Island.  Also, Skye I have been on the lookout for a new car that is kid friendly, not a minivan, not too big, and not too ugly.  It was a perfect time to test this out.

The car came with a car seat and a GPS.  I plopped in the address to the hotel and away we went.

Holiday Inn, Hauppauge, New York

Luckily we were able to check in when we got there; it was 9am.  We took a 2 or 3 hour nap, I really don’t’ remember but it was well needed for all three of us.  When we woke we had a list of things to do.  One of those things was to go to a store and buy what we needed for the week.  We found a Target store, got what we needed and then ate at a Panda Express.  Outside we found a small fountain overlooking a small lake.  Skyler really likes water so we hung around there for a little while so Skyler could have a snack and enjoy the fountain.

The day went by pretty fast.  After coming back to the hotel and putting everything away it was already time for Skye to head off to Fire Island with Charlanne and the girls to go out for some drinks.  Skyler and I stayed at the hotel and went swimming in the indoor pool.  Bedtime for Skyler and me came early; I don’t know how Skye did it, she was back at the hotel at close to midnight.

That was a long day.

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Bound for New York

Day 1 – Wednesday May 20th

The Flight to New York

Driving to the airport, the music I could hear in my head was the music from the film Miller’s Crossing, more precisely, the opening credits.  A little strange, since we were humming down the 105 freeway in the car-pool lane through Los Angeles and it’s massive, monumental freeway overpasses.  Through the window my wife was pointing out the airplanes landing in parallel to the freeway as we got closer to the airport to our 22-month-old son. He gazed out the car window awe-struck.  He had never flown in an airplane, but he knew what an airplane was as he would be sure to point them out to us at our house when the airplanes would fly 6,000+ feet above our neighborhood.

LAX - Terminal 5

I need to emphasize, this was the first time for our son to fly.  This had been a worry to me for over a year, as we knew we would be flying to New York in May for my wife’s best-friend’s wedding.  To overcome the unknown is to be as prepared as possible for it.  Months before the trip I jumped on Amazon.com and bought a couple of books, Rough Guide’s Travel with Babies and Young Children and Travels with Baby. Both books were highly recommended and served me well.  The repeating theme throughout both books: “Be Prepared.”

Luggage Check-in

Months earlier I was put in charge of booking the flight for my wife, son and myself.  We normally we fly Jet Blue out of the Long Beach Airport but since the economy has been in the toilet I thought I’d look around for cheaper fare.  I scoured the Internet for a “red-eye” and found the best price from Delta, about a combined $50 cheaper. The only bad part about it was that we’d have to fly out of LAX instead of Long Beach.  Our flight bound for New York’s JFK airport was scheduled at 9:15pm, Wednesday evening.

Being Prepared

By being “prepared” we were at Los Angeles International Airport ready to check in our luggage by 5:30pm.  This was when I found out why Delta was cheaper.  My wife and I each had two pieces of luggage to check in.  Delta charges, per ticket, an extra $15 for the first and another $25 for the second for a combined $40 for two checked-in luggage, each way.  Walking away from the check-in counter and wheeling our luggage over to the TSA’s security X-Ray machines, I found my wallet an $80 lighter; “Hey Delta, thanks for the heads up!”  It is on their website but they do a great job hiding it.  Not technically a bait and switch but pretty damn close.

After watching out our checked-in bags go through we headed up to the security walk-though.  Luckily we were the only ones in line so we were able to take our time practically disrobing and unpacking the carry-on bags for the x-ray machine.  Throughout all this Skyler did great.  He was just watching everything happening and helped in the best way he could, by just going along for the ride.

Dinner in Terminal 5

6:00pm in Terminal 5.  Our flight – 9:15pm.  I think we were a little early, but it gave us time to run Skyler around and tire him out for the overnight flight to New York.  We had dinner at California Pizza Kitchen before we boarded and took some funny pictures.  Skyler is starting to really ham it up in front of the camera.  This is his big smile face, oh yeah and my wife’s big smile too.

Like Mother like Son

As the boarding time approached we assumed they would make an announcement for pre-boarding for passengers with small children.  I’ve always heard Jet Blue announce it, why should it be different.  Oh yeah, because Delta sucks.  The pre-boarding announcement never came and we were left fending off line jumpers.

Mental notes: Delta had already hit Strike three!  The first strike was the bull crap about paying for check-in luggage.  2nd strike: Overbooked! 3rd strike: No pre-boarding for children.  I’ll never fly Delta airlines; not if I can help it.

There are 5 so called zones into which Delta has the airplane divided.  Zone 1 is business class, with Zone 2 through 5 are for the peasants.  We were in Zone 4 that meant we had 3.5 zones to squeeze through to get to our micro-seats.

The Flight

Once we were seated and somewhat settled in for the 5 hour flight things worked out fine.  Skye sat by the window, I sat in the middle seat, Skyler, on our lap.  His travel was free because he was under two years old, however, a word of advice, if you can afford the extra ticket for your toddler, go for it.  It is well worth the price, moderately speaking.  Luckily a very nice lady who was a preschool aide took the aisle seat.  She may have talked a lot but it was fine, she didn’t complain about have to be sat next to a toddler.

One amazing thing that we noticed was when we stepped on board, Skyler automatically realized we were inside an airplane.  He is just barely starting to talk and he mimics us so his word for airplane is a combination of pointing to the sky as if following an airplane with his finger and then he makes the sound of an airplane.

On the Airplane

We got to our seats and Skyler pointed up and made and airplane sound, he knew we would be flying up in the sky.  While we taxied and took off, Skyler just looked out the window with a look of excitement.  It was really quite cool.  After about an hour he fell asleep, Skye fell asleep, and I fell asleep…right before we landed.

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