Day 9–Homeward Bound

Our morning started early. My body has a tendency to wake up before my alarm, so I awoke at 2:45am. I decided to get up and dressed then wait to wake Adella. At 3:30, I woke her, and as she became coherent she added, “I only had to be woken up once, and I got right up.”

Hours before the front desk clerk let us know they’d put a breakfast package together for us. When we arrived to check out, the cold food was already prepared, so we grabbed a muffin and a Rice Krispie treat for later.

Charlottetown seems to have two terminals, so TSA was a breeze. Returning the rental car was as easy as dropping a key in the drop box.

I wanted for us to keep our carryon, and at 4 in the morning, they didn’t seem to mind our bags. Besides, only crazy people travel so early 🤣. The flight had a sparse population, so overhead bin space came easy to us.

Once we reached Toronto, we had to go through customs (not when arriving in Chicago). We walked through the U.S. citizens line, the agent took our picture, and customs was complete.

If taking a connection to the U.S., the airport in Toronto only takes you to the area where outbound flights to the U.S. take place. This area is small with a few snack spots and minimal seating. However, because you passed through immigration in Canada with U.S. border agents, your next flights are much easier.

Things looked great while in the waiting area. Once seated on the plane and waiting for taxiing, the pilot said a system-wide problem at the Toronto airport had delayed us. In the meantime United texted to see if we wanted to switch to a later flight. I decided to wait it out.

The pilots made up the time while in air, and we landed a few minutes early. We arrived in Terminal 1, and had to make it to Terminal 2. Adella and I moved quickly and arrived just as boarding began.

I did love the United app though. It mapped our route and provided walking estimates. Adella and I knocked almost five minutes off their prediction. Yay us!

We boarded the last flight and relaxed. Home was on the horizon.

I learned so many things on my vacation. My favorite knowledge acquisition event included the confirmation that Adella is a tremendous travel companion. Her desire to be kind and helpful touches me each time.

One lady sat down in our row, and she had a bag on her lap. Adella looked at me and said, “I have extra room under my seat. She can put her stuff there.” I told her she had to figure it out herself (room in the overhead bins). Adella replied, “But I don’t want her to have to sit with that in her lap the whole time.”

It’s a rare gift to share space with someone who is so willing to give up her personal comfort to help a stranger. She wanted to give her money to the homeless, and she hoped to help those who looked in need. I loved traveling with my niece. It helped me see love in so many ways. Trip rating: one million out of 10. I’d do it again and again!