In my ongoing quest to find positive things from the hot mess that today has become I’ve been doing a little exploring. Plenty of time to do that with 8 1/2 hours to kill in the St Louis Airport 🤣

First thing we learned is that Southwest has GOOD deals on day-of flying. It was actually cheaper than the American Airlines flight I booked in May. Now granted, everything we saved we have probably spent on the extra meals/food in the airport, but maybe we found a new favorite airline 🤷🏻‍♀️

Second thing we learned is that you cannot check bags more that 4 hours before you depart. Our choices became either stay in the outer area of airport… were there are no restaurants, few chairs and extremely crowded, or as the nice Southwest attendant suggested, if they’ll make it through TSA, just gate check it all. Try to picture us in the TSA line with Leo’s steamer-trunk of a suitcase, two average rolling suitcases and a cooler stuffed with laundry and souvenirs. A large bottle of shampoo/body wash caused a bit of hiccup, as well as bottles of Dimetapp and Robitussin, but we made it through… so here we sit, like vagabonds 🤣🤣

Third, did you know that every airport has a “Service Animal Relief Area?” I guess I never thought about it, but they will need to go too during a day of travel. I’ve never checked these out in other airports, but I am thinking St Louis may win the award for best one. This may be a new search item for me in traveling…

Fourth, I had no idea there is a Interfaith chapel in the airport. Again, I may start checking these out. It wasn’t huge, but listen, I about lost my religion in front of the American Airlines gate. So maybe this is just what I need.

And – I thought of another reason for sunshine in this mess… normally I wish the boys were little again. But not today! Can you imagine if they were 8 and 9 right now? We would spend be trying to keep them from bouncing off the walls??? 🤣🥴 Thank the Lord for YouTube and ESPN.com

Two and half hours to go…