Sunday, September 5, 2010
Wild Skys of Clearwater Beach
Babysitting again...this time at ClearwaterBeach.....Phone pics, a little fuzzy, click on to enlarge.
Nice work if you can get it...lovely!
Saturday, July 17, 2010
What's a Mother to do???
So who ever heard of flying 1,605 miles to babysit for a weekend????
Well I do it, have done it....most times I actually enjoy it...Who can say no to this face??
Not me...flying non-rev isn't always the easiest thing to do, but if you know the tricks of the trade it can be fairly easy, for me anyway...very flexible schedule and it helps that my daughter is getting up there in seniority. Boston to Houston is only 3.5 - 4 hours flight time, but when flying from Logan airport, only 40 miles away, in order to get there 2hrs ahead of boarding time, which I take seriously, at least at Logan, I leave my house 3 .5 hours before my flight time, sometimes longer depending on the bus schedule that fluctuates on the weekend. So now we're talking at least 7 hours travel time, not including any delays I run into. This is more frustrating than flying non-rev, believe me. Needless to say I am going to be pretty sure I am getting on the flight after spending all that time and money ($20 each way) getting to the airport.
My tricks of the trade may differ from others, but this is what works for me. First of all I don't fly just before holidays, although I have flown on the holiday (xmas) itself, which sometimes happens to work out very well, half empty flights (not always)...ended up in first class (rarely, on those occasions anyway). Last year worked out just right. I arrived at one daughters two weeks before Xmas then flew out on Xmas day (first class, empty flight) to my other daughters for two weeks.
Absolutely no flying during school vacations. School vacations vary in different parts of the country, so you have to check your flight coming home as well.
I start looking at the flights about 3 days before I plan on flying. Being able to check flights at the airline website is so fabulous, we used to have to call...then you never knew how you stood as far as flight load, had to keep calling back, could change on a dime...still can, but rarely do I get any surprises when I get to the airport, although of course it has happened, but I must say I have never had to go back home from Logan and try again the next day.
My criteria changes according to when I have to be there and when I can be picked up. The two airports I fly to most of the time are about neck in neck as far as that goes, easy. I tend to choose when & what time I am going by the pick up first, then: (1) First class open, (2)Seats open, (3)Time of day. If there is a chance of me getting first class I will shoot for that, because otherwise I am in the squished in the middle (yes i am thankful for any seat... just saying) and when flying non-rev you are the last to get on...not much room left in overhead, many times told you have to check the bag, so why not shoot for the first class seat! I mean really, wouldn't you?
Now, traveling on vacation is completely different...anything goes...just get there! any way, any day, any time I can! But I also will try to fly to vacation spots off season, just like when I tour local areas like around New England...hotel rates are better as well. It also pays to have friends in all the places you love to visit. It is so much easier to be flexible when your not paying for a hotel room every day, just in case you do get stuck.
I feel very lucky to be able to enjoy these benefits and am very grateful to my daughter, she works very hard to earn them. She's told me more than once she's glad I use them, a lot of non-rev parents don't.
So what's a few miles to babysit??? I think I get the better deal...cause babysitting to me is really just spending time with people I love.
Now, if I could just get her to move on home so I could do it more often!
Not me...flying non-rev isn't always the easiest thing to do, but if you know the tricks of the trade it can be fairly easy, for me anyway...very flexible schedule and it helps that my daughter is getting up there in seniority. Boston to Houston is only 3.5 - 4 hours flight time, but when flying from Logan airport, only 40 miles away, in order to get there 2hrs ahead of boarding time, which I take seriously, at least at Logan, I leave my house 3 .5 hours before my flight time, sometimes longer depending on the bus schedule that fluctuates on the weekend. So now we're talking at least 7 hours travel time, not including any delays I run into. This is more frustrating than flying non-rev, believe me. Needless to say I am going to be pretty sure I am getting on the flight after spending all that time and money ($20 each way) getting to the airport.
My tricks of the trade may differ from others, but this is what works for me. First of all I don't fly just before holidays, although I have flown on the holiday (xmas) itself, which sometimes happens to work out very well, half empty flights (not always)...ended up in first class (rarely, on those occasions anyway). Last year worked out just right. I arrived at one daughters two weeks before Xmas then flew out on Xmas day (first class, empty flight) to my other daughters for two weeks.
Absolutely no flying during school vacations. School vacations vary in different parts of the country, so you have to check your flight coming home as well.
I start looking at the flights about 3 days before I plan on flying. Being able to check flights at the airline website is so fabulous, we used to have to call...then you never knew how you stood as far as flight load, had to keep calling back, could change on a dime...still can, but rarely do I get any surprises when I get to the airport, although of course it has happened, but I must say I have never had to go back home from Logan and try again the next day.
My criteria changes according to when I have to be there and when I can be picked up. The two airports I fly to most of the time are about neck in neck as far as that goes, easy. I tend to choose when & what time I am going by the pick up first, then: (1) First class open, (2)Seats open, (3)Time of day. If there is a chance of me getting first class I will shoot for that, because otherwise I am in the squished in the middle (yes i am thankful for any seat... just saying) and when flying non-rev you are the last to get on...not much room left in overhead, many times told you have to check the bag, so why not shoot for the first class seat! I mean really, wouldn't you?
Now, traveling on vacation is completely different...anything goes...just get there! any way, any day, any time I can! But I also will try to fly to vacation spots off season, just like when I tour local areas like around New England...hotel rates are better as well. It also pays to have friends in all the places you love to visit. It is so much easier to be flexible when your not paying for a hotel room every day, just in case you do get stuck.
I feel very lucky to be able to enjoy these benefits and am very grateful to my daughter, she works very hard to earn them. She's told me more than once she's glad I use them, a lot of non-rev parents don't.
So what's a few miles to babysit??? I think I get the better deal...cause babysitting to me is really just spending time with people I love.
Now, if I could just get her to move on home so I could do it more often!
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
ON PLYMOUTH WATERFRONT
Lots of company this week in Plymouth...love doing the sight-seeing thing in my own home town...including a trolley tour of Boston as well. Great free concerts on the waterfront ... twice a week...farmers market...twice a week...and there's always something happening at the Plimoth Plantation. Close enough to the Cape to enjoy some time there, and for free!...25 Free Things To Do on Cape Cod.
A day trip to Martha's Vineyard was a great side trip...took the Oak Bluffs ferry for a change, a bit different than Vineyard Haven. There is lots to do on the whole Island, but a day trip does require some real planning...where to eat...what to see, so that you're not just going in circles with everyone saying, "Where should we eat?...What do we do? Where shall we go?...So do your homework online and if necessary call to make sure everywhere you want to go is open for the season. A few years ago I spent New Years Eve on Martha's Vineyard...a bit chilly!!! The hotel arranged for a private tour of the island...off season prices are very reasonable....It was great and we got a really informative and comfortable tour for a great price. Check all your avenues, when it comes to tours.
Some of my favorite pics...
Thursday, July 16, 2009
WHALE WATCHING OFF PLYMOUTH, MA
Whale watching off Plymouth was never at it's best! Didn't I leave my camera in the car by mistake...but my daughter, Sara (theflyingpinto.com) had hers and she got some great shots! Just check these out. It looked cloudy and rainy, thought we would have to go back into shore, but the weather held out for us, although, rather chilly!...always bring a sweatshirt whale watching, I don't care how hot it is at the shore...and don't forget your camera! For whale watching in Plymouth...The Captain John Boat is what to catch...Boston: Boston Whale Watch Tour...Hyannis: Hyannis Whale Watch...Provincetown: Dolphin Fleet of Provincetown...on the north shore: Captain Bills in Gloucester. Web Links, all about Whales in MA.
Monday, June 29, 2009
HOLLYWOOD WHAT???
HOLLYWOOD EAST! Plymouth, MA??? I am still trying wrap the brain around this one. When I first heard about the possiblility of this, I thought, laughingly, "Yuh, Right! It'll never happen!" Well I am eating those words...Lawd help us and all small towns everywhere. The population has surged from the 1970s-18,000 to app 60,000 now. Like everywhere else that is growing faster than towns can handle it, children who grew up here in the 80's looking to buy a home in their own "Hometown" can't afford it and now... Hollywood's coming! Mamma Mia! Who needs it??
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
THE GLOOMIEST JUNE IN HISTORY
Grand weather here in Plymouth, MA. With the exception of 3 days, it has been raining since June 4. Well at least it isn't snowing, right? Sun expected on Thursday, but not for long. A little nor'easter yesterday. Down on the beach at about an hour before high tide yesterday I got a chance to take some pics...water over the sea wall by high tide so didn't stick around for that.
Sunday Looking South from The Point at WHB
Sunday Looking South from The Point at WHB
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