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Some news about Space Shuttle Endeavour reminded me that while I blogged about my first attempt at seeing its last launch back in April, I never wrote about my trip with Kaitlin to see it actually launch. So, despite the long delay, here’s what I remember.

We traveled to Florida on May 14, 2011, in preparation for the launch on May 16, and returned home on May 18.

While waiting at the airport in Moline to begin our trip, we heard over the PA, “Will Kaitlin Holt please report to the gate agent as soon as possible.” We had booked business class tickets with AirTran because they are refundable (Remember, the launch date of a space shuttle is likely to shift, so one’s travel plans need to be flexible.). The morning of the trip, when we were certain we were going, Katie canceled her business class ticket and bought a coach fare. We were thus concerned that AirTran had detected the change and was going to do something about it.

Luckily the mother of one of Katie’s classmates had seen our names on the passenger list, noticed my flying in business and Katie in coach, and upgraded her for free. The trip, therefore, began on a high note. We both enjoyed Screwdriver and Bloody Mary cocktails en route. When we landed in Orlando, there was some weather-related delay and we had to sit on the tarmac for some time. Katie had to ask special permission of the flight attendants to get up and use the restroom. They gave us a hard time about the cocktails, but it wasn't a problem. After she went, it opened the floodgates, so to speak, as a bunch other passengers did the same.

After collecting our rental car and getting our bearings, we decided to get dinner. I decided to treat Katie to a steak dinner at Ruth’s Chris, but first we stopped at Walmart to buy some things for the launch and the beach. We both bought chairs, which we used at the launch and at the beach, and I think I bought a tent (which I ended up returning before we flew home). Kaitlin bought a boogie board. We had a cooler so we had ice packs, deli meat for sandwiches, etc.

January in the Midwest is generally a cold, dreary affair. Some of my friends decided to go to the Sunset Beach resort in Montego Bay, Jamaica for a week, and invited me to join them. It was a blast and I am very happy to have gone. Not least because it snowed just before we left Des Moines, and it was about 85°F every day in Montego Bay. My photos from the trip are online in the gallery.

Jason and Elizabeth were the masterminds behind the trip, so they really picked the resort and the dates. Some of Jason’s family came too, but I spent most of my time with Remo, Kortni, Nate, Jen, Jason, Elizabeth, Jared, and Julia. The last four and I traveled together, meeting the rest of the group on the island.

We left Des Moines around 7:00pm on January 15, and drove to Kansas City (Flights out of Des Moines are unreasonably expensive.), where we stayed overnight at Jason’s brother’s house. After a fairly uneventful drive—although we did see a car pass us and then immediately get pulled over—we hit the sack and got ready for our 6:30am flight.

After connecting through Atlanta—and a few in-flight Bloody Marys later—we touched down in Montego Bay. The rest of the group had all booked their tickets through a travel agency, who had arranged for transfers to the resort. I booked mine separately, but after paying the driver $15, I was on the bus. We arrived at Sunset Beach around 4:30 or so, and Nate had fruity drinks waiting for us in the lobby. 

That first night was a blur. Between the exhaustion from our long day of travels and our exuberance at the all-inclusive nature of the drinks, we had a good time. I think I lasted until 11 or so before I had to call it a night.

The rest of the days were mostly the same. Wake up around 9:30 to get breakfast before the buffet line closed at 10. Head back upstairs for a shower and a nap. Put on swimsuit, head to beach. Enjoy the beautiful weather, drink a few cocktails, play some beach volleyball, switch from beach to swim-up bar, etc. Ya mon!