On April 1st, Patrick and I zipped up our suitcases, hit the road in the very early morning hours, and arrived at Santa Barbara Airport for the first time in 15 months. I’ve never been more excited to wake up at 4 a.m. My suitcase was literally dusty when I fished it out of our basement to pack. As avid travelers, we usually have the pre-travel-steps down, but both of us went up to the bag counter and then had to dig around for our driver’s licenses, sort through emails for the flight confirmation number, and make way-too-chipper small talk with the woman at the United check-in counter. We had a moment of Wait, how do we do this again? I guess when I dusted off my bag, I also needed to dust off my travel rustiness too.
We wore our masks, of course, and waited to board our first flight out of SBA. There were people milling about and grabbing coffee and it felt almost normal. When we boarded the flight, there was a couple with a young child in front of us. As we waited in line to step on the plane, the little boy kept looking around and pointing at everything. He asked, “Mom, what does this button do? Dad, what’s that? Why is this over here?” The parents shrugged and repeated that they weren’t sure. We laughed and smiled and they apologized, “I’m sorry – this is really like his first time flying since it’s been so long and he probably doesn’t remember his first flight.” Patrick and I both responded with a resounding, “Same!” We shared that we were just as excited as their son to be on a plane again. Don’t worry – we didn’t ask the pilot for airplane-wing pins. We’ll save that for our next flight.
One perk of an early morning flight that I will (begrudgingly) admit is that we were able to witness the first light. Morning light highlighted the fluffy clouds and filled the sky with a gorgeous, sherbet pink color. It was stunning, and even though we were on a completely full, teeny plane, with three flights and two layovers to come before reaching our destination, I was tickled pink (maybe I matched the clouds? Here’s hoping). I don’t know where that little boy was seated on the plane, but I can imagine we had similar exclamations. “Patrick, look out the window.” “Patrick, do you see those clouds? Wow, amazing!” “Omg, can you believe that we are actually on a plane again?!”
While packing at home, I thought about if I would cry when the wheels lifted and we were soaring in the air again. I know, I know, that sounds extra, but I’ve really missed traveling that much. If you’re curious, I didn’t cry, but I did have an immense feeling of gratitude, relief, and happiness. I absolutely love visiting different places, trying new foods, getting lost walking around, living more presently than I do in my normal life, and having a sense of impending adventure. I get this itch that I can’t scratch, this tingle in my bones, and a sense of stir-crazy when I’m at home too long. Travel fuels me. It makes me feel small (in a good way), makes the world seem vast, stretches my comfort zone, and brings so much excitement to every new day for me.
I know we are still navigating this present time and the next chapter of vaccinations. I am aware that traveling is still not like it used to be, and that many destinations will remain off-limits to Americans. I have accepted that 2021 won’t be filled with as much jet-setting as I probably would like. But, gosh darn it, I’m fricken thrilled still. I will eat flavorless mini pretzels between mask lifts, be crammed in a middle seat with zero armrest access, and be interrupted by a bazillion flight announcements just as I’m closing my eyes to sleep. I am ready and willing. I’m just delighted to be able to look out my window and see clouds again, the white against blue of breaking ocean waves, and those shining, metal, outstretched wings.
We had a great time in Colorado. We got to spend a lot of time with my brother and his fiancé, give skiing the ol’ college try again (appropriate since I haven’t attempted since college), and sip on some much-missed Colorado beers. The travel-addicted part inside of me that went dormant during 2020 booted back up again, and I felt my energy rise, like electricity juicing up a low battery.
I’m so thankful for face masks, vaccines, time spent with family, and time not confined to my house (no offense SB, you know I’m obsessed with you). As a fair warning, if you happen to be on a future flight with me, it’s probably not a child sitting in front of you. If you hear, “Can you believe how high up we are?” or “Are you seeing this view?! Isn’t this incredible?” and it’s coming from the mouth of an adult woman, sorry I’m not sorry. My mask is ready, I’m fastening my seatbelt, and I’m prepared for takeoff.
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