From MSP to PHX to ABQ to PHX

Scott and I were recently telling some friends how easy it is to get to Phoenix (relatively...). It's a direct flight from Minneapolis, blah, blah, blah.

Yesterday, we embarked on an adventure that had us laughing, simply at the absurdity of it all. We boarded a flight in Minneapolis (MSP - airport lingo) that was supposed to leave at 11:20 a.m. (Minnesota time) and arrive in Phoenix (PHX) at 1:51 p.m. (Arizona time.) At 11:45, they were de-icing our plane. At 12:15, we taxied back to the runway to have the hydraulics worked on. By 12:30, we were in the air. Yippee!

At 3:00, we were descending into Phoenix. The wheels were down, we could see the runway. The wheels went up. The runway disappeared as we once again flew up into the clouds. The overhead voice: "This is your captain. There are winds of more than 40 mph. blowing on the ground in Phoenix. We are going to fly in a holding pattern until we don't have enough fuel to do that anymore, at which time we will divert either to Las Vegas or Alburquerque (ABQ) (don't know if I spelled that right and don't really care).

3:30 - "We are diverting to ABQ. 4:30, land in ABQ. "An airline representative will meet you at the gate." The woman at the gate, "They told you that?!?" She was just working on getting the next flight boarded.

5:30, 6:00, 6:30...FINALLY - "Flight 941, you need to reboard." In the meantime, we are noticing all flights into Phoenix are cancelled. We reboard and the captain says, "The airline needed that gate so we had to taxi away and wanted you all on in case we could take off. If we haven't left in three hours, we will let you back into the airport." Well.

7:30...8:30... "We have been cleared to take off for Phoenix." A cheer arises amongst the passengers. "There are some pretty severe thunderstorms in the area, so we are going to have to fly around them." The cheer dies down somewhat.

9:30...bounce, shake, rattle, bounce some more. 10:30...finally, the lights of Phoenix (the first time we saw Phoenix, it was during the day - no lights). 11:00, we land. No other flights are landing in Phoenix; they just really needed that plane back, apparently.

Outside to hail a cab. Cab driver; no English and not used to driving in rain. The cab ride was more frightening than the flight. We hydroplaned for about a half hour until we reached our destination. Streets are flooded, trees are down. Phoenix has gotten more rain in one day than they normally get in a year.

Standing in the pouring rain, trying to unlock the door. "Are you sure this is the right key?" Apparently, it has to be jimmied just so. Finally we are inside and starving. The only thing in the place is frozen twizzlers, ice cream and pancake mix.

In desparate need of food, we go to the garage to start the vehicle. Click. Nothing. Scott runs (literally) in the rain to a gas station and buys beef jerky and two granola bars. Yum.

12:00 a.m. we fall into bed and thank God for the blessings in our lives and the fact that we are even able to take vacations. Now we need another one to recuperate from the one we are on!