December 2nd - Gathering of the Gang . . .

 We enjoyed a lazy morning with Becky and Leo in Ft.  Lauderdale.  Frenchy finished writing postcards to her class in the Alaskan bush and Bobbie and Tom enjoyed more family time.  Around 9AM we discovered that Carol had missed her Anchorage to Miami flight.  Yikes!  Luckily she was able to get
re-booked and will arrive tomorrow morning about two hours prior to our flight to Sao Paolo.  That’s cutting it a bit close.

At noon we gathered once again for a great family lunch and more laughs.  As we were preparing to leave for the airport Frenchy discovered her keys were missing which meant that we could not move the car, let alone drive it.   After a thorough search of the house, the grounds, and under every piece of
furniture that existed we agreed to accept the inevitable…the keys were either lost or locked in the truck of the car.  With AAA Club card in hand we called for a locksmith, left it all in the hands of Leo’s housekeeper, and took off for Miami in Leo’s truck.

Once at the La Quinta Inn at the Miami airport we met up with the rest of the gang.  Verena, Rita, John, Amelia, Hans, and Judy arrived early morning and had enjoyed the day poolside.  Sara had stayed the night before at another hotel and arrived along with Kathryn in the late afternoon.  Some repacking and reducing of extra carry-ons brought everyone into “compliance” with the trip required amount of luggage.  We called upon the packing skills of Rita to get everything in its place….oh my, are those little carry-on backpacks bulging!

Some last minute details were confirmed and we all met at Bennigan’s for our welcome dinner.  A few cocktails loosened everyone up and a great dinner finished the night.  With last minute instructions in hand, we all headed back to the hotel for a good night’s sleep and a very early morning…all praying along the way that Carol was in the air and would make it on time.