Our 20-day international adventure started on a positive note when our boarding passes came out of the printer with the words “TSA Pre-check” at the top. Walking through the security checkpoint without removing shoes, liquids, or laptops comes in handy when you’re traveling with six bags and two kids. The quick trip through the security line meant we had a full 90 minutes to enjoy the sights and sounds of the bustling Des Moines International Airport.
Kidding aside, the extra time was helpful as a few minutes post-security, Amanda realized she was missing her phone. Being it was our designated phone for our journey, we had to locate one of the very few airport pay phones to call Joy, who fortunately was near the airport and quickly found Amanda’s phone in her trunk. Retrieving the phone meant another pass through security, and the TSA Pre-check status came in handy once again.
Noah sports his skeptical look during this airport photo with Amanda.
Noah and Emmie compare their sizes to carry-on baggage allowances.
Noah and I are ready for our vacation!
Our short flight to Chicago was on-time and uneventful. Noah was amused by the nifty tray table, with its spot for his glass of apple juice and ample room to enjoy his package of cheddar bunnies. Emmie played peek-a-boo with the flyer in the row behind her, and we managed to avoid having to break out any electronic devices to keep the kids entertained.
The bulk of our layover in Chicago was spent in the airport version of Chili’s, where the mediocrity of the mass-produced food was offset by the benefit of tables and chairs, making for a more civilized and orderly dining experience than trying to eat a bag of fast food in the gate waiting area. I was excited to try the molten lava cake, which was highly regarded by the Higham family, authors of the excellent travelogue 360 Degrees of Longitude. The few bites which contained a bit of all four components (chocolate cake, chocolate sauce, caramel sauce, and ice cream) were appetizing but the rest was rather ordinary.
The famed molten lava cake at the airport Chili’s.
We made the rounds at the airport, taking Noah and Emmie each for short walks as we waited to board the flight to Toronto. Once we were settled on the plane, both kids managed to take naps from takeoff to landing, giving Amanda and I a few minutes to relax, blog, and complete the Canadian customs form.
Noah was ready to take a nap before even boarding the plane!
Emmie didn’t find this month’s edition of “American Way” compelling enough to stay awake.
We had a small snafu at Hertz, when we found out our rental car reservation was made at the downtown city airport and not the Toronto Pearson International Airport. The staff on hand were incredibly helpful, and we ended up with a very nice upgrade at the original price. On the way to the hotel, both kids loved taking in the night lights of the Toronto suburbs, with Emmie commenting on all of the “pretty castles.”
Noah in the back seat of the rental in his new, EU-approved booster seat.
Our first new snack of the trip was a package of Canadian “All Dressed” Ruffles, one of several varieties exclusive to those folks north of the border. The well-seasoned chips were given a thumbs up by all; tomorrow’s junk food quest involves tracking down a package of Canadian OREOs, which – according to some Internet sources – taste better than the American equivalent.
Noah happily poses with our food find of the day.
We loaded an iPad mini with several games and movies before leaving the states, including the new-to-us Little Mermaid prequel. As Amanda and I unpacked and readied the room, the kids happily watched on the bed. Ending the viewing for the night after 23 minutes triggered a mini-meltdown to end the day; fortunately, it was relatively short-lived and both Noah and Emmie were asleep long before the conclusion of this blog entry.
Tomorrow’s morning starts early with a trip to the grocery store for OREOs, followed by our first foray into the world of Toronto’s public transportation as we head downtown for a food tour, Amanda’s highly-anticipated EdgeWalk, our first Toronto Blue Jays baseball game, a stop at St. Lawrence Market, and much more!
Noah’s Photo of the Day
New for this trip, Noah is taking his own photos with a dedicated camera. Today’s featured photo, taken by Noah, highlights two planes and ominous clouds at the Des Moines International Airport.
