Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Tucson, Here I Come!

After work tonight, I will be flying to Tucson to visit my sister Abby & her husband, Ryan.

* Insert Squeal *

This trip is coming at the perfect time; apparently Mother Nature is uber confused and doesn't realize it's spring! It's been overcast, rainy, and frigid here lately. Case in point: when I drove home on Friday night, it was sort of snowing. Seriously.

So tonight I will hop on a plane and arrive in the land of sun, palm trees, cacti, and fantastic weather! I've never been to visit Abby & Ryan so am looking forward to seeing their house! Hopefully we can fit in a hike tomorrow before my parents arrive (and some pool time in the a.m. while Abby is at class).

As usual, I will be flying solo. And you know what - I totally don't mind. I have lost count of the number of times I have traveled; it's got to be at least 40 times? Probably more? Out of all of those times, I have had a flying companion 6 times. I actually kind of like flying alone, to be quite honest. I just throw on the headphones, open a book, and give off my "we aren't going to exchange life stories" vibe. Yes, I am the standoffish traveler. I did once have a seat mate tell me that I was disarming - so I guess my anti-social nature isn't perceived as being rude by everyone I encounter!

Perhaps I would bend this rule if I actually got seated next to a handsome stranger. That has never happened in all my years of flying... but a girl can dream. After all, a college sorority sister met her husband on an airplane! So it's not just an urban legend - it can happen!

Do you tend to travel alone or with company? Are you a chatty traveler or are you anti-social like I am? Have you ever been seated next to an attractive seatmate?

21 comments:

Charbelle said...

I think it just depends. I've travelled more often than not by myself and I love having the chance to read!
I was seated next to an incredibly handsome stranger on a flight from DC back to Charlotte in 1996. He was just getting out of the navy and I was only 16 so there was no chance anything would happen but he and I talked the whole way back to Charlotte. It's most certainly possible!!

Charbelle said...

Oh and I know you're going to have so much fun with Abby and Ryan!!!

Kyla Roma said...

I don't mind flying by myself- but if I've been travelling without Mister it tends to mean I'm in a much more stressed out state than I would be if he was with me so... I like it & I don't like it. Can I be in the grey area? lol

I do tend to be kinda quiet when I'm on a plane though, there's something about the length of the flights that I'm usually on that just make me want to recharge instead of worry about carrying conversation.

Have an amazing time with your sister & brother in law! Warm up too!

Becky said...

I always smile at my seatmate, but I tend to not want to chat either. When my husband and I fly together he's more of a nervous flyer than I am which strangely calms me down!

Have a great time!!!

Emily Jane said...

I love travelling solo. I tend to feel like I should be craving company, but I love some alone time just to keep to myself, think a little, maybe journal or listen to some really good music, and be content in knowing something wonderful is coming in just a few hours :) Have a wonderful time!!

Mandy said...

Its just a few hours away now! You'll have a fantastic time soakig up the sun and enjoying some quality family time. I can't wait to hear all about it.

I am not a fan (read terrified) of flying and I've never flown alone. Driving I dont mind traveling alone because I can listen to music as loud as I like and the open road just gives me time to clear my head and regroup.

Nora said...

I've flown a lot as well and I'd say that ever since high school it's been pretty much by myself. I kind of prefer it. Like you, I relax, read my book(s), play my DSi, and just sit back and enjoy.

I love traveling with my mom though, because we are both similar in that we like to read and etc, BUT we have so much fun when we travel so it works out =)

While I've never been seated next to a handsome stranger, I certainly have seen a lot of cuties board the planes I've been on. Sadly, they never sit next to me. Maybe someday...

Nilsa @ SoMi Speaks said...

Spring in the Midwest means rain, clouds and cold. It's like this every year! In Chicago, our weather never gets nice until late June, yet everyone expects it to be nice in April. I don't get it.

Nevertheless, it's cool you're getting a warm, long-weekend getaway! Especially since you get to see your sis! When I was single, I traveled alone all the time - I was usually traveling to see friends somewhere else, but rarely traveled with company. Now, I generally travel with my husband (and I don't fly nearly as much as I used to). Oh and the only time I've been seated next to someone hot was the first trip I took with my husband. The rest is history. =)

Leigh said...

Have a great trip to see your sister!

Lisa from Lisa's Yarns said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Lauren @ Sassy Molassy said...

Have a blast, Lisa! I like flying by myself too...I can read any books or mags I want, listen to my music, write, etc. Oh and I love the people watching in airports!

Amber @ A Little Pink in the Cornfields said...

I am JUST LIKE YOU! I have traveled a lot, but mainly for work so I was alone a lot. I was happiest just reading my book and keeping to myself. I'm a pretty skeptical person anyway so I come across as very standoffish to strangers. Sometimes I hate this about myself but I would much rather be safe than sorry!
Have a great trip! I am so jealous! This weather in the Midwest is absolutely unacceptable! Haven't we had enough crappy weather? Mother Nature owes us a fantastic (and long) summer!

Abby said...

I am so excited to see you! Tomorrow should be gorgeous - so you will definitely get some sun time and then we'll have a good hike when I get back!

I H-A-T-E talkative seat mates. And I don't mind flying alone - it makes me feel independent (I know, kinda pathetic).

Airplains are so weird, when you think about it. When EVER in our society are you forced to be in such closed quarters with another stranger? Never! Except on airplanes - so it's uber uncomfortable to me!

Have a safe trip - can't wait to see you tonight!!

Gracie said...

I'm usually a stand-offish seat mate myself, but I just might have started a Who Dat chant on a flight home to New Orleans once. Or it might not have been me. These chants happen kind of spontaneously. And who could blame us anyway? I think we'd just gone 8-0.

Rachel @ MWF Seeking BFF said...

Oooh so jealous. Sunshine. Have a wonderful time.

I fly alone often. I like it. I fly fairly often so I'm comfortable there and I have a routine. I get my McDonalds Diet Coke, my magazine, set up shop at the gate with said magazine, then settle into my book once I've boarded the plane. It's nice me time. Enjoy!

Nicole said...

Yay! Have a great time with your family!! By the time you get back the weather here should have straightened out.

I typically travel with my husband. *BUT* I love to travel by myself, too! And I am anti-social. In fact, I often 'fake sleep' to avoid having to talk to anyone.

Shoshanah said...

I am exactly like you while flying. I'll smile at the people sitting next to me, but that's about it

Carolina John said...

I always travel alone. Usually for business, but the wife doesn't fly. Sometimes i'll chat with the person in the seat next to me, usually not.

still, i get to travel so little since the wife doesn't fly, that i take any chance i can to get on a plane.

Moll said...

I like doing the airport thing solo, but on the plane? I like having someone's arm to grab during turbulence!

Kelly said...

I've traveled with others more often than traveled alone- but I actually find sometimes traveling alone is easier- I have no one to complain to about the flight being long so I just deal with it- I even though the flight to Australia wasn't bad considering this haha

Have fun in AZ!

Amber said...

I travel alone on planes when I go back home all the time, but that's only a 2 hour flight! Lol. I am definitely NOT a chatty traveler though.

Eric is TERRIFIED of flying so flying with him can be a bit stressful for me because I am trying to help calm him down! In the past three weeks we only had one flight where we weren't seated together and he made friends with the old lady next to him because she noticed he was scared and tried to talk to him to make him feel better lol!