Adventures in Burlington, Vermont

Vermont Teddy Bear Factory

We had a great time in MA and now it was time to start thinking about heading home.  Since we've never flown Space A from the states back to Rota we weren't really sure what route we were going to take.  We started looking online to see what flights were looking like leaving from Dover or Norfolk, and even Westover, MA, which was kind of a long shot.  Through a friend of Eric's, we found a C5 that was flying to Burlington, VT to get supplies and then flying direct to Rota.  This seemed perfect (and too good to be true) Burlington is only a 3.5 hour drive from where we were in MA.  Eric called the flight line and sure enough this flight was leaving on a Wednesday at 8:00 p.m.  We decided to take a gamble and go for it...C5's break down a lot so we were risking that.  We were also risking the flight being cancelled or just not taking Space A passengers because of hazardous material on board.  

On Wednesday morning we packed up, picked up a rental car and headed to Burlington.  We went to the flight line first thing to learn that the flight had already been delayed until Thursday morning at 7am.  No big deal, we got a room for the night and decided to take in some sights in Burlington.  At 3 a.m. that night the phone rang, the flight was delayed until Friday morning.  Okay...another night in Burlington and we were able to take in some more sights.  At this point we were also a little nervous...what if this flight never took off and here we are in Burlington, VT...not near any other place that could get us to Rota.  On Friday we arrived at the flight line at 7:45 a.m. for what was suppose to be a 9:45 a.m. flight.  We were delayed a little but finally took off at 11:30 a.m.  We were the only Space A passengers on the flight...so we had the plane to ourselves.  Eric says he finally took me on a private jet...somehow it didn't really feel like that.  We arrived in Rota around midnight Spain time.  

We took the tour and of
course sampled ice cream!

We ended up having a mini vacation in Burlington, VT.  We did all the touristy things in Burlington, ate some good food, went shopping and even took naps.  It was a perfect way to end our time in the states.  We were able to spend time together as a family before heading back to our life and routine in Spain.

So...what will Space A be like in December when we try to fly home for Christmas?  Who knows...we already have round trip commercial tickets and I am just fine with that!

First Space A Flight

For awhile now we have been talking about our trip back to MA in October.  The plan was to take a military flight to take advantage of the low cost...it's FREE!  Well, the time had finally come.  I was a little nervous about this trip since I have never flown Space A and was doing it for the first time without Eric and with two toddlers.

The main thing to remember when flying Space A is that you have to be flexible and patient.  I started trying to come home on a Tuesday and got on a flight on Friday.   I was really trying to get on a flight to somewhere in New England but had to settle for Dover, Delaware.  I boarded the plane with the kids at 8:00 p.m. Spain time and arrived in Dover at 5:00 a.m. Spain time (11:00 p.m. eastern time). The girls did great...they slept most of the time.  We flew on a C17, which means we sat in jump seats against the walls of the plane, there was cargo in the middle of the plane that was being transported (No pics to post because I'm not sure if we were allowed to take them).  The great thing about the C17 is that once in the air you don't have to stay in your seats.  I was able to make a bed for the kids on the floor so they went to sleep.  The downside is that it is really cold and really, really loud.  

Once in Dover I checked into a hotel...thanks to a really nice retired military couple for driving us to the hotel or I would have had to walk three miles with the kids at midnight with luggage and without a stroller...so again THANK YOU! Although we slept on the plane we all slept for a little while longer at the hotel.  The following morning I picked up the rental car for the last part of the trip...the drive to MA.  I have to say this was worse than the plane ride.  I was so tired and have never driven 7 hours with the kids by myself...even as I write this I don't know how I did it.  However, the kids were so good during the drive...they slept most of it and then kept themselves entertained with Leap Pads, iPad, coloring books and snacks.  I think the highlight of the trip was when Rebecca threw up all over herself while I was driving over the George Washington Bridge...too many snacks!

Finally at around 4:30 in the afternoon we arrived in Townsend, MA...I was so happy and grateful that we made it.  The kids were so good throughout the whole trip!  Although it was an almost 24 hour trip to get home the cost was about $200 compared to flying commercially, which would have cost $3000 or more.

Next up...the trip back...that included an impromptu mini vacation!