We loaded up all our suitcases...all 7 of them and 4 backpacks into Ted's car...because we found out the Yukon was not working properly on Thursday night. Ted figured out how to take one of the seats out...and we all fit comfortably for the drive to Toronto. We also ended up bumping up our departure time due to construction on the route.
Ready for the trip of a lifetime! We checked and double-checked everything and left poor Velle staring at us. Thankfully, her babysitters were coming over to play and take care of our home.
We crossed over the bridge into Canada in Sarnia...and then drove to Tim Horton's for a coffee and pastry...and it was the worst cup of Tim Horton's ever! What a bummer!
We drove through some drizzly weather and then the sun came peaking through the clouds. About 15 minutes from the airport, I was looking for where we had to drive to reach long term parking and saw an update on Ted's phone..."Flight cancelled" UH, WHAT?! WHY? We called to check on flight and what to do...to no avail. We continued to the airport. Parked and headed in to see what was going on. Thankfully...we had planned to be early and had lots of time!
All the screens were showing multiple United flights cancelled...with no reason given. At first, the agents tried to say, "Weather." Surrounded by glass...with sun brightly shining through, Ted asked, "You don't fly when it is sunny?"
This gal helped us. At first, we were told the earliest flight would be on Sunday. We said, "NO! Not an option." What a mess we had to figure out! She was able to re-book everything...for Saturday about noon. It made no sense to drive all the way home and then all the way back (about 4 hours each way). We stood dumbfounded and found a hotel...the voucher that United gave was for 30% off the normal cost of one choice of a hotel at $175 a room (we had to have 2). We said, "No, thank you! We will do it ourself."
When things go wrong...they pull out the snack cart! Can I say...it really doesn't help that much!
We waited along with hundreds of other passengers trying to figure out what to do and how to do it and how to let the Raders know down in Bolivia...knowing they were already in Santa Cruz to meet us after dropping off another missionary intern at the airport.
We re-loaded and headed to a cheaper hotel about 15 minutes from the airport. Also thanking the Lord for a chance to figure out a cheaper place to long-term park!
We stayed at the Best Western in Mississauga. It was comfortable and had a pool/hot tub and breakfast buffet. Ted used his trusty Trip Advisor app and found Wimpy's Diner for supper! It was good food and we enjoyed laughing together...especially when Teddy's asked for American cheese on his cheeseburger and the waitress looked at him funny..."uh...we have cheddar or swiss." Ha ha ha, Teddy, we are in Canada! "Would you like gravy for your fries?" Um...do I? "You are not from around here, are you? That's how people eat them here."
The waitress gave Teddy a hard time when he couldn't finish the hamburger! It was so funny.
We went back and spent some time the pool/hot tub. We all slept well and had a yummy breakfast. I thought I forgot the tube of toothpaste, so we stopped at Canada's equivalent to Aldi...No Frills! We got some granola bars and toothpaste and took off for the long-term parking lot we found for ALOT cheaper. They had a shuttle to the airport! Ready for try number two!
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