Still preparing and fine tuning

We both have been fighting some kind of upper respiratory infection - not the flu, thank goodness. It's taken awhile with antibiotics but the doctors say we are good to go.

We decided this week to take the train to California (from Denver). It's a great train ride, but we haven't usually use them as transportation. Glad to not have to deal with the whole airport experience next week. We needed to adjust a few things in California but have found that arranging a one-way car rental is relatively easy and not very expensive, at least in the San Francisco Bay area.

Once this decision was made, it was time to fine tune the details of this somewhat complicated trip, so I spent the day cancelling some extra car rental reservations and extra hotel bookings. We prefer to use AirBnb, but sometimes book a back-up option. At least for the beginning of the trip, it's time to clean up those details.

First stop is Honolulu, where we will meet a friend from a previous cruise, who, incidentally, is currently on the MS Zaandam having just crossed the Drake Passage back to Argentina. We also hope to meet our daughter's childhood friend, so should be a full day.

Just a few days before we start our trip - then we will board the Queen Elizabeth on February 5!




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