Staying Occupied at the Airport

I was all set to write a little blog full of tips to keep you sane during a long layover at the airport. Since I'm going to be spending five hours in Denver International this Sunday, I thought some new ideas would be good for me too. But you know what's not really out there on the web...good ideas for ways to stay sane during a long layover.

All of the ideas seem so obvious. Read. Sleep. Work. Eat. Shop. Listen to music. Watch a movie. Talk to people. Basically, pack your smart phone, grab a snack, and sit around waiting for your next flight.

Not all that helpful for me...but maybe for a first time plane traveler. So despite what I deem obvious, here goes my airport to-do list.

1. Read. If you didn't bring a book visit a newsstand for a magazine, word puzzle, or novel.
2. Talk. On your phone or to people around you (ya know...if you're the friendly sort). If you're worried about your phone (or any electronic device) dying make sure you pack the charger in your carry on luggage.There are electrical outlets all around the gates that you can use.
3. Watch a movie or listen to music on your nifty pocket computer of choice.
4. Take a walk. If you're at an airport with moving floors you could ride those up and down and wonder at the weightless feeling you have while zooming past those walking on the boring, normal floor. If you're lucky enough to be at an airport with a tram, ride that back and forth and back and forth.
5. Write in a journal.
6. Catch up on work or surf the web. Your airport will almost certainly offer free wi-fi.
7. Sleep...if you can.
8. Shop. You can go online and see what shops your airport offers. You'll probably find everything from city souvenirs to Pandora jewelry and Coach. Bonus if you can find a duty free shop (where items are cheaper because the store is not charged a duty or tax and can keep prices lower). Duty free shops usually carry things like liquor, perfumes, candy, and jewelry and will be around international flight gates.
9. Eat. You can have a snack at your gate or a sit down meal. Check online for restaurant lists.
10. Leave. If your layover is long enough you can leave and visit the surrounding city. Just keep in mind you'll need enough time to get back to the airport and go through security again.

If you are going to have a long layover, research the airport online. Some airports have art galleries, nap or massage stations, or special VIP areas you may be interested in. But if you know beforehand, you won't have to waste time wandering around (unless that's what you want to do).

Layovers are just never going to be what I would call fun, but they can be made tolerable. If anyone has any unique ideas I'd love to hear them.

Some Good Travel Related Laughs

Because I needed a laugh today, and chances are some other people do too.

The following are supposedly stories from actual travel agents. I found them on the internet, so they could actually be the late night musings of a dog groomer. But they're still funny.

- I had someone ask for an aisle seat so that her hair wouldn't get mess up by being near the window.

- I got a call from a woman who wanted to go to Capetown. I started to explain the length of the flight and the passport information when she interrupted me with "I'm not trying to make you look stupid, but Capetown in is Massachusetts." Without trying to make her look like the stupid one I calmly explained, "Cape Cod is in Massachusetts, Capetown is in Africa. Her response...click.

- A man called furious about a Florida package we did. I asked what was wrong with the vacation in Orlando. He said he was expecting an ocean-view room. I tried to explain that is not possible, since Orlando is in the middle of the state. He replied, "Don't lie to me. I looked on the map and Florida is a very thin state."

- A nice lady just called. She need to know how it was possible that her flight from Detroit left at 8:20 am and got into Chicago at 8:33 am. I tried to explain that Michigan was an hour ahead of Illinois, but she could not understand the concept of time zones. Finally I told her the plane went very fast, and she bought that.

- A woman called and said, "I need to fly to Pepsi-Cola on one of those computer planes." I asked if she meant to fly to Pensacola on a commuter plane. She said, "Yeah, whatever."

- A businessman called and had a question about the documents he needed in order to fly to China. After a lengthy discussion about passports I reminded him he needed a visa. "Oh no I don't. I've been to China many times and never had to have one of those." I double checked and sure enough his stay required a visa. When I told him he said, "Look, I've been to China four times and every time they have accepted my American Express."

- A woman called to make reservations. "I want to go from Chicago to Hippopotamus, New York." The agent was at a loss for words. Finally the agent said, "Are you sure that's the name of the town?" "Yes, what flights do you have?" replied the customer. After some searching the agent came back with, "I'm sorry ma'am, I've looked up every airport code in the country and can't find a Hippopotamus anywhere." The customer retorted, "Oh don't be silly. Everyone knows where it is. Check your map!" The agent scoured a map of the state of New York and finally offered, "You don't mean Buffalo, do you?" "That's it! I knew it was a big animal."  (I also read this one as a woman asking to fly to Bison, New York)

And here are some fun quips from airline stewardesses and pilots.

Pilot - "Folks we have reached our cruising altitude now, so I'm going to switch the seat belt sign off. Feel free to move about as you wish, but please stay inside the plan til we land. It's a bit cold outside, and if you walk on the wings it affects the flight pattern."

While landing and coming to a stop - "Whoa big fella - WHOA"

Stewardess - "Should the cabin lose pressure oxygen masks will drop from the overhead area. Please place the bag over your own mouth and nose before assisting children or adults acting like children."

After a rough landing - "Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to Amarillo. Please remain in your seats with your seat belts fastened while the Captain taxis what's left of our plane to the gate."

Another rough landing - "We ask you to please remain seated as Captain Kangaroo bounces us to the terminal."

Stewardess - "Welcome aboard Southwest Flight ABC. To operate your seat belt, insert the metal tab into the buckle and pull tight. It works just like every other seatbelt, and if you don't know how to operate one, you probably shouldn't be out in public unsupervised. In the event of a sudden loss of cabin pressure, oxygen masks will drop from the ceiling. Stop screaming, grab the mask and pull it over your face. If you have small children traveling with you, secure your mask before assisting with theirs. If you are traveling with two small children, decide now which one you love more. Weather at our destination is 50 degrees with some broken clouds, but they'll try to have them fixed before we arrive. Thank you, and remember, nobody loves you or your money more than Southwest Airlines"

Well there you go, funny real life stories, or musing of a dog groomer. Hope it at least made you laugh.

Things to Do in Eastern Connecticut

The future for me holds a lot of trips to Connecticut, visiting my parents. I need things to do, they need things to do, and people in eastern Connecticut need things to do. So I'm going to help out with the following list of things to keep busy.

Essex Steam Train & Riverboat
860-767-0103
One Railroad Ave., Essex
This is the only steam train and riverboat connection trip in the country. The 2 and half hour tour (which is narrated) starts at the Essex Station and goes through the country side while you ride on vintage rail cars pulled by a steam engine. When you reach Deep River Landing you will switch it up and board the Becky Thatcher riverboat. An hour and 15 minute cruise takes you down the Connecticut River. Along the way take in sights such as Gillette Castle and the Goodspeed Opera House. After the river tour you board the train for the trip back to Essex. You could also just take the train ride if you chose. Fun note, in July of 2007 Indiana Jones and the Crystal Skull was filmed in Essex in the historical train yard.

Hours: Hours vary by season. Check the schedule online.
Cost: Train and Boat - $26 Adult / $17 Kids (2-11)  Train Only - $17 Adult / $9 Kids

The New England Carousel Museum
860-585-5411
95 Riverside Ave, Rt. 72, Bristol
I didn't even know a carousel museum existed, and this one houses the biggest collection of antique carousel pieces in the country. You can tour the museum with our without a tour guide. After, check out Bushnell Park Carousel (which is not on the grounds of the museum and is about an 18 minute drive to Hartford). The Museum is currently working to restore the vintage 1914 Stein and Goldstein carousel (one of only 3 left in the world), for its 100th birthday in 2014. The carousel is in operation throughout restoration; a 3 and a half minute ride goes for $1.

Hours: Closed January and February. Tues-Sat 10am-5pm, Sunday 12pm-5pm
Cost: $6 Adults (includes 1 ride on the Bushnell Carousel)



Dinosaur State Park
860-529-8423
400 West Street, Rocky Hill
Connecticut is taking the cake for some of the biggest and best. Dinosaur State Park is one of the largest sites of dinosaur tracks in North America. Beneath a large dome are 500 dinosaur tracks, most of which were made by the Dilohpsaurus, the dinosaur also featured in the Jurassic model and exhibit. The tracks were discovered in 1966 accidentally during the excavation of a new building site. Another 1,500 tracks were re-buried for preservation. The trackway, around 200 million years old, is a Registered National Landmark. Surrounding the park are more than 2 miles of walking trails and the Dinosaur State Park Arboretum.

Hours: Park is open daily 9am-4:30pm, Exhibit Center is open Tues-Sun 9am-4pm *Beginning Feb 25, 2013 the Exhibit Center will be closed for renovation for around 5 weeks
Cost: $6 Adults / $2 Kids (6-12)

Silver Sands State Park
Silver Sands Pkwy, Milford
Here's the big deal about Silver Sands - it's free! If you've ever tried to go to a beach or lake in CT, you know that's almost impossible to find. The Park looks out on Charles Island, where it's rumored Captain Kidd buried treasure in 1699. The island currently only holds the remains of a Catholic retreat center for the 1920s-30s. The island can be reached by a rocky sandbar during low tide - which means the sandbar is underwater during high tide. Don't get stuck in the middle...tides come in fast (I'm not going to mention anything about personal experience).

Hours: 8 am to sunset, the Island interior is shut down from May 1-Aug 31 to protect heron and egret nests. * The Boardwalk is currently closed due to damage sustained during Hurricane Sandy.
Cost: FREE!

Gillette Castle
860-526-2336
67 River Rd, East Haddam
This beautiful castle was the former home of William Gillette, actor, director and playwright. Tours take you through the interior of the 24 room mansion, set upon 184 acres of land. The grounds offer picnicking, hiking, and camping along the Connecticut River.

Hours: The grounds are open year round, 8am to sunset. The Castle is open Memorial Day to Columbus Day from 10am-5pm.
Cost: Visiting the grounds is free, going inside the Castle is $6 Adults / $2 Kids (6-12)


For more Connecticut "Things to Do" look over a previous blog I wrote by following this link - and keep checking back for more!