This morning I took a nice lil’ four mile walk to start the day. I wanted to run, but knew I should give my legs a rest since I did 13 and 12 the previous two days.
I was tempted to hit up Dunkin Donuts for an Apple Orchard Donut (saw the sign when we went yesterday), but I ran walked out of time. If anyone has tried these please tell me they’re gross and I didn’t miss out on anything. Thanks.
I didn’t have time because we were headed to the local Labor Day Parade! It was a fun little parade, but standing outside in the sun was HOT. Next time we need an umbrella.
After the parade we headed back home to enjoy the last few moments of burgers in the pool. Ben played with our nephews who are growing like weeds in between our visits!
Lunch was another mish mash of leftovers – a veggie base with macaroni salad and a crumbled burger.
Ben’s mom made his favorite chocolate chip cookies so he could take home a batch. I couldn’t resist the delicious smells coming from the kitchen and grabbed one fresh from the oven. 
Sadly, our time in Florida was coming to an end and we had to head to the airport. I snacked on blueberries during the drive. 
We got through security and boarded the plane in no time. Well, it took some time, but not a lot.
For some mysterious reason our flight circled the airport for 30 minutes before landing in layover land = Charlotte.
Luckily, we had a 3 hour layover so we weren’t in a rush AND Charlotte is the best airport so I didn’t even despise this layover like I normally do.
Why Charlotte is the best airport:
1. FREE WiFi.
2. Jamba Juice
3. Southern restaurant with corn bread and fried okra, which I have no idea how to make myself. (I stole a few bites of the corn bread and okra from Ben’s plate…)
4. Big so you can walk around
5. FREE WiFi
Oh, did I already say that?
6. Rocking chairs with outlets near them
7. Water fountains made to fill up water bottles so you don’t have to tilt your bottle and actually spill half the water out as you attempt to fill it. <- This made my day!
8. Piano player
This guy is super sad about leaving Florida and his fam, but I told him there is no demand for Mechanical Engineers in Florida and he’d have to become an alligator wrestler if he wanted to move there…
I had Ben watched my stuff while I walked to the next terminal for a refreshment. I got a Starbucks hot chai tea and grabbed a sample of their chocolate chip cookie. Eh. It’s not even in the top 50 list in my search for the World’s Best Chocolate Chip Cookie.
Fun fact, kinda: I spent all day at the Charlotte airport in October ‘09 when my flight was delayed.
And some answers to your questions from Silent Saturday…
We were on Boca Grande, someone (who knows more about FL than I do) called it Gasparilla Island too. My in-laws live in a small town about 1.5 hours south of Tampa not too far from Boca. Coming to visit them really feels like a vacation.
The beach was pretty empty partly because we went late, partly because this is the low season for the area. Seasonal residents and snow birds will be flying down for the winter soon 
I am about to kiss a fish in this picture, but I backed out. However, I did kiss a fish at the Foodbuzz Festival two years back…
Yes, Ben is running a baby fever of 104. I wish the drug companies would get on this illness asap!
I did my hair in a high bun for the BBQ. I haven’t done the sock bun thing yet, but I have a lot of hair so I just wrap is loosely and it works fine.
We are on our flight to Los Angeles as I type this and should arrive after 10:30pm. My mom is picking us up and we have to drive home to get our car and then drive to our home to sleep and get to work tomorrow. It’s going to be a long night…
And I think I need another cookie.
I have never seen that water fountain. so cool.
Also, I am a Southerner and must say you have got to make your own cornbread and okra. It is so easy and so much better! I only make them twice a year usually…the Hubs doesn’t’ like fried okra but loves cornbread.
I live in Charlotte and agree about our airport! Loves it 🙂
Love the rocking chair! First time seeing and hearing about it in an airport.
you look fabulous my friend
Charlotte is definitely the best airport ever =) We spend a lot of time together
Yay for Charlotte! That’s where I live! Sadly I have only been to our airport a few times because I haven’t flown that much but I was impressed the few times I was there, as long as there is a bagel shop and Starbucks and wifi I am good to go!
Next time you are in Charlotte, holla at me! I would love to meet up!
Holla! I would love to meet you too 🙂
Umm, rocking chairs in an airport? That’s pretty brilliant.
We have those same water bottle fillers (made up name) at the school I teach at! Ours don’t have the drinking option in front thought because there’s a normal bubbler (Wisconsin term for a drinking fountain) next to it. This was last year’s senior class gift to the school – pretty awesome!
I freaking LOVE the Charlotte Airport! Give me a layover there any day. 🙂
Just commented on your “Pictures” page. You look great! You do not look like you weigh 150 or whatever you say you do! You haven’t posted anything lately on your weight loss page. Have you lost weight? You look great and you inspire me! I have been running for many years, (marathons and half-marathons only in the last 6 years…) and will always worry about what I eat and my weight! Thanks for making me feel more “normal”!
Thank you Lisa 🙂
Whoa. When I read your September 2nd Silent Scenes post I thought, “Wow! That looks just like Boca!” When you said that’s where you were in this post I was giddy. About 20 years ago, right out of high school, I left my home state, drove down to Florida, and worked at the Gasparilla Inn on Gasparilla Island/Boca Grande for the winter. A couple of years ago while I was vacationing in Clearwater, I took a day to drive to Boca to see what had changed in 20 years. Shockingly, some stuff was exactly the same (a lot of the restaurants and little shops were all still there) and some stuff had changed (20 years ago, the Inn was the only hotel and all of the beaches/parks were free). I love that little island!
Well atleast you had a nice layover! 🙂 Love seeing the pics of the beach.
Love Boca Grande!! We used to vacation there all the time and my mom had a condo there. Did you go to the loose caboose?! Charlotte airport is awesome too. Glad you had a good trip!
I’m not sure if you’ve tried it yet, but Trader Joe’s sells the most amazing box mix for corn bread. I think it may be more of a seasonal Thanksgiving/holiday thing, but if not, you should check it out ASAP. It’s delicious!
That is the coolest water fountain ever!!! I wish they had those in my airport..
I LOVE those kinds of water fountains!!! My undergrad installed them everywhere my senior year…and then I graduated and haven’t seen them anywhere else since. They are the best.
I have never had a layover in Charlotte… I’ve always had to make a mad dash from one gate to the next, and my flight would always come in at A when I’d have to depart from E or something crazy like that. So I guess I love Charlotte for the exercise!
I like the bun! Looks good!
your hair up looks really cute…water fountain to die for (well not really but you know)…and finally I am wanting to fly some where and have a lay over here too.
😉
I got a little too excited when I saw the picture of that water fountain…
The rocking chair thing is total magic. How southern! Getting back late from vacation is so rough on my fragile psyche. You’re a trooper. Side note: Your bun looks flippin cute.
they should put those water fountains everywhere!! i always have a water bottle with me so those would definitely come in handy.
We used to fly in and out of Charlotte quite a bit. Last time was to St Lucia back in April. The Jamba Juice does make it worthwhile since they are few and far between in NC.
The Kidless Kronicles
The Charlotte airport does sound pretty great–especially the rocking chairs!
The beach looks incredible, and so peaceful!