Day 30 + 21 = 51

Short drive to airport - lucky to have John - tickets and all other information we had suggested that the airport was at Cedar Rapids, whereas signs at the airport only indicated the East Iowa airport. Chances are we would still be heading north in the car looking for the Cedar Rapids airport.

Tearful farewell.

Another 'convenience tax' to pay - because we are a family of four, their seating software had inconveniently placed us in four separate seats throughout the plane, and so in order for us to sit together, we incurred a charge of $78 for the convenience of doing so. Apparently in the old west there used to be a 'sport' whereby contestants would fight with the object of trying to gouge the opponents eye out - it would seem that not much has changed.

Short flight to Denver, anticipating possible difficulty making our connecting flight, as we had a turn-around time of 27 minutes. Got to the departure lounge with 10 minutes to spare - flight delayed for over an hour as the crew had been delayed themselves in Dallas. Breathed a sigh of relief.

Fascinating looking at 100's of miles of farm land from the air - patchwork quilt of farm land as far as the eye could see - must ask Ian why some crops are harvested in large circles taking up most of the field, but seemingly missing the corner bits - seems like a waste, unless the method of harvesting is cheaper even with missing out the corners.

Slightly longer flight to L.A. Baggage took what seemed to be an eternity to off-load. Excellent shuttle bus came within 5 minutes of us getting our bags. 50 minute drive to the happiest place on earth - no, not 3 Carnation Close... Disneyland. Collapsed into bed. The novelty of plane travel is wearing thin.

I am already sick to death of hearing the word 'awesome' - overused way too much, even by Australian standards - I am close to screaming.