Oahu to Kansas Part III

Author Message   RB Intermediate Member Username: Space_ace Post Number: 129 Registered: 05-2005 Posted From: 75.61.132.254 Posted on Monday, January 18, 2010 - 05:24 pm:    If your spouse is deployed the letter is good for the length of the deployment and not just 60 days. The letter allows you to fly military space-a anywhere with little restrictions. AMTRAK; although a little pricey is always a wonderful alternative to other modes of public transportation as long as you have the time. I am glad to see you mention rail. Best wishes and safe travels   Cherie Schenker Member Username: Cheriemt Post Number: 46 Registered: 10-2009 Posted From: 207.254.160.130 Posted on Monday, January 18, 2010 - 02:25 am:    Almost forgot: Our sleeping compartment was even nicer because it had a private bathroom and shower. So helpful when you have a toddler in the throes of pottytraining! The kids also loved being able to chat with the conductor about trains and how they work too. His office was in our car, so they met up with him at the observation area.   Cherie Schenker Member Username: Cheriemt Post Number: 44 Registered: 10-2009 Posted From: 207.254.160.130 Posted on Saturday, January 16, 2010 - 11:17 pm:    That did include a two-hour layover in St. Louis. But hey, virtually no security to deal with, you can walk around, see the countryside, etc. It is an easy way to travel. We would have done Space-A, but there were no flights headed North that week from New Orleans. We could have taken a flight from Hickam to North Island that week then taken a train home or taken the deluxe ride from K-Bay to Orleans. The train from Orleans was shorter and cheaper. It still beats dealing with three kids going through security at a commercial airport plus the expense. I'd recommend it to anyone.   Leland Senior Member Username: Leland Post Number: 5617 Registered: 05-2006 Posted From: 98.218.147.237 Posted on Saturday, January 16, 2010 - 08:45 pm:    Cherie, great report and I am glad it went well. You and your husband deserve it. One question: Twenty four hours New Orleans to KC (he asked incredulously)? And "only"?   Cherie Schenker Member Username: Cheriemt Post Number: 37 Registered: 10-2009 Posted From: 207.254.160.130 Posted on Saturday, January 16, 2010 - 07:47 pm:    (Saturday, 9 January) After spending 15 days with my husband for a wonderful R & R, it was time to drop him off at the Honolulu Airport so he could head back to Afghanistan. We went to the USO and were able to get passes so we could walk him to his gate and be with him until it was time to board the plane. We did have to go through security though. After seeing him off, we stopped by Hickam to make sure we were still registered for Space A. Warning, double check your Dependent Verification Letter. Apparantly, they are only good 60 days. After assuring the young airman that I had not had any more children in the last 60 days and was not traveling with any children that I did not have listed on my Command Sponsor Letter or have an ID for, he finally put me back in the system. We then traveled to K-Bay and checked into Five Palms (BOQ billeting). The single cheap rooms were all booked, so we splurged on a new suite for $74. It was ok, but I expected a little more for the price. That evening, I did my final load of laundry--no sense in bringing dirty clothes home. I had the kids lay out their clothes for the next day and pack a change of clothes, toothbrush and nightclothes in their backpacks. Everything else was packed away in our bigger suitcases and ready to catch a flight home. Monday morning 11 January, we popped over to the terminal at K-Bay to make sure the flight to New Orleans was still on. We took the only four seats on the C-20 headed over there. What a deluxe ride. The crew was fabulous, even allowing our 10 year old to hang out in the cockpit and ask way too many questions. We arrived at NAS New Orleans, which is at Belle Chasse around 9:30 at night. I had made reservations at the Gateway Inn on base. When I called the young lady to get directions, she informed me that there was not a terminal on that base. She also didn't know what the directions were to the Inn from the flight line. All I can say is that it was clean and the price was right. The flight crew gave us a ride over since they were staying at the same place. I spoke to the manager the next day and she was very apologetic. She even gave us a ride to the front gate so we could catch a taxi to the Amtrak terminal in New Orleans. The NEX and a small cafe are 1/2 block away from the Gateway Inn at NAS New Orleans. They currently do not have a commissary but are building one. We splurged and ate breakfast out before catching the taxi. I restocked the diaper bag and my backpack with more healthy snacks from the NEX for the train ride. Once we got to the Amtrak station, I checked our bags and we started heading home shortly after. It is only a 24 hour trip from New Orleans to Kansas City via Amtrak. The four of us traveled in a nice sleeping compartment, which included our meals, for $358. The taxi from NAS New Orleans to the Amtrak station, which is across the street from the Superdome, was $36. How to Combat Jet Lag in Kids: Take lots of naps. On the train, we would turn out the lights in the sleeping compartment and have quiet time. The kids didn't have to nap, but did have to be quiet for an hour. Usually they fell asleep. It helped them get over going 4 time zones forward. If I didn't want to get back home so quickly, I would have stayed in New Orleans an extra day or two to let the kids see the sights. But, that will be another trip! All in all, we had a fabulous vacation and best of all got to see Daddy for Christmas. We are already planning our next Space-A trip. Spring Break at the Smithsonian. Final Tip: If you rent from Enterprise and are a Choice Priv. Member (Choice Hotels) make sure you give them your number. You will usually get one or two free hotel nights out of the deal. And don't forget to sign up for Amtrak Rewards. It is free and you can earn free train tickets with every ticket you buy and some rental car companies offer Amtrak points too.