Taking Rachel to the airport... and other adventures

Emily and I took Rachel to the airport this morning. After a night of good friends, wine, packing, and no sleep. We managed to fit her two huge suitcases and overstuffed carryon, plus all three girls in Emily's Chevy... and did I mention we had no sleep? I got to ride in the back, bumping along with one of the suitcases, talking at a volume entirely inappropriate for 4:30 in the morning. We made an emergency stop for last minute supplies (I will refrain from mentioning what supplies, in case any boys are reading) at the local QFC, and then hit the road to the airport. The drive there was relatively uneventful. Dropping her off at the United terminal was sad, and I confess I got a little teary saying goodbye FOR A WHOLE YEAR. Emily and I jetted off from the terminal, and here's where the real fun begins. I am normally great at directions. I mean really amazing at giving directions, with references to landmarks or compass navigation depending on who I'm directing. Yet somehow, I managed to get us going the wrong way on 518 so that we wound up in Burien. Then I put us on the 509 so that we wound up in White Center... Needless to say, I surrender my rights to the title of Good Navigator. Emily will probably come back and flesh this out with the details of the drive. I'm too groggy still to remember. But now Rachel's gone, and our year without her commences. Stay tuned for our journal of copiness.