(This account is a little long, so it will be done in 3 parts. The background for the trip can be found in my other writings and can give a good historic reference. All I can say is "You shoulda been there!")
*
"Don't bother about trying to get cheap airfare to Cabo!" Carl said as he entered the den.
My heart absolutely sank.
"Why not?" I asked with a little sick feeling.
"I just got you girl's a free ride, that's why!" he stated with a smile on his face.
"What do you mean free ride?" I asked with a puzzled look.
"John and his wife are flying down and offered to take you girls with them. I offered to pay for the extra fuel to pick everyone else up. He wouldn't hear of it!" Carl added. "He said the extra miles were not that much anyway."
"You know we have to pick up Shauna in Vegas and Julie in San Francisco?" I quizzed.
"I told him that. He insisted." Carl said.
"I'll stop what I'm doing and call the girls right now!" I stammered excitedly.
As he left the room, I was already dialing Robin to tell her the great news. I didn't tell her that we were flying private, but only that all the arrangements were taken care of and not to worry. Within an hour I had gotten in touch with Shauna, Julie and Kelley also to let them know. Everyone was excited that we would all be flying down together.
"Last stop before Cabo is San Francisco!" I told Julie.
"Kind of out of your way, isn't it? I thought you would all fly through Houston!" she said.
"It seemed like the best way to get there together!" I told her, not giving up the secret. "I give you the gate assignment the night before we leave."
I knew she would be the hardest to fool with, but she didn't quiz me on which airline we were flying on.
Time seemed to drag for the three weeks before we were to leave. The day before we were flying out, Robin came over so she could spend the night here, rather than be rushed to get here early. We had a great time checking what we had packed for the trip. I had quite a number of toys in the suitcase and, as she was helping me arrange everything I could see she was really excited.
"Aren't you worried about someone checking your bag?" she asked.
"Not at all! I know it won't get lost!" I stated. "No chance of that!"
"Why is that?" Robin quizzed me. "Because we've got a direct flight to Cabo, with only two stops.....Las Vegas and San Francisco." I stated with a big smile.
"I suppose you're going to tell me it's a charter?"
Robin would not give it up. I finally had to tell her.
"It's a corporate jet!" I said, grinning once again.
There was a look of total confusion on her face.
"You'll get it when I call Shauna and Julie!" I told her bluntly.
We got our luggage into the SUV and went to get Kelley. She was waiting at the door when we arrived. She was very ready to go. She carried her suitcase to the Lexus and opened the back, stowing it with ours.
"Hope they don't lose it!" she said mournfully as she climbed in the back seat.
Robin and I just laughed and didn't say anything else about it. We headed out her drive and onto the highway to the airport. During the drive we talked about how much fun this would be and how exciting it was to have a whole week to ourselves in Mexico.
We finally arrived at the airport and I parked in the private aviation lot. Kellie had a puzzled look on her face as we grabbed our luggage and went through the door to the small terminal. John, his wife and his co-pilot were waiting there for us.
I went over and gave John a big hug, and he introduced me to his wife and the co-pilot. I in turn introduced Robin and Kelley to them.
"Right this way, ladies!" John said, showing us to the security area. Even the small private terminal had all the tools for check us through. We made it through without any embarrassment about what we were carrying and walked out onto the tarmac. There just in front of us was a beautiful GS5 Gulfstream.
""That's what we're flying? Kelley stammered.
"I'm flying, you're riding!" John mockingly corrected her.
That brought a big laugh from everyone.
We got in the aircraft and it was totally amazing. No crowded aisles or seating. It looked more like someone's living room than an airplane.
John and his co-pilot Willard went to the cockpit to get ready. We all got into the plush seats that were almost scattered around the plane. Molly, John's wife, asked if we wanted something to drink as she opened the refrigerator in the front of the cabin. "How about a little champagne?"
We all raised our hand and I went to help her bring it to the other girls. What a sweet way to travel. I brought Robin and Kelley a glass, Molly brought mine, and we all toasted to Cabo.
"Have you been there before?" Robin asked.
That's where we met Marsha and Carl seven years ago!" Molly said with a smile. "The guys became good business friends, even though we live a long way from here. Carl has done wonders for John's company."
We made a lot of small talk as we prepared for take-off. John finally told us to buckle in as we were ready to go.
Just like that, we were off the ground, no waiting, no fuss, on our way to Vegas.
I got on the satellite phone and dialed Shauna.
"Meet us at the McCarran private airpark terminal! There's been a change of plans!" I said when she answered.
There was a pregnant pause on the other end before she spoke, "Excuse me?"
"You heard me right, just be there in two and a half hours. You'll understand!"
I then made the same call to Julie, who, like Shauna, knew something was up. She knew exactly where to go and I told her I'd call her when we were leaving Vegas.
The two hour flight went by swiftly and was as smooth as silk. By the time we got there, we had polished off two bottles of champagne and were about to start on the third when John announced we were getting ready to land.
We landed shortly and taxied to the private terminal. As we pulled to a stop just outside, John opened the door and we clamored out and down the steps, waving at Shauna the whole trip to the security door. We waited outside as John showed his credentials and escorted Shauna out though the security checkpoint. Boy was this slick. No lines, no waiting.
As they came through the door, we nearly knocked John over to greet Shauna.
"Whoa, girls!" we've got a whole week!" she said with her southwest lilt.
We calmed down a little and walked out to the plane, climbing back the steps and inside.
"Jeez Louise!" Shauna said with a note of awe in her voice. "New Toy?"
"Friend of Carl's!" I replied.
"Married?" Shauna asked jokingly.
"On board!" I giggled.