My great adventure: Day One

My day started at 2 a.m. I'd packed the day before; because I wasn't sure what I was going to be allowed to bring into the venues, everything I was taking was in a 10'x10" shoulder bag. It was packed tightly, without any room to spare!

I didn't want to chance missing my 5 a.m. flight. I parked at the off-site parking lot, and they had me shuttled to the air port by 3:00 am.

When the tours were announced, I'd bought tickets to the first two shows announced, San Jose and Houston (I believe). When the next three shows were announced, I agonized over the decision of which, if any, I should tried to make it to. I finally realized I couldn't make a decision because I didn't want to make a decision - I wanted to attend all the shows! So I planned out a flight path, bought my tickets, and then debated if I was crazy with myself. Two weekends; Five cities; Five nights; Five Shows; One band.

Now, I felt excited, yet worried. Decades had passed since I last had an adventure like this, where I had a plane ticket and nothing else planned. Adventures that were easy when I was 32 might be impossible now that I'm 47, and nearly died a few years previously to boot. I didn't know if I could do this now.

But I knew I'd hate myself if I didn't try.

The security checkpoint finally opened at 3:30, and I passed quickly through, even though I forgot to empty my pockets and ended up slowing down the procedure some.

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Once at the airport, I found a bench with a power outlet, plugged in my phone, and tried to rest for a couple of hours. I napped fitfully, but by 3 am I was fully awake once more, and lined up at the security check point once more. The next step of my great adventure was about to happen, and I was ready for it.

Even though I did still smell faintly (I hoped) like a wet dog.