Pittsboro, NC

So ends a very nice and busy sojourn in Europe! 

 Just a very long travel day....took the train to the Amsterdam  Airport just 15-20 minutes and 5 euros each. We were going to check our bags since it wouldn't be important if they were lost on the trip home.  But we arrived 3 hours early and the small American  Airlines desk wasn't open. Since the bags were carryon size, we decided just to schlep them like usual.  Easy transit thru security, we found the One World lounge and relaxed for an hour and a half, eating a nice breakfast  at our leisure, watching all the KLM planes come and go.  Boarding time was called so we proceeded to the gate.

The gate was one of those that is at the very end of the terminal......and when we got there it was clear that there was no plane or gate even though boarding was announced.....we were herded on to multiple airport trams and driven about 10 minutes, over an interstate to a remote ramp where we saw our lonely American Airlines plane.  

And then we schleped our bags up the stairs. Sort of felt like we were in the Caribbean....

But we were soon on our way for the 8 hour flight. We appreciated the seats with the extra 6" of legroom.  

I watched a couple of movies - 500 Miles - a sweet story about an Irish boy and his 500 mile trek to see his grandfather.   Beautiful scenery.  And the Joy Luck Club which is a book I had read years ago.  Nice way to pass the captive time.

Going through customs  and immigration at Philadelphia was a breeze.  We were some of the first to go through  because  we didn't  have to wait at the baggage claim to collect  our luggage  so that worked out in our favor.

Entering back through security  was again a breeze with Global Entry.  So, a good trip home via Uber.  Very tired and will try to stay up late to avoid too much jet lag.