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Wow.
I'm just going to go ahead and start this post with wow.
Because that is how my day started out.
A 6:05 AM flight out of Des Moines International airport.
No big deal. Right?
And yes, I am saying/writing International in a slightly mocking tone because usually when we arrive an hour before our flight at DSM International we still spend more than 45 minutes sitting at the gate.
But not today.
After checking our 4 full bags, each one at nearly 49.5 lbs. and Matt's golf clubs, we set off for security.
Except we didn't get very far.
Because the security line started downstairs.
Those of you familiar with DSM International Airport, go ahead and read that line again.
For those of you not familiar with DSM International, let me explain that security is located upstairs, by way of escalator and is never an issue.
Until today.
The line snaked around the lobby of the airport, looking somewhat similar to a line at Disney World, with people being allowed to go upstairs to security a dozen at a time by an airport employee. Several people nudged by with mumbles of a 6:00AM flight they were trying to make, while my anxiety rose with thoughts of missing our flight and spending the day in some strange city attempting to get to Houston in time for our international flight.
They began making announcements of a final boarding call for a 6:00AM flight while we were still downstairs. Moments later, we were able to move from the downstairs security line to the upstairs security line. At that time they started making final boarding calls for another flight scheduled at the same time as ours. That's when Mr. McQuinn made the decision that we too were going to 'nudge & budget' and head to the front of the security line to get our passports checked and attempt to make our flight. He lead the pack claiming our names had been called for our flight {white lie} while I followed him, mumbling things like, "Excuse us" and "Sorry". At one point he passed a woman that appeared to be mean mugging him and responded, "Oh, don't look so appalled." I followed up with a simple, "Excuse us". We eventually made it to the front of the line, in and out of security, running down the hall with belts and other accessories in our hands to our flight, which was preparing to close the door.
We made it.
With a lot of drama for 6:00 A.M.
When we arrived in Houston, I was hungry and exhausted, with hopes that a Texas favorite, Shipley's would calm my nerves.

My kolache was a little burnt and I ended up spilling the coffee all over.
We spent a good part of our morning in the food court of the Houston airport, chatting, reading, and each making individual stops to the book store to purchase additional publications.
Matt: Fantasy Football & MacWorld
Sarah: Martha Stewart Living & Self

For lunch we headed to Chili's for our last great American fried meal accompanied by a Bud Light.
After 6 hours in Houston, we were ready to leave this great nation and head to Panama followed by Cartagena.

It was a long day of traveling, but I have to say, it was nice to be together.