Hi ho hi ho, it's off to L.A. we go

The combination of a Sunday morning, the 5:30 a.m. flight, and a prediction of snow hardly made for the perfect travel day, but we made it to the airport on time, before the snow without hitting a deer, checked our bag, and zipped through security. A smooth start to our trip to Los Angeles for our doctor and dentist appointments.

I love to fly. I still get an adrenaline rush when the plane takes off, and admittedly I breathe a quiet sigh of relief when the plane safely lands. I also love the little Biscoff cookies Alaska serves; it's the little things (usually food) that make traveling palatable these days.

When we landed in Burbank, I checked my phone like everyone else in the world does, heaven forbid we miss some earth-shattering news, to see a picture of Mugsy playing in the snow. Our timing is rarely that fortuitous, but miraculously, I had the tires changed on my car to snow tires on Friday. We drove to the airport before the snow started, but I was ready, just in case we had bad roads! We landed in Burbank, to overcast skies but warm air, and with minimal traffic. The hotel let us check in three hours early, which was perfect after that early morning flight.

Traveling can be challenging these days because of COVID-19. Since our Los Angeles trips are usually for the fun purpose of medical and dental appointments, we try to fit friends, restaurants, and other fun things in between the "not so fun" obligations. Walla Walla is way ahead of L.A. in COVID-19 restrictions. Los Angeles has no indoor dining, no gyms, and very few stores open, so I am grateful the weather has been cooperating for patio dining because living on Starbucks in the hotel lobby can get tiresome very quickly.

I feel like I've stepped into a time warp. Traffic in the LA area is like it was 30 years ago. Now, you can actually drive at 65 m.p.h. on the freeways, see the sun and blue sky without the haze, and morning traffic congestion is only at the hotel Starbucks.

In the past two years, every mode of travel has changed in my life. My convertible sports car has clunky snow tires, however, since I'm not consistently driving in L.A. traffic my miles per gallon has improved. In addition, I've given up on car washes from November through April. Unfortunately, it seems any savings achieved has gone into wine purchases. My recent blood work has a marked increase in triglycerides (sugar), which I am sure is attributable to the fact that I live in wine-country, and enjoy its bounty. My cholesterol went up too, most likely a result of those farm fresh eggs I've been gorging on!

Air travel has changed for all of us in response to COVID-19. Alaska Airlines has been flying with middle seats open, leaving the plane often more than half empty. The airport has an eerie, quiet atmosphere with closed restaurants and shops, but I admit I like the ease of boarding the plane; fast, no lines, no jammed overhead luggage bins, quiet passengers, with their voices subdued behind their masks. If only airlines could make money to survive with this model.

Looks like my diet/lifestyle may have to change as well. Less wine and eggs or maybe while I'm at the doctor, just ask for higher doses of cholesterol drugs. And if I do hit a deer on the road, I'll just hope venison isn't high in cholesterol.