Notes from the North Midwest

[firstfrost]

harrock says they're the Midwest. jdbakermn suggests "the top of the Mississippi". I'm fond of "the states that start zigzag-I" (which include Michigan, but that's up there too), but it just seems to confuse people.

Anyway, harrock and I have returned from the Whirlwind Zoosh around Minnesota and Wisconsin, in which many relatives of his (and two cats) were seen.

• The first time I've been harassed by a TSA agent about carrying a backpack, a small carryon bag, and a purse as "more than two carryons", and it's in Madison. Yes, I am technically carrying three objects, but they total a lot smaller than the two rolly-carryons that other people have. I will have to readjust my automatic assumption that people in the Midwest are generally nicer.
• Audiobooks are definitely a good way to pass long drives. I still don't like the radio conversion from ipod to car stereo, though.
• Anyone who's in the lower left corner of Wisconsin should stop by the Chetek Bakery and stuff themselves on pastries.
• As mjperson already knows, a Clicker is a great icebreaker with small children and people who are small children at heart.

Comments

[countertorque.livejournal.com]

Chica just leaves enough space in one of her bags to stuff her purse in. So, if anyone complains, one of her bags disapears. Actually, the snack bag and the craft bag go in there with her purse. So, really she's carrying about 5 carryons.

[firstfrost.livejournal.com]

Usually I have enough space to do so, but all my space got eaten by the antique bowl from Grandma Harrock. :) (I think the guy was expecting me to stuff the purse in the backpack, and was a little taken aback that I claimed not to have room.

Luckily, harrock still did have space, though the that led to all sorts of further hazards, given that I was the only one with spare money at the time.

Duct Tape!

[jaedian.livejournal.com]

Do you travel with duct tape? I wonder what they would do if you proceed to tape the two bags together? Wait now it's one. Of course the TSA folks don't really have much of a sense of humor.

But I will make sure to have a bigger bag next time in order to put my purse in. I am surprised I haven't been busted for having a third bag on the few occassions when I have hit the news stand and bought a few magazines and gum which they put in a little shopping bag. Although I suppose I could hand something to one of the kids and say it was their carry on.