After a long absence trying to survive a pandemic, we are finally feeling comfortable enough to step outside of our house. If you believe public health officials (and I do) and we are not careful, we might be in for more trouble very soon. With that in mind, Patrice and I have set out on a trip. What could be more appropriate than a trip devoted to Baseball, BBQ, and Blogging?
As loyal readers of this blog, you are aware, Patrice and I are certified “Memphis in May” BBQ judges. My mouth is watering just thinking of the days we have spent judging. During our time judging, we heard many people talk about the Kansas City BBQ Society as being the only true competitor to Memphis as the king of BBQ (Texas people please settle down, you’ll get your turn).
In addition to our search for the supreme BBQ experience, we are also attempting to visit every Major League Baseball stadium. On this trip, we will be able to add one more, Kauffman Stadium, the home of the Kansas City Royals.
Our flight on day 1 already produced some excitement. Our flight took us through Dallas on our voyage to KC. Upon check-in, we were told our flight from LA was delayed an hour which would leave us only 20 minutes to catch our next flight. Worrier Robert already started to obsess but we soon learned that the second leg of our trip was also delayed so we knew we’d be okay.
Our flight from LAX started out uneventful except we did have a flight attendant of note. Do you have a vision of a curvaceous young thing with a beautiful smile? Well, enjoy yourself but that’s not what I’m about to describe. Our flight attendant was Dave and he had to be close to 70 years old. I watched him move the food cart up and down the aisle at a snail’s pace. He would offer travelers some pretzels and then get their drink orders. I thought we would be in Dallas by the time he got to us and we were sitting in the 9th row. When he offered Patrice a blue bag of pretzels she asked if he had anything else. Dave lumbered back to the cart and on his return, he said “I can offer you a red bag of pretzels?”. I chuckled and then he asked for my order. I asked for club soda. Dave said he had Canada Dry Club Soda. Personally, I can’t tell one club soda from another so I gladly agreed to his suggestion. Dave returned, handed me a glass and the can of soda, and cheerfully said, “I shook the can real good so it should be very fresh”. I had found my clone.
We received an announcement from the pilot telling us due to weather we were in a holding pattern for 45 minutes (note to self: avoid DFW in the future). So I used this delay as an opportunity to talk some more to my new friend. It turns out this is a second career for Dave. He previously worked as an attorney and was credentialed to present a case to the US Supreme Court. Unfortunately, he didn’t get a chance to present the case because it was sent back down to the lower court (where the case was decided in his favor). It was time to get back to my seat and let Dave do his job. Before I left a woman approached Dave and said “I have a question”. Dave quickly answered before she could speak another word and he said “Should you kiss on the first date? Definitely!” You gotta love this guy. What else can I say except I was wrong, he isn’t almost 70, he is 80.
Enough fun on the plane. We finally arrived at DFW to find out our flight to KC was canceled and we get to spend the night in Dallas. Our luggage is spending the night somewhere at the airport. They offered to find it but would only promise that the bags would arrive sometime between 4 and 8 hours. We will rough it with what we have.
Please see me and my new pal, Dave.
Robert Reiss Travel Blog and Other Ramblings 
Yesssss!!! The blog is back.
90% chance of delay guaranteed when flying through DFW. Always weather or a mechanical issue with one of AAs tiny planes.
Dave sounds like a legend. Looking forward to hearing more about this trip.
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My punishment for not wanting to miss work. I could have avoided Dallas (or at least the storm) if I left in the morning. You know the saying, no good deed goes unpunished. .
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I am so excited to be reading your travel blog again! Looking forward to the Reiss’s travel adventures in Kansas City. Hope you packed clean underwear and a toothbrush in your fanny pack.
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I wish.
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Dave is almost as cute as you. Glad to know where you are. Have a great time.
Looking forward to your blogs.
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I just hope we can make it to KC tomorrow.
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Should I have asked for his phone number?
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Genial, Robert ha vuelto. Volveré a disfrutar tus historias.
¿Hay algo que te gusta hacer más que hablar con todo el mundo?
Un abrazo y hasta la próxima entrada.
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Me gusta mucho escribir en el blog. Estoy pensando en jubilarme. ¿Tal vez me convertiré en un blogger?
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I am so happy for you two and the return of the blog!!!!!! Zara
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Thank you so much. I am so pleased by the comments.
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PS: it was five years ago but our luggage had a successful overnight in DFW while we stayed overnight in totally not scenic and flat South Irving. That description may be a tad harsh but our missed connection was on the way home from Vancouver.
Zara Sent from the all new AOL app for iOS
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Thrilled to hear the latest installment after the extended hiatus. We will stay tuned for more updates on bbq/baseball/life through Robert’s eyes.
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Thank you so much. The blog made our adventure much more tolerable. It got worse. I might share more tonight.
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Glad to hear that you’re “back on the road again”. Looking forward to reading your blog posts. Chuck
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You never disappoint!!!
>
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You set the bar high for me to reach.
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Welcome back! I’ve missed your exciting and funny travels and finally I can once again enjoy both over morning coffee!
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Keep smiling.
Ask Dave if he wants to join our book club.
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What makes you think I didn’t.
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Have fun. Loved the Dave story!
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Angie, so great to hear from you. I think I might have the wrong email address for you. Please email me when you have a chance.
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Ugh! We’ve got a trip to Virginia in September. Hopefully the flight issues will be solved by then. Have fun whenever you get there!
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Reiss, you are the greatest. Love the story and your new friend..be safe and have fun. Best to Patrice..
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Travel is such an adventure, isn’t it?
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Is Dave on the left or the right? Glad you are having fun already.
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Dave’s alright in my book!
On Sat, Jun 4, 2022 at 12:21 AM Robert Reiss Travel Blog and Other
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I gave him your phone number. He will be calling if he has some time to kill during a layover.
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The journey has restarted! How many more stadiums to visit?
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Sunday will be #17 if it doesn’t rain. Just 13 to go.,
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It’s fun to read what you and Patrice are up to! I’ve just returned from travel also – a Mennonite history tour in Europe. It was great – except 13 out of the 19 travelers turned up COVID positive before it was all over. I was one of the lucky ones!
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Yikes, that sounds scary.
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I love you and I love Dave!! Omg UR you crack me up.
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Thank you so much. I love comments.
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I have missed your blogs. I have yet to travel, but leave the day after I see you to Washington State. Anyway, I’m happy you and Patrice are getting away! BBQ, Baseball, and fun! Yay! Nice that you met Dave. But not wonderful that you had to spend the night in Dallas and your luggage spent the night in the airport.
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