Well, we made it to LAX.......

Phase 1:  Getting to Europe -  42 Hours from Door to Door

Oma drove,  and Jim met us after his race at BigBear to see us off at LAX.
Two bikes and bike accoutrements, rain gear, some clothes and shoes, lots of electronics and a carryon full of
TJ's Turkey Jerkey, Strawberry Fruit Leathers, packets of GU, and gifts for our EuroHosts.  That one will be empty and ready for souvenirs on the way back!

Wandering the hot sidewalks of MCO (Orlando) from terminal to terminal.
Note the genius 3-suitcase 2-carryon spinner set up, easily transported by two.

A full view of the ridiculous amount of luggage.....
but, for reals, it was so easy to push along!

 First flight delayed 2 hrs and 40 min.  So there was no WAY for us to be late even if we tried.

This gave enough time to redistribute some shoes so that two check-ons weighed exactly 50 lbs, and the third 49.5 lbs.  You should have seen the number of folk with HUGE and heavy suitcases getting charged $100 a piece for overweight...but not us :D

7 hour layover at MCO.  Thank goodness for USB plugs in all the waiting areas.

Of course, no trip to Europe could possibly go off without a hitch.  Last year it was the bikes, lost for days and no one knew where to.  And this year?  Well, there IS, in fact, a hitch.  We haven't gotten past it yet.  Stay tuned for developments!