Red Eyes 👀

May 7th 2025

“The Park City chapter closed with a bleary-eyed drive to the airport for the dreaded red-eye back to Fort Lauderdale. Hope was in the airport air as Brandy, Greg, and Katniss (in her surprisingly compliant travel carrier) watched the standby list dwindle with the grim determination of lottery hopefuls. Greg’s captain status with American Airlines would allow them to fly standby, so they advantage of this.

Against all odds, with the gate agent’s final boarding call echoing, their names were called! Two seats, they were in! Instantaneously, Greg and Brandy succumbed to the gravitational pull of sleep. Mid-flight, however, a silent, chocolatey drama unfolded. Brandy, deep asleep, embarked on a Reese’s Pieces fueled midnight snack. This continued with quiet, rhythmic munching until the pilot’s announcement of their descent jolted her awake, a tell-tale orange smudge on her cheek.

The drive north was a blur of red-rimmed eyes and excitement. Finally, the sight of the boat. Without hesitation, Captain Greg, fueled by the anticipation of returning to his beloved vessel, plunged into the water for the ‘perilous’ swim to the boat. Brandy watched from the dock, a mixture of amusement and mild concern on her face.

Back on the majestic Chasing Destiny, a sense of homecoming washed over them, quickly followed by the familiar groan of a temperamental generator. Apparently, the boat had developed a touch of separation anxiety. After a few frustrated calls, Greg, ever the resourceful captain, located the necessary part. Soon, the comforting hum of the geni filled the air once more. The Chasing Destiny, though briefly abandoned, was purring again, reunited with her slightly sleep-deprived, chocolate-dusted crew.”