The overnight flight behind us, we pass through immigration and customs easily (even though the stupid Global Entry app isn’t working), recheck our bags and head to the lounge while waiting for our Charlotte flight.  We are totally lucky here – it is a really small lounge, but the shower is available, so we grab it – telling the desk lady Ed will go first and I’ll just follow.  She very sweetly gives me a clean set of towels – and we are all set and ready. A perfect way to refresh after a night of flying.

All clean and happy, we snack a bit from the breakfast offerings, have our coffee, then head off to our plane.  It is a smooth flight to CLT – with lots of great water shots out the window – then another easy flight home to Asheville.

Easy, but oh so bittersweet.  We literally fly right down the French Broad River – with bird’s eye views of all the destruction.  We can see the cement pad where Pleb used to be!!!  OMG, I don’t know how to process this.  I can’t even imagine living through it.  WE also pass the Biltmore and see all the destruction there – and how the lagoon looks like it may have changed shapes?  This will be a very poignant homecoming.

Once on the ground, everything proceeds as normal.  We are on time – but of course, the luggage takes forever.  There are 3 flights coming in at the same time, and apparently no one to really work the runways or the luggage.  Seriously, how do they expect to handle the expansion? They can’t handle things efficiently now.  Sigh. Rant done.

The bags finally come off the carousel and we happily meet Lisa outside – a sight for sore eyes! We are ever so happy to be home and looking forward to spending time with everyone we have missed these last few months.

After settling in (it takes a few days this time for some reason) we organize all the condiments that have to be thrown away (crazy, just crazy)…

…and organize our shopping haul!  Kit Kat Palooza! T-shirt Palooza!  Sock Palooza (you cannot beat Japanese 1 coin store socks!), travel umbrellas (stocking up), Thai bags (gift from Micky, our sweet house host) and a notepad with iconic Japanese art.  Perfect mementos to remember our adventure!  Back at home, back to normal…..sorta.