Travel Chaos, TSA Rants & New England vs. Florida Diaries

Two trips, two very different vibes, and a lot of travel chaos in between.

We’re recapping our recent travels: one of us exploring New England (Connecticut, Boston, Rhode Island), and the other taking on Fort Lauderdale with a toddler, five checked bags, and a whole lot of patience.

On the New England side:

• The unexpected reality of New Haven (pizza capital… but make it slightly run down)

• A full pizza tour ranking (Frank Pepe’s, Modern, and more)

• The Dunkin “drip coffee” identity crisis

• Boston’s Freedom Trail, the USS Constitution, and why public transportation just makes sense

• Lobster roll debates: Connecticut (hot + butter) vs. Massachusetts (cold + mayo)

On the Florida side:

• Beach days, national parks, and toddler travel routines

• Spotting Shep Rose in the wild

• The reality of traveling for work (less glam, more logistics)

• TSA confusion, airport inefficiency, and Sky Lounge survival strategy

And then… the meltdown:

• Flight delays that turned into a full cancellation

• Three hours stuck on the plane (yes, the legal limit)

• A late-night hotel scramble, missing luggage stress, and a 13-hour drive home

• Ending the trip with a dead car battery at the airport (because of course)

It’s giving travel reality vs. travel expectations, with a lot of humor, perspective, and “if you’re fine, you’re fine” energy.