So this was my very first time traveling by flight and it turned out to be a really eye opening experience.
I'd never navigated through an airport before. Never went through the terminals. Didn't understand what checking my bag meant. I did some research and my dad was there with me, but honestly I just figured it out as I went.
I ended up checking my bag at the kiosk and then just kept walking with it. Took it all the way to TSA. A kind janitorial worker had to tell me I couldn't take that through, I had to drop it off in the checked bag area. So I walked all the way back, dropped it off, then went back through.
TSA was interesting. Seeing the software they use and being able to look through the entire bag was cool. After that I had to find my terminal. This was the IAD airport and it was the dullest one. I had to use one of their weird train systems to get where I needed to go.
I got there about an hour and a half early so I just waited. Then got on my plane.
My first plane ride had turbulence. Rocking from side to side. It was fun and scary all at the same time.
I had a connecting flight from IAD to Seattle, then Seattle to Pasco. My layover was supposed to be 50 minutes but people took a long time to deplane so it ended up being more like 20 minutes. I made it though.
Got to Pasco, got my car, got my suitcase, checked into my hotel. After that I just relaxed. Slept. Went to an Indian restaurant. Explored the area a little. It was nice.