I’m a Florida licensed attorney living in Kentucky who also has a girlfriend living in Orlando. Thus I travel to Orlando 5 to 8 times per year. It is a very straight-forward trip on Delta: Louisville to Atlanta then Atlanta to Orlando. It’s become routine.
This trip was different as you can see from the main photo. She said yes.
Our Flights Down
Buddy and I departed Louisville on Thursday morning, taking a CRJ-900 to Atlanta. 
While small, the CRJ-900 is a cute regional jet. Since the flight time was just under an hour, it was a nice trip. After a brief layover, we took a 757-200 for the 1½ hour flight down to Atlanta. I like the room and mid-cabin boarding with the 757.
The flight crew was very friendly and enjoyed seeing Buddy.
Orlando
If you’ve never flown into Orlando, it is an amazing airport. Of course, when you average over 205,000 visitors per day, you would expect to have an impressive airport. Orlando was the #1 most visited city in the United States in 2024, receiving 75.3 million tourists (floridapolitics.com). Impressive!
I made reservations at Old Hickory Steakhouse in the Gaylord Palms Resort. The Gaylord Palms is one our favorite places to have dinner or just sightsee. It’s an upscale water park resort in Kissimmee with a jungle theme throughout its main atrium. It even has live alligators along the small springs inside. While Gator Springs does not sound like an ideal place to propose, the vibe in the atrium is quite unique. It was also the first place we kissed.
My fiancé is from Brazil, so of course we enjoyed Brazilian food at one of our favorite restaurants – Camila’s. Though Orlando is the theme park capital of the world, it is also home to over 65,000 Brazilians (floridasearchmls.com). Buddy and I love Brazilian food, especially their beans, rice and steak. We always look forward to visiting Orlando to try new restaurants and shop at the Brazilian markets.
Our Flight Home
We departed early Monday morning and were pleasantly surprised the check-in line wasn’t crowded.
It only took 10 minutes to get through security. After a light breakfast in the Delta lounge we boarded our 757-200 to Atlanta. I love the layout of the 757 flight deck and its performance.
After an uneventful and pleasant flight to Atlanta, we had a two hour layover so we went to the Delta lounge in concourse F. I love this lounge as it has a patio where you can sit outside and see, hear and smell the jets taxiing. Yes, Jet A fuel has a distinct smell and we like it.
We boarded our 737-900 flight and settled in for the quick hour flight back to Louisville. Interestingly, almost half-way into the flight the pilot announced he was turning back to Atlanta due to a safety issue. That was a first. Well, if there is any place to go back to it’s the Delta mothership in Atlanta. We landed without incident and then waited for the announcement of our new flight and gate. Two hours later we boarded another 737-900 for the flight to Louisville and this time it went off without any problems. When you fly long enough, flight delays happen. Patience is key.
A very memorable trip. Not only getting engaged, but diverting mid-flight back to Atlanta as we were heading home. See you next trip!
Buddy and Jordan
Hi Buddy,
Seems that Jordan keeps you quite busy! Well, it sure beats staying at home all the time! Tell him congrats on my behalf!
Have to say that, as a fellow well traveled fellow, you got me dreaming of our next trip (planned for March 2026) back to Martinique. It’s not a long flight, if you count 5 hours as short, but it’s the great part of leaving the cold of Canada and getting out of the plane in a hot sunny place!
Looking forward to your next blog. Cheers!
Thanks. That’s why intent – to encourage others to take that next trip and enjoy life.
Hi Jordan – This was a fun read! What a blessing it is for you to travel for pleasure and not just business all the time. I particularly like how you detailed the small, but interesting parts of your journey. Many people, me included, overlook the details and that is often where joy can be found. I look forward to hearing of your and Buddy’s adventures!
Thanks. I want to make it a fun and interesting read.
Wow, congratulations on your engagement! 🎉 What an amazing trip, and such a memorable way to celebrate. I love how you shared all the little details about the flights, the restaurants, and the Gaylord Palms. It really makes me feel like I was there. Also, that mid-flight return to Atlanta sounds wild! Thanks for sharing your adventure.
Thanks. That’s the purpose of my blog site – a different perspective on travel in hopes to help others enjoying traveling.
Congratulations on your engagement! Hearing the news was an inspiration!! And detailing your trip adventures was fun to read. So are you moving to Orlando or is your fiance moving to Kentucky? Keep us posted!!
You’ll see from my earlier posts I’m here in Kentucky until summer of 2027. They will be moving here the end of December. We will move to Florida for my final retirement location. Then we will look at a vacation place in Europe. I’ll definitely keep everyone updated here on my journey.