When I first began flying, I would venture out and explore on every layover. Even if there wasn’t anything specific to do or see, I’d still head out the door.

In the past couple of years, the layovers on my trips have gotten shorter and shorter. Our ‘rest’ starts 15 minutes after the door of the plane opens and ends 1 hour before takeoff. When you consider that we travel back and forth to the airport, sleep, eat, and shower…10 – 12 hours isn’t a whole lot of time for much else.

This month, I have the same trip 3 weeks in a row. It’s a 3-day trip with layovers that average 18 hours each.

An 18 hour average layover?!?!

There’s a part of me that feels a bit out of sorts. I had created a routine with my short layovers and now I’ve found myself with time to spare. A lot of time to spare. Both days, I went out and walked at nearby malls.

Yes, I am one of those people you see walking the inside perimeter of the mall for exercise. Do they still open the mall an hour early for walkers? I need to find out!

And yet, even with my getting out to exercise, I still have time.

So, before I head out next weekend I will do a little research and see what there is to do in Newark and downtown Houston. The answer may be ‘not much’, but I’m grateful that I have the chance to find out.