Dynamo & USMNT Travel Plans

I can't believe it's been almost a month since I've written on here, but I've been so busy. I also still have a lingering cough since Tampa. I went to a doc-in-the-box last weekend, but since my lungs are clear, it seems I just have an annoying cough. I've had walking pneumonia before, so I guess that's good news.

Since my last post, I have:

• Reserved the AO Columbus hotel for the Jamaican game in Sept. $129/night is a reasonable rate.
• Found a rental car rate in Columbus for $10 cheaper a day after initially booking. Originally I had booked the rental car through United a month ago for $46/day, and now it's $36/day (also through United). I guess I'll need to keep checking periodically regarding rates (sigh).
• Booked a one-way flight to Kansas City in Oct. for the Guatemalan game. A return flight is pending work, although I'm not sure how much longer I should wait. The one-way, nonstop flight was only 10K reward miles on United (as opposed to the usual 25K miles). Return flights (with one stop) are still 10K miles. 
• Reserved the AO KC hotel. $114/night is a reasonable rate. I still need to work on a rental car because KC's airport and stadium are far from each other, with no public transportation. 
• Secured a place to stay in downtown Denver for the Houston Dynamo game in Oct. A co-worker has an apartment, and his complex rents a studio apartment to its tenants for guest use. It's $40 the first night and $20 each subsequent night. So far, there's 3 of us (KH, MF, and I), and we'll need to budget $60 total for "hotel" while there - awesome! 
• The Denver rental car I reserved is $45/day through Hertz. 
• The Denver flight was $268 round trip on United (no stops).
• Received approval for vacation time Nov. 13-15, 2012. Nov. 14th is an international FIFA date, so it's better to be safer than sorry when it comes to reserving days off. The rumor at the AO Tampa tailgate is that we'll play Russia in LA, although this is pure rumor.

In addition, I've decided to go to Kansas City this upcoming weekend for the Dynamo game. Two weeks ago, the cards all fell into the right place, and the MLS Gods gave signs I should go. A spot opened in MF's SUV, and she also didn't need a game ticket (although was on the list to pay). So, due to her encouraging words, I've decided to take the 12-hour road trip (one way). This will be my first time going to Kansas City by car, and we're staying at a Best Western with shuttle service to the Power and Light District ($207 total for two nights). Texian Army is bringing about 50 people.

I think that's it travel-wise for now. I'll probably be blogging on the road tomorrow. Safe travels!