Today 13Nov2023: Back to Portland Area

Today started with me sleeping well and waking before my 7:45 Sunday alarm. I had no plans other than to pack and hang out with Zorida for the morning. I had a 3:45 flight, but it boarded just after 3PM. The flight would take me back to Salt Lake City and repeat the rush to the next flight with another 35-minute connection, but it made the day easier not to be trapped in an airport for hours between flights. Zorida, once again, made us a fine breakfast and some coffee. My caffeine intake was down to one cup of coffee a day, and I felt better for it. I will keep it that way, I think.

Time flew, and soon it was later morning and time to hug Zorida and try the rental out on Texas traffic again. I packed my roller bag and my travel bag (red Nike gym back) into Air Ford and let Nav take me to the airport. I was surprised that the Nav worked, and I had no issues finding my way into the airport and returning the car. Texas drivers hold on to their lanes and aggressively go where they want. There also seem to be two types of drivers in San Antonio: Those who can’t go slow and those who only go slow. This creates a conflict and, with the aggressive lane changing, explains why all the barriers (I do mean all) are marked from violent contact. I looked at all the barriers while Zorida drove us into the city and noticed the marks!

I found my way to Delta and checked my bag, but it could have been free, as they will let you check a roller bag for free. But you never know if they will continue this, and I could not pull it behind me and make my connections, so I paid the $30 and checked my bag. I was surprised that the Delta App informed me that the bag was on the plane and the next plane. You can track your bag; excellent!

Security was simple. It is strange not to worry about Susie or others traveling with me. Just me and easy–I am used to traveling hard with Susie. It did take two tries in the X-Ray thing for me. I moved or something, but the second shot worked, and I was free, and I reassembled my belt and shoes and headed to my gate.

There was no food by the gate. I walked back five gates to the smoked BBQ place and ordered a large beer and a brisket sandwich with cheese. It was American Cheese (yuk!) and salty. I ate my sandwich meat (still too salty) and had a side made of corn in a spicey creamy mix that was excellent (and not salty). I knew there would be no food until I got home, so I ate a good lunch.

My gate was crowded, and I was still unwilling to sit beside someone. I found an opening with nobody next to me. I also noticed that our plane was landing at Salt Lake City Airport at a gate nowhere near my connection and talked to the Delta agent at the gate. She surprised me at boarding by moving me to 17A to get me off the plane sooner. It is always good to talk to an agent–they have your back!

The flight was the usual packed-in full flight I usually experience now. I managed to stay awake and thus grab a ginger ale and a cookie. Delta has excellent cookies. The other snacks are OK. I watched a movie and noticed that the hearing in my left ear is completely gone now; ugh! I wanted to see Astroiod City, but events prevented that, so I watched it on the plane. It is a strange film that I am not sure I would recommend, but it was fun to try it.

Soon, the two-hour flight ended, I deplaned without any actual delay (it is hard to watch people hold you up while retrieving their roller bags), and I walked fast for fifteen minutes to cross the airport. I was at gate A45 for only minutes before walking onto the plane. I started on A12. This is an hour or so flight, and I watched Stanely Tucci’s foodie show episode set in London. I had never been to London and did not know that London is three times the size of NYC. I may have to fit London into my travel plans after enjoying watching Tucci find excellent food (!) in the UK. I also read more Canadian crime-mystery on my iPhone.

Sunset over the Great Salt Lake.

I snagged coffee with cream (real cream!) on this flight and a cookie that was oh-so-good dipped in the creamy coffee. The steward agreed that the coffee and cookie were an excellent combination. I managed a chapter of my book, one cup of coffee with two cookies from a package, and the London episode from Stanely Tucci before we landed.

I found my luggage and then walked the whole length of the terminal from the closed men’s room to the only one on the first floor. The info gal saw me, knew what I was doing, and smiled as I rushed, and then I pretended to be relieved when I went past her again. She was laughing. Yes, there is no place like home!

PDX travelers take a picture of their feet on the carpet when returning (and leaving), often with no comment as the local signal that they are traveling.

The carpet is famous and has a unique pattern that we all love. The carpet is a bit cut up by the construction, so there was a giant Post-It on the wall acknowledging this. The blue and grey carpet is temporary. It is a thing here.

I could not, at first, find the car, as I used the wrong tunnel. I was looking for the Orange Trout marked elevator, and I could only see the Orange Crab elevators–yes, we are back in Portland. I tried the Crab and found the 7th floor was the roof, but the photo showed the car inside on the 7th. Hmmm. I headed to the next garage, but that was Purple, which was wrong. I returned to the Orange Crab (eye rolls resisted) and did the roof. I walked into the inside garage nearby, and Air Volvo was where I left it–yay!

I did not take a ticket as you can, if you know this, put in your credit card and do not get a ticket. On exit, I put in the same credit card, paid, and exited in all one action. Excellent! The trip home across Portland and Beverton was comfortable and not memorable.

I reached home and got the mail and found all my packages, including some heavy terrain building kits from New Zealand for a Kickstarter, and the mail. I soon had that handled, including decking for IJN Yamato 1/700, which I plan to build soon, and one bill was paid. I started laundry and ordered pasta and a salad delivered. Which soon came.

I wrote the blog while eating.

Thanks for reading! Thank Zorida for her kindness–it was a good visit.