I woke at 7ish and rolled over until 7:30. It was a work-from-home snow day, and I did not have to rise early to drive to the Nike WHQ Swift building (no, we are not called Swiftees). Instead, I did my morning meetings, one actually technical and interesting. I still had some process meetings and then caught up with someone I had worked with for years. It was not a busy morning, but it was interesting. I slipped a shower between meetings.
The slick was not leaving, and the temperature forecast was not improving. Then, another storm watch was announced, puke, and more sinking temperatures. The noise of water melting was loud in my gutters. The underwater ice was dangerous; I nearly fell putting N-95 masks in Air Volvo–restocking, as the news is sad on that front.
Next, I took the chicken I pulled from the cooked chicken I picked up a few days before, put it in a non-stick fry pan, and fried it. Next, I added water and covered the pan to heat the chicken. I added BBQ sauce from a bottle. I heated more. Added water again and covered. This got everything hot and lovely. I stir-fried the mix a bit. This went on a bed of lettuce and some shredded cheddar cheese. That was a great lunch.
I found another shorter Sean Munger YouTube video on the start of WW1 and enjoyed that while I ate my BBQ chicken salad. I have read many books and know the details of many areas he covered, but I felt he knew them better than I did, which is unusual for YouTube videos. I thought his story and how he told it were fantastic. I loved the quotes, which I had not heard anywhere else. Recommended!
Aside: The Guns of August, while aging, is still, I think, the best book and captures the emotions well. Sean references it at the end of his video. Go with this book if you want to dip your toe into this history. It is a great book.
I also finished the packing. I ran the dishes and the laundry while I worked. By 2PM, I had closed my suitcases and had a few meetings. Dondrea and I debated by text and calls if I should head to PDX instead of risking a drive in the storm-frozen Portland. To reach the PDX, which is almost in Washington State from Beaverton, I have to cross Beaverton and then all of Portland.
Aside: Portland International Airport is PDX, and its call letters are identical. Instead of naming the airport for someone, we call it PDX. We locals love PDX and its incredible, when you can see them, views of the mountains. The bars, food, and shops are quite nice.
I checked hotels in PDX, and only one hotel was left with rooms! Time to go. Dondrea also reported that her area in Beaverton was back to freezing, and she was getting a mix of snow and rain. Definitely time to travel. I put my stuff in Air Volvo and made a special one-night bag so I would not have to open my luggage. I put the house together the best I could. I called Corwin, who is house-sitting for me besides moving in for a while, to let him know I was leaving for PDX. On Expedia, I ordered the hotel room and got it. I signed off of work, having done timesheets, out-of-office, and other rituals for going on break. Air Volvo slid down my street and then off through Beaverton.
Flooding was apparent from the freeze and melts. Beaverton was melting still. Traffic was lighter for a Thursday but still heavy in places. The drivers were following lanes with care, executing correct turns, lane changes were done with warnings, and police were everywhere. It seems only ice and snow scare our drivers straight!
The hill, Sylvan, between Portland and Beaverton, over 500′ taller than the valley and over 1000′ above sea level, was starting to refreeze. The trees were still crystallized in ice. It was still raining when I crossed the summit, but soon, it would be snow and ice again, and I was glad to take a slow trip. Oddly, the traffic moved better than on a dry day in Portland, and again, I saw no shenanigans.
The tunnel was wet, and for a moment, I wondered if it would be icy, but it was good when Air Volvo entered. The strange new tradition of blowing the car horn to some tune is still happening. I was concentrating on not slipping and missed my chance to try to be Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (here is the song I always liked–I will have to play it loud next time with the windows down in the tunnel).
The roads got more snow as I headed closer to the Columbia River (PDX is on the river). The Radisson is not near the airport; I have used it several times and their shuttle. It has a parking area that they charge for, but you can leave your car here for $14 a day, which is cheaper than other options. Actually, the money I saved all but covered $50 for the room. I was right to leave when I did; there was a line of cars to get in. I spoke to the hotel van driver, who told me to pass everyone and park where there was room. I did.
I found a line inside, and after twenty minutes, I got my room and instructions. Air Volvo had to park in the distant parking. The lot was full of snow and ice. I found a place, and the ice was so bad I had to hold on to Air Volvo. I removed my stuff from the cargo hold and splashed through the water and ice. My Air Force Ones did not flood, but I did feel a little damp.
My room is nicer than I expected and quite comfortable. I unloaded and then headed to the bar. It was just opening. I found a table with a bright view of water and outside. I wanted more light. I ordered a beer and chips with guacamole dip. I read, surfed, and checked flights. Everything was good. My hands shook from the cold, lack of food, hauling the luggage for a thousand yards in slush, or just exhaustion. The food, the surfing, and the beer made me feel better. It was 4:45 and too early for dinner.
I returned to the room after paying Sunny, my bartender (ironic, yes), for the beer and appetizer. I putted around before just lying down and nodding off a few times. The rest helped as I have a light headache. Back to the hotel bar and food joint. I have the steak after being told that the chicken was just a “slab of chicken.” The flank steak was tough, but it was excellent when cut into small bits. The Wild Turkey and ginger ale would be better if they had ginger ale as it was more a Bourbon and soda, but still good. For a hotel joint, the food was not bad, and the prices were not stupid. I read my book while I ate. I have my Kindle app on my phone and enjoy the next book by Louise Penny. I managed to mistakenly skip book 6 in the series but will return to it.
I finished and headed back to room 212. I made tea from the supplies in the room, but I brought the Biscoff cookies–a gift from my sister. I started charging the phone and the laptop. Finally, I began the blog for today.
Thanks for reading. I am still thinking about singing in the tunnel next time!
From Room 212, Radisson PDX.
Alohawild (Michael Wild's) Website 