The day started with me rising early and organizing and packing a few items as I wrote the blog. The threat of dangerous driving (and walking) conditions from a storm increased overnight. I cleaned up, shaved, took my medications, and headed for the complimentary breakfast in the lobby of my hotel in the greater Detroit Area. Deborah got there before 9; she lives a short drive away and enjoyed the breakfast (my room is for two, a note for people who wonder if I am doing something wrong). We planned for an outdoor market on Monday, but with the cold and the storm, I was heading out early instead.
I loaded Air Kia business class seats and cargo hold with items. I did not refold my shirts and pants into my luggage but kept them on hangers in Air Kia. I put my soiled laundry in a bag I brought. I remembered my dress shoes (brought to me by Deborah, who rescued them from the previous hotel and visit), and I was ready soon. I finished breakfast with Deborah, but she worried I would face a mess. Linda, my sister who resided in the Greater Lansing Area, said the bad weather was already starting. It was decided, for safety reasons, that I would leave now instead of spending the day with Deborah.
After a long goodbye, I checked out of the hotel, and with a coffee to-go, I boarded Air Kia and used CarPlay to direct me to my next hotel in East Lansing, Homewood Suites by Hilton. Highway 75 was an exercise in constraint as Air Kia proved that it quickly reaches and handles well at over 90, which is even illegal in fast-driving Michigan. I was not passing at 90+! This was with rain and the beginning of the storm; the traffic did not slow.
I switched to Highway 69 to swing southwest as it was faster to stay on Highways (unlike Portland, where Highways have many of the characteristics of parking lots) and even drive a bit out of your way to connect and get there faster. It was only 90 minutes, or less, to Lansing! The traffic was flying. I had to move to slower lanes while trying to stay under 80!
The rain and freezing rain struck on 69. I called Barb, Susie’s sister, as I was in her area at the switch of highways, Grand Blanc, and explained my changed plans and discovered she was only twenty minutes ahead of me headed to Lansing to see and help out Leta (Susie’s mother) and was in a mess. There were cars and trucks spun out and wrecked. Soon, I was slowing and slipping, too. The traffic took on a more Portland-like look, suddenly down to 10. Barb briefed me about the wrecks, and I was ready for them. We stayed talking as we both went slowly to Lansing. Barb rang off once she hit the more complex, driving across Lansing to reach Leta’s home in the southern part of Lansing.
A semi stopped me from passing (apparently, the truck driver could see that it was not a good plan to use that lane) and drove in the middle lane. I was eventually allowed back into a safe lane. An aggressive driver threatened to wreck the Kia instead of letting me back in, but when I made him choose, he backed off. I grew up in Michigan and knew nobody smashes a car, no matter how scary they try to be.
I followed the semi until I reached Lansing, deciding I could go slower, which put me in front of the aggressive driver. I decided he needed to see my bumper for a while. We both stayed safe behind the semi. When headed on to Highway 127, I passed the semi and soon was at my hotel without any more slipping or challenges.
I was happy to be checked in and got my room at noonish. I carried all my items in two trips to my room, 207. I was tempted to sleep, but I had plans. Barb and Leta were having lunch at the Panera Bread near the Lansing Mall, and I was invited to join them. I checked that the stove top worked, the frig was cold, and plates, glasses, and cooking implements were in place. Yes! This place has a small kitchen with all the needed items and a dishwasher. When I stayed last time, I knew this would be a good choice for future trips. I met with the sales manager and learned the discounts start at two-week stays (or longer). The pool was excellent, too.
The heavy pencil plan is to make a small dinner for Barb Wild and me in room 207 and have Christmas here. Linda and family were exposed to COVID-19, and Christmas will be over before they are outside of exposure waiting time. And while the rules are lighter for exposure, Barb Wild and I count as folks who cannot risk exposure, so the five-day wait is usual for us. This means I am making Christmas dinner for Barb Wild and me.
I put in the directions, and while chatting with Deborah while I was driving, I missed my turn for the highway (which was slippery and had wrecks from the bad weather, according to Barb) and took the streets instead. I was about five minutes late.
I had a bowl of chili and half a tuna fish sandwich. Barb, Leta, and I talked about travels and plans. Leta suggested dinner before church, and I connected with Linda, my sister, and Barb Wild (my mom). It looks possible to do Long Horn Steakhouse before church, with Leta saying we need to be there at Grace United Methodist Church at 6:30 as it may be packed for the 7PM service.
Next, I stopped by the ABC Liquor store to find they were sold out of moderate and small sizes of Kailua, so I went for the cheaper version but found a small bottle of Bailey’s and turned heads when I asked for a pint of cheap vodka. They were amused as it was an unusual request for a “Cheap pint of vodka for cooking.” I wished the staff Merry Christmas.
Next, I traveled across Lansing to East Lansing to the new Trader Joe’s, which was not crazy busy in the late afternoon, a surprise to me. Ours would have a line by now. I managed to find everything I needed to make a Vodka sauce pasta dinner. I also get some eggs, breakfast food, and ice cream for dessert. Also, if the pasta is not a hit, then scrambled eggs will do. I will pick up some bread and diet soda tomorrow. The checker learns that it is my first time at this store and that I am from Oregon; she rings the bell, gets a bouquet of flowers paid for by her, and gives them to me to celebrate my first time there and the holidays. “You can use them to decorate your hotel room,” she says after I told her I was making Christmas dinner now in my hotel room. The kindness of strangers always amazes me on my trips!
I load up Air Kia and return to my hotel with flowers, pasta, veggies, and other items. The rain is sleet now, and the salt is everywhere, and it says to me, “Welcome to the Midwest; we can handle shitty weather without a thought.” I returned to my hotel and saw that the salt truck was already covering the parking lot. I get all my groceries and booze to 207 without slipping. I put away everything (though there is no cabinet for food), and soon, with the flowers in a beer glass, it looks like a real kitchen now with the counters full of items for dinner and breakfast.
I rest and nod off after some family drama best not repeated here. The drive, time change, and all the exercise for the last couple of days have left me sleepy. I decided to risk visiting the local BJ’s Brewhouse a few minutes away in Air Kia. The streets and parking lots are just wet. I sat at the bar and had a red ale, one of my favorites. I am not hungry; I ordered the California Flatbread, one of their best items. This version is good, even with the distance to California from East Lansing, Michigan. Two guys are next to me (I have forgotten their names), and they buy me a beer, and we chat. One owns a local bar, and the other travels for a living. I am retired, and they say they are 40 months from that happy moment. I enjoyed the second beer, talking with them, and soon headed out. My head was a little less clear, but driving was OK.
I change into a swimsuit and find the pool with only one stop back to the room for a hotel towel. The water is slightly cool but still warm enough for a twenty-minute swim. I try just floating and see what happens, and my balance sends me into a long arc into the pool wall with a light thud. No pain or risk, just a reminder that I still have to be careful.
Deborah and I send good nights later now that I am in the same time zone. I shower off the pool water and to get warm, and soon have my PJs on and in bed. Sleep is a confusing process in hotel rooms and is never that relaxing on the first night. I set no alarm. I wake to prove hydration, surprised that only a few hours have passed. I wake and sleep and wake and sleep. I am cold, but the temperature is at 69, so I know it is just a reaction to dreams I cannot remember. I woke at 5ish, thought it was too f**king early, and slipped back to sleep.
Thanks for reading!
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