Saturday Another Travel Day

I rose without any issues and had slept once I got to sleep. I had trouble falling asleep; the first time I had that, but I was not surprised, as two of my days on the trip, a four-day trip, started at 2 am. I woke with the sunrise at 6 and was up, showering and all that by 6:30. I was repacked by 7ish and checked out of the hotel, and then enjoyed the industrial and complimentary breakfast. A dad was helping his daughter to breakfast and showed the little person how to make waffles. Then, he doused the hot waffles with syrup and even added colorful sprinkles. “Don’t tell Mom how much sugar I gave you,” I hear him say. She ate it all. I continued to write the blog for an hour. Dad was back with another sleepy little person and smiled at me as I laughed.

I finished the blog and got three cups of coffee inside me, including one I made in the room. I missed Deborah, as we always enjoyed the room’s coffee machine on all these trips. Today, just coffee for one.

Aside: Headed to Detroit and then Iceland with Deborah next week, so “don’t cry for me, Dear Readers.”

With food inside me and fueled with lots of coffee, I boarded Air Ford Bronco, bags loaded and double-checked that everything was in the bags, and soon found the tourist or shopping area in Asheville. I located the post office and the parking lot I saw on the map and parked there. It is a garage and would keep the cargo cool. I did not want to bake my bags and computer!

The area was still sleepy, as it was not yet 10. I walked and found the start of the Saturday Fair, and with the few tourists, locals, and cars, I was able to take great photos. I found a few items in my shopping. I try to find unique items as I don’t want to buy something I can see (without sales tax) in Oregon. I purchased some likely overpriced spices from a nice store, The Spice and Tea Exchange, which is actually a chain (but the manager said each location is independently owned — so really local). They had recipe cards, and I purchased the cookie mix that matched the recipe card, along with some other gifts for Christmas (I always think of the next Christmas when shopping).

I found a bookstore, Malaprop’s Bookstore, open, and discovered some unique items among their new and used books. I resisted the books as I wanted to walk more than browse today. I think I have found the perfect gift for Pastor Ken. No spoilers here!

I met a street Magician, The Amazing Akarion, whom I gave a dollar, and he then did an excellent version of a trick I had seen before. His execution was nearly perfect, and we discussed magic briefly. He is a student getting some pocket money and studying Meteorology. I told him street magic and weather forecasting were a good match. We took a picture and I sent it to him.

Things started to come alive, and I found that the art gallery was now open. I met a nice couple there and lost the card with their names on it. I should take a picture of the card when I get it–my mistake. I hope (if they are reading) they forgive me for that. The watercolors were terrific, and the oils were a mix of modern and older styles. Nice!

Gene and Glenda traveled downtown and then had trouble finding my parking garage. I saw them, hopped in, and we parked. The ladder truck and other emergency equipment were in the area as a homeless person who had taken ill was being transported. The emergency trucks cleared out as we walked to have lunch.

My first choice was full, so we tried Jerusalem Cafe, and my breakfast-for-lunch selection —a North African-style dish —was terrific. It was more than I could eat. Gene and Glenda had gyro-style wraps. I was avoiding salads as sometimes I react to them, and a flying day is not a day to take risks!

We said goodbye and promised to meet next at another funeral! I drove to the other side of Asheville and found a gas station. I managed, despite being from a full-service state and driving now an EV, to fuel the Ford. It was an independent gas station and did not appear on my digital map (corporations are obviously being paid to include gas stations on my map — f**k). I just found it. With that done, I used Nav to locate the Asheville Regional Airport, which, not surprisingly, is not in Asheville. I then drove by the entrance and found the rental car location, and then turned my Bronco in. The friendly gal decided not to charge me for the extra two hours (having racked in 50 hours). There were no printing stations with a tag and drop area, and I had to line up with everyone. My bag was checked ($35), and I found my gate after clearing security without any issues. I had loaded all my purchases (except the coffee) into my checked bag.

The gate requires you to walk outside (90F and sticky) and then return to the original terminal. They are reconstructing the airport (like most airports I use), and this crazy process is currently in use.

The rest of the trip consists of the usual waiting and charging devices, and then on planes. I’ve drained my phone’s battery. The first plane was tiny, and it was a one-hour trip to Charlotte, followed by a long walk to the next gate. I was 6 minutes before boarding when I finished the long walk (twenty minutes with a hydration stop) and walked over to buy a sandwich stuffed with sliced turkey and cheese. The plane was then delayed for fifteen minutes.

I boarded, found my window seat, and watched two movies. Snow White from Disney, which is live action (sort of with computer-generated dwarves), and there are new dance scenes and songs. It was an over-made TV version, I thought. Next, as I had more than five hours, I watched the latest animated Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim. This is a dark story, and I thought it was well done. The scenes, colors, and art matched the LOTR movies, and I enjoyed it. I did eat my sandwich, one half for each movie. My tummy wanted food, and it was good to bring food on the plane.

I took a long walk, covering over 12,000 steps today, and found my bags before getting on the MAX. I took the hour+ trip back home. Corwin picked me up at the station and took me the last few miles. On the train, it was quiet until we hit Portland, and a concert was ending, and the train was packed full of happy and provocatively dressed concert goers.

One person told me to consider the Holiday Inn at PDX to park-and-go. It is cheap and easy, I was told. A person noticed my Nike biz card still in my bag. She still works for Nike, and we talked about our experiences, learning that she was in a business section I knew, and I knew the same people. She was happy to see me happily retired.

With all of that, Corwin showed me the cleaned windows. He has a new window washing, gutter, and other services biz. I am his first customer. They look better!

I was tired and just stacked the bags for later, took my meds, found my PJs, and crawled into my bed. I was soon asleep and did not wake. Though not remembered, I think my dream adventures were pleasant, and I might have met old friends and family on a few dream flights where every seat is First Class.

Thanks for reading.