Monday Start of Trip

I ended Monday alone in my hotel, Holiday Inn Express, at PDX, off the MAX line that ends one stop later at PDX. Corwin had dropped off in Air VW the Gray after a long hour+ trip in Monday’s Rush hour, starting at 3 for us. I checked in, and then we did a meat festival at Famous Dave’s, which did not mind charging me a premium for the meal. I think that was the last visit there.

Before sleeping, I tried out the pool (and was stiff this morning from that) and water walked and discovered I can, with a push off from the wall, swim the length of the pool underwater, something new for me. I met Sue and Rich from LA (Orange County) at the pool. Their son, visiting from Japan, wanted to visit Portland, and they had covered the coast, too. Canon Beach was packed, and they could not even park for an hour, meaning they only got to see the beach for a few minutes. Still, they seemed to have enjoyed their visit. Rich does financials for a military supplier using SAP, which got a smile from me.

The rest of the day, this will be a very short blog, was a blur of packing, laundry, and collecting items. I forgot to add more biz cards to my wallet. I could have used a USB A to C cable, but I managed with my single plug to get my laptop, phone, and spare battery all fully charged.

I did two loads of laundry, stripping and remaking the bed (clean and new sheets for my late return on next Tuesday), and ran the dishwasher for a 1/2 load. Even with temperatures reaching 100°F (38°C), I got out and watered the roses, the newly planted pomegranate tree, and other bushes. I fertilized the orchids in the house and filled their evaporation trays to keep them happy. I ran some water through them (they cannot stand in water) to get them even happier. Corwin will check on the house. I closed up my suitcase and loaded up my carry-on Nike Gym bag. I remembered to get razors, toothpaste, and cookies (I always carry some).

I also forgot to print out my ticket for Hope_16, but did that at the hotel.

I woke up around 7, found the coffee was done, and wrote the blog. I then popped out in Air VW the Gray and got stamps, supplies for the trip, and breakfast at McDonald’s. Later, I would pop out again and have lunch at Happy Panda. There was too much food on Monday. I will have to be more careful.

I connected with Corwin around 2, and he came by and showered (it was a hot day and the AC failed at the place he works), and then we headed to PDX with my stuff in the cargo hold. Corwin drove. The EV is a dream to drive (except for its strange starting and gearshift, where the windshield wiper control is usually at).

Thanks for reading.