Monday Returning to Oregon

It has been two weeks since I sat at my desk and wrote this blog. I woke at 4ish and thought I had to get up, pack, check out, and head to the airport. It took a while to remember I was in my bed, in my house, and there was no need to check out. Or to get up too soon.

Returning to last night, Dondrea’s daughter picked us both up at PDX, our airport (named not for someone but for its airport code), here in the Greater Portland Area. They were kind enough to take me home. The house needed airing, but other than the shelves being empty of coffee, it was OK. I did not unpack, but I did get some books I had shipped from New Orleans. One is the first-hand account of the American Civil War from General Hood, a Confederate, and I found and read, before sleeping, a few sections covering the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain. The book was never edited and was published after his death. Hood is remembered as reckless.

I was soon asleep in my bed, and it felt good to be home.

Returning to Monday’s start, I then rose, quickly packed, showered, dressed, and checked out of my hotel. I wrote yesterday’s blog in a rush, and I must admit I had trouble focusing. I was tired, and the weeks of travel were beginning to wear on me. I can travel, but the Telos trip, the Civil Rights Journey, was composed of harsh realities and a working and learning experience. I grabbed a banana and coffee while the other folks on the trip assembled at the hotel (Pastor Ken was staying with friends and hanging out with his daughter).

Today was a travel day, and everything is about managing the time box of our flights out and balancing the risk/reward from leaving early for the airport. And while the message was that the flight restrictions were magically lifted at Atlanta’s airport, we had no reason to believe there wouldn’t be cancellations, delays, and messy lines. We headed to the Waffle House now that most of us were checked out; Michael R would be there longer, as he had family items to cover. And while the food at the restaurant was better than the hotel’s, and not as great as the brunch at The Court of the Two Sisters, it was still excellent. I had a plain waffle with some ham and a side of too much grits. Their coffee was good there. Kathy and Doug bought breakfast (thanks!).

Awake, fed, and ready to face Monday, we reboarded the rental car, Dondrea refilled it, and then headed to The Carter Center. Today was its first day open in weeks; it was affected by the government shutdown. The staff was happy to see us, and the guards and clerks soon smiled and directed us. They were delighted to be back and to see folks back.

Ken and his daughter joined us at the Carter Center.

The displays brought back so many memories, as I remember Ford and Carter well (my memories of Nixon and the war are much dimmer). I smiled when I saw the sweater President Carter wore while campaigning to have folks use less energy. The relics brought back memories, including the return of the Crown of Hungary, despite still being behind the Iron Curtain. Carter’s story is a mix of impossible successes like the Camp David Accords and terrible failures like the attempted rescue of the hostages in Iran. But mostly, I think, Jimmy Carter was elected as a pause when the American people did not want the establishment anymore, and was, as they are, I believe, with Trump, searching for an alternative. Events overtook the Carter Administration, a revolt in the Democratic Party against establishment candidates, and the perceived weakness of the President led to a landslide victory for Reagan.

Carter went on, as the displays show, and soon began publishing and working for the good of all. It is an incredible story, and the library tells it well. The intermixing of artifacts really helps bring the story forward. The rather plain model of the Carter Oval Office stands in stark contrast to the current version. Unlike the Nixon version, you cannot sit behind the desk for pictures. Dondrea shared that she had sat behind the desk during the Carter Presidency; her father worked there, and she was allowed to visit the office.

I stopped by the gift shop and found a few small items that easily fit in my bags.

We walked the grounds. We said goodbye to Ken and his daughter.

The center has a small cafe and an eating area. We got some drinks and snacks. We chatted for a while as this was the last time we would be together. Doug, Kathy, and Seth were soon whisked away in an Uber to the airport. There, they would reconnect with Ken, who is on the same flight. A family was in some distress, and they helped them get to Portland. A story for someone else to tell, but it was great that our folks were there and could help.

Dondrea, Michael R., and I headed to the A Cappella Books. Yes, another bookstore. There I found a new story on Sherlock Holmes and Watson. I have written my own short story (which, I am told, will someday be published by 2600 Magazine) and was curious. It was 1/3 price and light enough. Michael R. found something, then we said our goodbyes, and Michael R. headed to public transit. Dondrea headed to a recommended bar and grill, Vortex, in a nearby, edgier section. This is the Five Points area where five roads connect.

It was a trip! The recommended chicken roll apitiqzer, sort of a western eggroll with excellent chicken. I had their Skull brand lager. It was good. We walked around the area, and it was OK, but maybe a bit too edgy for us.

We decided that, given all the risks, getting to the airport early would be OK. Dondrea got us to the rental car return without issue (we had been there earlier in the week with Ken). We then took the Sky Train to the terminal, found a place to sit, and waited until we could check in. Time, as often happens when traveling, quickly disappeared, and we headed to the self-check bag area for Delta.

I left my phone on the machine, again, but was able to retrieve it. That was the only trouble we faced. We soon passed security, no lines, without issues. It appears that all the dire warnings had reduced air flight lines, and while I expect Monday is not a heavy travel day, they seemed set for larger crowds that did not come.

We found a coffee place to hang out for a while, where we got coffee and a baked good. We headed to our gates after the usual breaks and boarded. While not full, it was closely packed. A family with kids was in the seat before us, Dondrea sitting next to each other. The kids were seated between seats and were quite full of mischief. I had to wave the kids away and look unhappy to them to leave me alone. At one point, I was pelted with a Spiderman doll.

Dondrea rested while I watched movies and listened to my noise-reducing earbuds. I watched a Chinese film with English subtitles, Full Red River. It was a strange and violent film, and I don’t think I can recommend it. Next, I started the Star Trek series, Strange New Worlds, and watched the first episode. It is sexy, bright, and well done. The plane landed as I got to the breakthrough part of the story in the second episode. Oh my! But I have another plane ride in less than a week. All night flying. I think I will be doing binge-watching on the aircraft.

Faythe, Dondrea’s daughter, met us after we found our luggage. I had to take off my shoes on the plane; my feet swelled and hurt this time. I had to stop and get reassembled once off the plane.

And that takes me full circle. Thanks for reading!