I rose later (as I got in from Detroit late) and found my way. I did the usual things, including checking all my transactions in Quicken (the expenses for Lansing are still slowly coming in). The news was the usual depressing stuff with Trump this and Trump Stupid that. I showered, dressed, all that and got into the Hyundai.
I had gassed it up before we went to Detroit yesterday, and I was proud that I managed that on my own. Oregonians still have full service (though you can now fill your car if you want). It is always an adventure to fill a car and follow the process. Scan the credit card, find the lever to open the gas thingee on the car, open the gas tank, insert the gas nozzle, press the button (cheap stuff, 4.89), hold the gun-like handle, and finally fill. Reverse, sort of. Always an adventure.
Jeanne made breakfast, a breakfast casserole with strawberries. Multiple types of sausage were also provided. It was lovely, and I appeared at 9 to enjoy this feast.
Zelda and Trixie were petted and played with. We talked about the upcoming trip to California, fifty-one days away. Jeanne is joining us for about the first week. I am driving down in the EV (one last trip before I decide to keep it or to turn it in and pay for the extra mileage). We want to cover Universal and the Harry Potter stuff. We want to go to the beach and the Pacific. Hollywood is also on the list. We are looking for a two-bedroom suite, but so far we have found only Billinare Suites or nothing. We have time to search more. I will see them on the 8th of June.
We tried the Griffin Claw Clubhouse for lunch, bringing Deborah’s son a Pretzel Burger back with us. My chicken sandwich was good, but nothing I could not get somewhere else (except at Slow’s, which I would not recommend). The beer was good. It was loud, and Jeanne and Deborah liked their meals.
Jeanne headed home after lunch and a bit more work on California. Deborah and I spent some time together and then had dinner at the Grand Tavern next to my IHG hotel. Our waiter, who said she was new, managed to mangle getting us water and refills and to disappear for long periods of time. Deborah and I ordered the Lake Perch and Lake Superior White Fish and then split them. Both were excellent, with different textures and flavors. A good last dinner, for a while, in Michigan.
Goodbyes are hard, and we decided to meet at the hotel on Sunday morning, and thus put that off. I checked into my flight (ordered one free bag as I have a Delta Gold Card) on my iPhone.
I returned to my room and Deborah to her house. I packed by reorganizing my suitcase to clean and less clean halves. I repacked my carry-on and arranged everything for a quick and easy morning.
Transitions are the most difficult in travel. It is where you forget things or take things you meant to leave (like the remote for the TV in the room, which I did not take with me, or the rental car keys—I did leave them). At the airport, I leave my iPhone on the scanner when I print bag tags, as it is a transition. I have often returned to get it. Security checks also have the chance of forgetting something. Hat, coat, phone, and bag—yes, everything.
I tried to sleep but woke often, was up 30 minutes before my alarm, and managed to take a shower while it went off. I am sure the room next door appreciated an alarm on Sunday morning (not!).
And that is
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