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I am starting this story as I board the flight from Detroit to Seattle on Monday. I was in 4D in First Class. The first three seats are well-treated, but the second set of two seats gets an also-ran feeling. If you are looking for the whole luxury experience on a regular USA domestic flight, you want seat 2A. So I got a drink after a while, and I waited to almost the last to get my dinner. Dinner was a chicken item that I had ordered online. The stewardess brought me a glass of red to go with it; I asked her to pick the wine for me. I could barely hear as my good ear was pointed at the window. The food could have used some salt, but it still was good and quite hot–I did not add salt as I can enjoy my food with less salt (and should with high blood pressure). I would order it in a restaurant–highest praise for airplane food.

I use my noise-canceling headphones, as this 737 is loud for me. It was a new 737 with all the cool blue lighting, and the miniature bathroom was usable. The crew closed the First Class bathroom while preparing items for the rest of the plane, so I had to walk to the far bathroom at the back of the aircraft. It was an exciting feeling to see how long this 737 was. The blue lighting was restful, but you could see everything. I tried not to bump people, but it was nearly impossible to miss everyone.

I took off the sweater and just had the T-shirt. I could see the snob rise in a few other First Class passengers when they saw me in a Nike T-shirt. We were never over AC’d, so the sweater stayed in my travel bag. By the way, the red Nike travel bag was heavier. I picked up a Lions shirt for Susie in Detroit. Books and various items that should have been packed in the luggage had been added. Susie was not with me and thus did not remind me to carry only what I needed in the travel bag.

The gentleman next to me on the Seattle-bound flight, again my hearing did not help me understand him, sold Financial software and was headed to Seattle for a demo or a sales pitch. He just had the dessert for dinner. I had two cups of coffee as I did not want to sleep on the four-hour flight as I had to get to a Portland flight in 45 minutes once we landed. He lived in New York and was in Seattle for a few days.

I tried to watch the new John Wick movie; I put in the supplied earphones and then put my noise-canceling headphones over them. This worked well enough for me to understand the movie, but then the stewardess had to reboot the screens–I try not to think about that–starting the movie over, and I just read my book on my Kindle instead.

I read and listened to music; I have the 100 Best Classical Pieces on my iPhone, and I just have it shuffle–somehow, it always picks rousing pieces for boarding and take-offs. I watched some Guy Fieri food shows near the end of the flight to have something to do after I packed everything.

The plane arrived twenty minutes early, but this bounty was lost as we waited most of the earned time to get a gate agent to connect the walkway. I had forty minutes until boarding time for my flight to Portland, and I needed the restroom. I had to walk to the train and then walk to the very end of yet-another-never-ending ‘A’ Termimal. Dante would have found materials here, too. I was breathing hard when I saw the gate, A14, and the nearby rest area. Of course, this plane was delayed. I then waited thirty minutes. And the gate does not have a sound system. So the gate agent yells over the noise to give us instructions–Less Delta but more Wright Bros., I think. On Boarding, expecting a barn, but I was surprised it was a large new Airbus jet, not something manual, and I got another First Class seat for a 25-minute flight.

On disembarking, I hit my head, for the second time, on an open overhead bin. I am not that tall. The walk is a bit long, but it is the last one. The PDX carpet welcomes me home. I retrieve my luggage and then nearly fall down the escalator with all my stuff–next time, the elevator! Again, if I was with Susie, I would not have risked the escalator!

I can’t find Air Volvo. I took a picture of the car in Long Term Parking with the sign showing 3E. There is no 3E on the third floor. I try to remember what happened on Thursday, get back on the elevator, try the second floor, and walk to the upbound parking, and there is 3E. Yes, 3E is on the second floor. Yes, Dante would have loved this stuff.

The window on the driver’s side was down the whole time–I have done this before. But it was inside and parked with thousands of vehicles, so nobody noticed. Something to check next time.

My first attempt to pay failed as the machine did not take my AMEX. I used American Express as my parking pass instead of trying to not lose a paper ticket. The next machine works, and after $120, I am free. It took me a few moments to switch to driving the smaller Air Volvo as SS Ford, the colossal SUV I rented in Michigan, was a different driving experience; more piloting than driving. I took the wrong exit and had to circle back once, but after that, everything was easy.

I had to slow down as I was driving 70+ in a 50, which would have been a 75 in Michigan. Time to slow down and get on my passive-aggressive driving back. I am passed by a motorcycle going over 100, but like most Oregonians, I ignore anyone going fast.

I arrive without incident, trying to not go 45+ in 35. I unload the luggage, open it up, and get the necessaries out. I shower as it was, including the time difference, twenty-three hours on the move. Cleaned up and refreshed, I finally slept at 2AM in the bunks in the Volvo Cave.

I wake at 6AM (again!) and cough, and allergies are bad, OR I have Covid-19. I am scared, so I crawl out of bed and take a test. Negative. I managed some fitful sleep after that.

Thanks for reading this mini-blog.

 

Traveling across the USA…

I scheduled today to allow me a slow and easy start. I woke at 6:30, again waking before my alarm (why?), and started packing and preparing to exit my hotel room. The trick is not to lose anything at this point. My suspenders flopped out of my unzipped suit bag and left parts behind. I got all of that back to where it belonged. I re-packed everything, my usual method of balling up and throwing in case of dirty clothing. Any spare clean clothing is placed in my carry-on. Susie, Mrs. Wild, would disapprove. She is very much a scientific packer. On calls during the trip, I heard her laugh when I mentioned packing.

Breakfast, after packing, shower, and so on. I wrote the blog in the lobby with breakfast and two coffee. I had to retreat to my room as my colon decided I was having too much of a good time without it. That was why I did not check out quite so soon. I would be haunted a bit by that end of my body today–details are best not shared, but I will tell you, dear reader, I have not needed a change of clothing. Soon, it was time to start the process of leaving. I checked out, saying something funny to the desk team that made them laugh. I hate it when later I can’t remember a good joke.

Off to Lansing downtown. There, I checked in, after three tries, to the parking. The kiosk took ten minutes twice to redownload the parking requirements. I am not sure if anyone ever pays for parking using these machines. I did see Parking Enforcement with dramatic flashing lights (yellow and green–very friendly colors to many Oregonians) giving out unhappy notes printed on a thermal printer in the small car.

Aside: Remember, I am liberal. WTF. The downtown was empty of people and customers. I do not understand aggressive parking enforcement when only 20% of the spaces are used on the Monday I was there. Why waste the time to collect this, and how could the expense to collect the fines and charges be financially successful! Also, I had to leave earlier than I wanted as I could only book two hours of parking (even with dozens of spaces open). I spent an hour at the capital, shopped, and then lunch–usually about three hours. The lack of shops and the aggressive panhandling suggest that people who come should get a coupon for risking a visit to the capital area. I would recommend the first three hours free with coupons.

Returning to our story, I parked at 10ish and headed to the capital. The 1872-built Capital is a beautiful example of the Imperial post-Civil War (called the War of Rebellion on the monuments around this capital) US style you don’t see anymore. All the cast iron stairs and the dome match the USA capital before the more recent renovations. It is a beautiful place to see this crazy, super patriotic style. The metal in the fixtures is mostly copper, and some brass in the gas-style lights. Michigan supplied copper in huge amounts for the war. It is a beautiful building, and I took lots of pictures–most to be changed to black and white to be used with a Call of Cthulhu story.

 

Next, I waited a few minutes for Sumit Comics to open and then acquired a mint copy of an old Dungeons and Dragons adventure and a leather notebook with a fun saying on the cover. I love this store and always find something I cannot get in Oregon. The manager was happy to help me; I suspect Monday is not busy.

After that, I tried the Cuban Joint on the corner. I was a bit basic in layout, but the food was terrific. I got a sandwich and plantains. I took 1/2 to go as my parking was running out, and there was no way to extend it. The waiter was happy that I enjoyed the food. Recommended: La Cocina Cubana.

I called Mom Wild and brought her the other 1/2 of my lunch. She was thrilled. I stopped by in SS Ford, the huge Ford I rented for the trip, and moored it next to her home. I stayed until about 1PM and then said a sad goodbye.

Next, I fueled SS Ford, and as Michigan is self-serve, I had to do all the work. I also noted how drab the gas station was. The ceiling tiles were hanging, and there was rust everywhere. I guess this is what we should expect from the oil companies in Oregon now that we are changing to more self-serve. There is no reason to maintain their stations now that they get maximum profits. I don’t know why Michigan puts up with being bossed around by oil companies–but I am liberal. It looks like crap!

Following my disappointment at the crummy station, I got coffee and a cupcake at Biggby Coffee. I needed to wake up. I ate, drank, finished the coffee, and piloted the SS Ford to the final dock at the Capital City airport. National was happy to get the boat back, fueled, and ready to use. It seems scheduled for a new cruise soon.

I found that Delta was not open for an hour and waited to check my luggage. Evan called with Susie, and Susie laughed when I told her I was stuck again in Lansing. She thinks I am nuts to get there early. She sat around with me last time.

Delta staff showed up finally, and I did the usual stuff and even survived the security check without losing my pants. Removing my belt is not a good idea in general, and then having me raise my arms for the scan is a bad idea. The security guy asked me to pull up my pants before raising my arms. Apparently, he had seen enough underwear today!

I then found a Lansing-made beer and a grilled cheese at the only food place after security at the airport. There, I started today’s blog.

I will continue this when I can.

Here in Detroit, without issue. Took the tunnel, and the next gate on the endless ‘A’ terminal, Dante’s version of air travel, was mine. Easy today. There is Illy Coffee next to the gate. I ordered a plain coffee medium-sized, but it was the Detroit Airport: “No, we don’t have any cups of that size, so you get extra. We don’t have any coffee made, so you will get an Americano,” and I agreed–all at the price of a medium coffee.

I had dinner on the plane, but I had enough food if that failed.

Going backward a bit, on the flight to Detroit, the agent moved me out of First Class and got me a row to myself just a bit back in the plane. It was a comfortable trip for me. I was reading, and I kept nodding off for the twenty minutes. I walked to the gate with another gal who let me lead the way back to ‘A’ terminal. We walked fast and got our exercise before the next long sit.

Well, it will be soon to board. I will continue that in the next blog. Thanks for reading!

It is Monday now, and I am watching the sunrise at 7:20ish in the hotel, having complimentary breakfast, and using the free WiFi. The coffee is good. I was finally in my hotel room last night at 11:30, but I woke early! I seemed to quickly adjust to this time zone, or, as this is a travel day, I could not sleep that well. I needed to pack, check in online, and find my way back to Capital City Airport (I understand it was renamed after someone, but Washington is always National to me, and this one is Capital City). So I am in the lobby eating and writing. I am mostly packed; my headphones are charged, my laptop is max charged, my phone is charged, and my Kindle is in the room charging. I am a nearly sixty-year-old Power Ranger–Power Up; I have my biz blue sweater and dark blue pants ready to play my part of geezer Power Ranger.

The evening ended at the Lakeview Banquet on Round Lake, Laingsburg. The mosquitos did feed well on exotic Oregonian food. I loaded SS Ford, the huge Ford I rented and moored in the parking lot, with various goodies from the Frankovich Wedding (Linda Rose, previously Wild, married Jesse Frankovich). A centerpiece for Mom Wild and Leta (my wife’s mother) from the tables, some treats, and a wedding cake cookie and cupcake in a container to take to Susie. Mom Wild also received a blanket, as did Leta, for the evening to keep. We used a stool for Leta and Mom Wild to board, and I loaded the walkers into the cargo space. We never reached the third set of seats (we never needed the room)–the second seats opened somehow to allow access, but we could see them in the soft brown leather glory. We took the curving Round Lake Road to Highway 127 to 69 to Park Lake to return Mom Wild to her home. Leta and I then traveled across Lansing on familiar paths (I have done them six times now) to take Leta home.

SS Ford handled it well and was comfortable. Going 75 and 70, I was still passed often–yes, Michigan. I was unfamiliar with some areas, so I was not doing the traditional Michigan 5-10 over. We saw one deer that chose not to sacrifice itself to SS Ford, another reason to not travel at top speeds. I saw at least three deer dead along the road yesterday–the carcasses are cleared within a few days, so it is a real risk here. My sister hit one a few years ago.

Returning to the narrative and moving back further in the day, I was in the wedding party, so I had some duties and many required pictures that kept me busy. I did forego giving a speech. Leta was comfortable to watch, and Mom Wild had to be in many photos, too. The food was all finger food and dainty mains for an evening wedding, avoiding the complexity of a sit-down dinner while still being elegant and delicious. Each place setting did come with a small bottle of bug spray, which was liberally applied by most as the night went on. Meg, Jesse’s 12-year-old daughter, was included in parts of the wedding ceremony to show that they were all a family together now. Leta said it was a beautiful wedding.

As it is Linda’s and Jesse’s wedding, I will not tell their story. That is for them to do. Everyone was happy and enjoyed it. Linda was delighted I was there and glad to send Susie a wedding cookie and cupcake in Oregon. And whatever thing I said to her while trying to take a picture together and made her nearly fall down in a fit of laughter will have to be a mystery.

Leta, Mom Wild, and I did contact Susie at the wedding. The Alexa connection was too slow on my phone (no WiFi), but Jennifer and Louis (the live-in nursing aides) did try to help. We switched to just a phone call and had a pleasant visit with Susie at the wedding. Rev. Anne Weld-Martin went to see Susie today. Dan and Janet Gray were there yesterday. Susie sounded good and happy.

I collected Leta first, going back to before the wedding, at her house before 4PM. I was dressed early and in SS Ford at the Lansing Mall Panera Bread and recovered my hat. I had left it there the day before when having lunch with Leta. It was later in many of the pictures for Linda’s wedding. We took Leta’s walker with us as a precaution, and once it was dark, the walker kept Leta safe. Next, we traveled to Mom Wild and added her to the collection.

After that, I then used Nav to direct us to the wedding facilities. We were directed to take roads I have not been on for years, including Center and Upton (for my current and former Laingsburg folks), but avoided Peacock (a crazy road including parts of swamp overflows you drive through–it is not paved). We arrived with nobody showing signs of motion sickness (including the driver) from the curves and switchbacks to get around the swamps/lakes that fill the lowlands that are in the greater Laingsburg area.

Moving back in time, I picked Mom Wild up for lunch and took SS Ford to the Harrison Road House. Mom Wild had a chicken salad sandwich without the bread but with fries. I had an olive burger that was a bit salty for my high blood pressure and low-salt tastes. I returned Mom Wild to her place to rest and to get ready for the wedding, with me returning at 4-4:30.

Next, I drove the scenic roads I used to drive when I worked in Bath, Michigan, at my first computer job after college. I reached Linda’s house, gave the dogs something to bark about, and picked up Mom’s walker that was outside waiting for me. I loaded that SS Ford and headed back to my hotel.

I dressed early at the hotel, realizing I needed to recover my hat. It took me a while to work out the tie and suspenders. But soon, I was looking more old school. I surrendered my Air Force Ones for Cole Haan, black, no brogue. I boarded, slipped the mooring lines, got SS Ford going, and used Nav to get to the Lansing Mall without much complexity. My hat was recovered without incident, and I found a cool Zine at Barnes and Noble. I might find time to read my purchased copy on the plane.

Moving to my start of Sunday, I overslept to 7 and was not writing the blog until 8ish. The breakfast in the lobby was busy but not packed. I spent much of the morning writing and watching people. They would come in waves and, depending on the group mix, would pick a specific table. Families would take the four-chair square tables. Older men would take the booths if the group size was over two. Pairs and more senior family members would take the small tables with a bench and one chair. Larger groups of such would drag the tables together. Solos, like me, would take a bench table and fill the table with laptops and other items, suggesting to people to let us work alone.

It took me a few hours to write the blog. I had three coffees while writing; the jet lag is a constant pressure trying to make me stop and fall to the floor and sleep. I resist that catatonic draw–Morpheus calling, offering a pillow and a blanket, not colored pills. “I will take the goose down, not the synthetic fiber pill(ow), Morpheus,” I think.

Returning to the story, while driving to Leta’s place, you can see all the destruction from the storms. The streets are lined with broken trees and branches piled up to be hauled away.

One of the old trees near the Lakeview facilities was broken and half lying on the ground. The storms of a few weeks ago were terrible.

Thanks for reading.

From Lansing, Michigan, Fairfield Inn Eastwood, Room 201.

Again, I was tired last night, so I went to bed and now am writing at breakfast the next day.

Saturday was a sunny, clear day here in Michigan. I started with my alarm at 6AM and considered sleeping in more, but I had slept well and decided to start my day following the new time zone. Breakfast started at the hotel at 7AM. I showered, shaved, took my meds, applied Utterly Smooth (with +20% cow pee) to my hands and feet, and dressed. Today was a mixed day of temperatures, so I wore a dress shirt (slightly wrinkled from travel) under a floppy sweater with dark pants to complete my friendly corporate look (the exact look I use to fly First Class).

I walked down the stairs to the first floor and found breakfast nearly overflowing with adults sporting green and white. An MSU football game is at home today. I managed to find hot food after the hotel staff politely refilled the food. Biscuits (actually fresh) and gravy (industrially made) was an additional item to my first selections. It was a bit heavy, but I did not know what today would bring.

Next, I got into SS Ford, the impossibly huge–just as large on the outside, rental car, unmoored it, and headed into Lansing. I am still getting used to driving it as it all but demands one foot driving in combat boots–my Air Force Ones just slide off the pedal once in a while. So far, I have not had to take advantage of the damaged coverage.

I spotted all this pollution as I walked to SS Ford. It is so disappointing to see that the only clouds in the sky are sourced from this smoke stack. The color suggests coal smoke. It is not water vapor.

I parked in East Lansing despite the dire warning that it would be six dollars an hour because of an event (it was three bucks later). I was still too early for most shops, but I enjoyed the walk and intended to walk for a few hours in the MSU facing Michigan Avenue for old-time sake and to exercise. I found the MSU bookstore was open and supplied a constant supply of green and white team wear to fans headed to MSU, much of it Nike.

I do my usual perusal of the computer and mathematics textbook section–I like to see what we are teaching our new soon-to-be employees and interns. Python is the first language class now, not LISP-like or C. AI is also strongly represented, and Discrete Mathematics has been pushed into a joint textbook of Python. The $71 price used for a pattern recognition two-inch thick book did not impress me. But the mathematics textbook section had two books I wanted, one about Codes and another about Fourier analysis, and less than $40 price tag had me buy the Codes book. The other one, on Fourier analysis, was graduate level. While Fourier transformations always come up in robot and music stuff, I think I will need something more elementary as college math was in the 1980s for me. But, still, I was tempted. I left the MSU bookstore, not covered in green and white, but with a new book.

I walked all over the area, seeing what had changed and what was the same. The number of food joints, both high-end and fast food, was stunning. I counted three chicken wing food places, including two local versions. Beggar’s Banquet and El Azteco survived to continue to support quality food for the area. Pinball Petes, a treasured late-night stop for a younger me, will continue to ruin grade point averages with its basement location filled with video games and pool tables.

A homeless guy aggressively panhandled me, a new experience in this area, but I had no change. He left before I returned to Curious Books, my favorite haunt, and I sat on a bench, read Codes, and waited ten minutes for 10AM to come. Soon, the manager opened the door and rolled out the same carts I remember from years ago with cheap books. I entered to find the same shop, and the same smell of old books, dust, and a hint of mold welcomed me. They should make candles with the same scent and offer them on their website.

I found nothing I needed but bought a few small paperbacks, a Doctor Who, and a mystery for sort of cheap. I have ordered, from Oregon, some of their books on the 1920s and vintage magazines also from the same period. This is the time of H.P. Lovecraft’s stories and often the setting for Call of Chuthlu Role Playing Game adventures. But, today, just a few easy books to travel back.

Next, I headed to the capital area after paying my parking cost at a station to avoid hanging out the window of SS Ford trying to pay at the exit. There is a gaming store there, Summit Comics, that I always visit. I used Nav to get there and parked in front of the Bail Bondsman (A function we do not have in Oregon) and the old nut shop. I got some freshly roasted peanuts and a pound of cashews for Linda’s Party (my sister). Next, I wandered a bit. I was threateningly panhandled and was thus uncomfortable in the area. I did get a nice photo of the capital (I put that on Facebook). I found Summit Comics; I was there when the panhandler threatened me, and I walked by the shop, not seeing it as I was focused on not getting hurt when leaving the frustrated and screaming guy. Off my game by events, I did not find anything I needed, but I am always impressed by the store. They even had an old Dungeons and Dragons Judges’ Guild original adventure, one I used to have, for $30 for a mint copy. I demurred.

Leta, Susie’s mother, called me while I finished shopping, and I agreed to visit her. I acquired her address for the Nav; I don’t remember Lansing enough to travel from the center to Leta’s place without Nav. I managed to unmoor the SS Ford and found my way around some construction that the Nav did not recognize.

I soon found Leta’s house. The area was filled with broken trees piled by the roads. The storms of w few weeks ago had heavily damaged the area. One home still had a tree on it, and I saw an abandoned building with its roof ripped up and covered with a tree. Holmes Road was being resurfaced with gravel being glued to it–not my favorite road repair. I managed to get through the construction and arrive at Leta’s house. Leta was thrilled to see me, and we soon sat on her fantastic new deck. She was happy she had the trees taken down a few years ago, as the storm of a few weeks ago would have wrecked them. Apparently, further south, the damage is worse–I was impressed with what I saw. Trees were broken everywhere.

Leta grabbed her step stool and climbed into SS Ford. Pretty good for someone 95 years young! I will keep the stool in the SS Ford until my last meeting with Leta on Sunday when I take her to the wedding. We had lunch together at Panera Bread near the Lansing Mall, a few minutes from Leta’s home. I had soup and a chicken salad sandwich. We chatted over lunch. I then returned to Leta, braving the gravel again, to her home. We agreed she could use SS Ford for the wedding day.

Next was a nap; I rested briefly after SS Ford carried me back to the hotel. I was eating peanuts while driving, sometimes in the shell, but mainly opening them. I was getting more comfortable piloting SS Ford.

I called Mom Wild (Barb) and headed over to her house. Arriving without issue, I moored SS Ford. Mom Wild climbed into the bridge, and I loaded her walker into the cargo hold. We stopped to get some cigarettes for Mom Wild, but I forgot the carton (it was in a black bag that made it invisible at night) and will need to deliver them to Mom Wild later.

We took Highway 69 after driving to the end of Park Lake Road. We could have gone for the more scenic route, but 69 is a 75-mile-an-hour drive, and I wanted to drive SS Ford fast. You could not even feel that 80 I was driving–so smooth. This model is about $85,000 new, so I wanted to enjoy it. Unfortunately, the construction (lowered the speed to 60–not the 45 in Oregon but down to 60–yes, the midwest) more tested the handling and suspension than the speed.

The roads to Laingsburg, also with gravel glued to them, were as I remembered, except all the trees were taller. We arrived and soon lost the walker (I forgot to put it in SS Ford). Linda’s wedding party was meeting together for the first time for a low-key party at Linda’s home in Laingsburg.

As this is Linda’s party, I will just cover a few items. We had Greek food that was wonderful in a tent outside. I met the Best man, Jacob, Jesse’s (the groom) brother from North Carolina. I met Jesse’s family and some of Linda’s close friends. It was a pleasant, understated affair. I received a coaster with my name and the wedding date, plus a tie to wear.

Linda blocking a good photo. Jesse is sitting next to her.

After dark, it was time to leave (the mosquitos loved exotic Oregonian food), and I took Mom Wild home. There we had a crisis as the keys to the house were missing. They were found in the house after opening the unlocked door.

Today, Sunday, I have to print some pictures of Grandma Bailey (gone some time) to the memory table. I will get Mom Wild to the wedding (in her dress and me properly dressed for my role as family and spare groomsman.

Thanks for reading.

 

From Lansing, Michigan, Fairfield Inn Eastwood, Room 201.

I flew all night in my First Class seat on Delta. As it was the red-eye, there was no dinner on the plane; only drinks were served in First Class. I had eaten and had a local adult beverage while at PDX. When traveling, I always eat when I can, as you never know when you will eat again. On the plane, I read my newest book, Still Life: A Chief Inspector Gamache Novel (A Chief Inspector Gamache Mystery Book 1), on my Kindle. The Kindle lights in the dark just enough to let you read, and I nodded off for an hour or maybe two. It was my usual reading/sleeping. I close my eyes without noticing and dream the next part of the story like I am reading it–I only notice that I am dreaming when the story seems to be about riding a plane and not a murder in Quebec! 

We arrive in Atlanta, and I am still not that tired. I put back on my shoes in my seat–proof that the physical therapy worked. I hoist my bag and laptop and head into the world’s busiest airport. The walk to the next gate makes up for the missed morning exercises! I have four hours in Georgia and now start to live in East Coast Time (-3 hours). I have a change of clothing, but I showered and shaved before leaving for the airport in Oregon–so I feel fine and only wash up a bit.

I sit for an hour waiting for the airport to wake up, and at 7AM, TGI Fridays opens for breakfast. I have coffee, and soon, southern-made Chicken and Waffles arrive. While my expectations of food in an airport are low (except for the award-winning Portland International-PDX), this was good.

I am no longer feeling out-of-sorts after consuming coffee and food, and my gate is ready soon–it is across from the restaurant. But it is still early, and that is a Denver Flight. I eat slowly and read emails and read news on my laptop as I have a few more hours left to my accidental tourist stay in Atlanta. The hour passes, and the Denver Flight is done, but then my plane arrives, but it must deplane and all that. Another hour spent reading burns away.

One hour before departure, as I was reminded by the Delta Agent, you can receive information and help for your flight. Seeing I followed directions and asked nicely, the agent smiled and was happy to replace my missing boarding pass (I left it on the previous flight) and was thrilled to hear I was headed to a family party, a wedding. The agent was more stern earlier when I asked too soon.

Finally, we board, and I get a front-row seat. Even with just 5’6″, I hit my head into the edge of an open overhead bin! Another Mike is sitting next to me, and he is an engineer who makes stuff and commutes from Texas and lives just outside of Windsor, Canada. He puts on his headphones and watches Yellowstone, which I see only on CC, and looking over, it looked like a good series. I am sleepy now (still early) and manage to rest for only a few minutes. In just a few hours, no food was offered again–even in First Class, we arrived in Detroit.

The new airport has aged since the last time I was there, ten years or more, and I add to my daily steps as I navigate its huge lone terminal. And it goes on forever as I have to walk most of A terminal’s length, which connects to the other terminal by a weird tunnel. If Dante had connected flight in this terminal, he would have had some new ideas for his most remembered work. I walk and arrive at my gate with 17 minutes to boarding. Excellent. A grumpy Delta Agent told me to read the sign when I checked that I was in the right place. Welcome to the Detriot Airport, I remember.

Happy to escape the place without a guide and a tour, I soon was on my tiny seat, First Class being 1-4 rows on the plane. Only the first four rows get a drink that is collected before take-off. Taxi time, the pilot tells us on the speakers, is fifteen minutes, and flying time is twenty-five minutes. It’s one of the few flights that you spend more time on the ground than flying!

I was worried about the short flight as I only saw one of my bags loaded onto the plane.

Linda, my sister, is unexpectedly at Capital City Airport, Lansing. Apparently, some of Jesse’s family are on the same plane. I hug her and say hello but then rush to the luggage and the car rental. Yes, my luggage is all there. I also spend forty minutes getting my rent-a-car at National. I was the first person in line!

I am trying to find my car and move my luggage in an organized fashion, but soon I see the Ford Excursion. It is so big I can barely get in. It has three rows of seats and room for luggage. Despite the National Agent telling me it has no Nav, it does, and soon, I am following its directions across Lansing.

Much has changed, but the way is familiar, and soon, I find my hotel in Eastwood. Everything goes swimmingly, and soon, I am in room 201 at the Fairfield Inn by Marriott. This one has more of a Courtyard vibe, and I like it. I unpack and restart my day by showering and shaving. I take my pills and take a two-hour nap.

I call Susie after I wake. I have an Echo Alexa device at Susie’s place at Allegiance Senior Care LLC, 9925 SW 82nd. Ave. Portland (Tigard), OR 97223; phone (503) 246-4116. We used this device and my iPhone to do a video call, and Susie was happy to see me.

I get back into SS Ford; you don’t park this–you moor it. I remember returning to Mom Wild’s place–I called ahead, and she was ready. She loves SS Ford, but I must help her get into it. But she still loves it.

We arrive a bit early at Bravo in Eastwood. I put in a request for seven, which gets the usual, “Do you have a reservation?” and panic when I say, “No,” and just stare. They agree that 5:30 will be great. Soon, Linda, Meg, Jesse, Barb C, Leta, and Mom Wild come to dinner with me (Linda being late).

Dinner passes quickly, and I am now too tired to think straight. I manage to be sociable. Sorry, the small glass of wine did not improve my memory of dinner. Meg asked me a logic puzzle, but I managed to cover the solution points without having to work it all out–I apologized, but at that time, I was sleep-eating. Having traveled for years for work, I can always fake a dinner–we don’t precisely have training for this at the shoe company, but I have had many dinners with colleagues with jetlag. It was still a lovely time, and it was wonderful to see everyone.

I drove Mom Wild home and then returned to my hotel and slept from about 9 to the morning, getting up only for proof of hydration and taking my meds.

Thanks for reading!