Airports and Planes

 I left Oregon on November 15^th and went to Salt Lake to assist my son and his wife with their family.  I returned on December 5^th.  In that time I had seen four different airports and airplanes.  I went by way of Alaska Airlines which I like and have had a positive experience with in the past.

 My first flight was from Eugene to Seattle.  We chose to go through Eugene rather than Medford as the price was almost 200 dollar difference.  We had made a dry run the day prior just to see if we could find it first before attempting to do so in the dark.

Check in was not so bad.  An agent took my printed paperwork and issued me a boarding pass. My carry-on bag was pulled aside as I forgot to remove my kindle.  It didn’t seem like a big deal. 

I think that was the most comfortable of all the planes – though the one from Salt Lake to Seattle was not bad as the plane was not full.  But the plane from Seattle to Salt Lake was quite full and so was the puddle jumper between Seattle and Medford. 

For the most part the leg room reminded me of the same amount of leg room which Jaime and I had on the bus four months ago.  But the seats were wider.  One could actually put the seatbelt around the lap as the seats were designed for bigger butts than that of a middle schooler.

 I believe I had a window seat from Oregon to Seattle.  I was in row 6 or 7.  I could easily view those flying first class which didn’t seem all that different from coach.  I sat waiting at a gate in B or D as that was what had been written on my passport – but those passengers were going to Bozeman and I was told I needed to take the train to N.  Say what?

There was a definite difference in first class and coach on the plane from Seattle to Salt Lake City.  I sat squashed between two gentleman.  Overhead was full and we all had carry-ons beneath our feet.  I was asked to remove my fanny pack on the puddle jumper but it didn’t seem to matter on the larger plane which I’m certain held at least 100 people.

 Jai and I had attempted to play phrazel when I was at the airport, but it was awkward.  I had an hour and a half layover in Seattle both ways.

Ryan drove around the SLC airport waiting for me to come out.  But it took me a while to get from the gate to baggage claim.  It must have been a two mile walk.  I didn’t notice the signs until after my return but they advertise the long walk is to prepare visitors to hike from 5 national parks located in Utah.  I had dragged my coat and sweater and was so hot by the time I got out to the car.

God Said "No"

 Jaime said she would not have classes today

or tomorrow and

could I come get her?

but she would need to return on

Saturday as she has tickets

to see a play.

An hour and a half is not that far

But gas prices are outrageous.

Perhaps I could just spend a 

few nights in Ashland.

Richard said it was okay.  

We prayed about our decision.

John Mayer did not reveal a

promising forecast - though 

yesterday did seem more driveable

than it is currently.

I went and got my hair done yesterday

and was talking to my hair dresser

who also advised against driving down

with all those mountain passes to go through.

What mountains?  

I'm from Utah.  

Those are just hills.

Snow is/was in the hills.

It melts pretty quickly.

Too cold to snow.

But not too cold to freeze.

And it has rained.

I could slip on ice.

Or another car could slip

into me.

So many drivers seem to be

in a hurry.

I wouldn't be in a hurry.

I would be hitting every rest stop

between here and Ashland

the way I had hit

every rest stop between Myrtle

Creek and the Young Women's 

camp that was located outside of 

Eugene.  I made it there

Surely I could make it to Ashland.

But it was better weather when I had

retrieved Jaime from camp back in

2019 (here).  It was in June - before 

the outlandish weather that seemed 

to come along side the pandemic.

Both Jaime and I were looking forward

to the possibility of my coming for a visit.

The warning signs are there.

The answer was "No" 

at least this time around.

Driving Into the Unknown

         It’s been a number of years since Roland had purchased a suit.  An embarrassing number of years.  We used to go to the Big and Tall or the Men’s Wearhouse to get a proper fitting.  Douglas County doesn’t have the same variety of clothing stores (or any store for that matter) as is offered in the larger cities.

          Roland had seen an ad for Shaquil O’Neal wear at JC Penny.

We had gone to the JC Penny in Roseburg.  Though there was a small selection of suits he could try on, the formation around the shoulders gave one that he had been propped into his suit as a scarecrow hanging from a pole.  We needed something else.

          The clerk had told Roland that Eugene would have a much larger selection.  Thus on Saturday we took the time to make the drive to Eugene.  We drove through fog practically the entire way there. It feels weird having such a limited view of where we are going – having faith that the road will take us to our destination though it feels like we are driving through the unknown.

rest stop mile marker 179

 As we approached Eugene, the fog had cleared and we could see more scenery again.

          I had considered taking my kindle as I really don’t like shopping and it would help pass the time as Roland tried on suits, but I knew I was getting low on battery and did not want to gamble on taking it there and having the battery need charger after only two minutes or so. 

          When Roland told me to hold his phone, I downloaded a game to pass the time.  I don’t know that the variety of suits was any larger at the Eugene store – not in his size.  He is limited.  We did end up with a suit coat and pair of pants and ordered another pair of pants and a vest.  Plus he got two more white shirts. 

          We went to Red Lobster for lunch.  The lobster pizza is fantastic, but I don’t recommend the lobster mashed potatoes.  I didn’t care for the sauce.  I really did enjoy the pizza.

          Afterword we went walked over to the Men’s Wearhouse as Roland wanted a raincoat that would fit over his suit.  Nada. Well, they did have a wool coat.  Wool coat in rain.  Smart.  440 dollars.  No thank you.

          We passed a site called “Good Feet”.  Roland has flat feet and has been hurting.  We were there for maybe 20 minutes as he answered questions and walked in their shoes as opposed to his own shoes.  We did not make a purchase.

          We drove to Springfield so that we could pick up some cables and transmitters at Best Buy and then we started home.  What a long and expensive day!

on the return to Myrtle Creek