Okay so it's Monday December 29, and 2008 is quickly coming to an end just when it seemed like it was getting started. Amazing how fast the years fly by. It's been a week now since I returned to Denver. As most of you know, I went back to Oregon for a short weekend vacation.
Saw some old friend, drank and more or less had a good time. Then it was time to catch the plane back to Denver. So I hopped in my trusty rental car and drove up I-5. Then out of nowhere, a major snow storm hit closing the freeway.
There I found myself stuck just outside of Salem Oregon for the night. I quickly got myself a room and did what any right-minded person would do in a situation much like this. I found a bar. A good tasty beer always makes the unpleasant situations we must face now and again go by so much better.
After a few trusty beers, I was feeling good. Then I decided now was a good of time as any, so I paid my bar tab and trudged my way back through the snow to my room and wound up watching a movie.
The next morning I woke, turned on the TV and the news was forecasting more snow later that day. I needed to get out of there and fast! The State Police were requiring chains on all roads at the time, which I of course didn't have in my rental car.
So I was forced to wait till Police lifted the chain requirement. At which time, I hit the open road as it where and joined the rest of the weary eyed travelers and truckers up I-5 for what normally takes about an hour and half to drive into a three hour venture.
I finally made it to the airport safe and sound, returned my rental car. Stood in a very what seemed to be endless line at the ticket counter, checked my bag and made my way to the gate.
Sitting there, I thought to myself, everything's cool I'll be back in Denver soon what can go wrong from here. Well as it turns out, apparently a lot can go wrong just when you least expect it to.
The time for my plane was nearing; when over the PA a voice rang telling everyone that the plane is going to be about forty minutes late because of weather. I looked at my ticket noticed the time for my connecting flight out of Seattle.
Concerned, I proceeded up to the counter and explained my situation, the young woman said not to worry that I should still be able to make my connecting flight.
So I took my seat and waited…
About a half hour later, the PA came to life once again and this time the voice said that the plane is still running about forty minutes late. So of course I knew now that I was for sure going to miss my connecting flight from Seattle to Denver.
So I made my way back up to the ticket counter, and same young woman who had helped me the first time said sorry but there was nothing she could do, that these things just happen sometimes. She went on to tell me that there were no flights available till December 25th. Two days from that night.
So I started making the phone calls, letting those know that I will be stuck in the airport for the next two days. After I finished my phone calling, I found myself with a lot of time and nothing to do. After all, there's only so much you can do in an airport terminal.
So I found myself texting, to help pass the time. What would people do without the modern connivances we have at our disposal today?
After thinking about, I opted to take my original very late flight from Portland to Seattle. After all, I never been to Seattle airport and was quickly tiring of Portland. So I did just that.
After a short forty minute flight, we landed in Seattle, and there I found myself in yet another airport. But this one was better, more to do and see at least to my eyes anyway. So I wondered around grab a very expensive airport beer and waited…