After my father picked me up from the airport, we drove in his little electric-blue Prius to the Seattle ferry boat. We took the Bainbridge ferry “Tacoma” to Bainbridge Island. It was maybe a 20 minute crossing.
We had a 45 minute wait before the boat arrived which we spent walking down the waterfront in Seattle. The overpass was gone and the waterfront had gone through a lot of beautification improvements.
The pilot let us know it’s a busy morning, their just waiting to be assigned a parking space. It shouldn’t take terribly long though.
This gives me a chance to photograph some planes on the flat and steady earth. I realized as I was shooting planes, I don’t know what my own plane looks like. It was still dark when we boarded.
I am at the back of the plane, and this time, I won’t get to skip ahead. So I’ll just relax till the line peters out.
My father is waiting at the Cell Parking lot while I disembark. After I get my bag from the claim area, we can rendezvous somewhere nearby.
The trip has been smooth for the most part. I got some nice shots of the flatlands and hilly sections before we rolled over the Rockies.
It looks like I’ve got just an hour and twenty minutes left in the flight. Time for another snack!
I decided to open the packet of Biscoff wafer and Ghirardelli chocolate from the earlier snack cart. I still have most of the vodka left over. It was too strong for me.
I think that body of water is Warm Springs, but it’s difficult to tell from the flight map. When I zoom in I don’t see any lakes, only rivers.
The refreshments came by again and I asked for more Biscoff, I happily received two packets. I also got a second cup of the Pike Place coffee. Two creams no sugar, just right for my tummy.
Maybe the coffee is free because they didn’t ask for my card the second time. Or maybe the last call on snacks is free. I don’t know. My receipts have not arrived yet.
Usually digital receipts are instantaneous so I am a little confused. I spent $14 on the chicken sandwich and the first round of drinks was $11 (coffee, tonic, and spirits).
I should be getting a 20% statement credit on the in-flight purchases. That’s one of the perks available with the Delta Blue card.
I should mention, since I booked the cheapest airfare with Delta Air, my flight did not qualify for earning Miles. It is a bummer that I spaced out applying my saved points to this trip. I could saved $200 on my $300 tickets.
Next post Landed, Looking for Parking Space
Previous post Gallery: Up in the Air
Well we did the taxiing down the runway and then with a roar we took off. I recorded the ascent but it’s too big a file to upload on this slow in-flight wifi. The connection says 200 mbps, but the upload was crawling by.
The above video is a trimmed 30-second clip.
The Seatback “experience” Delta offers does not include any international titles or content. I’ll be sticking to my phone for the remainder of the flight.
Unfortunately, my charging cable is in my pack, which got checked earlier at the gate. I remembered to grab my headphones but I forgot the charge cable.
For snacks, I’ll be getting the Biscoff wafers. The little screen is telling me they also have pink lemonade for breast cancer, which is the same event they were running on my last flight in 2019. I suspect it isn’t really a special but a standard offer.
I might try the Du Nord Foundation vodka and Fever-Tree tonic water. I like quinine and it says it has bitter orange in it too. Might as well get everything since I rarely travel.
I’m not sure if my bladder could handle also ordering a cup of Starbucks Pike Place. That’s the other item on offer in the menu. I am supposed to get double stars on flight days but I’m not sure if I have it set up properly to get credit.
Next post Flight from the Carolinas to PNW
Previous post Up in the Air
The drive to the terminal was pleasantly quick despite the early morning commuter traffic. Going through the airport queues took considerably longer.
I am now sitting outside Gate D1 awaiting the pre-flight boarding announcement heading to the Seattle-Tacoma Airport (SeaTac).
Apparently something I hit at the checking kiosk meant that I was volunteering to check my one free carry on bag. Because I had a white tag on my pack, I got to go to the head of the line for boarding.
So, I am now sitting at the very back of the plane in seat 31F near the bathrooms and the staff area. We still have about 20 minutes before the flight occurs.
There is background music playing in the plane. It’s like classic elevator muzak. Not my taste, but I’ve really only listened to kpop since 2009. I’m not exactly open to new experiences.
Thankfully, flight is not a new experience. I quite enjoy flying actually. Like many children, I wanted to be an astronaut. Plane rides are about as close as I can get to space.
Next post Gallery: Up in the Air
Previous post A short trip to Washington
I am getting ready to fly out tomorrow morning for a trip to visit my father in Port Townsend, Washington. I will be flying out from RDU in the wee hours of the morning and touching down around second breakfast (10AM).
I’ll be flying on Delta Airlines. I booked the flight on my American Express Delta Blue. Unfortunately, I forgot to use my accrued miles for the booking. I tried asking a phone rep if they could apply a credit using my points, but they wouldn’t allow it. I’ll just have to keep saving my miles for now.
It’s about a 6 hour flight, so I will be needing to grab a bite to eat before I ship out. I am thinking I’ll swing by the Starbucks in the terminal for something to nosh on before boarding. The last time I flew, they gave us crackers and liquor. I probably can’t count on similar amenities.
I’ll just be packing my phone, watch, and their chargers for electronics. I had planned on bringing my DSLR, but my mother needs it for recording, so I’ll stick to the phone for my photography.
That should actually be easier for uploading, I won’t need to fumble around with memory cards. I can only imagine losing a MicroSD card in-between the seats mid-flight. It might be something like that one time I lost an SD card down the A/C vent in my Nissan LEAF.
I expect to be away for about a week, so I won’t be playing games much. Sadly I think the first Landmark contesting period for the second season of Rome will be while I am airborne.
I have paused all of my eBay shops and this afternoon I swung by the post to ship the out the last few parcels. I am looking forward to finishing out this 4th quarters sales on a high note and beating last years totals.
Thanks for reading!
The next in this series is At Airport Awaiting Boarding
Have you ever been camping?
I think my last time camping was when I in the Boy Scouts. We had a big meet up with the other area chapters which included the Sea Scouts.
I recall that on a different camping trip, I had left the tent door open and it rained. The tent and all my belongings were soaked through.
If my tentmate is reading this, I’m very sorry for the wet night.
I spent the night and the next day shivering in my Long John’s near the campfire. A sorry sight indeed.
I also forgot that I had packed my spare (dry) clothes in the bottom of my pack. I was struggling with ADD back then and was often spacing out important details. I only noticed the clothes after I returned home and was unpacking.
Earlier camping trips included visiting the natural hot springs in the Olympic Mountains of WA. Skiing trips at Mount Rainier and Mount Baker.
There were a few camping trips that included my mother. We camped in the designated park area at Fort Warden. She preferred the comfortable surroundings of home for the most part.
One season, while on a beachside camping trip, in our small sailing skiff, my father raided a seagull nest for eggs. He fried them over the fire on an old steel barrel lid that he found washed up on the shoreline.
I experienced #Vanlife early on. My father had outfitted his old dodge van with a bed, wood stove, a gas cooker, and various other comforts of home.
We would sleep in the van when he went to craft shows like Best of the Northwest and to the Barter Fairs in Eastern Washington out near Tonasket, Yakima, and Omak.
Actually, I was born at the general hospital in Tonasket. Although my family eventually settled in Port Townsend, after their step van broke down, the sagebrush and scrub land was always a second home for me.
That’s it for today. Thank you for reading.
Questions and comments, please put them below, and have a great day.
Car Adventures (part1)
Yesterday I went to the Raleigh-Durham airport to pick up my mother after her trip to Portugal. I was doing fairly well, I thought, right up until I accidentally exited off of the highway exit to Aviation Parkway.
What followed was a confusing mess. I found myself once again in Brier Creek. I had the presence of mind this time around to find a turnaround right away, rather than going off into the sticks out of town.
I got back on the road that led to the airport, and there was this red sports car ahead of me that seemed to be in a hurry I incorrectly assumed they were also heading to the airport, so I followed them.
Unfortunately, they were going to Durham.
Once more I exited off of Aviation Parkway and now I was heading to Durham. Luckily, I noticed a turn-off that was marked Raleigh.
This spun me around quite a bit and I ended up in a section of orange cans and traffic cones as construction was underway all over the roadway.
I slowly followed the road signs while this old car behind me kept revving its engine. I thought that they were maybe impatient, but as we rolled up to a stop light I heard their engine stall and stop.
The other car managed to start up again and the driver pulled off the roadway. It was a very old car.
Once the light went green I pulled away and left the old beater by the wayside. Following the cones I eventually found myself on a northbound route to Raleigh.
Some way down the road there was another exit to Aviation Parkway, which I happily took. This was sort of good but by this point, I had already overshot the airport by a great distance, and I was now traveling south.
At this point, I knew I needed some help. I pulled over to the side of the road and checked my map.
For today’s trip, I had the good sense to bring an old phone that had Google Maps on it. It doesn’t have a SIM card, but the GPS worked enough that it could pinpoint my position after a few minutes. It doesn’t work for real-time navigating but I could at least see where I was concerning the airport.
After I got my bearings, I found a street where I could do a U-turn and I got myself headed back north. I was close enough now to the airport that I could see the big black signage indicating the terminals.
I had intended on using the Cell Phone Lot at RDU as a waiting area until my mother’s flight had landed. I got lost trying to follow the directions I had written down and I gave up and instead used the parking garage.
Most of the floors were listed as OPEN in green letters on the electronic board, but when I started climbing up the round tower thing, each entrance was blocked with signage saying it was full.
I did manage to find a spot on the 4th floor, quite far from the elevators.
Once I had parked, I took some time to breathe and congratulate myself for surviving the trip. The trip back was much easier as I had my knowledgeable mother with me in the car and she knows these streets very well.
While I was at the airport I took some pictures of the planes and the facility.
Questions or comments, put them below. Thanks for reading!
Yesterday, I drove my mother to the airport for her vacation trip to Portugal. I drove her car there and back, a round trip of 70 miles on the fast expressway.
The journey there was relatively simple with my mother’s guidance. However, the return journey turned out to be a challenge.
Everyone was driving so fast (70 MPH), so I decided I would hang out in the rightmost lane and go a bit slower. Unfortunately, I realized too late that I was on a Right turn-only exit off of the highway much too early.
I ended up stuck in Briercreek, just outside of a subdivision, and lost inside a shopping area. It took me twenty minutes to finally figure out how to get back to the highway.
Not only had I never been to that part of the state, but I also had a clamshell-styled feature phone that could not use apps. I had no map to base my decisions on or a robotic voice to guide me to the highway entrance.
It was a game of eliminations. I managed to drive all the way outside of the shopping area and out into the suburbs where I turned around and backtracked my route.
I made several wrong turns until finally, I began to see intersections that looked vaguely familiar.
I’m not sure when it happened, but I realized that the exit from the expressway should also be close to the entrance back onto it.
Once I understood that I was able to make my way back to the exit but from the other side of the road. Sure enough, I could see the big blue sign marking the entrance to the 540 highway.
After I got back on I had no qualms with “going fast,” and I kept to the center lane the rest of the way home. It took me two hours to get home instead of one.
When I get my car, later this year, I will get one with onboard navigation. I swear this will never happen again.
Car Adventures (part2)
If I were to summarize this thing, all I would have to say is that Port Townsend is the BEST. End of story.
Nestled at the northeastern tip of the Olympic Peninsula in Washington State lies the picturesque town of Port Townsend. With its rich history, stunning natural beauty, vibrant arts scene, and unique Victorian architecture, Port Townsend offers visitors a truly unforgettable experience.
Let’s delve into what makes this charming town a must-visit destination.
A Historic Haven
Port Townsend’s history dates back to the mid-19th century when it was originally established as a seaport town.
Its strategic location on the Puget Sound made it a hub for maritime trade, and remnants of its maritime heritage can still be seen today in its well-preserved Victorian-era buildings and historic waterfront.
One of the town’s most iconic landmarks is the Port Townsend Historic District, which boasts over 50 buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Stroll down the streets lined with ornate Victorian homes, browse the quaint shops housed in historic buildings, and immerse yourself in the town’s rich maritime history at the Northwest Maritime Center.
Natural Splendor
Beyond its historic charm, Port Townsend is surrounded by breathtaking natural beauty. From the rugged coastline of the Olympic Peninsula to the lush forests of Olympic National Park, outdoor enthusiasts will find plenty to explore.
Take a leisurely hike along one of the many scenic trails in the area, such as the Larry Scott Memorial Trail, which offers stunning views of the Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains.
Enjoy a gentle amble through forest — with a dash of ravine, wetland and pasture — and on to sweeping views of Port Townsend Bay as this multi-use trail gently eases hikers, cyclists and equestrians down to the waterfront.
Photo by Kimberly Huntress Inskeep.
Or, for a truly unique experience, head to Fort Worden State Park, where you can explore abandoned military bunkers and enjoy panoramic views of the Strait of Juan de Fuca.
Art and Culture
Port Townsend has long been a haven for artists and creatives, and its vibrant arts scene reflects this heritage.
The town is home to numerous art galleries, studios, and performance spaces, showcasing the work of local artisans and performers.
Be sure to visit the Port Townsend School of the Arts, where you can take workshops and classes in a variety of mediums, from painting and pottery to photography and fiber arts.
And don’t miss the numerous festivals and events held throughout the year, including the Port Townsend Film Festival, the Wooden Boat Festival, and the Kinetic Sculpture Race.
Culinary Delights
No visit to Port Townsend would be complete without sampling the local culinary delights.
The town boasts a thriving food scene, with an abundance of farm-to-table restaurants, cozy cafes, and artisanal bakeries.
Indulge in fresh seafood straight from the waters of the Puget Sound, savor artisanal cheeses and chocolates from local producers, and sip on craft beers and wines from the region’s many breweries and wineries.
And be sure to check out the Port Townsend Farmers Market, held every Saturday from April to December, where you can sample the best of the region’s bounty.
Community Spirit
What truly sets Port Townsend apart is its strong sense of community. Despite its small size, the town is a vibrant and welcoming place, with a tight-knit community of residents who are passionate about preserving its heritage and fostering its cultural richness.
Whether you’re attending a local community event, volunteering with a local nonprofit organization, or simply striking up a conversation with a friendly local, you’ll quickly feel at home in Port Townsend.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Port Townsend, is a hidden gem of the Pacific Northwest, offering visitors a unique blend of history, natural beauty, arts, and culture.
Whether you’re exploring its historic streets, hiking its scenic trails, or indulging in its culinary delights, you’re sure to fall in love with this charming town.
So why not plan your visit today and discover all that Port Townsend has to offer?
Fat Wallet Refugee 