PHX to PDX

Now that I think I'm back in the Central Time Zone, I'm starting to get rid of the jet lag.

I had planned on blogging along the way, so this one wouldn't be so long. However, all internet time ended up being homework/class time. I kind of gave a sneak peak of the first weekend, on "God Sightings." Saturday (Aug. 2) was another very early morning. Up at 2 a.m., to catch the 3 a.m. shuttle, to make sure I was at the Phoenix airport two hours before my 6 a.m. flight. Little did I know how close we really were to the airport! It only took 15 minutes, including getting my bags on and off the shuttle. So I was at the airport at 3:15 a.m. There was a family sleeping on the chairs next to the Southwest check-in area, so I got comfortable on the floor. (Thank God, I am still flexible enough to sit on the floor!) Before to long other passengers started to show up. It's interesting how just being in a certain spot makes you an expert. I don't know how many people asked me what time the ticket counter opened...just because I was the first in line. Had an interesting chat with the two passengers waiting next in line. The lady was from MN, so we had a little in common being from the same geographical area. The man was a police officer from Yuma, AZ, and was retired from the Air Force. Very interesting conversations there.

The ticket counter finally opened at 4:15. After a quick check in, I was off to the Security check-in. Oh joy, another wait...they don't open until 4:30. The same two people who were behind me at the ticket counter ended up behind me at the Security checkpoint. So we continued chatting. At this point all my mind is thinking is "Coffee, coffee, coffee." After the check in, I grabbed a cup of coffee and an over-priced breakfast sandwich, and sat down to check some e-mails, as well as class info. An hour later, we were finally boarding. When I booked this flight, I knew it would have 2 stops, but I had no idea where. Nothing like an adventure! I was ready for the 4 hour trip, nonetheless...it's a good thing Huskers Illustrated can take awhile to read. The first leg was from Phoenix to Salt Lake City. The young man who sat in the same row as me was also on his way to Portland. The gray hairs must not have been showing too much, as he kept trying to start a conversation with me. lol The second leg was from Salt Lake City to Boise, ID. I kept trying to find Lake Coeur D'Alene from the air. We must not have flown that far north, as I didn't see it. I wish I hadn't packed my camera in the check-on bag. The view of Mt. Hood, as we approached Portland, was just majestic! It looked like we could open the window and touch the tip, as it stuck out above the clouds.

As the plane approached the gate, I text messaged Chris to let her know I was in Portland. She messaged back that they were at the gate. Between reading messages and sending them, I guess I walked right by her and Whitney. Chris and I have never met face-to-face, but have been online buddies for about 4 years. (We met through her brother, Terry.) Just as I was going around the corner to the baggage claim, I spotted them.

We spent the afternoon playing dice with "Mom." When Terry, then (cousin) Tammy and her husband, Robin showed up, we just added more to the game. We picked up Tammy's mom, Laura and her husband, Jesse then met up with Tammy and Chris, who had gone shopping. We went to a local favorite, Chinese buffet for supper. (I was good...only had one plate! lol) Terry and Robin were torturing Robin's son, James with a miniature octopus by trying to make him eat it. (ewwww) Between that and the crawdads it was a wonder any one of us had an appetite. It has to by a Y chromosome thing...to play with food.

After supper, we went to Laura and Jesse's to play croquet. Jesse is in the early stages of Alzheimer's, and Croquet is still something he can enjoy. After a crash course in the game, Terry, James, Jesse and I played. Terry patiently helped Jesse through the game. It really brought memories of Grandma to mind, in keeping the person focused, while trying to do something they enjoy.

By the end of two games, I'm running on Adrenaline and wishing for a pillow for my head. Needless to say, it didn't take much to get to sleep.