Winter Storm Rocky Grips SLC -

As we prepare to depart for Utah, appears our eldest grandson, Rocky, has prepared a winter treat just for us.

Here We Come!

 

Happy 6th Anniversary Jimindy!

I couldn't sleep after 545am, so I got up and headed downstairs where I started coffee then worked on my blog. If I got sleepy again, I’d simply peel off back for bed. But as it turned out, I didn’t. Felt fine. Enjoyed coffee and played on the internet until about 8am hen I decided to prep for a run. By then, not only did I have my blog updated through Thursday, but I started writing Friday's too.

I dressed in alternative running clothes since my favorite set was already packed for our trip. And thankfully it wasn’t that chilly, already 30 degrees. I stretched then headed out around 815am. It was quite a nice run under sunny skies. Looked like a nice late winter day in the offing. Expecting a high in the 40s.

Mindy and the pug were up shortly after my return from a run. I walked the pug, passing Leslie Dent, who was out for her Saturday morning run. Back at the house I made an omelet for Mindy and I to share. I left cheese off Mindy’s half, but adding ham and fresh basil to both.

We exchanged anniversary gifts early on, too. I opened mine first. Wow! Mindy got me a 8.9” Kindle Fire HD complete with case and screen protector. I must say, that caught me off guard. I gave Mindy hers next, the purple amethyst and diamond necklace I picked up at Macy’s the day before. She seemed to cherish it.

It was still before 930am but both of us recognized that our morning was going to go fast. Mindy shared that dad planned to be at our house at 1130am. We both got showers, Mindy taking hers first. While Mindy showered, I finished writing my Friday blog. I also printed off our boarding passes. I was able to print mine and Tommy’s since our flights were booked together, but Southwest’s site wouldn’t allow me to print Mindy’s for some reason.

Dad was over early. Showed up at 1110am. We weren’t quite ready to haul our stuff to the van. Among other things, I still had to finalize our ski bags.

For the most part, I kept my vacation stress level in check. We carried the bags to dad’s minivan around 1140am. We left the house before 12 noon, even though we had planned to at 1215pm. I called Tommy as soon as we were on the road. He didn’t answer so I left a VM sharing that I printed off his boarding pass with mine. I tried reaching Glenn, too. He didn’t answer either.

We made it to the airport somewhere close to noon. Dad helped us unload what looked like an inordinate amount of luggage. I felt bad for Mindy having to drag two suitcases, her carry-on, and her ski bag. I had the same. I couldn’t help her.

The line at the Southwest counter was relatively short and quick. Checked our luggage, had our boarding passes and gate assignment by 1205pm. Well, I had my boarding pass. Mindy wasn’t able to get her boarding pass at the counter. For some reason, she needed to get hers at the gate. Neither of us had ever heard of such silliness. Instead of going right to security, we waited off to the side for Tommy, who shared that he would be there about the same time as us.

Mindy was worried about her flight status, thinking that she might be getting bumped. She went through security and to the gate while waited for Tommy to show. I called his cell at 12:18pm to check on his ETA. Said it would be 12-15 minutes. It was more like 25 before he showed up. What I didn’t realize was that he already printed boarding passes too, which was the only reason I waited. Not a big deal.

We headed through security which is always an ordeal, both of getting the full body scan. I forgot to remove my runner’s ID band. It apparently was enough to draw their interest. Pulled me aside and asked if I had a watch or something similar on my left wrist. Oops! No harm, no foul.

We met Mindy who was already at the gate chatting with a retired school teacher. It wasn’t too long before they announced that our flight into Vegas was delayed 20 minutes due to the late arrival of our plane which was coming in from Chicago. They also announced a couple jeopardized connections in Vegas. Ours wasn’t one of them.

Minutes later I received an email from SW sharing that there would be further delay. Instead of taking off at 155pm, we’d be taking off at 235pm. The announcement caused me some mild stress. Soon they announced that all connections should be fine, figuring the pilot would be able to make up all, if not most of the delay.

Our boarding passes left us towards the very end – C17, C18 & C30. We’d all but resigned ourselves to not sitting together. And yes, it was a full flight. Boarding left us at the rear of the plane. I took a window seat next to a young mother and her 2.5 year old daughter. Mindy was directly behind me, and Tommy just across the aisle from Mindy. The pilot shared that it would be a 4 hour and 15 minute flight. Yikes!

I stared out the window, napped and read a little. Talked some with the young mother next to me as well. She was actually traveling with three young kids, the two others sitting just across the aisle. They were all three well behaved. The sky was clear all the way to the Rockies and the ground covered in snow the entire way. I had to pee after about 1.5 but waited for another hour or so before asking the mother next to me to let me out.

The last hour of our flight was through cloud cover until we hit Vegas. Beautiful city – mountains and desert. I think it was close to 4pm local when we landed. Our departing gate to SLC was just a couple over, but just as we stared at the departure screen they announcement a gate move over the PA system. Still, it was just around the corner.

Mindy and I went to Burger King where I had a double Whopper. After 20 minutes we headed to our gate. Our flight was set to leave in 30 minutes. No idea where Tommy went. We saw him at the food court earlier. I sent him a text letting him know we were at the gate. Has text from Glenn sharing that his flight leaving Portland was delayed 30 minutes. His connection was out of Oakland.

SW made an announcement that the flight to SLC was scheduled to depart on time but could easily be diverted to another airport due to a significant winter storm currently over the city. Yikes. A few minutes later there was talk amongst the passengers that they were considering canceling our flight. Rocky in my tummy! Mindy went up to the counter to inquire. She returned with news conflicting that of the gossipy passengers. Still the same message. Should depart on time but might have issues landing into SLC with the heavy snow storm.

Not ten minutes passed before we began boarding. They announced that the storm had pulled back a little and shouldn’t pose a landing problem. Yeah! We left Vegas perhaps 15-20 minutes later than scheduled. I was OK with that. The flight between Vegas and SLC isn’t long, perhaps 70 minutes.

The flight was once again completely full and again unable to sit together, though just across the aisle from one another. We met some interesting folks. Our flight landed in SLC around 745pm. As soon as I turned my phone on I had a message waiting from Glenn that he was landed and already in baggage claim. A minute later my phone rang, but by the time I answered the call dropped. It was the shuttle service. I called back. His name was Jim. Very kind and pleasant. Shared where to meet him and asked that I call back once we have our bags ready. He’d be waiting in what amounts to a cell lot. Perfect. It seemed everything was coming together nicely.

Surprisingly, our bags were already on the merry-go-round by the time we got to baggage claim. We immediately spotted Glenn in the corner and joked at the coincidence. I went to grab all of our bags. Mindy disappeared. I had to lug all four of our suitcases by my lonesome. Not an easy task, especially when surrounded by hundred of folks trying to get theirs too.

Turns out, she was over at the specially designated ski bag area. Our skis still weren’t in. We had Glenn and Tommy wait with our other bags while we waited for the skis. They arrived minutes later. It was tough dragging all the bags, but the pick-up area Jim asked us to meet him at was just steps outside the nearby door. On top of that, he was already there waiting in the silver Suburban he advised us to watch for. Wasatch Crest Shuttle

Jim was very pleasant and helpful, making sure that all of our bags were securely loaded. As we departed the airport he shared that he was concerned for our ability to make it to the liquor store before closing, which closed at 9pm. It was about 8305pm. He ended up taking us to an alternative liquor store, and stopping there first. We chatted the whole way. SLC still in the grips of a snow storm though the snow fall was relegated to just flurries at the time.

Jim came to SLC 23 years prior to ski for a year. He and his wife ended up here since. She’s a ski instructor in the winter, Boy Scout leader in the summer, and all in the mountains. He and a partner have the shuttle service. Said that Saturday was a very long shuttle service day. Started at 330am.

The liquor store was packed. Jim waited in the Suburban. 10-15 minutes later we emerged with more than $200 worth of beer & booze (you have to buy ‘big’ beer at the state liquor store in Utah). Onto to Smith’s grocery store (owned by Kroger). We grocery shopped for a bit longer than 15 the allotted 15 minutes but who’s counting? We all but filled a cart with snacks, coffee, drinks, breakfast stuff. Mindy picked up the$100 tab there.

Once again, Jim helped us get all our groceries packed in amongst the luggage and booze. Not a lot of spare room afterwards. To Big Cottonwood Canyon. The snow picked up again as we headed up to Solitude. We learned that the Little Cottonwood Canyon was closed due to the storm. Yikes! Thankfully ours was still open. Jim chatted with us the entire drive up the snowy canyon. At times the snow fall was just short of total white out. Gorgeous though, and tight. He also shared that they reserve the right to close it at any time. And even though we had four wheel drive, we went into a skid a time or two. He calmly reassured that we were fine. Glenn, who was sitting up front, was white knuckling it. 

Despite the harrowing weather, Jim got us to Solitude in one piece. I think it was just before 10p when we pulled up to the office. I tromped through the deep snow to the office. Tommy soon followed. Two young guys who very pleasant gave us the four room keys and went over the details. Shared how to get into the parking garage and elevator. Jim took it from there, driving us into the underground parking and right next to the elevator door where we nabbed three hotel luggage carts for our huge haul luggage, alcohol, and food. Once we emptied the Suburban, our night with Jim was over. We tipped him well, $25. He was helpful, fun, and pleasant. A real joy and an excellent ambassador for SLC. I’ll recommend his services to others.

To our condo, room 314. Very much to our liking, the condo was actually bigger, and with better sleeping accommodations than advertised. How often does that happen? Instead of a one bedroom with one sleeper sofa, there were two sleeper sofas, one in the livingroom and the other in what amounts to a small den. We happily put away our groceries then made some drinks, Glenn and I Jack and Cokes. Mindy and Tommy wine. Glenn surprised Mindy with a large bouquet of pink Rhodies he stowed away in his carry-on. Mindy almost cried. Nice touch, Glennie!

Mindy headed to bed around 11pm local. Tommy, Glenn and I stayed up an hour or so longer. Actually, those tow stayed up even after I peeled off to bed. Last I saw, they were watching the sex toy shopping channel. I think they were placing an order. 