Back to B21

Like every other morning, David and I were first up, but joining us before sunrise was Tommy. That was a bit of surprise. While enjoyed coffee and stretched, David was hell bent on viewing his GoPro videos on his iPad. To accomplish the task required setting up the wireless capability since he didn’t have the proper cables. I knew from setting up mine a year or so prior that it would be no small feat. I watched him struggle with it for an hour or so.

Mindy sent me a text asking what the incessant beeping sound was. It was David messing with the programming features on his GoPro. Beep, beep, beep … I didn’t head out on a run until perhaps 8am. There wasn’t any reason to rush. We had nothing planned until our departure, which wasn’t scheduled until 330pm.

Decided to mix it up a little and ran up town first, just like I did on day one. Glanced in a few of the numerous uptown art galleries as I ran by. Lots and lots of cool, eye catching artwork in Park City. The run back to the house was the easy part – all downhill.

After a little snacking I started packing for home. I got our skis packed up for starters. I then moved on to my clothes and electronics. Mindy and I both were pretty much done packing by 1030am. All we needed to do was get showers and then pack any of those last minute items. Opted to do a load of laundry, washing most of our worn ski gear and then my running clothes, which would make our return home that much easier. Of course waiting on that to be done prevented us from being able to finalize packing and also loading the minivan. No worries.

I checked the minivan rental agreement which for some reason had us returning the minivan by 1pm even though we didn’t pick it up the Saturday prior until almost 245pm. Odd? Anyway, I suggested after finalizing our packing we take a walk uptown. We made tentative plans to leave for the airport by 1215pm. David & Anita headed uptown before the rest of us. They were fully packed earlier than most others. Glenn, Tommy, Mindy and I left for an uptown walk near 1115am.

Nice sunny bluebird day once again. This one was forecasted. We popped in a couple souvenir shops where Mindy bought me yet another Park City t-shirt. I joked that I was going to milk that necklace for all it’s worth.  I offered to buy both Tom & Glenn a t-shirt or ballcap too. Neither seemed to want either. Hmmm? We popped in a local ski shop as well. Glenn offered that he really liked the Rossi skis on display. The store attendant, who was busy helping another customer, quickly chimed in that that pair of skis really doesn’t exist – just a display model. Glenn laughed it off. Figures!

Before walking out, he spotted ski pants and jacket that he liked – 686 – Dickies. I like the rugged look too. He photo’d the tags, presumably to further investigate once home. He could use new technology skis as well as new ski gear (coat, pants, etc).
Quickly approaching 12noon. We slowly made our way back towards the house stopping a few times to get a photo or two. Back at the house, Anita had all the leftover snack food boxed up. David received confirmation from the property manage that it was more than OK to leave the fridge foods in it. Somebody (I’m guessin the cleaning folks) were going to “clean up”. 

We scoured our suite one more time for any left behind items then loaded the minivan. Shared hugs and goodbyes around the room then Mindy, Tommy and I set out for the airport. Told Glenn there was a strong chance we’d see him again in March (spring break) in Portland. Not sure when we’d see David &Anita again, but I’m guessing sooner rather than later. Dating back to last June I think we’ve seen one or both every month.

We hit the road near 1215pm just as we had planned. Very easy drive back to the airport. The only
stresser was the need to stop and fill-up the gas tank within ten miles of the airport. However, David was all over that. He apparently asked the Thrifty associates where he might find a gas station meeting that criteria when picking up his rental. Told me it was the Redwood exit.

Along I-80 west back to the airport, I spotted what appeared to be a moose nesting/resting not too far off the freeway in the desert like brush. I could stop even if I wanted to. The others didn’t see it. For some reason, I figured the Redwood exit was the first town before the airport exit, but next thing you know, we seeing signs for the airport exit in ½ mile and still no Redwood. We’d used maybe 2/3s a tank of gas, but if we took it back as it was it would cost me $90. But just but just before the airport exit there was another exit at Redwood Ave. Ahh. OK. And just down the road were two or three filling stations. We filled up at the Shell.

Getting back to the freeway from the northbound side of Redwood seemed unachievable. Preventing such a maneuver was a median that seemed to never end no matter which way we turned. Yikes! I had my eye on the clock too. It was 105pm once we exited for the actual airport. I asked both Mindy &Tommy to keep their eyes keenly pealed for the proper path to the rental car return. Turns out it was fairly cut and dry. Got back to the Thrifty return area by 110pm, which was pretty much the same place where we picked up the minivan a week earlier.

I’m pretty sure it was the same girl checking us out that was now checking us in. She only glanced at the fuel gauge and documented the mileage. She didn’t ask for the receipt showing that we gassed up within the 10 mile range supposedly documented in the rental agreement. She said nothing about the extra 10 minutes either, not to mention the ding in the driver’s side door that I noticed a day or two into our trip. I didn’t inspect the vehicle like they ask you too, and besides, it was parked in a dark parking garage where small dings and such wouldn’t normally pop out at you.

The final rental bill was actually about $6 cheaper than the online quote when I reserved it. Sweet! I felt good having that behind us. The next challenge was now before us, getting all of our gear to the Southwest passenger check-in counter. The broken handle on my suitcase was a big pain in the rear. Made it very difficult to transport all of my gear. It was hard on both Mindy and I. I had to stop twice to rest my left arm.

We made it, finally! Check-in was a snap. Unlike Columbus, we had to drag our bags down to another spot for a security scan, but were free to walk away after doing so. Tommy and I both got to go through the easy TSA screening process. But once again, they stopped Mindy for a more thorough check. This time I think, they swabbed her hands for any gun powder residue. All clear!

By the time we were settled and sitting at our departure gate it was 150pm. Called Ashley during our hour long wait before boarding. We talked about Lindsey’s pending surgery and the fact that she agreed to keep the boys for three days and that Kelly was seeing Lindsey through the surgical process, which was certainly a much brighter picture than the one my mom painted on Facebook and via phone call earlier in the week. Ashley also said that the rumor of Lindsey being evicted wasn’t true either. Hearing that definitely left Mindy & I feeling a little better about things. I sent David a text sharing the details regarding the fuel stop on Redwood Ave. We boarded the plane I’m guessing around 3pm.

The flight from SLC to Las Vegas was a fast and beautiful flight. Got to see Lake Meade, Hoover Dam, Ogden, Utah, which is gorgeous country ( red canyons). And because it was a completely clear day, we could see all of Vegas too. Sweet!! I quipped that we might not see palm trees again for a really long time. We grabbed lunch at the same Burger King in the C concourse that we’ve eaten at least two other times.

It was time to board our flight for home in a hurry. No sooner had we arrived at the gate and Mindy put some cash into the nearby slot machines that they began boarding. I had to go back after her. Good thing I did. She said she could hear the boarding announcement from the noisy slots.

In line for boarding, I overheard a group of guys talking about their ski week in Lake Tahoe. As they walked by to board before us, I asked how it was. Synchronously, they all shared that it was terrible –
very poor conditions. Too warm and sloppy. Said it was 60 degrees almost every day. We quickly shared our original plans to ski Tahoe that week as well, but changed our plans with 3 weeks to go. Applauded our call. Said they absolutely love P.C. As much as I hate to admit it, it was good to hear that, and not for their misfortune, but instead for our foresight to change.

We were boarding group B, and three of us got to sit together once gain. And like the three prior legs, Mindy gave me the window seat sharing that I would get far more enjoyment out of than she ever would. It’s true. I can look out the window almost endlessly. This time I logged onto the SW airlines flight tracker free of charge. Sweet app! Could see our altitude, air speed, and location. North Central Arizona was spectacular. Canyons as far as the eye could see. And without any aid, I spotted Grand Canyon National Park, though by then the sun had sunk so much that it was a dusky, muted view. I was a little surprised at how close the snowpack was to the northern rim – seemingly within a mile or two.

From that point on it was dark for the rest of the flight home. I spent the next 2.5+ hours reading via my Kindle. I might’ve taken a couple quick 5 minute naps, too. Our flight was scheduled to land in CMH at 1155pm ET. However, we actually landed 30 minutes early. Must’ve had a serious tailwind. As much as I hated our coveted ski vacation to come to an end, it felt good to be on our home turf and with cold, thick, Columbus air which is rich in oxygen. 

Baggage claim was a snap. We knew better than to follow the signs to ground transportation which have you going up and down arduous escalators. Instead, we exited directly from baggage claim and crossed the street for Blue Lot pick-up. I suppose they point travels that way so to avoid any potential pedestrian/car accidents.

The first Blue Lot shuttle was just pulling away as we walked up. Figures! We waited patiently for the next, which wasn’t more than a few minutes. It was chilly, though. The warm weather the kids went on and on about over the phone the last few days was apparently gone! Finally at the Pilot near 1220am. It was right where we left it. Said goodbye to brother Tommy, who was parked in the same lot, same row. 20 minutes later we backed in the driveway.

Jimaken was out of town for business, so only Molly was there with the kids. She’s just so darn sweet and very cute. Looked drained and tired. I’m guessing the week was a bit of an eye opener for her. Still, we chatted for a spell then I helped carry her gear to her car before she left. We actually offered the opportunity to spend the night but she declined. Said she was eager to go home and sleep in her own bed. We could definitely relate. Felt good to be home and the house smelt terrific – sweet even. Woke both kids to share that we were home. Both were sound asleep and barely acknowledged our presence.

Did little unpacking before heading up to bed. I, however, took the time to fire up my PC and get online to scan/check email. In bed by 2am. Felt good to be between the sheets of our own bed with my own pillows.