The 4 a.m. chirp of my cell phone alarm was a harsh wake-up call compared to the usual gotta-go meanderings of Ellie B aka Dogamous Pyle.
But our beloved rescue mutt was nowhere to be found in the Little Bitty in the Syracuse city neighborhood of Eastwood, dropped off the previous night at the north side dwelling of our great friend Michelle for safe keeping while we were winging our way to Colorado for my dear wife Karen’s first Family Reunion.
I knew no time was to be wasted because daughter Elisabeth and boyfriend George Three would be arriving at 5 in the van kindly driven by George Two to save us five days of airport lot charges. Up I jumped for those last-hour preparations, and be ready to lug our one big check-on bag each and carry-on out to the street.
Gotta look good for the two legs of our Delta flights, changeover in Minneapolis, right? Nah. Shorts and T-shirts suffice these days.
Karen had pre-checked us and printed out our boarding passes, so the TSA process was a snap. Once through the screener, we stopped at the Dunkin’ Donuts stand to fuel and wait for our 7 a.m. departure. Boarding was posted as 6:30. My iPad Air hooked me up to airport WiFi from our last visit, and I read and commented on blogs, thinking I might not get much of a chance once in Estes Park. That was good figuring on my part.
Up, up and away we went. I read from my long-held Steve Martini
novel featuring attorney Paul Madriani. It kept my attention on all four legs, and yay, I finished it in the air between Atlanta and Syracuse.
I reached across the aisle to my left and held Karen’s hand as we taxied down the runway. It made me feel good.
We four were pretty quiet during the flight. Indeed, at that time of the morning, the only noise was the flight attendants taking our beverage and snack order. Peanuts and Fresca, please and thank you. I’d already had coffee in my cup the size of my head at home and another large from Dunkin’ before takeoff.
After the pilot told us to prepare for landing, I asked George and Elisabeth if I could lean over them for one good shot below. I think I got it.
There was no problem with the layover at busy Minneapolis, with a smooth train ride to another terminal getting us to our gate in ample time despite there being just a half-hour between flights.
Minny is a busy ‘port. There were no open seats for us.
I leaned against a kiosk and people- and plane-watched.
Upon arrival in Denver, we easily found baggage claim and the proper exit for the shuttle to Thrify Car Rental. I won’t go into the story about how I had to call a half-dozen rental places the day before because the SUV was on me, and I didn’t save confirmation emails and had no earthly clue which place we’d decided to go with online more than a month ago. My credit card statement merely listed an online conglomerate. No, I won’t tell you that because it’s too embarrassing, you know?
Click on any gallery photo for a description. Click on the bottom right photo in any gallery for an enlarged slide show.
On the shuttle, we four discussed how flat the lay of the land looked around the airport.
But then the bus driver made another turn, and we saw them.
The Rocky Mountains, in all their majesty, were dead ahead of us. We figured Estes Park must be up there. We got even more excited.
Thrifty got another $60 out of me by upselling me to Colorado’s version of EZ-Pass, the counter rep explaining how now I could take the faster and easier toll highway on the way to and from Estes Park. Because I knew we planned to come back to Denver on Sunday for the Colorado Rockies baseball game, I bit. I also signed for his $2.75-a-gallon we’ll-fill-it-so-you-don’t price.
I did not go for the bigger vehicle pitch. It would have cost twice as much. He tossed me a pamphlet and said we could pick any of the SUVs in Row 4. I gave the pamphlet to the other and headed to the restroom.
When I got out, George was attempted to pack our Chevy Trax, way smaller than what I’d imagined. He and Elisabeth ended up with one big suitcase between them in the back seat. Ah, well, it was fine for the around Estes Park jaunts.
On the drive, they told me that this had been the only vehicle parked in row 4. Sly bastards.
Hours after that Syracuse airport Dunkin’ bagel, we were famished. We saw a sign for a Perkins, a breakfast favorite of mine that closed its doors in Syracuse, oh, a decade ago.
Yes, it was the same chain.
I did notice signs that this particular place had been regionalized.
I went with eggs over easy, bacon, pancakes with sugar-free syrup. Everybody else got lunch, sandwiches and burgers. We were all happy.
Before we climbed back into the car, one of the young folks noticed a ding near the rear. We had not hit a thing. They suggested a take a picture of it to prove it’d been there since the beginning of our trip. Indeed.
So, you ask, why did I wait until the near-finish of this The Thin Air Series for my story about the trip to Estes Park? Because on the way home, I did not take my iPhone 6 out of my pocket to take one single picture, that’s why. That’s how good the trip to Colorado for our first Family Reunion had been. I was content to read and think about it all.
Tomorrow: Sock it to me and take it home
Tuesday: What I learned
How long do you usually get to an airport before your flight time, and have you ever cut it very close at the gate? What upsells have you gone for, and why? Have you ever dinged a rental car, and if so, what did you do about it?
Aloha, Mr. B! I always enjoy checking in on you and reading about your happenings. Sounds like it was smooth sailing to your final destination. I love it when that happens and there are no airport snags or issues. Phew!
Hey, Mr. B and I just spent three great days on Lake George celebrating my birthday (early) and finally taking advantage of a gift I got two years ago when I turned the ugly 5_! I’ll be blogging about it soon.
LikeLike
Happy Birthday, my dear Mrs. B! I love Lake George. I bet you two had a great time celebrating the 5-0 birthday gift. ❤
LikeLike
Remember on Leave It to Beaver, Wally and Beav wore suits to travel on the bus to Aunt Martha’s house?
LikeLike
Yes, that is Wayback dress-up, Rachel. 🙂
LikeLike
Everything was great until you took the photo out the window bro Mark. That turned the trip into the vomit comet. Your timing was great though. Not too much time in airport lounges. My first trip meant hours in O’Hare, in the International lounge waiting for the plane to be built. Things have changed since 1986 I hope. We flew in a sardine can, but I didn’t notice much, after my large dose of Dramamine. Each time it wore off I took more.so that was a wonderful sleeping experience.
Glad you found the restaurant you love. Those mountains do creep up on you from around the corner, don’t they? Always loved that. Imagine being in a covered wagon, traveling for days and weeks, trying to get there, and never seeming to get closer. Have a good week brother.
LikeLike
Dramamine is what allows me, patch form, to go on the big ship cruises, sis Angie.
Wow, covered wagons to and on those mountains. I can hardly imagine that!
Please have a great week getting set for that move at last.
LikeLike
I’m so glad we don’t have to dress up anymore to fly! Great photos Mark!
LikeLike
We don’t have to dress much anymore for anything, PJ. 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s true!
LikeLike
Reading this made me so happy for many reasons. For one, just to know you had your family with you on the adventure – nothing better is there?
Secondly – I loved knowing that you walked across the same spaces (MSP, DIA) I occupy almost every week. Did you happen to have an airplane with Delta’s version of the safety speech? It’s the cleverest one in the air right now AND they change it to go with the seasons. If you didn’t see it, let me know I’ll post the video. Very cute.
I also loved that you put your iPhone in your pocket. Those are the best vacays every.
I head to Colorado at the end of the week. xo
LikeLike
Enjoy Colorado through your local Kansas airport, Michelle!
No, my planes were too small for the video screens, so you would have to post to prove Delta’s clever safety ways. 🙂 Their attendants were all very helpful, though, including not allowing, but asking and moving folks in a non-full plane to get Karen and I and also Elisabeth and George Three together after Delta system had split us up despite our buying-click of side-by-side seating.
Yes, I also like the idea that I’ve walked the same airport steps as you, now my friend. We got good bagel sandwiches in DIA, turkey-bacon-advocado from a chain we don’t have here back east. Yum.
Have a great week, my dear friend.
LikeLiked by 1 person
My first time retrieving baggage in Denver was not so smooth, but I figured it out. I can’t believe y’all made it to Estes this year. How fun! I’ll enjoy reading back through your posts.
LikeLike
Yes, Aud, first time ever in the midwest for me! How beautiful Colorado is. I hope I did it justice with The Thin Air Series, my dear friend. ❤
LikeLike
You did, Chum. Your photography increases in its perfection. Loved The Thin Air Series!
LikeLike
Thanks so much, Red. I loved it out there in your rarified air. Houston’s heat and humidity must feel so stifling upon return.
LikeLike
Man!! You live an exciting life !!! Glad you came to Colorado & hope you had a great time. Peace.
LikeLike
I get to some places, Wilder. Thanks. Peace back. 🙂
LikeLike
I can’t wait to take our reconnaissance trip to Colorado Springs to house hunt. The FL house will hit the MLA listing on Wednesday. I can’t wait to go! 😀 Your pictures are really igniting my excitement!
LikeLike
I can’t wait for you guys to get out there, Colleen, because of your excitement and my knowledge now of how beautiful it is! Yay!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Mark. 😀
LikeLike
I haven’t been on a plane since 2006 and can’t say I want to anytime soon. When I was a kid, travelling around the world, we always dressed up in our best outfits. We travelled quite a bit on BOAC (British Airways) in fact my parents would send me by myself to visit my grandparents in England (one time I even flew back from Australia by myself, I was 10 years old – stuck between to elderly ladies who fought over me the whole time). I spent happy hours in the loo playing with the lotions and the cotton balls. Those were the great days of travelling. There is no dignity or luxury in travelling anymore – unless you are my brother who only travels by Emirates Airlines in their suites (with showers and beds) – but he has money.
LikeLike
Like anything else, SD, the have-much’s travel much easier than the rest of us. Sigh.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, I can afford the steerage section – that’s about it. Down in the bowels with the livestock.
LikeLike
Yeah, the people moooooovers.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ha-ha-ha!!!!! You are so silly!!!!!!
LikeLike
That’s me, SD. 😮
LikeLiked by 1 person
Out of this whole post what jumped out at me was the price of gas. In what alternate universe can you buy gas for a mere $2.75 a gallon? Well, obviously in Colorado… it would be worth driving all the way there to fill up! I never can figure out why in LA, where we produce and refine so much gasoline ourselves, our prices are consistently much higher than anywhere else in the state… and the country. Good thing I don’t drive that much anymore!
LikeLike
It’s all about demand, that gas price thing, Ros. They charge what they’ll get for it in LA, unfortunately, because so many drivers are tithed to the auto.
In Syracuse, right now, we’re paying about $2.48 a gallon. Not as many drivers, lower price.
Go figure.
LikeLike
The woes of air travel, unless International (first class) I do not fly…PERIOD. Although Delta frequent miles are used by my hubs often, I tend to stay at my beach paradise. Car rentals are BIG business here in Florida so they tend to bend backwards to accommodate our tourists and are very competitive with free upgrades, unlimited miles, etc. You get the picture Mark, speaking of which are fantastic my friend.
Congrats on “Name That Tune”- Sundays at my web https://clwiser.wordpress.com. The Gatorette.
LikeLike
Yes, Florida rental agencies need to make car drivers happy for the repeat business, I agree, Gatorette.
And, yay, I at last got to your Name that Tune weekly game first, and indeed guessed correctly as well! Music lovers, play every Sunday over at Cheryl’s place. She goes deep into the 70s and 80s on her song choices even though she wasn’t born yet then. 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
They want tourist to safely drive our road systems and leave feeling that Florida is a hospitality capital USA and return soon one day! I pre scheduled post early Mark for You! The Gatorette
LikeLike
You are the best, Cheryl. 🙂 ❤
LikeLike
Thanks Terp!
LikeLike
I haven’t flown in years – but you make it sound so exciting, Mark! I’d love to take Teddy Rosalie on a flight to get some great pictures like yours. Maybe when my ship comes in, I can fly (I hate boats).
LikeLike
Fly again, CM. It’s worth it to get someplace really exciting. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ohhhh, that view of the Rockies is spectacular!
LikeLike
Thanks so much, Livi. I will never forget this trip. 🙂 Take a look at the photos in my previous posts for spectacular, and thanks for coming by. ❤
LikeLike
Ooo, will do. My mom had the luck, or actually grand idea, to work at Estes Park right out of college. The photos she’s willing to share with me show that working long hours in such splendor was a marvelous experience.
LikeLike
Wow, that was a great idea your mom came up with, Livi. What a part of our country. 🙂
LikeLike
I’m usually there 90 minutes early Mark. I really don’t like when people try to up sell me. I just booked a flight to Montreal and they list the prices, etc., then you go to look at the available seats and they try to up sell you. In economy they now have 2 or 3 options even. The price quoted to me is for the ‘less desirable’ econo seat. Do they push it even closer for less leg room? Rig it so it can’t recline. Geez the whole thing pisses me off because I can still remember the luxury of flying, even in the economy section with hot meals, free movies – all included in the price of the ticket! ❤
Diana xo
LikeLike
We did no upsell on the plane tickets, either, Diana, and our seats reclined and I had enough room to put my carry on down by my legs, fortunately. 🙂 By the way, when are you coming east? ❤
LikeLike
I’m glad you had comfortable seats! I’m landing in Montreal on the 1st. Will be visiting my parents, my brother and family and my uncle from Germany will be there as well. It’s a short trip, coming back on the 7th.
LikeLike
I’m glad you’ll get to see such a wide swath of Schenks, my dear friend! Enjoy your time back home … Any interest in driving southwest a bit? Hint hint.
LikeLike
Wouldn’t that be lovely? I’m afraid that won’t be possible this time around my friend. 😦
LikeLike
Dagnabbit, Schwenkie! ❤
LikeLike
haha now it feels like we’ve been friends forever Mark! My friends call me Schwenkie, or Schwenker and one even calls me Schwenkenheimer!
Do you get called Bialczakie or Bialczaker or Bialcsakenheimer???
LikeLike
I do now, Schwenkie. ❤ Your choice.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lovely documentation of your trip, Mark, but I was thinking the same as Anne above, that we used to dress up for air travel. The casual look is so much more comfortable, for sure. It’s just so noticeable that the elegance went away, but the prices keep climbing…go figure ! ☺
LikeLike
Yes, the elegance went away, with the meals, which shrank from dinner choices to sandwich choices to peanuts or pretzels. Oy.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I forgot about that…I used to enjoy those compact but tasty meals, even on a short lunchtime flight. ☺
LikeLike
Me, too, Van. I like to eat, you know. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sounds like a bit harsh on the wallet but sometimes when you’re on vacation you just feel like you have to live a little right?
LikeLike
You gotta fork it out to spoon it in, Marissa. Feel free to borrow that line any time you need it to fit a verse. 😉
LikeLike
I like it…the wheels are turning…
LikeLike
i tend to cut it a bit close on airport runs, though it’s somehow never on purpose ) i had a run-in with a rental car company once, about something they said i caused, which i knew that i didn’t and had to go all the way up to get it settled. looks like by hook or by crook, you may your way to the beautiful rockies and what a trip this was )
LikeLike
Yes, we got there, Beth. The check out process at the car place didn’t include and ding charges! Yay.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love the photos up in the air- but I have not flown in 8 years- just can’t handle the stress, the pressure- oh for the good old days when you got dressed up to fly, got to the airport a little before the flight took off, no security- and a flight from Newark to Washington DC cost $25.00 on Apple Air. Those were the days.
LikeLike
It is very stressful all around now, Lisa, I agree, from the check-in to the horde-like process loading and deboarding the flights. I remember flying from Syracuse to Newark and Baltimore-Washington on PeopleExpress in the ’80s for $25! Seems like yesterday to me in a lot of ways, really. That’s another story, though, isn’t it?
LikeLiked by 1 person
People’s Express! Forgot about that one! Those were the days! 😀
LikeLike
Very cool and relaxed sounding Mark. I’m glad the travel went well – it can go astray so easily with connections. The last time I flew, it was so cold (February) that the fuel caps froze on the plane and we sat there for 1 1/2 hours while they tried to thaw the caps and fuel the plane. That made me miss my connection but there was another soon after, so it worked out OK. Anyway, I digress – it is great to hear of a smooth trip. Awesome pictures as always. Thank You P.S. – we have Perkins here too – very tasty for breakfast. 😀
LikeLike
On the way home, we did have a delay on the very last flight, Paul, because the pilots were late getting in from their previous flight. The boarded us about 30 minutes late, told us why we were off schedule, and we ended up getting to Syracuse about 45 minutes tardy. Good thing George Two was still waiting at curb side for us with a smile on his face. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Mark, you made me remember when flying was an experience worthy of dressing up! Now , you are right sandals and flip flops are the code for dressing!
LikeLiked by 1 person
My first flights, when I was a reporter for the campus paper at Maryland, I wore a suit jacket, Anne T! Talk about the old days.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I remember that ,too, and dressing up for a trip to New York! I think celebrities have had a part in this
casualness!
LikeLike
Yes, it’s a total dress-down in regular day life for most things as well, I’d say, Anne T.
LikeLiked by 1 person