Portland, Day #1

Our flights were rather orderly. We were at the airport in Baltimore with plenty of time to spare, checking in was easy and security was a breeze. The flight was on time and despite the plane being full, we were able to get three adjacent seats --always a worry with SouthWest's "seat yourself" policy.

We landed in Phoenix, AZ, 15 minutes early, something which pleased me greatly: that's an extra 155 minutes for our luggage to find its way from that plane to the next. I was even able to grab some extra drinks at the concourse while we waited to board the Phoenix-Portland plane.

Once again, we were able to find three adjacent seats, although it turned out to be in the row directly in front of three of the most chatty human beings on the face of the earth. I was still feeling the effects of only four hours of sleep so I dozed off quickly, but cuyahogarvr and kent4str reported the three behind us didn't shut up the entire trip.

Our luggage did indeed arrive in Portland when we did. Our rental car was waiting for us although there was a minor hiccup with the paperwork... I'll let kent4str explain that one. Even the drive to and check-in at our hotel near the Portland convention center was uneventful (we're at the La Quinta Inn & Suites).

We didn't do much through the evening: thanks to the very early start and the jet lag, we crashed early.

Today's agenda: as soon as the boys are made presentable, we're going to see the Spruce Goose. kent4str's calling gig with the Rosetown Ramblers will occupy the bulk of Saturday afternoon and evening but that's all we have on the schedule. Not much else is planned so feel free to make suggestions... I have my crackberry with me so I'll see any emails.

Portland, Day #1

Our flights were rather orderly. We were at the airport in Baltimore with plenty of time to spare, checking in was easy and security was a breeze. The flight was on time and despite the plane being full, we were able to get three adjacent seats --always a worry with SouthWest's "seat yourself" policy.

We landed in Phoenix, AZ, 15 minutes early, something which pleased me greatly: that's an extra 155 minutes for our luggage to find its way from that plane to the next. I was even able to grab some extra drinks at the concourse while we waited to board the Phoenix-Portland plane.

Once again, we were able to find three adjacent seats, although it turned out to be in the row directly in front of three of the most chatty human beings on the face of the earth. I was still feeling the effects of only four hours of sleep so I dozed off quickly, but cuyahogarvr and kent4str reported the three behind us didn't shut up the entire trip.

Our luggage did indeed arrive in Portland when we did. Our rental car was waiting for us although there was a minor hiccup with the paperwork... I'll let kent4str explain that one. Even the drive to and check-in at our hotel near the Portland convention center was uneventful (we're at the La Quinta Inn & Suites).

We didn't do much through the evening: thanks to the very early start and the jet lag, we crashed early.

Today's agenda: as soon as the boys are made presentable, we're going to see the Spruce Goose. kent4str's calling gig with the Rosetown Ramblers will occupy the bulk of Saturday afternoon and evening but that's all we have on the schedule. Not much else is planned so feel free to make suggestions... I have my crackberry with me so I'll see any emails.