Friday in Vancouver

The loooong weekend in Vancouver was pretty packed with people to see and with food and beverage to consume, so let's take this day by day, shall we?  Agreed?  Good!

Last Friday I visited a place I hadn't been in a couple of months, curiously enough:  LAX.  My first flights of 2026, and it took me until February to do so.  Without a midwinter conference to attend, there was no travel by plane in January.  But last Friday brought me back to the familiar sights from the United Club at Terminal 7

and then the familiar feeling of an exit row aisle seat.  

I dozed off, then read, and I was on the ground in Vancouver by noon.  Canada Line to Waterfront, a block or so to walk to the hotel, and - happily! - there was a room ready for me. 

I checked in, dropped my bags, headed to the club for a not-too-late and not-too-large lunch, then came back to unpack.  And nap.  Yep, nap.  The nice thing about getting away is doing things like that, and since I had a king bed

all to myself for four nights, I took advantage!

Friday evening rolled around, and I freshened up.  It was a mile or so to walk over to Yaletown to meet up with Steven and Jenny for dinner at Capo and the Spritz. 

So good to see them again!  It had been much longer than I realized - over two years! - and I missed out on the last opportunity because I was sick in the hotel room.  We had a great time catching up over a couple of drinks (I had a negroni variation called The Alpine Fire that was tasty enough for a second one) and a special Restaurant Week menu.  I liked the food there - it didn't blow me away, but it was good, and the special price for three courses was terrific.  Especially when you check out how generous a portion that lamb shank was!

They drove me back to the hotel, and I forewent any sort of nightcap.  Night closed over the city, and I turned in at an entirely decent hour. 

You know, I kind of miss this place

I'm actually serious.  I like travel.  Oh, there are parts of it I hate, for sure (when it's time to come home, I just want to teleport home instantly and not deal with travel then), but I like a lot about it.

Last year was quite the year for travel for me, as you may know, while this year has been a little more subdued.  Today's trip is Chicago, through until Sunday, and I have to say, it's nice to be back here at the United Club at LAX, awaiting my flight.

More travel ahead this year, I promise!

back in the air

Boxing Day.  23 days ago.  That was the last time I was on a plane, the last time I was at LAX. 

It won't be as big a year for travel this year, and although I think that is a good thing, part of me really enjoys a busy schedule of travel, I cannot lie.

It's conference time for me this weekend.  I was in the United Club this morning well in time for a bite to eat before my flight.  Once boarded,

we were on our way on time.  Phew!  Time passed, I listened to music and watched some Letterkenny, and Bob's your uncle:  Chicago.

Bloody cold out there, right?

I miss Chicago.

I'm in the United Club in the C concourse at ORD right now.  Boarding in about 35 minutes.  Baltimore by bedtime.  A long day.

And yet, yes, I have missed this, I admit.

heading off overseas

Last overseas (but not international - Canada next week) trip of the year for me.  By early afternoon on Wednesday (local time), we’ll be in Bollnäs.  Right now?  It’s the Polaris Lounge at LAX

where we are enjoying the comforts provided.

 Including a tasty cocktail, the Beet the Jetlag.  Yum!

Boarding in an hour and a half.  We’ll stay strong until then.

and then we were off again

So, we got home from Colorado last Monday, and we left for Oregon on Thursday.  Yep, a lot of travel.

Thursday, late morning, we headed to LAX once again. 

I am actually surprised they don't recognize us there, but I know there are people who travel even more than we do.  Ah well.  A little time in the lounge, and then it was aboard the first flight of the day:  LAX -->  SFO.

We had a little time again in a lounge in San Francisco, and then it was the next flight, this time to Medford, OR.   Mind you, it was a lovely evening to climb out of SFO.  A fine sunset over the Bay area.

Dozing ensued.

And then there it was:  Medford. 

My fifth trip to the state, my third city visited (Eugene was first, then three trips to Portland).  And with that, our long, wedding weekend was beginning!

vintage livery

Another day, and more flying.  It was quite the foggy morning at LAX today, a heavy marine layer settled in place (but not at all delaying us, happily).

I spent time in the lounge then headed for my gate.  As I approached that part of the terminal, I saw this cool livery. 

A vintage Continental look for this United flight.  Loved it.  And then I got close to my gate and realized that it was my plane.

To be honest, the interior was a little dated, too, but it was perfectly fine for dozing off, eating breakfast, and reading whilst en route to Tampa.

week two of three

It's coming up on the middle weekend of three in a row on October when I am traveling.  Sigh.

Oh, I do it to myself.  The early mornings at LAX. 

The exit row seats looking out over the wing. 

The hotel rooms. 

Yes, the views can be nice. 

Yes, the miles I accumulate and status are enjoyable.

I'm in Chicago until Sunday.  Next week I go to Tampa.  And then I come home for several days.  I like travel, yes, but it is getting to be a lot.  Ah well.

red-eye

Ugh, this is so not the way that I normally travel.  I mean, yes,I've had a few overnight flights this year, but those have been international flights, and at least one was in a nice pod seat!  My sad life, right?

I boarded a plane at LAX at 10:19 last night. 

I hoped for that upgrade, but no.  No upgrade.  At least I had a window to lean against while I dozed off through the short night.  A flight to Chicago, landing just before 5AM.  That C Concourse looks mighty empty at 5:06AM, right?

And now, as I write (I'll publish this a little later), it's still over 2 hours until boarding for my flight to Green Bay.  You better believe I will nap on that flight and in the car ride north from there into Michigan.  A wonky weekend of sleep and travel and then back to California on Sunday just to come back to Chicago next Thursday!

back in the homeland again

A new month, a return to the homeland.  Isn't it lovely being back?

Conrad is still back home in Pasadena, poor guy.  On the mend, but not yet testing negative.  With luck, he can join us later this weekend.  But no, it was just me and Van driving to LAX yesterday

and from there catching a flight north. 

An on-time flight, but by the time we were unpacked in the hotel, it had already been over two hours since landing.  A later night than I like, and I know I will need a nap later.

Late night or night, I was up earlyish this morning.  I left Van sleeping in bed, and I got myself ready and out the door to get in some step count.  4.5 miles this morning, and what a morning it is.  I made my way down to the waterfront nearby, along it

into Stanley Park,

and then back through downtown

to the hotel.  I'll head over to the club shortly to get a swim in as well, but I am looking forward to a lot of walking today.  The weather should be perfect for it!

Back in Vancouver until Wednesday.  I have at least two more trips to Vancouver booked for this last third of the year (and to Toronto, which is in Canada, of course, but I mean, meh, Toronto), so I will be getting a good Canadian fix to get me through.🍁🍁🍁