NLT...

I made it back to Minneapolis about 8:30 am local time.  I then caught the lightrail back to campus to get my car.  Drove home changed clothes and dropped off my stuff and drove back to work arriving about 10 am.  I should probably be tired but I’m not really.  I’m sure I’ll crash tonight.

My vacation is over and I’m heading home to Minneapolis.  I arrived at the airport in plenty of time today, about two hours early.  I checked in and got my boarding pass.  I headed to the gate and waited for boarding.  Then it happened.  Delayed!  First it was only 20 minutes and then an hour and finally about 5.5 hours.  I was definitely missing my connection in Chicago.  I got in line to check my options and waited for about 2 hours in line.  They finally put to Seattle, Chicago and finally Minneapolis arriving about 9 hours after I should have been there.  I must say I really enjoyed my trip to Portland but the beginning and end have been a true test.

So today was the first day in my first true vacation in quite some time.  I’m headed to Portland, OR to visit some friends.  I haven’t really spent much time out west, so there is definite reason to be excited.

I booked my trip on Priceline.com because airfare was incredibly expensive.  I saved about 50% on a ticket.  That should have probably been a clue.

My flight out of Minneapolis was scheduled for 6 am.  I usually park my car at my contract ramp at work and take public transportation to the airport.  Saves me $30 over a cab or even more if I park at the airport.  Because I had to be at the airport so early I struggled to find a bus and lightrail connection to get me there on time.  I thought I figured it out last night.  I’d park at work, walk to the light rail (the buses weren’t convenient) and then ride it down to the airport arriving roughly an hour ahead of time.  My first mistake.   It took longer to walk than I expected and I missed the train.  The next one wasn’t scheduled for about 30 or 40 minutes.  I waited.  I should have called a cab at that time.  I got to the airport about 30 minutes before my plane was supposed to leave.  Needless to say I didn’t make it.  I tried to get on standby but the reservation line told me that because I booked with Priceline and I’d have to take it up with them.  I called them and they told me I’d have to book another flight.  SHIT!  I finally convinced them to work their “magic” and I got on stand by for a 7 am flight to Chicago and then onto Portland.  I didn’t get on the 7 am flight, it was full.  Thankfully I got on an 8:30 flight to Chicago.  Slept the entire flight.  Next I got to O’Hare just in time to see my 10:20 am Portland flight close in front of me.  They rolled my standby status to the next available flight at noon.  I was first in line for standby but then got bumped to second and only one seat opened up.  Boo.  I got rolled over to the next flight at 3:30 pm.  I hung out at O’Hare, got something to eat whatever.  I’m waiting at my gate and they have these plasma TVs that show the status of the flight, standby list, etc.  I’m number 6 and they have 9 seats available about an hour before the flight.  Yes!  I’m going to make it!  Then I get bumped to number 7.  Then only 8 seats left and I’m still seven.  Then only seven seats and finally 6 seats and I’m still 7.  SHIT AGAIN!  I wait hoping that someone doesn’t show up.  Something, anything.  An lo and behond my prayers were answered I got a seat!  Hooray!  I’m finally on my way.  Four hours later and seven hours after I should have been in Portland I arrived.  I walk down to the baggage claim to get my bag that should have arrived before me with one of the original flights I was on standby for.  I check in the the baggage desk and they notice that my baggage claim ticket is for a entirely different traveler who is headed to Honolulu, HI!  SHIT A THIRD TIME!  Did those idiots in Minneapolis send my bag to Hawaii!?!?  Thankfully they checked their computer and that is not the case.  Some how I received the wrong ticket but the right luggage tag.  My bag made it!

After all that I connected with my friend we made it to his house and everything is all good.  I’m looking forward to a fun weekend exploring Oregon.