So, the Spring vacation started immediately on Good Friday, with a departure time of 6:30am. Well, what should have been 6:30am, but a delay because they wanted to examine the wings for ice, which they did, and there was none, so we took off about a half hour late, which was enough for me to be late getting my connection flight in Detroit. So, I was rerouted, and ended up getting to Portland, Or only about an hour late, which I thought wasn't too bad, actually. As I was being rerouted by Vincent at the ticket kiosk, a group of 20-something kids, maybe five of them, showed up a little bit after me, pissing and moaning becasue they had missed the same flight. Amd by moaning, I really mean being very fowl mouthed and belligerent. And as Voncent was trying to get me re-routed, they continues to harrass him to the point where he told them that if they did not stop, he would call the airport police. They were just belligerent to this man who was trying to do his job. And then they started to interrogate me:
Them: And where are you going? Where did you fly from? When were you supposed to land?
Me: I'll be going where Vincent re-directs me and I'll be on my way. My destination is none of your business, and like you, I've missed the flight as well. There's NOTHING we can do to get on that plane. At the moment he's helping me, so I guess you'lll need to wait your turn. And if I were you, I'd get in line and be very nice to this man, because right now he's the only on that can help you, and if I were him, I'd make sure you didn't get to your destination till tomorrow afternoon due to all your harrassment. Now maybe you should just suck it up and wait your turn.
Them: Absolutely mothing to say. All conversation stopped.
Then I turned away from them and gave my attention to Vincent, who looked at me and winked. I thanked him for his help and shook his hand. Big smiles! He got me new tickets and I went on my way. (Now, anyone who knows me well knows that I NEVER speak up in situations like this, but I thought, this is just bullshit, and I opened my mouth) And I giggled all the way to the new gate, got on a new plane and was in the air in no time.
The BF picked me up in Portland. It was SO good to see him. 10 weeks is a long time to not see someone you care about, and we've vowed to not be away from each other that long if we can help it. He said he had a surprise, and when we got to the car said "Put your bags in the back, the tent is in the trunk." Time stood still for a moment. "Tent??" "Yeah, it'll be fun!". I got the bags in the car and we were on our way. Chatting, getting caught up, being very happy and giggly to be together again. And then little questions about where we were going. "A great little place I found to camp. I think you'll like it." So, I'm thinking, it's only one night, I can do this, although I've never camped in a tent in my life. But he knows what he's doing, so I guess I'll just trust him and we'll see how this works.
So, we're driving through the roads of Oragon, which is absolutely GORGEOUS! The mountains are just stunning, and it was so GREEN!!!! And moss everywhere! Everywhere, I tell you! We climb up and up, high elevations, and all of a sudden there's snow on the ground. Snow! I'm coming from upstate NY after a long winter, and I really don't want to see snow. Higher and high, and the amount of snow is also getting higher and high. We're talking 15 to 20 feet!!!! I'm thinking, "How the hell are we going to camp in this?" I ask, and he says, "I'm pondering digging a snow cave, they're warmer than just a tent." At which point I'm thinking, "FUCK! What the hell have I done!!!"
We finally reach our destination - I see lots of skiers and a HUGE lodge. We park and he says, we have to go in and register for the camping site:
We go in, and the lodge is absolutely beautiful (Go to their site and read about it's history! Very cool!):
He goes to the front desk and I stand there taking in the site of the lobby, thinking "Why can't we be here instead??" He returns and hands me a key with a HUGE grin on his face and says "Room 110!" He was so proud of himself! I start to laugh and give him a big hug, and we giggle all the way to the room. I'm sure I was blushing 10 shades of red, and kicking myself for being sucked in to his little story! But, he was very convincing (although he was trying so hard during the drive not to laugh out loud, and he succeeded!).
And yes, that was a working fireplace! And the view from the room:
So, he played a nice little surprise, which I'm sure neither on of us will ever forget. And this was just the beginning of the vacation! More to come at a later date!
sounds like such a fun time ... looking forward to more of the adventure!
Posted by: Tristan Robin Blakeman | April 25, 2009 at 01:23 PM
Oh that sounds awesome and romantic. :-) (not the 20-somethings at the airport ;-) )
Posted by: Saffron | April 25, 2009 at 06:33 PM
Good for you! Speaking up - way to go! I would have said something too!
Now about this trip, dear!!! This looks like it is going to be a great vacation for us to see after the fact...Love the place and the room!!!
Posted by: Sara | April 25, 2009 at 07:20 PM
Love that you spoke up! Good for you.
I have to say you had me giggling with the tent in the snow, what a great surprise and STUNNING room and view :)
Posted by: Ruth | April 26, 2009 at 08:22 AM
What a great thing you did, speaking up that way. Hopefully they learned a lesson and next time they will think before they complain. Your lodge looks beautiful! I would probably sit in front of the fireplace all day if I were there.
Enjoy your vacation!
Posted by: angela | April 26, 2009 at 12:12 PM
Having flown a lot in the past decade, I have always given irate fliers the exact same advice...gate crew are the ONLY people that will help you, and I have NEVER seen one be helpful to someone who is being annoying.
As for you, Mr. Gullible...did you not think "snow cave" should have given you a clue?
Looking forward to seeing you in a few weeks pal.
Posted by: QueerJoe | April 28, 2009 at 06:22 AM
Hooray for you for giving those stupid kids a lesson!
And hooray for your BF for giving you such a great surprise! Isn't Timberline Lodge wonderful? Did you have hot buttered rums in front of the fireplace?
Posted by: Roxie | April 28, 2009 at 06:32 AM
Although I'd all ready heard this story from you, I still loved it just the same. Knowing you the way I do I would have LOVED to see the look on your face half way up that mountain. lol
So very, very happy for you that your trip was awesome, honey. I wanna be best man at your wedding. *blonde grin*
I love you, hon. Very much. I'm very proud of you and you know I think you're absolutely amazing. Very proud. Very proud indeed. *hugs*
Posted by: Sprite | May 04, 2009 at 12:17 AM
That is adorable.
Posted by: jessie | May 08, 2009 at 03:37 AM
What a wonderful trip. If I had known I would have waved when you flew over!
Posted by: kitkatknit | May 13, 2009 at 07:35 PM