The day finally arrived. We woke up at home and packed the Jeep for the drive north. Before almost totally exiting from our normal day-to-day business activities, we stopped at both shops to bid our friends and staff members farewell. While we won’t entirely escape from work during the next four weeks, these hardy souls will step-up and take the lead on keeping the doors open in our absence. For that, we owe all of them a big THANK YOU!
As normal, Madelyn and I were up front chatting about business, while Kendrick was in the back doing his normal thing:
Upon arrival in Portland, we ran a couple of last minute errands, ate some lunch, and showered before heading to the airport for our red-eye flights to Charleston SC.
Today, was a hot summer afternoon in Portland with temperatures surpassing the 90 degree mark. Although it was rush hour, the traffic was normal for Portland and it still only took us a little over an hour to get dropped off at the airport. Madelyn and Kendrick rode president and first lady, while I kept our cabbie company in front.
Our cabbie, Ed, is a US veteran and one of the proud owner-operators of the Radio Cab company in Portland. Ed did a fantastic job of navigating the traffic safely and efficiently. Ed rocks!
Because we arrived early, check-in was a breeze, thanks to Jeanette our friendly customer service agent from JetBlue. Madelyn was more than proud to point out that both her checked baggage and carry-on were smaller than either of the two guys. Never mind the details of her not carrying the computer, portable hard-drive, digital SLR, and supporting technical stuff.
We’ve never flown JetBlue before, so we’re optimistic about our red-eye flights from Portland to New York, then from New York to Charleston. In all, we’ll arrive by nine o’clock on Wednesday and have a full day of preparation before starting our westwardly trek.
Madelyn wonders… “does this helmet bag make by butt look big?”
Getting through security was a breeze, so all we had to do was find our gate and grab a bite to eat before boarding the plane.
We grabbed a quick bite to eat at Gustav’s and hope that will tide us over until the morning hours.
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3gsriders 
Enjoy your trip! If you need a ride back from the airport let me know. Be safe and let the fun begin!!!
This Awesome I look forward to reading, also you started on my birthday, that’s cool too!
Hope you guys did not take that box of work folders with you on the trip (the one next to snoozing Kendrick).
That crate of work was wrapped up before we left, so Madelyn didn’t have to bring it!