Andy's taking a break from packing on Monday

March 17, 2014 – Monday

21 degrees/cloudy/breezy

Minneapolis, Minnesota

I was up this morning shortly after 3. Since I’d laid out my clothes and made everything ready for a very early departure, the only things that required any effort was throwing wood in the stove and running a toothbrush through my mouth.

The drive to Iron Mountain was smooth. I rarely drive in the dark, but there was no traffic this morning and I took my time, taking almost an hour and a half to make a trip that usually requires forty-five minutes. No problems.

I had a real lame brain idea on the way to the airport. Knowing that a large winter storm is barreling up the East Coast, I asked if there was any way I might get a ticket directly from Minneapolis to Houston rather than fly from Iron Mountain to Rhinelander, onto Minneapolis, to LaGuardia Airport, then finally to Houston.

The agent was quite nice. He did his magic with the computer and I was soon booked through to Houston, sans LaGuardia. In doing the rescheduling, he took out all the previous information.

The boarding pass from Iron Mountain to Minneapolis was printed, but try as he may, nothing could be printed for the final leg of the flight.

The agent called Delta who told us to call Alaska Air, where the miles were earned. Several minutes later, after three or four more phone conversations, he said he couldn’t help me and would rebook my original mileage ticket. When he tried, it wouldn’t let him. Someone had gotten the last ticket while he fiddled around talking on the phone. Suddenly, my entire trip looked in doubt.

I talked to Alaska Airlines and they offered to refund my original miles… for $125.00. It seems, once one drops from the MVP Gold + 75,000 miles flown per year, he suddenly becomes a second-class citizen. I pleaded, I laughed, I pulled out what little boyish charm is left in this mature body… nothing worked.

I hung up the phone and told the agent that he’d better work some magic. He said there was nothing he could do and it appeared I’d simply lost my ticket.

So, at 5 AM, I started the process. I wanted to talk with his supervisor and then to her supervisor. I finally reached someone who profusely apologized and within minutes, I had a ticket in my hand, one that took me directly from Minneapolis to Houston.

I walked into the Minneapolis Airport thinking I had the world by the tail only to find the direct flight had been cancelled and informed it would probably be Tuesday afternoon before I’d leave Minneapolis. The gate agent directed me to walk to the other side of the airport and have Delta Customer Service see what they could do for me. After all, I was traveling on a mileage ticket from a competing airline. I wasn’t exactly Delta’s highest priority.

Customer Service worked their magic while I told them the entire story. The young man sighed, then laughed, sighed, shook his head and finally told me I was booked to LaGuardia onto Houston later this afternoon. I’d secured the last ticket on the plane.

So far/so good. I’ve another hour and a half to wait before I wing my way to the East Coast so I can run from one gate to the other and wing my way back west. I don’t get it, but then I never have. Hey, I’m just an old school teacher. What do I know?

Page two

Sunday was spent working in the kitchen. I removed the rolls of tape from the trim in the kitchen while Sargie began touching up the places that were missed when painting. I had some trim to cut and was able to officially break in my new power miter saw that Sargie gave me for Christmas. It beat using the old miter box.

We later took a break in our labors to attend the annual St. Patrick's Day corned beef and cabbage feast at St. Agnus Church in Iron River. 

Sponsored by the Knights of Columbus, Yooper Brother Mark helped cook so Sargie and I picked up Sheri on our way and the four of us had a fantastic meal. It's one of the my favorites throughout the entire year.

I spent a couple of hours grading papers while Sargie cleaned. Later, I hung shelves and moved the stove and refrigerator into their regular places. As of Sunday night, the kitchen was coming together.

Tuesday – March 18, 2014

68 degrees/sunny/breezy

Leesville, Louisiana

The hibiscus bush in Andy's front yard is in full bloom

We touched down early last evening at the airport in Houston, Texas. The flight from Minneapolis to LaGuardia was quiet. From LaGuardia to Houston was a different story. A couple of little munchkins, ages 14 months and three years, screamed the entire time. They weren’t crying, but were simply spoiled little back-of-the-laps who had parents that kept threatening to send them to time out. (at least to the three-year-old.) Even the flight attendant finally said something to the parents. I had the answer, but no one asked me and besides, I’m sure it would have been entirely inappropriate using old-fashioned methods compared to today’s time-out type of parenting .

A mostly frozen Lake Erie taken on our way to LaGuardia

On top of that, I developed a severe case of dysentery midway through the flight and soon had a path beaten from my seat to the closest-sized restroom in the back of the plane. The only thing I can think of is that the French toast and sausage I had in Minneapolis for breakfast must have been tainted in some way. Lord I was miserable.

After taking off from LaGuardia, I managed to snap some pictures of New York City and the surrounding area.

I think this is Yankee Stadium

The Statue of Liberty in the middle

Manhattan

The Empire State Building. That's the Hudson River in the foreground

Central Park

Andy met me at the airport and we were soon on our way to Leesville, three hours distant. Other than having to stop and visit a restroom (and also purchase a bottle of Pepto Bismol) along the way, we made good time and arrived home before midnight.

Page three

We’ve been working hard today. Andy’s took one room, I’ve worked in the kitchen. At times we work together packing, sorting, and throwing away. There’s a large pile of articles bound for Goodwill, another of things Andy will keep, and a third that is a throwaway pile. We lucked out in that the trash pickup was late today and we already had the majority of throwaway items out at the curb. In the end, everything went in the back of the garbage truck.

Andy and I took a break for lunch and dined on Sonic chilidogs, something I’ve not had in years. It’s been a long time since I’ve had one and they still taste as good as they did back in the sixties.

We’ve made some great progress in our packing today and already the house is beginning to look emptier. Another few days like this and it’ll be a shell of its former self.

I’ve got papers to read and grade this evening. Other than that, there’s a bit of grocery shopping to do and no doubt, we’ll spend the rest of the evening enjoying quality daddy/son time.

After all, a man’s work is never done.

So are the tales from Pentoga Road… by way of Leesville, Louisiana…

Andy on the attack with his remote control helicopter