Pat a few minutes ago at a Burger King restaurant in Bath New York this morning.
Pat left his home in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada at approximately 3:30 AM for his nine hour plus trip down here to southern coastal Delaware.
He thought he would get an early start. However, he encountered a problem that he had not anticipated.
SNOW!
He called me from upstate New York State just below Buffalo. He was caught in a blinding snow in the dark.
Pat had decided to take toll free roads for his trip to Delaware but he didn't anticipate that he would encounter snow. The problem with taking toll free roads is that you're "in the country." Add the darkness and blinding snow, he didn't know where he was. Thank goodness we both have our GPS activated on our phones. I was able to tell him where he was and direct him to an Interstate road so he could follow other traffic and then a facility like a gas station or restaurant to pull over and rest. The picture on this blog I took a few minutes ago as I was talking to him on FaceTime. He had some home fries at Burger King in Bath New York and now is going to grab a nap in his Fiat, which doesn't have snow tires by the way.
Here it is folks! The slideshow you all have been waiting for, my annual trip to Canada to visit my friend Pat and his friends. I think this is my fifth annual trip. I always go at the end of summer. My first two trips were to Pat's former home in Toronto. These last three trips are to Pat's new home in downtown Hamilton, Ontario. Pat lives in a classic historic hotel that is being converted into luxury condominiums.
I fly into Buffalo, New York (once I flew into Pierson International in Toronto, NEVER AGAIN) where Pat picks me up. First we stop at Wegmans (oh how I miss Wegmans) for lunch. Then we go over the border into Canada. When we arrived in Hamilton we attended a condo warming of Pat's friends Verna and Sharon, who had just purchased a penthouse condo right above Pat's junior penthouse condo. The rest of the week during my visit was very productive. We visited "Harold, the Dancing Man" who was in the hospital after surgery. Harold is a very nice man. I was privileged to meet him. Hard to believe he is 87 years old and does all that dancing. Perhaps you saw my movie "Hamilton Dancing Guy" that I produced of a compilation of videos that Pat surreptitiously took of Harold dancing last summer. Unfortunately I didn't get to see Harold dancing in person this time. Pat and I also visited Pat's favorite restaurants, vegan and carnivore. We also witnessed a gigantic tanker arrive at the fabled Hamilton steel mills. Pat always wanted to see the "drawbridge" on the canal raise. We saw it. Very impressive. Too soon my Canadian holiday was over and Pat drove me over the Canadian border back to the US via Buffalo. Again we stopped in Wegmans for lunch and I was on my way home. Next up I meet Pat in Philadelphia for our annual Christmas stay at my friend Don's co-op in center city Philly. Then in only two short months Pat and I will take off to balmy Palm Springs, California in February. My one regret of this trip is that I didn't get to see Harold, The Dancing Guy in Hamilton, dance in person. He is the gentleman Pat and I visited in the hospital. He was recovering from surgery and wasn't able to do any dancing this trip. However, we did meet several of his friends who he has inspired by his free hearted dancing. Harold is truly an amazing guy, hard to believe he is 87 years old! I hope to see him dance in person next year when I visit. Below is an example of his dancing prowess. Enjoy as Harold enjoys life and as I try to every day.
Waiting for the flight that seemed like it was never going to take off
Here I am in Canada! Today I begin my third day of my weeklong stay at my Canadian Travel Buddy's luxurious 14th floor condo in downtown Hamilton. What a time I had getting here! My ride (Jimmy Carter) from Lewes picked me up early Sunday morning to take me to the Philadelphia International Airport for my 11:45 AM one hour flight to Buffalo, New York. I fly to Buffalo where Pat picks me up and takes me over the boarder to Canada. A lot less complicated than flying directly into Pierson International Airport in Toronto. Did that once and will never do it again. Three levels of security and actually more mileage to travel. It was good that Jim Carter picked up up early, we beat the Sunday tourist traffic returning to Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Getting to the airport was the easy part. Now for the hard part. I have TSA pre check. That's my "free" pass to bypass the security line where you have to take your shoes off, belt, get scanned, felt up and other indignities. In the past this has worked fine. Not this time. Oh no, not this time. First thing I had to find the TSA pre check line. After asking several airport help I was directed to another terminal. Yes, ANOTHER terminal. WTF? So I take the long walk to the other terminal. There is a line. Not too bad but a line none the less. People are catching on to this pre check convenience. Well, today it wasn't so convenient. I approach the line. Place my small carryon suitcase and shoulder bag on the conveyor belt. I also place my iPhone in the bowl and surrender them all to the conveyor belt to undergo the security scan. I am directed to walk through "the arches." "BEEP! BEEP!" Oh no, something is setting off the alarm. I'm asked if I completely emptied my pockets. Well, no actually. I have a pen (purple) and a semi-used tissue in my shirt pocket. "Put it in the bowl!" I hold my wad of cash in my hand. No way am I putting hundreds of dollars in the bowl. Too tempting and, of course untraceable, to some of the less honest going through or working the TSA security line that day. I am again directed to go through the arches. I do so and, yes "BEEP! BEEP!" "Step aside sir." Off goes the belt. "Do you have any metal joint replacements?" Uh no but I do have seed implants for my prostate treatment of years ago. They should be dormant. Again I am directed to the arches. "BEEP! BEEP!" "Step aside sir. We'll have to pat you down." Can you believe this? First of all I'm over seventy-five years old. I should be waved through security like I have many times in the past. But not today. Today I'm getting the full "treatment." Before the pat down though I have to go in the full body scan, the one where they see everything you own (and don't tell me they don't). I didn't pass that one either. I think they need to get new equipment. The body pat down was next. Wasn't too bad, they guy patting me down did manage to not jostle the family jewels, thank goodness. Finally I passed. Phew! I can't remember the last time I went through such a rigmarole in security. And remember I have the TSA pre check "convenience." Now the fun was really going to start. My flight as I said before was scheduled to leave at 11:45 AM. I arrived at my gate at 8:30, almost three hours early. Well, at least I was on time. I settle down to kill time. I was lucky in that I had went to the bathroom before I got to the airport. That's always a worry of mine when I go on these trips, that a bowel urgency will strike in between points of departure. At my age I can't hold it in. When I have to go, I have to go. Fellow blog readers who are in my age group understand completely what I am talking about. I always fear having an "accident" on the way to the airport. And I have no desire to use the airport bathrooms for any sit down "activity" or encountering a Republican Senator in his gay closet with a wide stance in the next booth but because those bathroom stink. They literally smell like shit. When I got to my gate I settled in for a long wait. I'm good at killing time so that wasn't a problem. The problem began though as the time of departure approached there began a series of delays of which I was notified on my iPhone.
I lost count after five notification beeps. The departure time kept being changed. Then the departure gate was changed. Man oh man. This was torture. Seemed like every five minutes I was receiving a notification on my iPhone. But at least we weren't sitting in a plane on the tarmac for hours or circling above for hours all of which I have experienced in the past during my limited flying experience. Has anyone ever had a flight both out and back on time? I haven't. Finally at about 1:30 PM boarding began, almost two hours later. This was going to be a full day of travel. This plane was a puddle jumper. Meaning the cabin was toothpaste tube size. Alright, so I exaggerate but that airplane tube was narrow. Thank goodness I elected a single seat on the left side of the tube. Me and the rest of the passengers squeezed into our seats. We taxied on the runway and were off. The little over an hour flight was the easiest part of the trip. Sunny skies, pleasant trip. I arrived at the Buffalo airport a little over an hour later and there was Pat, waiting for me. Always good to see Pat in person after so many hours, days, weeks and months of communicating with him by FaceTime. As is our usual tradition we stopped at Wegmans in Buffalo for lunch.
Me and Pat at Wegmans on Dick Street (can you believe it?) in Buffalo. The Wegmans in Downingtown, we we often ate is located next to Dick's Sporting Goods store. What are the odds? We had a nice lunch (as we always do at Wegmans), oh how I wish there was a Wegmans in Lower Slower Delaware but I'll never see that in my lifetime or my next lifetime, and we progressed towards the border to Canada. Traffic was heavy. We don't know what that was all about or "aboot". When we arrived at Pat's hometown we immediately went to an open house one of his neighbors was having. Pat lives in a historic hotel in downtown Hamilton that has converted into luxurious condos. His friends were having a house warming in this million dollar penthouse a few floors above Pat's condo.
As we walked down the hallway to their penthouse we could hear the loud chatter and laughter. Oh no, I was so tired and now I was going to have to pull the Charming Ron rabbit out of my magician's hat.
Pat and Veena, the Lady of the Hour
We stayed for about an hour at their condo warming. Veena and Sharon had their affair catered. Free flowing drinks and scrumptious looking hors d'oeurvres were displayed prominently and begging to be consumed. I partook of a vodka and ginger ale but passed on the hors d'oeuvres. I had only a bowl of cereal in the morning and wanted a proper meal. Pat and I ate at a new delightful restaurant that Pat discovered in downtown Hamilton called the "Bread Basket". We met a delightful American couple from Connecticut traveling through Canada to visit their son in Michigan. The lady photo bombed my obligatory restaurant picture that I always have taken when Pat and I eat at a new restaurant. In fact when I eat with anybody at a new restaurant I have a picture taken to memorialize the event. I know, I know. I am one of THOSE boring people. When Pat and I finally got back to his condo I was EXHAUSTED. The time was nearing 6:30 PM, almost twelve hours after Jim Carter picked me up in that morning for my ride to Philly International airport. Pat and watched a movie but I was just too tired. I went to bed, thus ending the first day of my annual journey to visit my good friend and travel buddy to our friendly neighbor to the north, Canada. Today I am relaxed and ready for more adventure. I always enjoy visiting Canada and seeing Pat in person Although Pat and I talk several times a day on FaceTime, in person is always better. And he's in person now folks. We'll visit more friends today. Photos and videos will follow!
Arriving late Sunday afternoon September 16th in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada; Pat took me on the last day of the Hamilton Crawl. Pat and I both like live music. We were in luck. John Ellison, the composer of the song "Some Kind of Wonderful" was performing right in the center of Hamilton. The only live music event I ever attended in my life was Brasil 66 performing at the Philadelphia Academy of Music in 1966. I had one of the cheap nosebleed seats way at the top of the Academy of Music auditorium. I got to see the tops of the heads of Sergio Mendez and his group. Sound was great but visual, not so much. This time was different. Here I was going to see the man who wrote the song "Some Kind of Wonderful", John Ellison. Prior to today I didn't know who wrote the song. Before performing his hit song, Mr. Ellison explained how he came to write the song. That I didn't tape, too long. Let's just say he was besotted with a lady he happened to meet by chance and wrote a song for her. I was very impressed with Mr. Ellison, who happens to be the same age as me. Don't I wish I had his energy and talent. So without further ado, here is my video of Mr. Ellison's performance of his song "Some Kind of Wonderful". And I will say, my one week stay in Hamilton with my host Mr. Patrick Flynn was "Some Kind of Wonderful". Now here is Grand Funk Railroad which made this song a hit. What do you think? I prefer John's version? What version do you like?
My plant arrives at LAX in 2015 - I met Pat at the airport
One more day folks until we take the American Airlines flight out of Philadelphia for Los Angeles! Getting nervous folks, as I always do when faced with catching a plane. My friends Mike and Bob are taking me to Philly International Sunday morning for our 10:30 AM flight out of Philadelphia Sunday morning. Tomorrow morning I'll review what I have packed in my carry on luggage. I have my list and I will be checking it multiple times. Hopefully I won't forget anything but I always worry.
Pat and I on Sunset Boulevard in front of the famous Chateau Marmont Hotel
I don't have to worry about my airline ticket, I have that on my iPhone app. Still, just to be safe I print out a ticket to take with me. My two main concerns catching my flight is that I'll have to go to the bathroom and how much hassle I have to go through airport security. Sometimes I breeze right though but several times I've been pulled aside for special scrutiny. What's that all about anyway? Do I look like a terrorist? Do I act suspicious? Who knows why TSA singles out people like me. I thought my age (76) they would breeze me through security. Oh well, I'll find out this Sunday. And the bathroom needs, that's always a worry at my age. When I have to "go," I have to "go." This was never a problem when I was younger but now, there is no holding "it" in. Oh I know what's the big deal about going to the bathroom at the airport? I don't like to "go" in public place but sometimes I don't have choice. Yes, I have used the Walmart bathroom (quite nice by the way). This is our (me and Pat) third year visiting California and Los Angeles, one week in West Hollywood and one week in Palm Springs.
Me and Pat at the famous Sunset Blvd looking for the location of "77 Sunset Strip" (we didn't find it) - 2015
Pat and I don't have anything specifically planned except for going to the taping of "The Price is Right" TV show on Tuesday February 14th. In Palm Springs we'll visit with Dr. Spo and Someone and other blogger friends. Best time of my life now folks. Each year I am more crippled by arthritis but I'm managing. Pat is still getting over a bad cold. I have this phlegm in my throat I can't shake. But in spite of these nagging health issues we're still going. Adventure awaits us plus, and this is a BIG PLUS - warm weather! I'll try to keep you all posted while we're in California, but can't guarantee daily updates but I'll do my best.
Two days ago we had spring like weather. Yesterday the bitter cold winds descended upon our flat coastal plains here in southern Delaware. We had the threat of snow and freezing rain. "Oh great!" I thought. Just as I was going to work. But the Gods were with us (me). The snow missed us. No snow, no freezing rain trapping me overnight at work. Was it cold? You bet! Just one more reminder why I'm spending the next two weeks in sunny, WARM California. I'm packed and ready to go. My flight leaves at 10:35 am Sunday morning. I texted my ride and asked him to pick me up at 7:00 am. Am I excited? YES! I'm going to try and keep up with daily postings on my blog. But I can't make any promises. I'm taking my Macbook Air computer with me but when Pat and I hit the ground at LAX, we're pretty busy with our adventures of the day. And staying warm!
Our flight next Sunday from Philadelphia to Los Angeles, one coast to another coast
One week from today we'll be in California! I'm ready folks. In fact, more than ready. This year Pat and I will be staying in West Hollywood at for two weeks.
Our bright and uncluttered accommodations in Los Angeles for the next two weeks
We'll be staying at a different Airbnb. In the past we've stayed at a bed and breakfast called the Hollywood Bed and Breakfast on Hollywood Boulevard. Perfectly lovely accommodations but a little too cluttered and dark for Pat's taste. Last year we split our time between the Hollywood Bed and Breakfast and an Airbnb in the Hollywood Hills. That Airbnb was a disappointment. Black sheets, skunk outside and a neighbor screaming at Pat for daring to turn around in the tight driveway to let me off. Plus the TV was crappy. What is it anyway with the cheapo TV's in the bed and breakfasts. We had the same problem at our B & B in Niagara Falls. I am so looking forward to getting away from the news and just relaxing and doing whatever. Pat and I don't plan our itinerary except for the flight out and the accommodations. We will be staying a few days in Palm Springs for the Mid-Century Modern Architecture Tour. Both Pat and I love checking out homes. We'll also be visiting Dr. Spo and his pals at their bathing suits optional accommodations.
Indulge Resort, Palm Springs, California
Needless to say both Pat and I will be keeping our pants on. Now to start packing. I think I have this down pat now, underclothes and socks and not so much on shirts. And also all my electronic chargers for my Apple toys. Not long now!
Goofy picture I just took with my Webcam here at the airport - don't expect the same quality in photos for these blog postings on the fly
Here I sit at the Philly International airport waiting for my flight to Buffalo, New York. In Buffalo my Canadian friend Pat will pick me up and we're off to Niagara Falls, Canada for a night's stay. My friend Larry couldn't pick me up for my ride to the airport from my home in Sussex County, Delaware because he is in the hospital with a medical emergency. I just found out that information yesterday so I had to do some quick action to get a ride to the airport. I posted a query to our local neighborhood website for a one way ride to the airport (I pay $125). Lucky for me I got three replies. I choose the first reply which was a neighbor of mine on the same street. In fact is only five houses up. Lucky Ron! He picked me up at 8:15 AM. Traffic was light for the two plus hour drive to the airport and I got here at 9:30 AM. Plenty of time for my 12:07 PM flight to Buffalo. Of course I got confused where to go once I was here. But I found the right directed to go for TSA Security after asking one of the many uniformed airport employees lingering around. Much to my surprise there wasn't anybody in the TSA line. In previous flights I've taken were much earlier. I thought I would avoid the crowds but I didn't. At 6:30 AM in the morning the airport is bustling. Today, nary a soul in that line. This time I didn't have to take my shoes off but I did have to have my luggage examined. That was a first. Yes, I was pulled aside but all the TSA employees were very nice and respectful. Maybe I'll get the airport routine down yet. So there I was, with my baggage unzipped and my unmentionables (tight whities) exposed for the young lady TSA inspector. I suspect this isn't the first time she's seen men's underwear while inspecting luggage. The only glitch I had was my tar shampoo. I had it in a container larger than three ounces. I had less than three ounces in the container but I didn't want to put it in any other container because when I did that before it leaked all over my shirt. I explained this to her. I told her it was so hard to get that shampoo (MG-217) and I absolutely needed it (which I do for my scalp). She checked with a co-worker and fortunately for me (I tried to look as innocent as possible when he looked at me), he said "Okay, but next time put it in a small container." Yes sir! Then I was clear! I called Pat to let him know I'm at the airport and ready for departure. I also called Bill to let him know. Travel is complicated. Oh, I did have a momentary scare, I looked at the departure schedules and didn't see my flight for Toronto. Oh no! Panic! I checked the information desk and gave him my flight number. He looked it up and said "The flight to Buffalo leaves at Gate F-11". Buffalo! Oh yes, I'm going to Buffalo first then Toronto. Now to get my light jacket because it's chilly here at the airport. I knew I should have brought my hoodie with me.
Pat and I at our quick stop at Niagara Falls last year
The blog header photo above is of the Eaton Center in downtown Toronto. I took the photo last year when I visited my Canadian Best Pal, Pat. Tomorrow I return to Canada! I'm always nervous before one of these trips, especially when I have to take a plane. My friend Larry M. was going to pick me up and take me to the airport but he had a medical emergency. He's in the hospital now. Bill will take me to the airport.
I think I have everything packed. And yes, I did cut down on my shirts. Only the one I'm wearing, a spare shirt and a pullover. Man, it was hard to made that cut. I probably only need two shirts.
My flight is to Buffalo where Pat will pick me up and we'll spend the night in Niagara Falls at a bed and breakfast called the Greystone Manor. We'll hit the slots at the casino. And I will see Niagara Falls. Yes, I am impressed with Niagara Falls and plan to take a lot of pictures. We didn't spend enough time there last year. Pat was in a rush to get to Toronto. I slowed him down this year. He's not as impressed with Niagara Falls as I am. I have my passport packed, prescriptions, underwear, toiletries, and (so important) chargers for my iPhone, Apple watch and Macbook Air. What did I forget? That always worries me. Exciting times folks. I'll try to keep you all updated via my blog.
Pat and I in the Kensington section of Toronto last year with a "friend"
Well folks, the time is almost here. My annual trip to Toronto, Canada to visit my good buddy Pat. Every year at the end of summer I spend Labor Day in Canada. I love Canada! I like Pat too! Thus begins the packing for the trip. I think I have this down by now. In the past I've always taken way too much with me. Cloths that I never wear. I tell myself each trip, "Pack less Ron, you can always buy want you need at your destination". But you know what folks? I still pack an extra shirt of two (or three) "just in case." Well, I'm here to tell you this trip this is what I'm packing:
Five sets of underwear
Five pairs of white socks
One pair of long pants
One shirt
One pullover
My pharmaceuticals (prescriptions)
Eyedrops
Macbook Air laptop computer
Chargers for my computer and iPhones
Passport
And that's it folks! Pat has my shaving equipment and toothbrush already in his bathroom. Also my fiber blend mixture I take daily and the glass to mix it in.
I already have a Canadian bank account (with a very nice exchange rate, thank you).
I will wear my shorts; my favorite seersucker shirt (I'll try not to duplicate shirts I've worn on my previous two visits - don't want the same shirt showing up in photos taken during different years).
My friend Larry is picking me up next Tuesday here at Casa Tipton-Kelly next Tuesday at around 8:30 and driving me to the Philadelphia International airport for my 12:10 PM flight to Buffalo, New York. Pat will pick me up in Buffalo (shuffle off to Buffalo) and we will spend the night in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada. The next night we will stay the night at a hotel in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. Pat brought a hamster's nest condo in Hamilton in which he will move next year. He's going to show me the converted hotel where his new condo will be constructed (it's not finished yet). Then we're off to Pat's home in Toronto for the rest of the week.
Pat and I last year at the "beach" in Toronto, Canada (Lake Ontario)
While in Toronto we'll spend a day at the Canadian Expo and try not to lose our hats this time when we take the roller coaster ride.
We'll sample a couple of different vegan restaurants. Pat is a vegan so I go vegan when we're together. We'll visit other parts of Toronto. Pat is a wonderful host and tour director. Such a good driver managing that heavy Toronto traffic.
This is a trip I eagerly look forward to every year folks. I had always planned to travel when I retired and I have to tell you, since meeting Pat, my dream of traveling with a good friend and enjoying life has come true way beyond my wildest expectations.
Next trip is when Pat comes down to Philly on my birthday in November, the day after the U.S. election. Hopefully I will be able to celebrate the election of Hillary Clinton as president. If Trump is elected, I just may go back to Canada with Pat.
Hey folks, we're back! Actually I arrived back to Philly yesterday morning. It seems like so long ago now just as our ten day stay in Los Angeles seems like last year. This will be a short post as I am still recovering from both the trip and jet lag. Last night I slept for almost twelve hours. This afternoon I got back to my daily hour plus nap. I'm almost "home" now. Just in time for a Major Winter Snowstorm that is headed this way over the weekend. What timing! Can you imagine us returning to this mess? I was lucky . . . this time. So how was our trip to LA? Only one word can describe it:
I took hundreds of photos and videos. I'll cull through those and post them to future blog postings. But for now, I'm just trying to get back into my "Delaware at Home" grove and prepare for this winter snow storm and hope (and pray) we don't lose power. Stay tuned folks! The best is yet to come.
We have landed! Check out the palm trees in the background. Love it!
Mostly packed (first run through) and ready to go to LA
Less than two days and we'll be on our way to L.A.! Of course I'm nervous that I'm not packing enough clothes. Always I take too many clothes shirts but I am being very disciplined this time minimizing my wardrobe packing. This is the way I look at it, anything I need I can always buy in Los Angeles. I hear they have many fine stores out there. Early Monday morning my longtime friend Lar will stop here at Casa Tipton-Kelly to transport me (my very own personal Uber Driver) to Philly International for my afternoon flight out of Philly to LA. I'll meet Pat in Philly, he's taking an earlier flight in from Toronto. The excitement is building folks! We'll arrived LA after a five hour flight from Philly. We're checking into the Hollywood Bed and Breakfast, right in the heart of West Hollywood for the first half of our ten day stay. The second half Pat has reserved an Air B & B accommodation in an ultra modern house in the Hollywood Hills, literally IN the Hollywood Hills. I will take photos of those accommodations, you can be ultra sure of. Tuesday, our first day in LA we have to get up early to get in line for our appearance in the audience of "The Price is Right!" I just hope I can complete my bathroom needs by the time I get in that audience line, which, by the way we do have priority tickets so we're guaranteed to get in. The last time I had priority tickets was to be in the audience of "American Bandstand" and that was in 1958. I don't do this kind of thing too often. The Powerball drawing is tonight. Estimated jackpot is 900 million. 900 MILLION! After taxes and early payout I might just clear 50 million. Just think of what I could do with all that money. I'm already dreaming of it. Of course my chances of winning are one in 292 million. I have more chance of being elected president of the United States or becoming a movie star (one in 20 million) than I do of winning this Powerball jackpot but you know what they say, "You have to play to win" and you know folks, that has always been my lifetime mantra. . . . . . in ALL aspects of life.
This time next week Pat and I will be flying the Big Bird (American Airlines) to our annual sojourn to Hollywood, California. Can't wait! I am especially anxious to get away from the continuing frustrations of poor service in my little corner of this world. Just this morning I find that my online Scabble on Facebook has further malfunctioned. Not only does the Teacher function not work (which I PAID for), now the letters don't appear on the tiles. Wonderful! And just who do you contact to correct this malfunction? Ever try communicating with HELP at Facebook? I have more of a chance of winning the Powerball Lottery (which I may just buy a ticket, I saw on the news this morning the jackpot is up to $400 mil)! And, believe this or not, I STILL haven't received my new (replacement) Discover credit card. Remember when I called Discover (Wallet Protection) a couple of weeks ago to tell them I lost my credit card? Not only did they not discontinue my credit card they didn't send me a new one. Then when I called inquiring about the credit card, they apologized (said it was a "clerical error") and they would send a new one "Fed Ex overnight express." Oh sure, I didn't get that one either. I call again and I was told it was send "regular mail, five to six business days." I asked "Did I do something wrong? This is twice you have made a mistake." Again, with the usual boiler plate apologies to sooth my troubled soul and assurances a new card would be "Fed Exed" today. I'm waiting. I just hope I can get it by the time I leave for California next Monday! Then this morning I get a call from my co-worker asking if I can come in early. She has a doctor's appointment. Well, I guess that can't be avoided so that's more disruption to my day. I always take a nap before I go in so I can be at my perkiest.
Then Bill stops up this morning. He can't get on his iPad. I've explained so many times how he can go on Settings and choose a WIFI network but he keeps getting confused. Again, a situation that can't be helped and I promised to be more patient with him next year, which is this year now. So folks, I've posted a few videos from my trip last year to Los Angeles which I don't think I posted before. I'm ready folks. I'm ready!
First thing this morning I checked my e-mails of my flight confirmation and ticket to Buffalo. Wasn't there. Oh no. So I called American Airlines. Thankfully it didn't take me too long to get through. I stated my concern (no e-mail confirmation). She checked and found that I hadn't confirmed an e-mail flight change. What? I did get a flight change a few weeks ago. They changed the time but I didn't see anywhere on the e-mail where I could confirm it. I told her and she said she didn't have my e-mail in front of her so she couldn't tell me but she could confirm my flight for me and send me an e-mail. (Wow. Long sentence there which, you know, I try to avoid). I checked the e-mail again (I save EVERYTHING) from American Airlines and have yet to see where I confirm it. Oh well, I got my confirmation now and printed out my ticket. I'll scan that when I get to the airport this time tomorrow. I'll also do the scan of my boarding pass with my iPhone so I can breeze through security (if I remember how). Bill's driving me to the airport (Philadelphia International) tomorrow. I've been paying co-workers to drive me but decided to save that money ($150 one way) and go on my own schedule instead of working around their schedule. This time I'll catch the plane at 12:15 PM instead of some ungodly hour early in the morning even before the sun rises. Last time I thought if I left early I would avoid the crowds and confusion. Hey, the airport is crowded and confused at ALL HOURS. So I did a last check of my packing. It hurt but I kept myself down to two shirts, one pair of long pants (which I will wear) and one short. Five sets of underwear. Socks. Laptop computer, iPad, iPhone, Apple watch, chargers, some toiletries and "Frank", my good luck Travel Bear.
A disrobed Pat making the call to the car rental agency from the airport - note that Pat has donned his winter gear for the tropical climes of L.A.
When I told people I was vacationing in Los Angeles, almost every one to a person said "You'll need a car!" Pat, my traveling companion, who has visited L.A. before didn't want to get a car. He said he could manage "quite well" without a car. He didn't have a car during his previous visits. He either walked or used public transportation. I almost went with his recommendation for no car until a few days before the trip when I finally succumbed to my bosses lamentations "You're crazy if you're taking a vacation in L. A. without a car!" So I insisted on getting a car. Why not? Pat is an excellent city driver Hey, if anyone who can traverse the treacherous Toronto byways and highways can handle L.A.'s freeways. So we got a car.
The very efficient Enterprise car rental terminal - I was so impressed with their efficiency!
I have to say that the car rental was so easy. A few minutes after we landed at LAX, we found the public phones to the car rental agencies. We placed a call and were told that there shuttles rode by the airport terminal every few minutes. And they were right! We turned around after Pat's phone call and there was the Enterprise shuttle.
Pat, my never complaining subject for many of my photos, working out the details of our car rental "We only need a compact car -we don't need a BMW"
We took the shuttle to the Enterprise car rental location a few miles down the road. On the way we were immediately stunned by the mild (72 degrees) temperature and the REAL palm trees. I have to admit I was impressed seeing a boulevard lined with REAL palm trees, not the faux plastic ones placed here on Route One toward Rehoboth Beach.
I have to admit that I LOVED the summertime temperatures that greeted us upon our arrival in L.A. LOVED IT! Riding down those palm tree lined boulevards was a dream come true for me. Like so much in my life, a long time I've dreamed about times like this and new those dreams were finally coming true. We finished out paper work on the car, hoped in, set the address for the Hollywood Bed and Breakfast where we would be staying for the next ten days in my iPhone GPS and we were on our way! The traffic wasn't too bad and in only a few minutes we were on Hollywood Boulevard, arriving at our destination.
Pat, standing at the entrance to our home for the next ten days, the Hollywood Bed and Breakfast - check out the palm trees - I couldn't get enough of them!
We checked in and checked out our digs. Very nice. A bit "busy" for Pat's minimalist's tastes but doable (he said).
The pool and patio area of the Hollywood Bed and Breakfast
We checked in our our hosts and were shown to our room. We unwound a bit but not too much, because we wanted to take a walk on Sunset Boulevard, which was just one street over. And we walked in that beautiful, warm, California sunshine. I'm telling you folks, I could get used to this!
Here we are! On Sunset Boulevard. Doesn't take too much to impress us.
We were really soaking up this "summer" day in L.A. Super duper. Wow! We continued to walk on Sunset Boulevard, looking for some place to eat. Neither of us had eaten since last night. We didn't partake of the airline "meals" which you pay for now. I did have a watered down orange juice, gratis but I hungered for something more substantial now that we were in L.A. How how I love saying that "We were in L.A.". Then what great luck. Right on Sunset Boulevard we found an enclosed court of shops, restaurants and a fitness center. And right in the middle was a place, which we were destined to eat most of our meals the next ten days, called the "Veggie Grill."
Pat checking out his veggie options at the order line at the Veggie Grill
Our all veggie lunch - "Bombay Bowl" for Pat and "Sonoran Bowl" for me - delicious!
Was our first day getting started off right or not? Wow. Talk about everything going right. I'm going to be boring here folks. We had a great time. After feeding our faces we went out to explore more of Sunset Boulevard. Guess what was right outside of the court where we had our lunch? The Chateau Marmont Hotel. That's right folks, the famous (or infamous) hotel where John Belushi died and other famous folk have stayed.
A selfie of me and Pat with the Chateu Marmont behind us
With this photo began our first "celebrity" sighting, only dead celebrities or where dead celebrities used to frequent. During our whole stay in L.A. we didn't see one live celebrity. Take that back, maybe we did but we didn't know it. They might have been incognito or has beens. We did see a Mae West type woman pushing a laundry cart at the Ikea store in Burbank. I'm pretty sure she had something to do with the movies but I was to embarrassed to asked her, especially since she was pushing that laundry cart even though she did have bleached blond hair with a big flower on the side and way too much makeup and that forlorn look of someone who didn't quite make it. I'm sure Pat and I were very obvious as your typical awed Eastern tourists but no one bothered us. They let us have our fun. One thing we did notice that there were no overweight people. Pat was the first to notice that phenomena. Everyone was gym trained slim and the guys all had on those tight legged pants, the fashion de jour.
Pat in front of another landmark on Sunset Boulevard - no, we didn't run into Clint Eastwood. He was probably busy talking to an empty chair.
During our walk on Sunset Boulevard we saw many familiar landmarks like the one below, The House of Blues. But we didn't find what Pat was looking for, "77 Sunset Strip." I think we found that later, the marker in the ground was covered by construction going on. Pat was disappointed but not me. I was living the dream, walking the fabled Sunset Strip. A place that I have heard so much about. Thus began our first day in La La Land. As Lawrence Welk would say, "Wonderful! Wonderful! Wonderful!"
Pat and me leaving sunny LA (the Hollywood Hills behind us)
We're home folks! Pat is out and about in the frigid climes of Toronto as I type this and I am at home here on a rainy, Sunday morning in coastal Delaware. Folks, I am not exaggerating one iota when I say we both had the best vacation we've ever had. EVER!
Pat soaking up some of that warm California sunshine poolside on our last day at the Hollywood Bed and Breakfast (where we were staying)
The eve of our departure we both didn't sleep too well. We were concerned about all the connections we had to make the first being returning our rental car to Enterprise and then getting to the airport. Pat's flight was scheduled to leave at 8:35 AM and mine three hours later at 11:25 AM. We were both flying to Philadelphia. Pat originally had a direct flight to Toronto but his airline changed his plans. When I found that out last month I tried to change my flight plans to so we could travel together (five hours is a long flight) but the cost was prohibitive. $200 just to change it then I would have to make up the difference in the cost. My original cost to fly to Philadelphia was $191. If I had to change I would have to pay the difference between $191 and that day's flight cost of $797. And . . . there was no guarantee we would even be seated together. Of course I couldn't do that. So I was resigned to sitting around LAX for three hours waiting for my flight. I was up at 3:30 AM. Pat was trying to get more sleep. We wanted to leave the bed and breakfast where we were staying (a picture of the outside pool area which is at the banner of this blog - very colorful B & B) by 5 AM. Of course we were already exhausted from our ten days in LA, trying to see and do everything we could and still not collapse at the end of the day. No naps for me during our LA stay by the way. I showered and woke Pat up by my bustling around. We got out of the B & B by 5 AM and in the early morning dawn, joined the early morning LA traffic to Enterprise Car rental to turn in our white Nissan Sentra which served us so ably for the past ten days (no accidents! Couple near misses, after all this is LA Traffic). At first I couldn't get my iPhone Google GPS to work and Pat was panicking. He didn't want to miss his flight. I wasn't so worried because I had HOURS until my flight. Finally I got the GPS to working by rebooting my iPhone. We had no trouble finding Enterprise and I have to say I was quite impressed with their efficiency. We were on the Enterprise Shuttle bus to LAX in no time. Pat was relaxing a bit more.
Nervous (and tired) Pat and me (yet another "selfie") on the Enterprise Car Rental shuttle to LAX airport and connections
We get to LAX and Pat is looking where to get his boarding pass. A very nice lady at LAX who works in customer service found out that we were flying separate flights to Philly and suggested to me to change my flight. Incredulously I asked "I can do that? How much would it cost me?" She said "$75." I went for it! Are you kidding me? I was so happy I ran up and gave her a BIG hug. Now I would have to wait at LAX another three hours for my flight which was going to the SAME destination (Philly) as Pat's. We were going together:
Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!!
We were set to go! Wow, what a great way to end our trip. We waited about an hour before our flight was to take off. Then came time to board our flight. Our seats were all the way in the back . . . . . next to the bathroom . . . again. This time I'm not complaining. We were together on the same flight. SUPER!
A very tried Ron and Pat on U.S. Air flight #754 yesterday morning
Of course making this five hour flight back to the east coast was a lot more fun traveling with a friend than by myself. Two are always better when traveling, don't you think?
Pat settling in for the long flight back to the east coast
We arrived in Philly almost on time and then Pat was off to make his connection to Toronto with the help of the lady in the picture who sat (or laid) in the seats across from us on our flight from LA. I think she had a crush on Pat. She's in this picture on the right and Pat is on the left, ready to head into parts unknown (to him) to make his connection.
Pat (ready to run) and "Anne", the lady on the right holding her handle of her luggage, ready to show Pat where to make his connection. Pat apologized later for his hurried "goodbye" (and here I thought he was glad to get rid of me after the last ten days)
Of course we all made it to our respective homes. Bill and my co-worker Mark picked me up at Philly International and we made the two plus hour drive to my home in southern Delaware. Oh how I miss those days when I lived in center city Philly and could take a shuttle to the airport. Once I got home I literally collapsed. Notice that I didn't do a blog entry last night. I unpacked my too much stuff that I took with me. Talked with Bill (good to see him again!) and learned what happened while I was gone and if I was missed. No one missed me except Bill (and I him of course) but the world continued to spin whilst I was absent from these parts. I hadn't eaten all day so I had one of my frozen baggie dinners. Later I called Pat at about nine o'clock. He just got in his door on his neat little street in Toronto. We talked a bit but were both exhausted. The past two weeks were finally catching up to me. I went to bed and didn't wake up until 9:30 AM or so this morning. I didn't even get up to take a pee. Wow, how long was I running on empty? So here I am now folks, recovering and planning for next year's trip. Oh yes, we're going back . . . . in January. What a lovely time of year to visit California, in January to get away from the cold and frigid temperatures of the northeast. Yes folks, a great time was had by all. Just wonderful. Everything and more that I ever hoped it would be.
Below, the legendary Sunset Boulevard. Perhaps not as glamourous as imagined but still pretty exciting. And that was Pat walking ahead of me past the Days Inn (where he stayed at a previous visit). Check out those blue skies folks and palm trees. I love it!
