Monday, September 16, 2013...

 

Up at 7:30 AM ready for a breakfast of coffee and cereal...and Gatorade (to clean out the fridge).  We were ready to leave for the airport by 9:25 AM, saying farewell to Janis & John as we all headed out the condo for the last time.  We arrived at the Alamo Rental Car return, by 10:00 AM and were taken by shuttle to the United Terminal by 10:05 AM.  Our luggage was handled at the curbside very quickly...we were given our luggage receipts and boarding passes...then headed to security.  Passing through security easily, we headed down to our gate and located a local brew house restaurant to get an early lunch.  It took awhile to get someone to wait on us, but eventually we were served our burgers, fries and Diet Coke. 

 

We were soon called to board the United Airlines jet departing for Houston, Texas.   It was a newer jet, with individual TVs with Direct TV options.  I looked at several options on the TV, then after take off I charged the $7.95 to watch The Internship with Owen Wilson & Vince Vaughn.  It was an okay movie, then I switched to the news and learned more about the horrible flooding in Colorado and the Navy Yard shootings in Washington.  I guess this was my way of getting back to reality after 22 amazing days of vacation.

 

After arriving in Houston, we had a very long walk to the next gate for our flight to Cincinnati.  We only had 55 minutes to make it, but we pushed on and made it in time for boarding.  We still had more walking to do, as we went down an escalator to a hallway leading to our gate.  Our boarding passes were checked, and then we walked out onto the hot tarmac and up the steps to the small United Express jet.  There were only 3 seats across...Sharon & Pat sat together, while I sat solo.  The flight home seemed very short...and sweet.   We deplaned at 10:15 PM to a nearly empty Cincinnati Airport and headed to the baggage claim.  I watched as our suitcases popped up and then came to us on the conveyor belt.  I called my sister, Joan, who was waiting at the cell phone lot, to come pick me up.  Pat, Sharon & I walked out the door...hugged and said that we had really enjoyed our amazing journey...Alaska, Vancouver, Seattle, and Portland.  Great friends making great memories!

 

 

Denali...Alaska Land

 

Alaska...Cruise

 

Vancouver, BC waterfront

 

Space Needle, Seattle, Washington

 

Sharon Rose...in the International Rose Garden,
Portland, Oregon