Show Notes: 07.21.21 – 04.28.21 I’m working one flight to Boston and then back to Denver the next day. Then I road trip with Jeff, Dawn, T-bug, and K-bug for Russ and Darrien’s wedding! Then it’s off to Salt Lake City for a quick trip to visit the folks’. Next, I’m back at work where I get a surprise visit from my sister Karen, my niece Annie, and my great-nieces Missie and Pepper (whom I’m meeting for the first time)! This was my first time not only on a PWM overnight, but my first time to experience the state of Maine (bucket list items #74 and #99 are one step closer to being accomplished!
Dawn
Over the past eight years or so, I have really gotten to know the Fenton family.
When I changed my work base from BWI to DEN, I needed a place to stay. Jeff and Dawn opened their doors to me, and pretty soon, I felt like I was just another member of their family. Not only have I grown to know and love them, but with the next generation coming up, they have always referred to me as “Uncle Dav.”
On the 23rd of July, I was blessed to attend a fantastic event with this second family. Darrien married her boyfriend, Russ. It was a fun evening, and there was so much love there! As always, I was there, camera in hand, and got some pretty good footage of the event, if I do say so myself. It was hard to pick the best parts, but I managed to get it down to under 19 minutes!
To the newlyweds, this video is my gift to you! May you constantly be reminded of your love for God as well as your love for each other! I love you!
Number 1 on my bucket list is to go on an African Safari. This would be the exploring kind, not the hunting kind. Not that I’m against responsible hunting- it’s just not my thing. I’ll hunt with my camera instead.
Number 29 on my bucket list would be to swim with dolphins. I have heard of places that allow you to do this. I think this could be an incredible experience, especially if the dolphins would want to interact with me.
Number 86 on my bucket list is to go scuba diving. I have never seriously looked into this, so I don’t know how to start. I’ll probably have to earn some certification classes. I can’t be bothered to start the search just yet. I will do this soon enough.
I’m sitting at the crashpad, waiting for my laundry to finish drying. I’m grateful that my crashpad “mom” has a washer and dryer for us to use, and also that my crashpad “dad” is around to fix them when they die. I think my laundry just finished, but I’m too lazy to walk downstairs to fold clothes at the moment.
I am battling a throat thing at the moment. I woke yesterday to an itchy and sore throat, well the beginnings of one. I could only feel the soreness when I’d swallow. My sister Lori turned me on to a tincture from Butterfly Express called Super C. It’s amazing stuff, and here we are, two days later, and all I have left is the sniffles, and an occasional sneeze.
Say what you want about essential oils, but I think that when you find something that works for you, you need to stick with it. I think we don’t give them enough credit- after all, all of our modern medicines derived, at least in part, from a natural source.
I thought it would be cool to start sharing a monthly map of the places I’ve been flying to. Someone online showed me a really cool site that will map your flights and miles for you. This is especially cool of you fly around for a living! When you get a moment, check out GCMAP.com.
Here is my map of routes for the month of December:
This map displays unique routes only. So the routes I flew more than once aren’t reflected. That is 37,531 miles of flying! January is looking like it’s going to be a lot more than this!
On this day, 44 years ago, my parents’ were blessed with their favorite child. Up until this point, they’d had a miscarriage, a stillborn baby called Michelle, and five living disappointments, my siblings.
Fact: My mom tells me that after my brother Matt was born, they’d always felt like they had another child waiting for them. One can conclude, from this information, that I was the only inspired child, and therefore, my siblings are merely part of the baby factory.
I started my day in SeaTac, Washington, in a Doubletree hotel. My 03:00 alarm hurt like a mother. Since today was a workday, I had to drag myself out of bed, shower, and head to the SEA airport. I love walking in the morning, so it was a nice stroll to get to my plane.
Today’s Route: SEA – OAK – SEA – DEN
I just got back to DEN after a great three-day trip. My crew was amazing! I’ve always said that makes all the difference in the world- I was, once again in Omaha the first night and SeaTac the second night, which was my assignment for three out of the four weeks in August.
My coworkers blabbed to the passengers that it was my birthday, and so I have had a day filled with “Happy Birthday” greetings. Even the passenger that I wanted to eject from the plane eventually wished me a great birthday. It made me feel amazing!
I’m at the crashpad tonight and I just had the most amazing ice cream social with roommates! Just like last year, I happened to be here in Colorado today, so Dawn went out and bought a bunch of ice cream for everyone. I was really touched that she would turn this into such a big ordeal! It really makes me feel special!
“I Scream: 9” was a blast- I have already started to receive pictures from friends and family! I can’t wait to put together this year’s slideshow! I plan on posting it here on the first if I have time and can find a decent connection for the upload to YouTube.
Today I’m hanging out in the crashpad. I have two days off of work, but decided that wasn’t enough time to go home and get very much accomplished. That will happen sometime next week, after my next work trip. I will be filing my taxes (hoping for a big refund), visiting the D.M.V. (I hope the punishment for losing your driver license isn’t harsh in the state of Utah), packing bags for vacation, among other things.
The countdown to Scotland 7 has begun! Who and I kidding- I’ve been counting down since somewhere around September of last year. Here’s how you know you love a place and a people: I’ve already started to jot down ideas for Scotland 8, which won’t even happen until 2020. I was hoping to include some of my family members the next time, but people are busy with their own lives and goings on. I understand, though. I’ve learned that I can go on these trips by myself and enjoy every minute… most of the time, that’s actually my preference.
My originally plan after Scotland 7 was to head down and see Greece for the first time (number 45 on the bucket list). I don’t think this is going to happen, however. I just have had too many bills and expenses lately, and have had to focus on that. Perhaps it can happen later in the year, but we’ll see. This makes me sad, because my dear friend Dawn (a.k.a. MommaDawn) said she was interested in that portion of the journey. It would be amazing if she’d actually take a vacation- one where you turn off your phone for at least a week.
It’s time for my second TRAVEL WEEK post. I was hoping to do this more often, but the only one I’ve done thus far was way back in November of last year- whoops! This is a record of the places I traveled for work this past week. I’ve been working so many trips since returning from Scotland, that I hope to have some great stories to share, as well as the motivation to actually share them!
I’m working the “D” position on this trip, so that means I’m with a few different crews. I love this, as it gives me an opportunity to meet more of my [thousands and thousands of] co-workers.
Monday: DEN > MCO > IAD
Add A Fried Egg and Bacon!
Herndon, Virginia | 20:50
Day one ended at Washington Dulles International Airport. My overnight stay was in nearby Herndon, Virginia at the Hilton, which is only about a ten-minute ride from the airport. The afternoon was very overcast, and since I had to wake up so early, I really wasn’t feeling like leaving the hotel to do anything. I walked down to the restaurant/bar and grabbed a burger for dinner. I had them add a fried egg and some bacon- it was so yummy!
Tuesday: IAD > DEN > SLC
Salt Lake City, Utah | 21:57
A huge job perk is when I happen to get a Salt Lake City overnight stay. Normally, if my stay is more than about 15 hours, I’ll drive home and spend the night in my own bed. Today I decided I’d just stay at the hotel and spend some time in the city. When I first landed, I called to book a massage. They gave me a therapist who I’d never had before and the guy was amazing! I’ll definitely come back to him in the future! When the hour was over, I told him that I’d wished I’d had him for another hour, at least. I believe in massages! I love them- and they’re much more affordable, thanks to places like Massage Envy.
One of the places where we currently stay here in Salt Lake City is The Grand America Hotel. This is my first time here and this place is, without a doubt, one of the nicest hotels I’ve ever stayed in! One of my coworkers commented that this hotel shouldn’t be in Salt Lake City, but rather, New York City. That’s how nice this is! Definitely in the top five! I had no choice but to walk around the halls and grounds, just to take a few pictures.
I found dinner at Beto’s, which isn’t too far of a walk from the hotel. Truth be told- I’ve been spending too much money on food as of late, and this is a great meal for cheap! For my Arizona peeps, have you ever eaten at Filiberto’s Mexican Food? It’s that same vibe, in fact, somebody once told me that the recipes are the same, because Beto’s was started by the guy’s brother. I’m not sure if that’s true, plus I’m too lazy to do the research. You just can’t go wrong with a delicious fish burrito, however. I know it sounds gross- it’s so not gross!
Wednesday: SLC > BWI > DEN
Brighton, Colorado | 21:20
Today was good. I worked a couple great crews, including some Baltimore-base girls who I haven’t seen in more than ten years! It was so great to see them! The flights were pretty bumpy coming from the east coast, but we landed safe and on time at DEN.
Dawn Works the Grill
Tonight I’m back at the crashpad in Brighton, Colorado. I had planned on ordering some delivery for dinner, but Dawn told me that she was going to make barbecue for us instead. Once in awhile, she will surprise us and make dinner. One year, for New Year’s Eve, she even made us lobster and crab! Tonight she grilled burgers, sausages, and chicken- it was so good! I think I ate a bit too much!
Thursday: DEN > ABQ > DAL > DTW
Romulus, Michigan | 22:13
My day was good but seemed long. This is probably because we had over three hours of ground time at DAL. Other than one rude passenger on our first leg, everyone else seemed to be in good spirits- it was a great day! I even got to flirt with one of our elderly lady passengers. She was a hoot! I’m working with a great crew, too! One of them is a former crashpad roommate.
Tonight I’m at the Four Points Sheraton in Romulus, Michigan, very close to DTW. I just had some overpriced soft tacos, and am hoping that I can fall asleep soon. If I can fall asleep in the next half hour, then I will actually get seven hours of sleep tonight! This is a worthy goal, but it’s not going to happen.
I think I’m going to lay in bed and watch Forensic Files. Such a cool show!
Friday: DTW > ATL > PBI > ISP
Hauppauge, New York | 18:14
This may sound ego-driven, but my crew and I definitely earned our paychecks today! Nothing demands patience like working a full flight from West Palm Beach, Florida to Long Island, New York! We were like a flying senior center! Every New Yorker has a sassy/ spicy attitude- they all have something to say, and every passenger will demand your undivided attention.
The passengers in my section were actually very nice. Yes, they were loud and demanding, but the best part about working a plane full of New Yorkers is the fact that I can be just as loud and sassy. They don’t care- this is just how they communicate. We had quite a few good laughs.
Tonight I ended up at ISP and am staying at the Hyatt Regency in Hauppauge. If I had a longer time, I would be tempted to jump on a train and head to Manhattan. Unfortunately, I have to be awake so early tomorrow (like 03:45!) and so I’m hoping to fall asleep in the next hour or two. Again, it’s probably not going to happen.
Instead, I went downstairs to have an early dinner with my coworker, Kevin. He had a burger, and I had a French dip sandwich. This was possibly the most delicious French dip sandwich I’ve ever had. I can’t even describe it- it was like melt-in-your-mouth delicious. This may be because I was extremely hungry when I sat down to eat. That’s what happens when the only food I’ve had all day is protein shakes on the plane.
Saturday: ISP > BWI > ORF > DEN
Home | 21:48
Today was an amazing day! As the passengers left the plane (at every stop), we received so many compliments- many of them told us that they had never been on a better flight. I love it when a passenger gives me a compliment like that. It means so much!
Three legs back to Denver! When my plane landed, I rushed to the other side of the terminal for my commute flight home. Thank goodness I was there before any other employees (only one other coworker showed up) because every seat had been taken. Never underestimate the power of one night in one’s own bed. Yes, just one night. Tomorrow afternoon, I fly back to Denver to start another travel week.
Shout-out to my new friend, Kim!
Kim was a passenger on one of my flights this morning. I asked her if she was going home or on vacation- she told me that she was going on vacation to Fort Lauderdale, but that it was also like going home because she has family down there. I told her I was saving up for my own vacation- when I told her I was getting ready for Scotland, she told me that she used to live there when her husband was based there in the military.
Small world! She asked me if I knew where Thurso was, and I told her I did and that I’d actually been there a couple of times. She told me that her home was in Scrabster, one place I’d also been (this is where you can get on a ferry up to Orkney and Shetland)- it was exciting to see her light up as we talked about this place that we both love and miss. I gave her my URL as she said she wanted to follow my travels and looked forward to my upcoming Scotland posts.
This morning I woke up in Indianapolis, Indiana. While I had some time to venture out from the hotel, I only made it as far as a nearby T.G.I. Friday’s. I would have liked to head to the mall to find a scarf, but it was just too cold when I walked outside after having finished my dinner. I ended up going back to my room and watching something on television while eating a few cookies that I’d bought at the hotel front desk.
The Christmas tree at the Indianapolis airport
Tonight I’m back at the crashpad. I just got back from visiting the Festival of Lights in downtown Brighton. I went with Dawn, Tatum, and Emily- we had a fun night! One of the highlights of the night was seeing that the people of Brighton don’t live in the P.S. world that has been created. There were quite a few floats reminding us that Jesus is the reason, one even with the sign, “Keep Christ In Christmas!” It was very refreshing!
Yesterday morning I woke up in Clackamas, Oregon.
It was a good day. I don’t eat breakfast as often as I should, but today I sat down to a “Northwest Scramble,” scrambled eggs with smoked salmon and capers. It was delicious and fitting for Oregon.
I was in a Christmasy mood. This is perhaps because my friend and coworker Hobe was singing one Christmas song after another on the jumpseat the day before. I joined in on some of them. I even helped out as she fumbled her way through The Twelve Days of Christmas.
As luck would have it, there was a Christmas movie playing at the cinema across the street from our overnight hotel. I texted Hobe, and she joined me about half an hour later. We went to see The Man Who Invented Christmas- a brilliant but possibly fictional movie about making Charles Dickins A Christmas Carol.
I highly recommend seeing this if you have the opportunity. It definitely helped me to feel the Christmas spirit! I love the fact that there wasn’t any trash in it either. One for the whole family- well, it may be a bit slow for younger kids.
Afterward, we ate some sushi, which I try to do when I’m in town. It was Hobe’s first time there, but neither of us had much of an appetite. I usually do a lot more damage.
Today I’m enjoying a day off at the crashpad before tomorrow’s trip. So far, I’ve watched a movie and eaten about four handfuls of peanut M&Ms l- so I’m feeling this great sense of accomplishment. I think Dawn is making chili for dinner.
NYC 2017: Day 1
09.13.17 | Denver International Airport | 07:10
I love my life so much and so I often I feel guilty that I need a vacation. I guess need is a harsh word. I want a vacation, that is. I would like a brief escape from my everyday, where I won’t have to set an alarm in the morning. I thought that it was time to check off another item on my bucket list. I’ve always wanted to spend a week in New York City, as I first mentioned here on December 10th. (Link: https://davsaddiction.wordpress.com/2015/12/10/2189/) As of today, this dream is becoming a reality.
Years ago, I went to New York City for 4 or 5 delays with my friend Colee and her friend Amy. Even though that’s close to a week, I haven’t checked off bucket list item #72. This is because it wasn’t a full week in the city and because we actually stayed on the New Jersey side, taking the Weehawken ferry over each morning.
I arrived at the airport way too early! That’s the thing- if I’m going somewhere that is fun or exciting, I don’t sleep very well. I woke up at 04:00 and after 45 minutes of laying there, I decided it was time to get up and get ready. My flight doesn’t even leave until 10:20. I remember the same thing happened last year when I was going to Scotland. My body woke up so early, long before the sun even came out. My flight wasn’t leaving until about way late in the afternoon but I want to get to the airport. I remember Dawn having to tell me to relax and go back to sleep. There is no way I’d be able to fall back to sleep! Why even try?
08:42
I’m having trouble staying awake in the airport. After I get my boarding pass, in another 38 minutes, my mission is clear: Find a Pepsi.
DEN > LGA | 10:54
My seat is 27 C. The girl in 27 A told me that she is an art student on a class trip. There are about 20 students in their group, and they’re going to spend a week in New York City where they will go to different galleries. She told me that she is excited, but a bit nervous about getting around in the city. I told her not to worry and that it’s very easy.
The guy in seat 27 B is a Yogi and he’s making his way to London where he is going to attend University for the next 18 months, this will be his first time flying internationally and he’s also excited. London is wonderful, and he’s going to love it! I’d like to get back there someday. I’m somewhat jealous. At the moment, he’s sitting cross-legged doing some kind of meditation. At least he doesn’t smell like he hasn’t showered. I sometimes worry when the person next to me has dreadlocks. It’s my understanding that you can’t really wash your hair with dreads. Yes or No? Who knows?
I’m watching Lara Croft: Tomb Raider on my iPad. I don’t think Angelina Jolie does a very good job with the Lara Croft character. I’m scratching my head wondering what caused me to purchase this movie in the first place. It must have been on sale for like $4.99 or something on the iTunes store. Perhaps I bought it because Daniel Craig is in it. That’s very likely- he’s a great actor!
Jamaica, New York | 18:42
I finally made it to New York City! After a 50 minutes Lyft ride (that only cost about $32), I’m happy to have found the first Airbnb. The neighborhood is very cozy and homely. It seems rather safe. My studio apartment sits above the family home. It’s small, but more than I need. I will post more tomorrow. It’s early still but I’m extremely exhausted!
DavTravels 