Home Finally...
Monday morning we were up before the sun (5am) and at the airport to get on the standby list for the first flight. We were able to check in our luggage, and then we headed into the airport to wait. The first flight only cleared two of the 50 people on the standby list, but our luggage was on it. Although while waiting at the gate I noticed my luggage was not in my name, but under Andrew. The agent told me everythign would be fine. Will have to wait to see.
We then headed up stairs to grab a drink and checked our email. Then it was back to a different gate to try and get the next flight. This plane was even smaller and was full, so no standby passengers made it. The next flight was delayed at least 3 hours. We grabbed some lunch, bought two movies, and walked over to was was to become our gate. We then sat/laid on the ground next to the electrical plug. Amanda and I actually fell asleep. We then watched about an hour of one of the movies, until our names were called. Wow, we made it on the flight! Only a 21 hour wait.
We arrived in BWI at 9pm and luckily all our luggage was waiting for us. We decided to crash at the airport hotel, where Georg had a room. We were up by 4:30am Tuesday morning to drop him back off at BWI for a flight and then drove directly to work. We actually made it to our desks by 6:30am.
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Sunday, February 25, 2007
Home Maybe...
We got up early and left the villa per the instructions and headed off to Spokane. After 5 hours of driving in the snow and barely missing some huge deer we arrived. We stopped for lunch at Taco Time near the airport. The Mexi Fries aka Tater Tots are great.
Headed to the airport and checked in. Everything was good to go... Until Georg's cell phone rang and our flight from Denver to BWI was cancelled. So we headed back to the ticket counter to get re-booked on the next flight only to find out that there was nothing available. We made a few phone calls to let our respective families, friends, and work know but then decided to head to Denver as planned and try to get another flight. But since our flight had been cancelled, our luggage could no longer be checked to BWI, but instead could only go to Denver and we would have to go claim it.
Once we arrived in Denver, Georg ran to a few gates and tried to get us on standby for Philadelphia or La Guardia as Amanda and I stood in the very, very long customer service line - only to find out there were 104 standbys for 9 seats. I called the the customer service line and tried to get us flights to Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Richmond, Norfolk, BWI, Dulles, Washington National, La Guardia, Newark, JFK, or Islip, only to find that the first flight available was on Tuesday. For the next 2 hours we continued to stand in the customer service line. While in line we book a room at the Embassy Suites. Once we spoke to an agent, we were able to put ourselves on the early morning standby list.
We then headed outside and caught the shuttle bus to the Embassy Suites, which was driven by a very old man who drove very slowly and had trouble staying in his lane. Georg just suggested I not look. Once we arrived and were checked in we headed down stairs for a quick dinner of pizza. We ordered and found out they were out of pizza, so I ordered the tortellini primavera. Georg ordered a Grey Goose on the rocks, but they were out and he had to have Belvedere vodka instead. Once dinner arrived I was served penne pasta with veggies. Kinda confused we asked about the tortellini only to find that they were out of the tortellini and had forgotten to let me know. So they were very nice and comped my meal.
Then it was off to bed and get some rest before trying to finally get home.
We got up early and left the villa per the instructions and headed off to Spokane. After 5 hours of driving in the snow and barely missing some huge deer we arrived. We stopped for lunch at Taco Time near the airport. The Mexi Fries aka Tater Tots are great.
Headed to the airport and checked in. Everything was good to go... Until Georg's cell phone rang and our flight from Denver to BWI was cancelled. So we headed back to the ticket counter to get re-booked on the next flight only to find out that there was nothing available. We made a few phone calls to let our respective families, friends, and work know but then decided to head to Denver as planned and try to get another flight. But since our flight had been cancelled, our luggage could no longer be checked to BWI, but instead could only go to Denver and we would have to go claim it.
Once we arrived in Denver, Georg ran to a few gates and tried to get us on standby for Philadelphia or La Guardia as Amanda and I stood in the very, very long customer service line - only to find out there were 104 standbys for 9 seats. I called the the customer service line and tried to get us flights to Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Richmond, Norfolk, BWI, Dulles, Washington National, La Guardia, Newark, JFK, or Islip, only to find that the first flight available was on Tuesday. For the next 2 hours we continued to stand in the customer service line. While in line we book a room at the Embassy Suites. Once we spoke to an agent, we were able to put ourselves on the early morning standby list.
We then headed outside and caught the shuttle bus to the Embassy Suites, which was driven by a very old man who drove very slowly and had trouble staying in his lane. Georg just suggested I not look. Once we arrived and were checked in we headed down stairs for a quick dinner of pizza. We ordered and found out they were out of pizza, so I ordered the tortellini primavera. Georg ordered a Grey Goose on the rocks, but they were out and he had to have Belvedere vodka instead. Once dinner arrived I was served penne pasta with veggies. Kinda confused we asked about the tortellini only to find that they were out of the tortellini and had forgotten to let me know. So they were very nice and comped my meal.
Then it was off to bed and get some rest before trying to finally get home.
Saturday, February 24, 2007
Recovery Day...
While Arianne and Georg continued to snowboard all day, Amanda and I had a recovery day. She had a full body massage and then we headed off to Invermere for some sightseeing and shopping. For fun we stopped at the Canadian Dollar Store and picked up some trinkets.
Then we went to the Pamper Yourself Spa. We had a hot tub soak followed by an aromatherapy facial. It was wonderful. We then drove back up the mountain to pick up Georg and Arianne before heading to dinner at the Black Forest Restaurant. I had a veggie platter with spätzle followed by cheese cake with raspberries. Everything was delicious.
Note: Official bruise count = 13.
While Arianne and Georg continued to snowboard all day, Amanda and I had a recovery day. She had a full body massage and then we headed off to Invermere for some sightseeing and shopping. For fun we stopped at the Canadian Dollar Store and picked up some trinkets.
Then we went to the Pamper Yourself Spa. We had a hot tub soak followed by an aromatherapy facial. It was wonderful. We then drove back up the mountain to pick up Georg and Arianne before heading to dinner at the Black Forest Restaurant. I had a veggie platter with spätzle followed by cheese cake with raspberries. Everything was delicious.
Note: Official bruise count = 13.
Friday, February 23, 2007
Kootenay, Banff, the Continental Divide, and night snowboarding...
We were up early and headed north to the Kootenay National Forest. We drove through Kootenay on Hwy 93 until we reached Banff National Forest and the Continental Divide. After taking some pictures we headed back. We stopped near Radium Hot Springs and walked up the trail toward some falls and a huge rock formation.
We then headed back to the villa and had a quick lunch before heading up the mountain. Arianne and Georg immediately headed up the mountain, while Amanda and I stayed closer to the lodge. Once 4pm came Amanda and I bought the night snowboarding lift tickets and headed up with Georg and Arianne. It was so cool doing runs as the sun was setting and the lights were on.
We were up early and headed north to the Kootenay National Forest. We drove through Kootenay on Hwy 93 until we reached Banff National Forest and the Continental Divide. After taking some pictures we headed back. We stopped near Radium Hot Springs and walked up the trail toward some falls and a huge rock formation.
We then headed back to the villa and had a quick lunch before heading up the mountain. Arianne and Georg immediately headed up the mountain, while Amanda and I stayed closer to the lodge. Once 4pm came Amanda and I bought the night snowboarding lift tickets and headed up with Georg and Arianne. It was so cool doing runs as the sun was setting and the lights were on.
Thursday, February 22, 2007
More of the same...
Well in case you missed it - today was a day of all day snowboarding. It was great. Georg did two jumps and landed both cleanly. All of us are getting much better, although Arianne is starting to look like quite the pro. It started snowing mid day, which made the runs quiet and fun to ride down, at least until I took a tumble and kinda hurt my ankle. After that, I took it easy for the rest of the day in anticipation of night snowboarding tomorrow.
Well in case you missed it - today was a day of all day snowboarding. It was great. Georg did two jumps and landed both cleanly. All of us are getting much better, although Arianne is starting to look like quite the pro. It started snowing mid day, which made the runs quiet and fun to ride down, at least until I took a tumble and kinda hurt my ankle. After that, I took it easy for the rest of the day in anticipation of night snowboarding tomorrow.
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Blue Run...
Again we were up and going early enough with time to get breakfast and drive up to the slopes before 0930. Bought our lift tickets and Arianne, Georg, and I went up the chair lift and Arianne and I actually made it off without falling. Then it was done via the easy slope.
After a quick fuel break, it was back up and this time Georg sent us down a blue run. I actually made it down - plowing down heelside. Although there were some crashes, it was great. We then went back up and did it again. This time with a few less crashes. And it continued... Had a great time.
Near the end of the day it started snowing. It was great. Then we packed up and headed back down the mountain to grab our swimsuits and head to the pool near the resort. We hung out in the jacuzzi, then swam in the pool, and warmed back up in the sauna.
We then headed back to the villa and made tacos for dinner.
Again we were up and going early enough with time to get breakfast and drive up to the slopes before 0930. Bought our lift tickets and Arianne, Georg, and I went up the chair lift and Arianne and I actually made it off without falling. Then it was done via the easy slope.
After a quick fuel break, it was back up and this time Georg sent us down a blue run. I actually made it down - plowing down heelside. Although there were some crashes, it was great. We then went back up and did it again. This time with a few less crashes. And it continued... Had a great time.
Near the end of the day it started snowing. It was great. Then we packed up and headed back down the mountain to grab our swimsuits and head to the pool near the resort. We hung out in the jacuzzi, then swam in the pool, and warmed back up in the sauna.
We then headed back to the villa and made tacos for dinner.
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
Chair Lift...
We were up early enough to have a breakfast of pancakes, eggs, and hash browns and still make it to the slopes by 0930. Once there we there we got suited up and Georg went off up the slopes while Amanda, Arianne, and I walked up the bunny slopes and practiced.
After lunch, which we ate in the lodge, Amanda, Arianne and I bought 1/2 day lift tickets and went up the tow rope to the number 4 column and boarded down the "Cowboy" run. Then Georg pushed us into conquering the chair lift. We headed over and hoped on. Although it was more like we kinda fell on. Arianne first in her own chair, followed by me in my own chair, and then Georg and Amanda who shared a chair up. Once at the top we kinda fell of. Not exactly the most graceful, except for Georg, of course, who is an expert at all of this.
We then went down the mountain. Wow talk about a feat. Although there were many crazy falls along the way, such as Arianne sliding past me back first, waving. It was so much fun. After we got down, Amanda decided she had had enough, and it was just Arianne, Georg, and I for the last run of the day. Did exactly the same run, although near the end and I had to sit on my board and slide down. My cold just made it too hard to breathe. So I made it down, but I was very snowy. Enough so that the medic lady came over and made sure I had not fallen and hurt myself.
We then came back to the Villa and grabbed our swimsuits and headed back to the hot springs for a soak prior to our dinner of Georg's famous pink sauce (with veggie ground round for me) over penne pasta and green salad.
We were up early enough to have a breakfast of pancakes, eggs, and hash browns and still make it to the slopes by 0930. Once there we there we got suited up and Georg went off up the slopes while Amanda, Arianne, and I walked up the bunny slopes and practiced.
After lunch, which we ate in the lodge, Amanda, Arianne and I bought 1/2 day lift tickets and went up the tow rope to the number 4 column and boarded down the "Cowboy" run. Then Georg pushed us into conquering the chair lift. We headed over and hoped on. Although it was more like we kinda fell on. Arianne first in her own chair, followed by me in my own chair, and then Georg and Amanda who shared a chair up. Once at the top we kinda fell of. Not exactly the most graceful, except for Georg, of course, who is an expert at all of this.
We then went down the mountain. Wow talk about a feat. Although there were many crazy falls along the way, such as Arianne sliding past me back first, waving. It was so much fun. After we got down, Amanda decided she had had enough, and it was just Arianne, Georg, and I for the last run of the day. Did exactly the same run, although near the end and I had to sit on my board and slide down. My cold just made it too hard to breathe. So I made it down, but I was very snowy. Enough so that the medic lady came over and made sure I had not fallen and hurt myself.
We then came back to the Villa and grabbed our swimsuits and headed back to the hot springs for a soak prior to our dinner of Georg's famous pink sauce (with veggie ground round for me) over penne pasta and green salad.
Monday, February 19, 2007
Private Lesson...
We all were up by 0800 and had a quick breakfast before heading up the mountain. We were there by nine to buy our lift tickets before out lesson. We then put on our gear and Amanda, Arianne, and I headed to meet our instructor, Paul. He was a guy from England who was very nice. Although he kept calling Arianne, Ariel. We then had an hour lesson, including sliding down the hill on our toe edge and using the tow lift.
We continued to practice before taking a lunch break of our sandwiches and chips. Then we decided to meet up at the top of the tow lift ( column 4) and Georg would help us get all the way down. It was so cool to actually make it up, and although Amanda never made it and Arianne did not make it until the end of the day, it was quite the accomplishment for me. I made it down the hill, although not without help from Georg and falling a lot.
During one of our breaks, we went inside the lodge and noticed that Canadians like having their beer with Clamato (clam based tomato juice). We were not willing to try it.
Made it back to the villa, sore and tired, and all of us took a bath or shower separately prior to dinner. Amanda and I made pizza both veggie and non-veggie which we supplemented with green salad.
We all were up by 0800 and had a quick breakfast before heading up the mountain. We were there by nine to buy our lift tickets before out lesson. We then put on our gear and Amanda, Arianne, and I headed to meet our instructor, Paul. He was a guy from England who was very nice. Although he kept calling Arianne, Ariel. We then had an hour lesson, including sliding down the hill on our toe edge and using the tow lift.
We continued to practice before taking a lunch break of our sandwiches and chips. Then we decided to meet up at the top of the tow lift ( column 4) and Georg would help us get all the way down. It was so cool to actually make it up, and although Amanda never made it and Arianne did not make it until the end of the day, it was quite the accomplishment for me. I made it down the hill, although not without help from Georg and falling a lot.
During one of our breaks, we went inside the lodge and noticed that Canadians like having their beer with Clamato (clam based tomato juice). We were not willing to try it.
Made it back to the villa, sore and tired, and all of us took a bath or shower separately prior to dinner. Amanda and I made pizza both veggie and non-veggie which we supplemented with green salad.
Sunday, February 18, 2007
Fairmont Hot Springs...
After getting up early and having a quick breakfast at the hotel, we set off for Canada. We drove through Idaho to the Canadian border, where we answered the guards questions and entered Canada. We then drove for a while before stopping a Denny's in Cranbrook for an early lunch. We then continued on through the mountains to Fairmont Hot Springs.
The drive was gorgeous. The mountains are amazing and the lakes and rivers were cool. We even saw a couple of men ice fishing.
After arriving in Fairmont Hot Springs, we headed up the mountain where we checked out the ski resort, signed up for a lesson (except for Georg), had a hot chocolate, and rented gear for Arianne. We then headed to the grocery store to purchase supplies for the week.
We then checked into the Villa. It is great. It is a villa with two separate one bedroom units. So we have two kitchens, two bathrooms, two living rooms, and enough sleeping areas for us to each have our own bed (although Amanda and I may not pull out the bed, and just sleep on the couch).
We then made Mexican for dinner. We had rice and beans, cheese enchiladas, and green salad. For dinner we had brownies.
After getting up early and having a quick breakfast at the hotel, we set off for Canada. We drove through Idaho to the Canadian border, where we answered the guards questions and entered Canada. We then drove for a while before stopping a Denny's in Cranbrook for an early lunch. We then continued on through the mountains to Fairmont Hot Springs.
The drive was gorgeous. The mountains are amazing and the lakes and rivers were cool. We even saw a couple of men ice fishing.
After arriving in Fairmont Hot Springs, we headed up the mountain where we checked out the ski resort, signed up for a lesson (except for Georg), had a hot chocolate, and rented gear for Arianne. We then headed to the grocery store to purchase supplies for the week.
We then checked into the Villa. It is great. It is a villa with two separate one bedroom units. So we have two kitchens, two bathrooms, two living rooms, and enough sleeping areas for us to each have our own bed (although Amanda and I may not pull out the bed, and just sleep on the couch).
We then made Mexican for dinner. We had rice and beans, cheese enchiladas, and green salad. For dinner we had brownies.
In Spokane.
We made it all safely to Spokane. Although not without delays...
My flight out of BWI was delayed leaving to Chicago, my connecting flight was just at the next gate. But then my flight to Spokane was delayed due to technical issues. I was the last one to reach the Spokane airport where Arianne, Georg, and Amanda met me. Georg and Amanda's flight was delayed out of Denver, but not they still made it before I did.
After getting my luggage we piled into the rental car and headed to the hotel. The reservation for a non-smoking king room with a pull-out couch. We got a king smoking room with no couch. Georg was kind enough to offer to sleep on the floor.
We went for a quick dinner and then I "Febrezed" the room like crazy before we headed to bed to catch some zzzs before an early start to Canada.
We made it all safely to Spokane. Although not without delays...
My flight out of BWI was delayed leaving to Chicago, my connecting flight was just at the next gate. But then my flight to Spokane was delayed due to technical issues. I was the last one to reach the Spokane airport where Arianne, Georg, and Amanda met me. Georg and Amanda's flight was delayed out of Denver, but not they still made it before I did.
After getting my luggage we piled into the rental car and headed to the hotel. The reservation for a non-smoking king room with a pull-out couch. We got a king smoking room with no couch. Georg was kind enough to offer to sleep on the floor.
We went for a quick dinner and then I "Febrezed" the room like crazy before we headed to bed to catch some zzzs before an early start to Canada.
Thursday, February 15, 2007
Oh Canada!
This Saturday Georg, Amanda, Arianne and I are heading to Fairmont Hot Springs for snowboarding. So excited!!! And we are also going to go to a spa.
We are going to fly to Spokane, WA and then stay Saturday night there before waking up and driving up to Fairmont Hot Springs in British Columbia, Canada. It is right near Banff. Looking forward to visiting the Continental Divide.
This Saturday Georg, Amanda, Arianne and I are heading to Fairmont Hot Springs for snowboarding. So excited!!! And we are also going to go to a spa.
We are going to fly to Spokane, WA and then stay Saturday night there before waking up and driving up to Fairmont Hot Springs in British Columbia, Canada. It is right near Banff. Looking forward to visiting the Continental Divide.
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