BOZEMAN to PORTLAND – another day, another flight

Tuesday – and the day dawns bright and clear.  What a great night’s sleep.

Maybe it has something to do with not having to plan an early start to join our coach for another tour.  As usual the first thing I do after getting out of bed is make a grab for the camera and look out the window.

What a great view – well, I think it is anyway.  This is still part of the Holiday Inn – the snow is still high but not as high as our arrival.  The tree is naked and the moon is surveying the scene.  Once I decide OK that is enough it is time to prepare for a leisurely breakfast.

The staff at this hotel are great. They really make you feel welcome and the service is prompt and courteous – maybe the restaurant at the Snow Lodge should kidnap some of them.

We are seated in the Three Rivers Restaurant (what a great name), glasses of water are supplied almost immediately and we have juice to start.  Next is an order of bacon, hash browns and toast where, of course, the Vegemite is to the fore.  The hash browns are not like the ones you get  at Maccas.  These are, of course, home cooked and not fast food – yummy.

It is very relaxing just to sit after the somewhat rushed breakfasts at Yellowstone.  Don’t get me wrong – I loved every minute of staying at Yellowstone but their food and restaurant service left a bit to be desired.

We have a late check out as our flight does not depart until 5.25pm this afternoon.  So, natch, plenty more time for photos outside.  Most of the fluffy white snow in the driveways has turned to grey mush – not a pretty sight and not good  for photos but I still find some things of interest.

I love trees, but you most probably have gathered that by now.  Trees on the East Coast in Autumn when their leaves are at their brilliant best, trees in Sydney that retain their cover all year round and smell of eucalyptus, trees covered in snow, trees without any dressings showing their bare limbs – just any type of trees.

Trees that let the sun shine through the naked branches or back lighting leaves – Joyce Kilmer immortalised trees in her lilting words ‘I think that I shall never see a poem lovely as a tree. A tree whose hungry mouth is prest against the earth’s sweet flowing breast; A tree that looks at God all day, and lifts her leafy arms to pray; a tree that may in Summer wear a nest of robins in her hair; Upon whose bosom snow has lain; Who intimately lives with rain. Poems are made by fools like me, but only God can make a tree.’   Yep, that about sums it up and here endeth the lesson.

Checking the room so that nothing is left behind, we board our little shuttle for the 20 minute trip to Bozeman airport which does not seem very busy when we arrive – at least the sun is shining and it is anticipated that our take off will be on time.  Booking our cases through and we have a real charmer to check the weights.

As we are early, he makes a thorough examination and tells me that my bag is over the weight allowance by 2kg – I will have to move some things around.

Oh great.

Our bags are now off the scales and on the floor as we prepare to repack some of my things in K&T’s bags.  2kg has never been a problem before and really, a little bit of power goes a long way.  Personally I think airport scales are a waste of time.  I have added things into K&T’s bags and they weigh the same as what they did in the first place.  Mr Weigher is not impressed with our comments on the accuracy of the scales – I can tell by the look of sour grapes on his face.

Finally after weighing everything about 4 more times, it is done to his satisfaction and we head for something to eat and  drink.  not a pleasant way to end our time in Bozeman.

We find a coffee shop, a souvenir shop, the Yellowstone Forever store (more spending) and a lovely statue of a bear (eyes left) that I cannot pack because I will be over the weight limit again.

Spending and lurking there for around an hour, it is nice and relaxing before heading to security check.  Kylie and I have a TSA Precheck again (of course we do) and are allowed to waltz on through with a minimum of fuss.

Tyler is with the commoners.  Ho hum.

Our boarding gate is at the end, a long walk past all the souvenir shops – we find some nice comfy seats and are reassured by the gate sign.  We are on time and hopefully nothing will delay our arrival into Portland at 6.25pm.

By the time we drive back to St Helens from Portland we will be looking for our nice comfortable beds.

In our seats and my camera bag securely stowed under the seat in front- I am asked to move – something about weight distribution (not mine).  As I have no-one beside me and will not have anyone beside me in the new seat, I agree to move about 4 rows forward onto the other side of the plane.

It’s not long before the point and shoot is out and about. The snowy fields below soon give way to the mountains and the sun begins to set.  It is nice and snug in our plane and I can image how cold it would be if I had a seat on the wing.

Soon the sun is gone and we are finding ourselves coming into Portland.

The weather is fine and cold, and it is a smooth landing.

This is our plane.  You have to admit it is not very big but it got the job done and delivered us safely on the ground.

I never put my camera away – it is in my pocket ready to get the odd snap or two!

This trio are on the way to collect their bags but Kylie informs me that there is a time honoured tradition at Portland (PDX) airport (is she pulling my leg?).  You have to get a photo of your feet on the Airport carpet.  Yep, only in America.

Apparently there is old carpet and then there is new carpet.

In 1987 workers laid 28,000 square feet of this iconic carpet throughout Portland’s terminals.