John and I flew up on Saturday morning. We spent one hotel night at destination: the Hampton Inn. John rented a car from National Car Rental at the airport. Itinerary: IAD-BOS-SFO-ANC-ORD-EWR-BOS-IAD. On the way out we had a nice three hour layover at SFO which gave us the chance to have a real restaurant meal and do some flightseeing. We arrived in ANC just before midnight. We picked up the car and drove to our hotel which is described as downtown. There are three Hilton properties within two blocks plus assorted other brands including a Crown Plaza - but it is not downtown by my definition.
The next day we checked out of our hotel and headed south to Seward. The drive was very scenic. It was a thrill for me to have someone else do the driving. The highway parallels the rail line all the way. We visited a coffee house in Seward known for being veg friendly and they told us the kitchen had closed early this afternoon. They gave us a couple of recommendations. We stopped at Woodie's Thai Restaurant. The wait staff pointed out for me the vegan items on the menu. We both enjoyed our meals. We drove back to Anchorage and turned the car in and checked in for our return flights.
Our flight would depart from the end of the "B" concourse which was crowded with pax from American and Delta. Of the three our flight would be the last to leave. Our gate agent showed up and announced an oversold situation. John took both our boarding passes and got us on the list. The agent then announced that there would be no flights until the next day and that they would not be providing a hotel for the volunteer. In the end they only needed one person. John took it (such a bully). I boarded and flew to ORD overnight. I was miserable due to a soar throat which only heralded worse things to come. I had fever and chills and much trouble with my ears. I just wanted to get home.
Somehow I suffered through the four flights and was glad to see home again. I showered and jumped straight into bed. It has been (imitation) chicken soup and cold medicines for me ever since.
John earned a $400 voucher and overnight in an airport hotel as part of the deal. He tells me that due to the no hotel announcement, all other overnight volunteers un-volunteered. John was the only "vol" remaining and persuaded them to send him to a hotel. He told me all of his flights were full. He was in first class half the way. I was upgraded on two of eight segments. But we were always in economy plus (at least) so were comfortable. I will be grounded for ten days due to this miserable cold. Then I was be off to sunny southern California.
