Part I: The Arrival
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Experience is NOT what happens to you; it is what you do with what happens to you.
-Aldous Huxley
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Day 1 - Friday, March 16, 2012
-Aldous Huxley
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Day 1 - Friday, March 16, 2012
As I walked through the front doors of the Cleveland Hopkins International Airport with my carry on bag and previously printed boarding pass, my adventure had officially begun.
I went through security, experiencing my first ever body scan, and made my way to the gate when I received a phone call from an unknown number.
It turned out that it was an automated voice message from Delta Airlines, letting me know that my first flight to Minneapolis was delayed 30 minutes.
This really wasn't a big deal, but I was hoping to hang out at the Continental/United President's Club (I had a pass) in a different terminal and I needed a way to stay updated on my Delta flight itinerary.
So I downloaded a Delta app and entered my name and confirmation number...
I looked over the possibilities and realized there was a flight to Memphis that boarded in only 20 minutes. This way, I would have a short layover and land in Kansas City an hour earlier than my current schedule.
So, obviously, I took it! I found an attendant and he printed me off some new tickets without any problems.
And, when I waited at the gate, I eventually learned that my original flight was now delayed a good hour...
...making my way to Bentonville, Arkansas for the night.
I went through security, experiencing my first ever body scan, and made my way to the gate when I received a phone call from an unknown number.
It turned out that it was an automated voice message from Delta Airlines, letting me know that my first flight to Minneapolis was delayed 30 minutes.
This really wasn't a big deal, but I was hoping to hang out at the Continental/United President's Club (I had a pass) in a different terminal and I needed a way to stay updated on my Delta flight itinerary.
So I downloaded a Delta app and entered my name and confirmation number...
...when the app suggested I take an alternate flight route at no additional cost.
I looked over the possibilities and realized there was a flight to Memphis that boarded in only 20 minutes. This way, I would have a short layover and land in Kansas City an hour earlier than my current schedule.
So, obviously, I took it! I found an attendant and he printed me off some new tickets without any problems.
And, when I waited at the gate, I eventually learned that my original flight was now delayed a good hour...
...I would have missed my connection and landed in Kansas City much, much later.
Afterward, I took the second flight to Kansas City, retrieved my rental car and headed south...During that first flight, I talked to a Pennsylvanian man who now lived in Memphis. He suggested that, once at the airport, I sink my teeth into some Memphis BBQ...
...so I followed his advice...
...and had a delicious pulled pork sandwich topped with cole slaw.
...so I followed his advice...
...and had a delicious pulled pork sandwich topped with cole slaw.
...making my way to Bentonville, Arkansas for the night.
En route, I tried to stop at two pecan farms, but both were closed (it was after 5 pm on a Friday), so I continued on until I was able to stretch my legs...
...at a park in Webb City, Missouri.
...at a park in Webb City, Missouri.
Although I took the picture of the above miner, I hadn't actually come to Webb City to learn of its lead and zinc mining history...
...or to admire the street car there.
...or to admire the street car there.
Instead...
...I was interested in a nearby 30 foot statue by artist Jack Dawson (not to be confused with the Titantic character)...
...titled "Praying Hands."
...I was interested in a nearby 30 foot statue by artist Jack Dawson (not to be confused with the Titantic character)...
...titled "Praying Hands."
I walked around the statue and chatted briefly with a local woman before jumping back in the car and continuing on to Bentonville...
...enjoying the changing scenery of Southwestern Missouri as I went.
...I was amazed by how quickly I got my sushi.
...enjoying the changing scenery of Southwestern Missouri as I went.
By 8 o'clock, I arrived at my hotel in Bentonville and, following the front desk's advice on local sushi places...
...made my way to Sushi House.
Watch this for clarity.
...made my way to Sushi House.
This was one of those Japanese restaurants where you were greeted first by the people at the door and then that greeting was enthusiastically echoed by everyone behind the sushi bar - sort of like they treated all of their guests like Norm from the show Cheers.
Not know what I mean?
Not know what I mean?
Watch this for clarity.
A rather busy place...
...with three sushi chefs...
...with three sushi chefs...
...I was amazed by how quickly I got my sushi.
But what was also great about this place was the free stuff they gave you...
...like this maki piece sample...
...this decadent salad with tuna...
...and fruit for dessert.
...like this maki piece sample...
...this decadent salad with tuna...
...and fruit for dessert.
I ended up being so stuffed that I had to take leftovers back to my room for breakfast the next morning.
Don't worry - I had a fridge.
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Nice multi-media presentation. Sounds like you had fun.
ReplyDeleteYay! Road trip adventure! GREAT idea switching flights - that was a super lucky move. That sushi is beautiful but I'd take the BBQ any day.
ReplyDeleteI know the artist and his family very well. Went to school with his daughter. Nice picture.
ReplyDelete