We are here! After running into Union Station to use the facilities we start hoofing it to the hotel, anticipating dropping off the bags and then going to find some place for breakfast. Daryl, the bellman at the hotel has other plans, he calls up to the front desk and within 15 minutes we are checked in. At 7 am. That was awesome! After a few hours of sleep we head outside to see what we can see. And what do you know, Jersey Boys has seats available, limited view but it is a good limited view, and $25 dollars a ticket... we had to do it. With an hour to burn before showtime we were starving and with being on vacation I am off the diet, lead me to the trough! But apparently the theatre ... read more

Woke up at 5:15, was at the front desk for the taxi by 5:45, discovered that the clueless night auditor was working again and she was just as useless when Polly came up to inform her that his Nintendo DS had been taken from the room. A half-hearted "will let you know if we find it" was all he got. The taxi ride was uneventful, except for the first time in 4 days we were in a car with 4 doors and leg room. Checked in at Oakland Airport only to find out that our flight was very delayed. It had not even taken off from Columbus yet. Anyway, got checked in, went thru security, staked out a couple of benches and Polly, Megan, and Gallaway went to sleep. Speck stayed up and read a book, ... read more

There is something about that first beer of the morning, the previous night Speck had run into the liquor store and purchased a sixer of Sapporo. After all, breakfast was not included in the room rate and he gets thirsty first thing in the morning. So with a beer in hand and every one else still asleep he heads back to the hot tub for his morning boil and brew. Returning to the room an hour later every one is as they were, so he sat outside and read until the rest of the party rolled out of bed. Showers were taken, plans were roughed out, and we headed to the car. There Speck found his missing cellphone, still mid text... "Hey Speck, how many beers have you had already? One?" and they tossed him the ... read more

Midnight. In Megan's tiny miniature Toyota driving 3 and a half hours to Columbus to get on a plane for San Francisco. Radio off, all of us too wired to sleep, talked the entire way until the fog banks covered the road and we drove on in tense silence. Pulled into the parking lot, thankful to have arrived this far on time and in one piece. Found the SkyBus Check-in to stand in line and have a much maligned discussion about medical abnormalities. (Did not know it was possible to excrete fecal matter out of ones vagina...) Hurried up and waited for the terminal Bar to open only to discover that the first drink would not be poured until we were already onboard our plane. Most disappointing. Made do with juices and caffeine and for Speck, ... read more