First thing on our agenda this morning was for Philip to sign the papers to finalize the sale of the mobile home that Erin had been living in. Glad to get that done. We delayed this trip from our original plan once we had an offer on the mobile home not wanting the buyer to have to wait for us to get back into Albuquerque. We also changed the trip plan from a three week road trip to a one week fly/drive.
The Sunport was as busy as I have ever seen it. People crowding all the concourses waiting in line to board their flights or milling about waiting for flights to be called. There are new, replacement seats and carpet in some areas. They look very similar to the old ones so I’m not sure I noticed them right away. The new seats do have electrical outlets between every few chairs. Lots of interior construction work is in progress adding new shops and food outlets. I hope they add more seating at the gates during this project as there is rarely enough.
Our flight was delayed leaving ABQ. First there was an issue with the jetway door.
We ended up moving to a different gate to board. Once everyone was on board and the doors closed, the pilot announced that we would be delayed again. A fighter jet had an emergency which closed all runways. Fortunately for the jet pilot and for passengers at the Sunport, that took only 10-15 minutes more before we pushed back and headed for the departure runway. All that made our flight about 75 minutes late leaving and about 60 minutes late arriving into Denver.
Even with the long delay, we had a good layover at Denver. The United app listed three lounges in the B terminal so we headed to the one closest to our departure gate. It turned out to be a different type of lounge called United Club Fly. It is very small with seating for about a dozen people. The focus seems to be on grab-and-go snacks and drinks. We walked back to the big lounge near gate B40. The buffet they offered was okay for our early dinner.
The plane from Denver to Lexington, Kentucky left Denver ten minutes earlier than expected and arrived at 9:37 p.m. which was almost an hour early.
I saw a beautiful sunset from the plane as we neared Lexington. It was almost gone by the time I could get my iPad in position for a photo.
We decided to check a bag each on this trip and had to wait quite a while for it to be delivered. Once the luggage carousel was ready to start, the usual bell alarm rang to warn of its impending movement, but that was followed immediately by the bugle fanfare that starts every horse race, “Call to the Posts.” I don’t remember hearing that before. I don’t think it was played in Louisville when we flew in there a number of years ago. Cute addition to the routine.
At the Hertz counter, we received an “upgrade” to a Toyota Highlander. Not sure I agree that that is an upgrade. We’ll see. It may use more gas and be harder to maneuver and park than the small SUV I booked.
While waiting for the luggage, I texted Erin to tell her that we’d arrived and ask her if she’d heard anything on the local news about the emergency at the airport. She found out that the fighter jet pilot ejected shortly after takeoff. He’s in the hospital but alert and probably going to be okay. Later I heard from my friend Linda that the pilot had stopped at Kirkland AFB to refuel on his way to Los Angeles. I haven’t heard what else happened or where the jet went down.
The hotel desk clerk at the Hampton near the airport in Lexington was fine and the checkin was easy. Once in the room, we realized there was just one washcloth and one hand towel in the bathroom. I went to the front desk to ask for more. Later, we realized we had no toilet paper and only few tissues left in the box. Philip went to the desk this time. A different desk clerk was on duty by then. He found tissues, but had to look farther for the toilet paper, but he did bring two rolls to our room fairly soon. The employees we met were great, but the housekeeper must have missed checking this room. I’ll trust that the sheets are clean. Hopefully.
Overnight at the Hampton Inn Lexington South-Keeneland/Airport.
2025-02-06