I know, I know, first world problem.
I was in San Diego last week speaking at a mapping and geospacial information conference. The stuff I am doing with commercial unmanned systems directly impacts manned aerial and terrestrial companies engaged in surveying, contruction, mapping, etc.
The conference was at the Lodge in Torry Pines and was great. I also had multiple other meetings in the afternoon and evening.
Snow storm hits the east coast. My early Thursday morning flight out is cancelled. The next available flight out is Sunday. Yikes.
So I work out a flight from Las Vegas Friday morning. I head to Hertz to get a car.
This is where my love of cars and driving through the desert becomes important. I decide, since I have all day, to upgrade to a Mercedes 320. I rent a lot with Hertz so it cost only ten dollars more a day.
After breakfast at a really neat diner in Rainbow, California, I head back roads to the desert. The drive through Trona, into Death Valley was great. I take some odd roads in and around DV and then take Old Spanish Train into Vegas.
Great day in a really nice car. The scenery is, as always this time of year, stunning. But, after a week away, I am ready to head home.
At 3am Friday morning, I get another call from United. Friday flight cancelled, the earliest they can get me out is Sunday night, the red eye into Dulles that arrives Monday morning, the 17th. Today, in other words.
I spent the next 45 minutes with a United rep looking for other flight from other airports and other carriers. Zippy luck. A plan begins to form.
Since I was planning on picking up a 1988 Mercedes 560 from Chocoholic, who lives near Atlanta next week, perhaps...
I ask the United folks if there is a flight from Atlanta to Dulles Sunday evening. Yep.
I call Hertz. Can I drop the Mercedes off in Atlanta on Sunday evening? Yes, the drop charge is $150.
The plan, as formed, is to drive across the country, work picking up the 560 in Georgia Sunday or, failing that, hop a flight home.
It is now 4am. I am packed and in the car by 0415 Friday morning, Vegas time: Nothing happened in Vegas and I ain't staying
Friday's drive is great. I make Amarillo Texas. Setting the cruise control at 85mph will chew up some freeway. The sat radio helped.
Saturday's drive is a little less enjoyable. I make Tupelo, Mississippi.
By now, Choc (Mike) and I have arranged for me to pick his 560 up Sunday at around 1100am at his house on the GA/SC border.
In order to pul this off, I depart Tupelo at 0400. I did get 8 hours the night before. There was no partying for me at the Tupelo Marriott.
Mike meets me at "Dad's" just off I85 and I follow him to his hootch. Beautiful place, terrific wife and a phalanx of neat dogs. We do the deal (sort of, the USAA check has not arrived, but Mike is gracious enough to let the deal play out) and I follow Mike to the GSP airport, drop of the CL 320, shake hands, and I'm off in the 560 by 1230. Here is the 560, just as Mike advertised:
I wasn't sure if I was going to make it home that evening or not. A lot depended on the car. No worries. It ran flawlessly with the big dogs at 75/80 mph. At a gas stop in South Hill, Va, a lady begs me for the keys. Not enough time to make a deal
I make it home by 815pm. Three days from Vegas to Leonardtown, Maryland.
So, thanks, Mike and Cathy! The check really is in the mail!