We planned to get up at 5am to do the final preparations for the big trip, but we just couldn’t wait – we got up at 4am. We got the final packing done, ate some cereal and did some final work to get Marlene’s house ready for our extended absence. She didn’t clean out the refrigerator as much as I would have liked, so I will have some dread to open that door when we return.
Marlene’s neighbor Dave showed up at 6am and drove us to the Fort Myers airport (RSW). The checked baggage weighed in at exactly 100 pounds (50.4 for me and 49.6 for Marlene) – a testament to our ability to use every cubic inch of a suitcase. The flights – from Fort Myers to Chicago and Chicago to Seattle – were flawless.
Then some bad stuff happened.
Marlene’s suitcase, when it came to us on the baggage carousel, was missing a wheel and was pretty banged up. We took it to the American Airlines baggage office and I was in the process of filing a claim for the damaged suitcase when the attendant brought a new suitcase from the back room, saying that if we didn’t file a claim we could have this suitcase gratis. It wasn’t a high-end model and I thought it looked smaller than Marlene’s. But replacing the suitcase on the spot was very appealing.
We took the new suitcase and managed to transfer all of her belongings to the new luggage. Problem solved.
After I checked into the hotel I discovered that I had forgotten an important medication. So we walked to a nearby mall and solved that problem at CVS. We also got a bite to eat at a fast-food Thai place in the food court there (very good!). And Marlene found three items at JC Penney that she just had to have. I reminded her of the 50-pound luggage limit that will apply when we fly to Rome, but… well, she just HAD to have those dresses.
We stayed at the Ramada Inn Southcenter Tukwila, near the Seattle-Tacoma airport. It was quite nice. Comfortable bed, very good breakfast and free coffee. And a nice patio area. The shower had no door or shower curtain, which we found odd. But I guess that is a new thing with hotels. 8 out of 10.
Now we will take an Uber to the cruise terminal and begin the ATW-1 in earnest.