First Day Minus One

How much do you want to know? I packed.

I kept it simple and as quick and efficient as possible. That meant 2 hours of packing on Thursday night and 6 hours on Friday, departure day.

Day 0 - Friday August 21

My buddy Dwiggie volunteered to whisk me to the Flusherville train station. He was right on time - 45 minutes early.

No matter, it gave us time to talk.

It was pretty much a perfect summer's day and we spent some time in the diminutive Business Class lounge at Flusherville Station. Amenities include five folding chairs and a half a case of warm Coke sitting on the floor.

As an expert, savvy traveler, I'm always aware of my environs. I gave Dwiggie the folding chair that wobbled.

Departure time neared so we went outside and reveled in the perfect weather.

We got talking about all kinds things. Dumb things. Guy things.

"You know, Dwiggie, I have this weird thing," I said, motioning him closer, because I do not want anyone to know this weird personal thing about me. He leaned in.

"Almost always, when I check in to a hotel and first go into my room, I immediately have to have a visit from the Major."

"Major Dumperooski?"

"Yup," I said, nodding sagely. "If it happens this time, I'll text you a code word. Shabba"

"I really don't need to know this," said Dwiggie, just as the train pulled in.

I got on board and we waved goodbye like I was an 11 year old heading off to camp. 

And off I went (hopefully) in the direction of Toronto.

It was a smooth ride. I was seated facing backwards, but that doesn't bother me.

The service included dinner - I opted for the beef brisket Mac 'n Cheese.

The brisket was pretty yummy but drowning anything in a quarter cup of Bullseye will make anything taste good. The Mac 'n was delicious. There was a little salad complete with a little slice of some sort of cheese, and a little round of some sort of fruit - I don't know what it was.

There was a Nanaimo bar that was meh - the truffles they handed out later were a much better chocolate.

Pictured up there is a beer, and I enjoyed it immensely. Not too heavy, not to hoppy, not too bitter. It had a beery start and a beery finish with notes of IPA, beer, yeast, hops and alcohol.

We arrived in Toronto around 7:00 pm and I was still hungry, so I snarfed down a McDick's Double Cheeseburger and then headed to the airport on the Union Pearson Express. Six bucks and change for this senior gambling citizen.

Before the trip, I'd carefully sussed out that I could really walk from Terminal 3 to the hotel, and it turned out that yup, I could. There were even tracks worn in the bit of grass you have to cross from people's luggage. It was easy and safe.

A tear came to my eye as I passed the dog relief area. I thought of Chippy and all the reliefs I'd watched her do. And then carefully bagged them for storage until Christmas.

Move on, Flusher! Don't dwell on the furry past!!!

There it is! The walkable airport hotel!

I've run into this before - the hotel touts the magic virtual digital key thingy - and then it never arrives and you have to pick up a key at the desk. Bait and latch!!!

This was the case at the Four Points by Whoozis Sheraton Etc. I waited about 10 minutes and went up to inspect my room.

I was pleasantly surprised!

I had a couple of snorts of the Old Nasty that I brought with me, cut with the free Terrier water that came with my new-found La-di-dah Gold status (thanks to Platinum Amex) and pounded out a blog post.

Gotta keep up with that or it becomes insurmountable during the trip.

The main problem I had with the room was the temperature. There was a wall mounted unit with conflicting instructions.

The air conditioner had two modes - arctic blizzard winds, and nothing. And it took turns doing that all night long.

I had what I think was a down duvet and I woke up after a few hours drenched in sweat. Kicked that off and then I was freezing. After a bunch of wake-ups, I finally got up and adjusted the blizzard to sleet.

It all made for kind of a crummy night, but that's the way it goes sometimes.

For some reason, I'd forgotten the technique of running such a wall-mounted beast until the room is cool, and then shutting it off for the night and hoping for the best. Not savvy.

One way or the other, tomorrow I would be going to Las Vegas to give BobbyG an unexpected mental atomic wedgie.

Oh - I forgot something. Just after I got to my room, I messaged Dwiggie.