beanside | Day 11, Seattle to Baltimore to Home!

Why yes, it is 3am in Seattle. No, I don't know why I'm up either. In just a few (okay 7) hours, we'll be winging our way towards home via Alaska Airlines. I'm not looking forward to the long flight, but I am ready to be home, so I'll deal.

Yesterday, we sadly packed up everything and hopped off the boat at 8am. We had a minor freak out when they announced that you needed your key card and Jess realized that they'd packed theirs. So, a last trip down to the amazing concierge in the Neptune Lounge to have a new key printed. Within 10 minutes, Rachel had a new card, which she brought to our stateroom. We'd made arrangements to have a wheelchair for my sister, and seeing that we were ready, she called for it, and before you knew it, we were flying through the corridors of the Koningsdam, leaving the suite we'd called home for 7 days with Rachel in the lead, escorting us one last time. It was very sad. Before we knew it, we were off the boat, seeing a few familiar faces along the way. Everyone who had served us or helped us called out to us by name, and wished us safe journeys. Rachel gave everyone big hugs, and disappeared back into the ship, and the port authority took over. Another wheelchair and a porter to take our bags to the curb later, and we were waiting out front for our car. (Turned out that we should have gone to level 2 of the garage, but oh well. He came out front and we hopped in.) The ride from Vancouver to Seattle took roughly forever, including about 45 minutes in the line for immigration.

Fortunately, once we got up there, it was super fast. I know Jess had been worried, but there were no hassles at all. The border agent was really nice and joking around with us. We only waited 45 minutes because we stopped at the duty free shop, and grabbed some stuff. If you spend $15, you can skip a good part of the line. Otherwise, we were looking at 70 minutes or more. The line was about a mile long.

Finally, we pulled up to Cedarbrooke Lodge just outside of SeaTac. It's a really beautiful hotel. We grabbed food with minutes to spare, and the BIL headed out to make his Seattle Mariners game.

Blessedly, they had one room ready for us, and another was ready soon after. While we were waiting for the second, we were sitting in the room, nibbling on ketchup chips (totally addictive) and some Flake Bars and Toblerone. I also grabbed a Canada Jersey, which is slightly tight across the boobs.

Then, we had traffic slowdowns near Seattle, but eventually we got there. The staff was super sweet, and let us eat brunch, even though they closed in 10 minutes. It was delicious, and we unilaterally decided to come back for dinner.

Then, we crashed for a bit, until I decided to go partake in one of their amenities: Free unlimited ice cream in the freezer. The brand was Snoqualmie, which is a local brand that you can't get outside of the PNW. It was Wild Blackberry and it was delicious. However, when I opened the door to go get it, there was a gorgeous black cat sauntering down the hall. I stared for a moment, and it took it as invitation, and strolled right in the room and jumped up on the bed for pets. Worried that someone had lost a cat, I called the front desk. They informed me that the cat's name was Maddie, and she lived in one of the houses near the grounds. Once in a while, she just decided to visit, and slipped in with someone. By that time, she was in BIL's suitcase purring and rolling around. My sister picked her up and she went limp and cuddled in for a few minutes before she demanded to be put down on the bed. Soon after management showed up and seemed shocked to have her on the bed. They called her name and she reluctantly departed with them, to be kicked out of the building, but not out of our hearts.

Soon after, we went for dinner, which was excellent. We started with the house made focaccia (Jess) the jamon serrano with roasted grapes and popping balsamic boba (me) and the elderberry cured salmon with goat cheese (my sister). For our main course I had the seared scallops with risotto, my sister had lamb chops, and Jess had chicken. Unfortunately for Jess, someone stole their chicken off the sideboard, and they had to remake it. Totally not the waitress' fault, and we were totally cool about it. Once it did arrive, the chicken was excellent, and in the meantime, they gave them a bowl of their excellent purple yam soup. We were stuffed, but still had dessert. Jess got the creme brulee, and my sister and I split the very tasty banana bread pudding.

After that, it was back to the room for naptime, as it had been a very long day.

Today, we shall brave the fun that is airport security and a 5.5 hour flight. Then it's off to baggage claim, and finally home to collapse.

Tomorrow, it'll be off to pick up a small puppy, and get yelled at. From all the pictures, he seems to be having a wonderful time without us. Lots of extra cuddle time, and the staff loves him. I might have to make a batch of his food tomorrow, I need to check the freezer when we get home.

For now, I shall relax and then get myself together to get ready for our departure with our heavy ass luggage. Wondering if I'm going to end up paying an overweight fee for our luggage, but we'll see. I need to take all the tags off my suitcase, so that it doesn't get stuck on the conveyor belt, and I desperately need a shower.

I believe I shall take that now, and get it out of the way. Everyone have the most outstanding day!