Honestly

This isn't funny anymore. Let me backtrack to yesterday. Meg and I had to move to a different hotel because the other hotel couldn't accommodate our full stay. I thought it was going to be a great hotel because of its location, rooftop bar and historic significance. What a dump. We had twin beds and the place was dirty, dirty, dirty. Meg thought it was similar to being in summer camp with the beds and I thought it was like being in a mental institution. Remember this - never stay at the Hotel Washington.

Travel. I took a cab to Union Station and made my Amtrak train without any problems. The ride to Baltimore's airport was a breeze. I went to the self check-in for American Airlines. I noticed my flight to Dallas was delayed 2 1/2 hours. I talked to the ticket agent. Storms in Dallas. My flight to Portland was also delayed but not as long. She didn't think it would be a problem because everything was backed up. I go ahead to the gate. I noticed other flights to Dallas had been cancelled. I debated what to do.

I called American. The agent said I should stick with my plans because I could get to Dallas and everything could be fine with my connecting flight. I wait. I finally go on American's website and see that the plane we were waiting on had left Dallas. I noticed my Portland flight was probably going to leave before I arrived. I went up to the gate and the agent recommended that I go to the main ticket counter and get tickets reissued because everything was already oversold tomorrow from Dallas to Portland. She recommended a Northwest airlines flight that they could put me on.

I go back to the main ticket counter and stand in a very long line while I am on hold with American Airlines. I finally get through so I leave the line. The agent did not want to help me. She said everything was booked from the DC area to Dallas and from Dallas to Portland. I mentioned the Northwest flight. She put me on hold. 5 minutes later she tells me that those flights are booked. She puts me on hold to check with Continental. Nope. We are now looking at a Thursday return. No, I don't want to spend my birthday once again on a plane. Everything from Philly is booked. Finally, I get on a flight leaving JFK at 4 on Wednesday, going through LA to Portland. I don't get in until 10:30 pm. As I was leaving to get my baggage, I heard them announce that all remaining flights to Dallas were cancelled for the evening and they couldn't put people on flights for at least another two days.

How do I get to JFK? I try to rent a car. All gone. I get on an Amtrak train. Mary was kind enough to arrange a hotel room in Edison, NJ, and picked me up from the station. At 12:30 am, I am back in NJ. We are staying at a hotel located near an Exxon Mobil plant which is so appropriate on my return to NJ. If only we were here for my birthday and Jazzy thursday at the Clarion Hotel.

Cross your fingers for tomorrow. I can't take too many more posts detailing my travel woes.