Turtles in Kelowna
It as been a lovely four days. Long but lovely. I have just finished with a trip in the Q200 and I had a wonderful crew in some very nice cities. The captain I had flown with before but we had two different FOs and I didn't know either of them. As much as I enjoy flying with the CA, he tends to be a slam clicker on overnights. This made me a little concerned as to whether or not I would be spending the entire trip on my own, especially in two of my favorite cities.
The first night we stayed in Richmond, BC. Cody (FO) and I went down to the hotel pub and managed to get something to eat and a pint. The kitchen was closing but the waitress managed to get us salads and sandwiches. After out late diner we played some pool. I am not the best player in the world but he taught me a few tricks and I definitely got better as the night went on. It helped that he repeatedly insisted that I redo shots that were horrible, and some that were just bad. Sadly the pub closed at midnight and we were still wide awake. We decided to wander around Richmond, not too surprisingly there wasn't anything open except for a karaoke place and neither of us felt like we were in the right state of mind for karaoke. After a while we were getting cold and felt it would be a good idea to go back inside. Still wide awake and bored we literally wandered the halls of the hotel, keep in mind it is now about midnight thirty. Finally he agreed to learning how to play cribbage because there was nothing else to do. So at one in the morning we played a game, then finally called it a night. Late night on top of a long day of work but both were filled with laughter so I didn't mind.
The next day was exhausting. We broke down in SEA and Cody and I played more cribbage. Once we finally made it to PDX he left and Wendy took over. That night we all just said good night. I always do like the rooms in Kelowna because they place fresh carnations to greet us on the table and the beds are comfortable.
The next morning (yesterday) I slowly woke up to a room full of light from the rising sun. Then I met Wendy for a leisurely breakfast at the hotel. We decided not to go downtown but instead to explore the walking trails in the park near the hotel. It was an absolutely beautiful and warm day. We spend our days in a metal tube that we just couldn't pass up the oppurtunity to be outside for a couple of hours. Wendy had never been to Kelowna but I have and it is one of my favorite overnights. I have walked along the river a little ways and spent some time just sitting in the water but have never really explored it. Yesterday we did. Apparently the green-way is about six miles long and has a full series of trails along a river and around a handfull of ponds. There were also many interpretive signs every so often to that explained the wild life in the area. Aside from the dogs taking their owners for a walk, we saw quite a few quail, a heron, lots of ducks, some chipmunks, and six turtles, amoung other wildlife. We were by far the most excited by the turtles. I managed to get a few nice pictures. After two and a half hours we decided we better get some lunch and get back to the hotel so we would be at work on time. We had Dutch pancakes which are a little like thick crepes with a variety of different types of filling. Amazing. Then it was sadly off to work.
Though only four legs we had a three hour sit right before our last leg that was draining. Wendy and I filled it by having dinner and playing cribbage. I also bought chocolate from Dilletante so that I will have some for Easter tomorrow. When we got to our hotel last night we heard salsa music coming from the bar downstairs. We all listened for a moment and agreed it would be very tempting if it weren't the fact that we were so tired. It was one of those situations where I am sure it would have been fun to go dancing but I would be too tired to enjoy it. Bed sounded too good.
This morning I once again slowly woke up. I don't think I would have gotten up if it weren't for the fact Wendy and were meeting for breakfast. I think I could have stayed in bed all morning Instead we breakfasted and then walked to a coffee shack for some caffeine. We found ourselves some comfy chairs and broke out the cards and the cribbage board. We played and chatted and before we knew it we had less than forty minutes to get ready for work. We managed to be on time and proceeded with the day. Right before our last leg we had to wait in SEA for our plane. I ran into several of my favorite crew members an enjoyed saying hi and catching up a little.
It was the first time I had flown with a woman and actually hung out with her on an overnight. I have only flown with a few woman pilots and we have always had short overnights and so haven't done anything. I really enjoyed this trip, though am still happy to be home for a night. We laughed a lot and good conversation. It is at times like these that I love my job. I look forward to seeing them in the crew room and hopefully flying with them again. I have Wendy's phone number so I am hoping we can go for a hike sometime as well.
It is long past due for me to go to bed. I need some sleep and must get up in time for church tomorrow. Good night.
The first night we stayed in Richmond, BC. Cody (FO) and I went down to the hotel pub and managed to get something to eat and a pint. The kitchen was closing but the waitress managed to get us salads and sandwiches. After out late diner we played some pool. I am not the best player in the world but he taught me a few tricks and I definitely got better as the night went on. It helped that he repeatedly insisted that I redo shots that were horrible, and some that were just bad. Sadly the pub closed at midnight and we were still wide awake. We decided to wander around Richmond, not too surprisingly there wasn't anything open except for a karaoke place and neither of us felt like we were in the right state of mind for karaoke. After a while we were getting cold and felt it would be a good idea to go back inside. Still wide awake and bored we literally wandered the halls of the hotel, keep in mind it is now about midnight thirty. Finally he agreed to learning how to play cribbage because there was nothing else to do. So at one in the morning we played a game, then finally called it a night. Late night on top of a long day of work but both were filled with laughter so I didn't mind.
The next day was exhausting. We broke down in SEA and Cody and I played more cribbage. Once we finally made it to PDX he left and Wendy took over. That night we all just said good night. I always do like the rooms in Kelowna because they place fresh carnations to greet us on the table and the beds are comfortable.
The next morning (yesterday) I slowly woke up to a room full of light from the rising sun. Then I met Wendy for a leisurely breakfast at the hotel. We decided not to go downtown but instead to explore the walking trails in the park near the hotel. It was an absolutely beautiful and warm day. We spend our days in a metal tube that we just couldn't pass up the oppurtunity to be outside for a couple of hours. Wendy had never been to Kelowna but I have and it is one of my favorite overnights. I have walked along the river a little ways and spent some time just sitting in the water but have never really explored it. Yesterday we did. Apparently the green-way is about six miles long and has a full series of trails along a river and around a handfull of ponds. There were also many interpretive signs every so often to that explained the wild life in the area. Aside from the dogs taking their owners for a walk, we saw quite a few quail, a heron, lots of ducks, some chipmunks, and six turtles, amoung other wildlife. We were by far the most excited by the turtles. I managed to get a few nice pictures. After two and a half hours we decided we better get some lunch and get back to the hotel so we would be at work on time. We had Dutch pancakes which are a little like thick crepes with a variety of different types of filling. Amazing. Then it was sadly off to work.
Though only four legs we had a three hour sit right before our last leg that was draining. Wendy and I filled it by having dinner and playing cribbage. I also bought chocolate from Dilletante so that I will have some for Easter tomorrow. When we got to our hotel last night we heard salsa music coming from the bar downstairs. We all listened for a moment and agreed it would be very tempting if it weren't the fact that we were so tired. It was one of those situations where I am sure it would have been fun to go dancing but I would be too tired to enjoy it. Bed sounded too good.
This morning I once again slowly woke up. I don't think I would have gotten up if it weren't for the fact Wendy and were meeting for breakfast. I think I could have stayed in bed all morning Instead we breakfasted and then walked to a coffee shack for some caffeine. We found ourselves some comfy chairs and broke out the cards and the cribbage board. We played and chatted and before we knew it we had less than forty minutes to get ready for work. We managed to be on time and proceeded with the day. Right before our last leg we had to wait in SEA for our plane. I ran into several of my favorite crew members an enjoyed saying hi and catching up a little.
It was the first time I had flown with a woman and actually hung out with her on an overnight. I have only flown with a few woman pilots and we have always had short overnights and so haven't done anything. I really enjoyed this trip, though am still happy to be home for a night. We laughed a lot and good conversation. It is at times like these that I love my job. I look forward to seeing them in the crew room and hopefully flying with them again. I have Wendy's phone number so I am hoping we can go for a hike sometime as well.
It is long past due for me to go to bed. I need some sleep and must get up in time for church tomorrow. Good night.