by ·Comments Off on A Giant store

So as most aussies back home know, Costco is just starting out down in Australia. Well what you probably don’t know is that Costco is a Seattle based company. They actually started about 5 or 6 miles from where i work. The original store is still there!!

I figured it was about time i hit up CostCo, and if I was going to do it, I was gonna do it right! I was gonna hit it up first thing on a Saturday morning with the hordes, and I was going to visit the very first ever CostCo. Now you need a CostCo card to enter the building (thankfully work has one) and I managed to score it for the weekend. It wouldn’t let me buy anything as apparently they are id’ing at the checkout lately. But if i decided I wanted to buy, I could just sign up and fork over the $55 fee.

So i rocked up nice and early, right on opening time (and was joined by Clare my friend from work who was also interested in checking it out to see if it was worth it or not). It was pretty bedlamish as people were flowing in straight away. It kind of felt like an Ikea almost as by the entrance was a bit of a cafe with cheap food and definately competing with Ikea as Hot Dog and a Soft Drink… $1.50!

As we explored it seemed some stuff was worth it, some was not. There was definately things that were a little to big like Washing Detergent for your laundry. For a single person a bottle that does 110 loads is definately not worth it, thats seriously almost a years worth! I dont need that much!

There was some good deals on brand name tvs, and watches and stuff (hell you can get phones and diamond rings) but to be honest, those tvs can be matched elsewhere (like Frys… but thats a story for another day). The biggest savings are on booze in some instances (now that Washington has changed their liquor laws) and on the fresh/Frozen food.

Speaking of food, around 10am the samples come out, and so do the people. As they start offering out the samples the hordes come from no where all clambouring for some free food. It was a little more like bedlam around the food area during this time, but a quick exit and I was ok!

Did I buy anything, nope. Is it really worth me getting a membership, nope. If I was going to buy anything I would just tag along with whoever goes from work and as Clare put it “hit the road for a Costco Run!”. This way I don’t have to fork out for the $55 a year for something that probably wouldn’t save me all that much per year.

If I had a big family, that would be a whole different story, but I don’t. It was still fun though, do you think I could eat 10lbs of Rolled Oats?

by ·Comments Off on Trip Report: Bolting North

Introduction:

I had been having a bit of a rough time in life and had decided it was time for a getaway, flights were pretty expensive at the last minute to anywhere really and I wanted to try and get some stays for the Club Carlson promos done and out of the way. So I was hunting down a Park Inn and found either a few options in Texas (but flights were a no go) however there was one in Vancvouer! Awesome. I could get the stay done, visit some friends and it would be a quick trip. Originally had planned on driving till I found some stuff on Bolt Bus.

Bolt Bus is like the Low Cost Carrier of Greyhound (if that was possible). In reality they are more like an express service. They had only just opened up services in the Pacific North West. Fares were cheap! I also managed to get a great deal on a 2nd night at an amazing hotel (but I shall leave that to later). Plans were set but no bookings were made. Weather did not look good, so the plan was to hold of as long as possible. This would be a very spur of the moment trip, definitely not me.

Thursday morning, weather improved, it was looking passable. I pulled the trigger and booked it all. I was set to head north!

Friday 8th June 2012

Finished work on a high note thanks to figuring out a very complicated itinerary and getting something to fare so I was extremely happy. I just missed the bus to Downtown as I needed to make my way down to the King Street Station area. So after waiting around and still unable to find any information on any lockers at King Street Station (there aren’t) , I caught the next 550 to Downtown. Damn was it a long long journey. Almost an hour! Wasn’t able to read, as I only had the Spinner suitcase it rolled around way to much on the bus and had to spend the whole time holding onto it on a very packed bus going stop start for almost an hour.. not a good way to have your mood go from good to frustrated.

Frustration got a little bit worse when I finally got to King Street Station as there was not a single sign for Bolt Bus anywhere! It was still about an hour till the bus so I figured I could get some dinner at Uwajimaya (conviently opposite the station) and pick up some supplies for the journey. After checking out the shops for a little bit and picking up some weird Green Tea Cookies (that were yummy by the way) and some water I managed to grab some dinner and after rushing to finish it before what I thought would be the time I would need to be there for the bus.

I rocked up back to the street around 730 for an 8pm bus figuring I needed to be there. WRONG!!! Bus was no where in sight, no one was in sight at all. There was literally nothing to even tell me if I was in the right spot. As time went by more and more confused travelers stumbled around all asking the same thing “Is this the stop for bolt bus?”. This is obviously not a good sign for Bolt Bus at this stage. Even a sign would have been a good thing.

Eventually about 7:55pm the Bus rolled up after a fight almost broke out at the dodgy looking pub across the street. Damn the driver for taking away our focus on the entertainment. Almost the entire bus emptied off and a large crowd was gathering around the bus by now. From here the driver went through his speel. Boarding by Groups on your boarding pass. Make sure you have your passport out and open and feel free to sit wherever you want.

Thankfully I was in the A Group even booking the day before so that was a good thing if you ask me. Maybe the closer you book you get a better boarding group? Who knows. But I dropped my suitcase underneath, lugged the camera bag up into the bus and took the customs form off the driver.

Onboard the bus it looked good. Bolt Bus has only been around a few weeks in the PNW so the bus is obviously still pretty fresh. Leather seats, power points at each row, plenty of leg room and free wifi onboard. Definitely a good thing if you ask me. All it really needed was a Tray table for laptops and it would have been perfect.

Wifi was active straight away, powered up and logged in, I didn’t even realize we were on the way. We probably pulled out about 5 minutes late. To be honest this was great. I had the time to settle down and get through all the emails and stuff I had put off for 2 days and catch up on life a bit. By the time we reached the border I had seen a beautiful sunset, enjoyed finishing off some snacks and then had also spent the time chatting with friends as well. At the border your informed the Wifi probably wont work after that point, so good to get any stuff you want done before the border (or after it on the Southbound).
We arrived the border at around 10:05pm really about 5 mins behind schedule so can not complain. I believe Bolt Bus allow approximately 30 minutes for the crossing but I have heard stories of buses taking over an hour. But this was good. We were running on time really and the border crossing was a non issue. A number of questions grilled by Canadian Immigration (same as last time but not as bad) and I was greeted in for the weekend with a stamp.. yay!

Back on the bus and on the road around 10:35pm so only 30 mins! Awesome! Book out, last few messages out before the Wifi dies and as we power north to Vancouver I chill out. Next thing I know after tuning out we are in Vancouver, rolling into Pacific Central Station at 1135. That is definitely good news, only 5 mins behind schedule the entire way!

Jumped in a taxi at the Station and I was at my hotel just minutes later. I had booked Friday night at the Park Inn & Suites Vancouver mainly to get their promotion stay where I can get about 44,000 free points with a 1 night stay. Would I stay here normally, nah I would stick more downtown. But I was not worried all that much. The rate was fairly good, I would get a room upgrade thanks to now being Carlson Clubgold thanks to a status match and I wasn’t going to spend all that much time at the hotel.

Check In was a bit slow with lots of paperwork required (more than usual) but eventually I was handed a “Letter” and directed up to my room on the top floor. I had been upgraded “according to the registration sheet” to a King Vancouver Vista room (possibly a business class room not sure) but either way the room was good. Didn’t see much that night as I was in bed, 10-15 minutes later.

Saturday 9th June

Woke up and the weather looked good, the view was amazing, just stunning, so decided to go for a run along the Seawall. After some quick directions down the Seawall and stuffing up my run tracking (yep im that retarded) I had a good run along the waterfront along False Creek. Felt good! After a slow morning of finding out the blog was offline, reading my email updates and general goofing around. I headed off to get some currency exchanged and then the first hit for the weekend of Tim Hortons… Conviently across the street!

After grabbing some breakfast and chilling out for a little while catching up on life, it was time to hit the road and get out to the airport to meet my friend. Leighton was kind enough again to take me spotting for the day and I was looking forward to a relaxed day without much else to do. I packed up all my bags and strolled on down to the Broadway Skytrain station. This station is on the Canada line which runs directly to the airport so I didn’t have to spend the time playing change trains to get out there while toting a suitcase.

Why dragging my suitcase? Well I had managed to score a room at the Fairmont Vancouver Airport for an insanely cheap deal. VERY VERY cheap rate. $69CAD for the room. For an amazing hotel, at the airport itself, I couldn’t believe it!

So I jumped on the train and 20 minutes or so later I was jumping off at the airport and strolling my way over to the Fairmont. The one thing I love about the Fairmont at the airport is that it looks super modern just like the rest of the airport but there are certain little things that keep it in line with that Chateau styling of the Fairmont brand. You actually enter the airport itself and then head to a level above the check in facilities to the reception of the hotel.

Being 11ish in the morning I did not expect to get access to a room, the plan was to drop bags and head straight off spotting. But the hotel had a room ready for me so I headed on up. There was a few issues with Wifi reception so the room I was originally in, was swapped for another room but the hotel was more than gracious. In fact their service was fantastic!! I could not fault this hotel, large spacious rooms, lovely luxurious beds, big bathroom, the only downside was a lack of power outlets (a common theme). Big picture windows overlooking the US Flight ramp (in the 2nd room) and I was in heaven! But no time to waste!

Spent the afternoon chatting, spotting, taking photos, eating, drinking (had lunch at the Beaver Bar which was fantastic as always). I enjoyed the day so much I lost track of time as by the time I got back to the hotel it was almost 5pm! There was a lovely little gift waiting for me in my room and the choc coated strawberries were delicious! I could get used to this. With more time spent taking photos from the room, I eventually headed downtown for dinner after not being able to make up my mind what I wanted.

The night was a bit mixed, with my usual self getting in the way. Managed to get lost, not look into things better and after not being able to make up my mind had part of my dinner at one place and finished it off super super late back at the Fairmont after a stop at the Whole Foods on Broadway… not my finest moments!

Sunday 10th June 2012

The morning was spent with a gym session where I could have been on the internet on the exercise bike (it didn’t work though which is probably a good thing), cleaning up the absolute destruction I caused last night in the room and just generally relaxing while taking more photos. I had been woken up by an offending Dash 8 spooling up to full power right outside my window. I guess sound proofing just cant block a full power turbo prop. Either way I didn’t mind. After a stroll through the airport to Tim Hortons down at the Domestic Terminal, with a good view of the runway and the taxi ways I enjoyed more time catching up on life with photos and some Tim Hortons.

Made sure I was back in the room for the Asian arrivals of JAL, China Eastern and the Air Canada from Tokyo and the Air Berlin flight from Dusseldorf. With the active runway for the Heavies right next to my room, it was a good way to finish off my stay at the Fairmont as I would eventually have to leave ?

Made my way back to the Skytrain (I had pre bought my ticket at the 7-11 after yesterdays costly mistake) and headed into the city. I made my way over to Pacific Central Station to drop my bags in a locker then reversed my journey back to downtown to spend some time doing a bit of shopping. I figured that if I could find a jacket the last time I was in Vancouver for cheap when I was desperate, it may work a 2nd time.

It did. I did a fair amount of exploring, hitting up wherever I could find (even heading back over to West Broadway.. thank you to the North Face Shop on West Broadway for their tip) but I am now the proud owner of a lovely warm North Face jacket, one that will keep me warm and dry during the Seattle weather!

After some shopping and wandering and aimless nothingness I hit up Japadog for a Kurubota hot dog Japanese styles (YUMMMM) and then slowly headed back to Pacific Central station to get my bag and wait for the bus. At least this time there is 1 sign in evidence at the Bus station but since Vancouver is the terminus you aren’t going to miss the bright red buses.

Again boarding was done via 3 groups (A, B & C) but the drive had everyone line up so there was some order to everything. This was a bit out of place compared to Seattle but maybe this is how its meant to be done. Either way I was in the A Group with 2 other people. There was a very very small group this time, maybe 12 or 15 max. So we boarded and were gone right on time. The road out was quick and there was not much traffic on the road so we made really good time to the US Border. What was even more impressive was the quickness of the processing. No hassles only a few questions this time (compared to entering in LAX) but to be honest it was a quick stop and we were on the road before we were even meant to be arriving at the border. This meant 2 more hours south and we would be in Seattle early!!

The wifi signal kicked in about 2 minutes after the border, so this is good timing as that’s how long it took me to get everything sorted! With Wifi up and running and my phone back out of Canada roaming o it felt good to be back in touch with life!

We flew down the Interstate as there was very very very little traffic and it was as though the day was just for us. The sun was out, I had wifi, and as we approached Seattle a magnificent view of Mt Ranier (which I couldn’t get a good shot of).

To be honest this was a great way to end the trip. We got in 30 minutes early (how often can you say that on a flight) and within 10 minutes or so I was getting picked up and ferried back to the apartment after promising a box of Tim Hortons donuts to someone. Easy as pie!

Conclusion

Absolutely loved the weekend. Some definite highlights and one or two low lights but that’s the way it always goes. The weekend was definitely successful in what I had intended on it doing. Getting me reinvigorated with life. It was great to spend Saturday with a mate and get to catch up on life and have a good afternoon where you can switch off and not worry about a thing.

Bolt Bus was definitely a fantastic thing and I will definitely use them again. It is silly to drive to either Portland or Vancouver with tickets so cheap, seriously cheap!! They are bargain fares but your not getting bargain service out of it. My only suggestion to them is some form of sign at the Seattle stop so people don’t mill around so much.

The Fairmont Vancouver Airport… well what can I say. I am in love with this hotel. Amazing people, amazing service and to top it all off… the location and the views. Found out this morning that I could of borrowed a BMW bike which would have been cool and next time I stay there I most definitely will take advantage of that and go for a ride somewhere. The hotels views were just stunning in my opinion and the airport has a lot to offer (the food there isn’t all that expensive in the main terminal either! So you don’t really need to head into the city for a decent feed).

Plans are afoot for another trip north, but for now I am ready to hit the streets for more adventure in life!

Vancouver Weekend

by ·Comments Off on Reflections: Part 2

The last 24 hours have been pretty rough, but i know that it is a far cry from what some people are feeling back home. Some pretty tragic news came to light last night that seemed to have forced some issues home.

I had been dealing with some personal stuff (as eluded to on Friday night) but to be honest, this all means nothing now. The petty things that have been going on in my life lately are now essentially nothing to me.

I can’t let that crap dictate my life, or get in the way. I need to make sure that I try and keep those friendships that I cherish, do everything I can with it all and savour each moment that I can. Even if this means giving up the way I feel at times and doing the right thing instead.

My thoughts and prayers go out to the people back home (you know who you are) who need my love, care and affection right now and I can’t be there to give it. Last night managed to hit home very very hard making me feel very very alone for the first time. Something a lot of people will say “your not alone” but to be honest, its not the same. But I will take what I can get. A conversation with a friend, a kind word here and there, a warm look, a smile from a random stranger. It all helps to make things just that little bit easier.

Right now I will keep pushing forward, try to keep myself focused on the job at hand, to keep my self moving forward and live my life as much as I can each and every day!

by ·Comments Off on Reflections.

I have had a rough last few days and have been thinking a little about what I have accomplished over the last few years.   I was a little bit saddened by some things but yet the last 12 months have been pretty amazing.

I won’t go into what caused the problems or why I had been thinking like this but while I cruise north on the bus, heading away from?? You problems I figure it’s as good a time as any to maybe just talk about it.

On the last 3 years I have changed myself so dramatically that sometimes I am not sure which parts of me are new and which is old. Not sure what belongs to the old mal and what is the new.

Somewhere in this head of mine I try to comingle the two and hope something works out. Who knows what will/won’t.

I take each days as it comes right now, each day a new adventure. Not sure what to expect but all I can say is that each day brings with it unique challenges. Sometimes I wake up ready to take on the world but within hours I hate life. Yet other days it is the other way round.

There are small things lately that makes me smile. A glimpse of my truck, the sunsets over the Cascades or a glimpse of the Olympics as I walk back to the apartment. Lake Washington by my side on a run or seeing Seattle off in the distance.

I love it over here yet times I am really sad or homesick. It makes me wonder why I did this sometimes but I will make sure I enjoy it while it lasts to take advantage of everything. I will make the most of every single day I get over here. I don’t know if I ever want to come back.

Time will tell, but I live by the same motto that has kept me going so far. “The only easy day was yesterday”

by ·Comments Off on A little south of the border ..

One thing I have missed since I was last over here travelling around was some mexican. Cause aussie’s just have no freaking clue. So i tweeted to @SeattleMaven for her recommendation of where to go for some good mexican in Seattle. Though where she recommended to me, just didn’t seem right. She gave me a couple of options. 1 of them was for some good old TexMex. There was an option for more traditional mexican, but after looking at their site, i just couldn’t do it, not on my own. So TexMex it would be, and its been a while since I had some decent Tex Mex.

But all day today after travelling back and forth over the city I just wasn’t sure if it was right. There was mixed reviews online, would it be any good. Would it be ok? I had not been lead astray yet, so I went for it. After spending what felt like forever finding a park, I parked up about a block away and strolled over to Mama’s Mexican Kitchen.

From Expat Life

After entering and being directed to a seat at the bar (another thing I do enjoy when dining alone) i was greeted pretty soon with a lovely bowl of chips and some yummy salsa. The atmosphere was totally out of left field. You could describe it as Dive Bar, mixed with family style mexican joint, mixed with Elvis memorobilia. It was eclectic to say the least.

The menu was pretty huge and after some discussion with the staff over what was good, i was recommended a burrito plate but which one to choose! Since it seemed to be unique I went with the Elvis Burrito plate which was like an all in Burrito. It was a damn huge plate and it was out quick!! Probably 5-10 minutes. Much quicker than expected. It was loaded with steak, vegies, avacado, rice, beans (my choice was refried cause i had not had any in forever) and covered in yummy gooey melty cheese all GBD! O yeah!

From Expat Life

I didn’t end up cleaning the plate it was just to much. But I almost did. I at least finished the burrito off. It wasn’t the most authentic plate of mexican food you can get, but god DAMN it was tasty, filling and just damn right comforting.

If your ever downtown near Belltown/Seattle centre and want a good mexican hit (and the prices were good to… that plate is $11.25++) you have to head to Mama’s. For me.. i was craving something else to… a bit of pie. So after fighting with my GPS as usual I headed over to Phinney again for a slice of pie at A La Mode. But since it was close to closing time, all I managed to get was a yummy piece of coconut cream pie with a side of Bluebird Ice Cream.

From Expat Life

Eh it was worth it still. With a cup of coffee, a piece of pie and a belly full of burrito… I was a happy man for my 25 min drive back. But then.. the drive itself makes me happy (thanks to the truck).

by ·Comments Off on 1 month in

Well about a month ago I hopped onboard a plane and jetted my way over here to the northern hemisphere.   It was a big move but to be honest I don’t regret a thing.

I have ever had my ups and downs. On the downside it has been a bit lonely at times, what little spare time I’ve had has been spent resting cause its been so full on, getting my life going, going from house to house, searching for a vehicle and house hunting. When I settle in things will change.

But I have had plenty of ups since moving here. The small moments are always good, the big things like the Runway Run, or the B17 flight just make it hugely special. Wouldn’t trade those memories for the world.

At the moment the next month will be focused on apartment hunting now that I have my truck and can move about more.   Hopefully I can stop loosing weight over here, maybe it’s the cold weather doing it to me.

Either way I’m a happy man, I’ll be happier sometime soon, probably. Either way.. Bring it on.

by ·Comments Off on Memorial Day

It is the first of my long weekends here in the Pacific North West. As you saw in my last post it started off pretty epicly. Saturday was a day full of amazing experiences and I will never trade that day. Ever. The weather did not hold out all that well though with a return to the typical PNW style. Grey and Gloomy. Whoever said it rains here all the time was lying. It just looks like its going to rain (although it did rain on me this morning during my run but it was really light.

The weekend was good still. Yesterday and today have been pretty relaxed, not much done. But I learned a bit this morning about Memorial Day. So Memorial Day is a little bit like Anzac Day but different. Where as on Anzac Day we have parades and we have our Dawn services. They don’t seem to do it over here. Of course they still pay tribute to the fallen in battles (memorial day stems back to the Civil War days), however they are fiercly patriotic and will do plenty of things to pay tribute to those who have served or are currently serving.

It feels more like a day of private reflection and paying your respects on a more smaller, more personal way. Rather than big parades and big grand ceremonies, it seems to be more that you take your time to go pay your respects in person, in private for a few moments of quiet reflection.

It is also like any long weekend these days, full of sales. It obviously made the car purchase a little easier but just about everything seems to be on sale. Everything! One other little facet in other parts of the country, though not really fitting here, is it is meant to be the opening weekend of summer. Full of grilling on the BBQ, picnics and times spent outdoors. My kind of weekend… if only it was about 20 degrees hotter.

by ·Comments Off on A Truly Epic Day

Today was always going to be a happy day for me, I got to fulfil a dream. What I didn’t count on when I got up this morning was just truly how epic this day was going to be.

Woke up this morning, and the weather was perfect, not to cold but brisk enough. The sky was perfection blue. Fantastic start to Memorial Day weekend. I will post more about memorial day on Monday but for the start of a long weekend, it could not be better.

Today the plan originally was as such. Time to buy a truck. I had an appointment with Lithia Chrysler Jeep Dodge in Renton. After seeing them last Saturday night, today was going to be pretty damn awesome. I had a fantastic deal on a truck worked out with them, but for an extra $1k I could get something a little bit better. I was booked in for a new test drive. But lets look back at the truck stuff from last week. I had looked at Ford & Chrysler last week in Renton and looked at some pretty basic trucks. They werent all that flashy but thats not me really. Then it was late, but they were open and about to close in like 45 mins or so, but I stopped in at Lithia, just for the hell of it.

Well I am glad I did! because they had a massive sale on, they were dumping on the discounts and to be honest I didn’t think I could get my dream truck till I got there. When you see an american truck you think, big, 4×4, dual cab. Able to tow a small tank. Well the Chevy and Ford ones I was looking at, were to be honest, basic and not 4×4. I was happy, but i wasn’t in dream country. Fast forward a week of tossing and turning over which Dodge to pick, getting insurance quotes. I was tossing up over two different models and I had to make a decision.

So back to this morning. After getting to Dodge, I was greated like a long lost brother, they were awesome. Was taken out for a test drive, looked after, spoken to like a normal human being and all my questions were answers. In the end.. What did I go with… well here she is!

Its a Dodge Ram 1500 ST Quad Cab. With the Hemi V8! The truck sounds awesome, looks amazing and has everything I have ever wanted. Hell the thing handles like a dream! I love it! A dream come true. I have always wanted a truck and now I truly have one.. well not just yet. You can’t drive out of the lot without insurance and due to the long weekend my insurance agent is away. Great. Which means I can’t pick it up till Tuesday after work. But who cares! Tuesday night I get to pick up the new love of my life!

Now your all thinking… why would today be truly epic if he just picked up a truck. Well that’s not what made it epic. Today’s epicness started a couple of days ago. At an #avgeek tweetup. We got to chatting about planes and all the warbirds and stuff after PFAD and talking about the old bombers flying about the B17s, B24s etc Now I have always wanted to fly in a War Bird. Didn’t matter what, I would take whatever I could of gotten. Now the flights are never cheap, unlike a regular helicopter joy flight a warbird would be close to $500 but I would pay it. But there is one aircraft I would do anything, pay anything for a ride in. A B17.

Then last night, I was checking twitter before bed and I saw a tweet from the Museum of Flight. There was a B17 visiting for Memorial Day weekend. They were out here for Joy Flights. I was like SAY WHAT NOW! This was about 11pm at night, so couldnt call them to find out what was going on. I hit up there website, saw the price, momentarily thought no way, then snapped my head back into it. First thing this morning I would get myself on a flight. I sent them off an email last night hoping for a reply. I got one early this morning. It said “Call this number, if there is space, you can book it with the onsite team”

Around 830am I figured it was early enough. I called, and I hoped. I was prepared to take whatever time, cost or whatever I had to do, to get on that plane. I mean seriously, this was a dream come true. A B-17 offering joy flights in my new home town. I didn’t care about the cost, I didn’t know if I would ever get such an opportunity. Well I was told there was space at 115pm today. I figured I could do it, it would mean leaving right there and then, so I scoffed down the last of my coffee, grabbed a bottle of water and hit the road. I got to dodge early, tied up all the truck stuff and got my cheque from the bank and headed to Boeing Field.

I got to the Field around 12 about 15 mins before I was due to check in. I could not believe how good a day it was, the sky was perfect blue, not a cloud near the field and it was warming up (temp hit 78F when I was on my way home). I was in heaven. There was shiny aircraft everywhere. I checked in and signed all my forms and got chatting with the other guys who were on the flight. I was about the youngest on the flight by not to much but average age was well into their 60s. When the aircraft came in for the flight before mine. My heart stopped.

I had never before seen a real B17 in flight. It was as though I was in a dream. Looking at this marvelous, shining, metal aircraft as its 4 propellor driven engines powered it into the field. I was in love. Could this day get any better, I buy my first truck, ever. A dream come true just there, then a bucket list item ticked off, a dream just waiting to happen.

We watched it take off and that made it all the more harder to focus because it was our turn next. It was at this point we got our safety briefing. No “please refer to the safety card” or any such nonsense. Just down to earth, this is your seat belt, its different to anything else you would of used. Don’t sit here, don’t touch this or that, anything else, stand up whatever you want. Enjoy the flight. They asked for two volunteers, I didn’t get in first, I got in 2nd. After the 30 or so minute flight they came back. I was excited like a little school girl. I couldn’t wait. I was snapping away like crazy, a few videos here and there (and that is RARE for me). When it came time to board, my god!

What we were told then was that the first volunteer had to board first, he was heading directly to the cockpit for his flight. O M G.. DAMMIT! The 2nd volunteer, he would need to wait till right at the end to go to the cockpit, because well, he was going to be there for LANDING!!!!!! I said could it get any better… I think it just did! As we approached the pretty thing, the name of the aircraft really fit. Aluminium Overcast. A shiny, silver, metal object that was gleaming right in front of my eyes! I was happy as larry.

We boarded through the rear crew entry, just aft of the waist gun stations. I took my seat directly opposite the Port (left) 50 calibre gun and we waited to go. There was a bit of an oversight with the amount of people onboard as it had seemed they oversold the flight (no one was bumped though apart from a staff member getting a freebie ride). With buckles done, engines started we set off. The noise was amazing. Like music to my ears.

The takeoff was gentle, barely even noticed we were in the air. About 15 seconds after take off, we had a bit of a course correction and you REALLY felt the rudder movement. It was a floaty thing, you wouldnt think that such a bit of an aircraft would react that way. But it did. It was this surreal, undescribable feeling. I can’t say just how amazing it was. The sights were amazing as we did laps over Renton, Lake Washington and Southern Seattle. We obviously couldn’t stray into the SeaTac flight paths but you could see the most amazing sights.

Above the Radio Operators booth is a top hatch that can be removed. It was. At one point I had my head out in the open. Taking the most amazing photos in the Slip Stream and loving every second of it. Once everyone else had their turn up front, up I went. I managed to get a good deal of time in the nose. The glass nose of the B17 holds the famous Norden Bomb Sight (doesnt work in this version) but the nose has the best view in the house. The view from that seat, looking through the glass bubble down over Lake Washington was worth the $475 alone. I don’t care about the price that sight is burned into my brain.

It was a bit tough getting in and out of the nose, its very cramped and small but well worth the visit as you are even more forward than the pilot is! Amazing feeling. If I had of been on a bomb run over Europe, I could of triggered the bombs to release from that very seat. I came back up from the nose and after more watching the pilots at work and several more photos. It was time to come into land. We pretty much were standing almost to the very touch down point and the landing was SUPER smooth. Once the rear wheel (the B17 is a tail dragger) had touched the ground, we were told it was safe to get up again. This meant we could get some amazing photos during the long long taxi back to the parking bay.

This was a truly epic flight, once we parked up I got more photos (even a new Turkish 737 taking off behind the B17) and got some lovely artistic style photos. While I was purchasing a few momentos (an engraved 50Cal bullet and a B17 spark plug) there was an older Gentleman in full USAAF (United States Army Air Forces) uniform. He had been a crew member on a B17 during the war and he did 30 combat missions and was shot down on a mission to Poland. Unbelievable. Truly magical to meet such a man.

The day had just been truly and utterly epic. I could not believe how amazing that flight had been, how much of a kid I had turned into. I had not leaked the info about the flight to many people, so this is the first time a lot of my friends are finding out about it. Sorry guys… I wanted to keep it a suprise so I could enjoy every second of it. Apparently we had gotten the longest flight by far that day and to be truly honest, I dont think I will ever take a flight that could live up to those 40 or so minutes. Not even a First Class A380 flight for 14 hours could top it. It may be close… but it won’t ever be the same as my ride on the Aluminium Overcast.

Expat Life
Aluminium Overcast

by ·Comments Off on Backwards & Forwards

How can a country like the USA be so forwards in some areas, yet so backwards at the same time. It just consumes my brain and makes me think I am so stupid. I will give you some examples…

Food – Back home in Australia, we have not quite caught onto the whole Calorie control thing. There isnt much choice when it comes to Low Fat/Diet options and it can be a struggle at times. Yet over here, there is so many options for this. 100 Calorie packs everywhere, Diet drinks galore. This is the forward thinking over here, yet you go out and you head to a restaurant and it goes backwards so quickly. There are not many light options fast food wise, and some how a simple salad comes in with a very HEFTY calorie count.

Banking – A country that is open to numerous options for banks including ATM’s that will scan cheques and release the funds instantly, still relies on cheques. I mean seriously, I don’t think I have ever written a cheque, let alone ever even thought about using it. Using bill pay online actually gets the bank to send a cheque for you. Direct deposits just do not exist! Chip & Pin is a whole other story! It is so confusing!

Phones, Internet, TV – Mobile phones are prevalant here, there are dozens and dozens of options for Throwaway providers, yet Smartphones are very very uncommon for most of this. They offer unlimited packages for calls or messages, but data is a whole other story. IF you have a smart phone, prepare to bend over and take it. It is crazy! Same with Internet. Usually bundled with Cable TV, and that means lots and lots of channels, no download limits however your going to pay through the nose for that priveledge… but unlimited downloads… o yes!

These are just a few examples of how much my head spins at times, I have had to try and rethink so many ways to do things, say things etc. Day to day I struggle with the difference between a “Surname” and a “Last Name”. Driving on the other side of the road isn’t a big deal, unless I am super tired like Sunday morning where I was on the wrong side of the road entirely (thankfully the intersection was deserted). Don’t even get me started on figuring out the Temperature (anything below 70 == COLD!)

Either way, I am still loving life over here, I don’t regret a single action I have taken to come over here!

by ·Comments Off on Combination Day – 2 of my Loves

So you all know I am an Avgeek. I freely admit it these days. I don’t care what others think, its who I am. Since the whole weight loss started, I enjoy running. How can I combine these 2 loves… what do I do??

how about that! That my friends is Paine Field in Everett Washington. The home of Boeing’s big boy factory. Where they make the wide bodies. The 747-8, 777, 787 and 767. This morning I ran 5K on their runway (well next to it anyway). I had an amazing morning, the run went really well, made 2 mins under the time I was aiming for. I had told myself under 30 mins was what I needed to do, under 29 will be happier, under 28 minutes and I get a double treat this week. (Pancakes after the run, Teriyaki for dinner).

In the end my time (as you can see above) was dead on 28 mins! Hello double treat! I had the best time as well during the run. I tried to not get distracted to much. At one point since the runway was still open, as I was running along, 6 aircraft came in for a formation landing. All lined up in a Line Abreast Formation, they flew over me, a fitting tribute if I ever do say. Then as they passed me and went behind me they broke their formation perfectly for a peal off and break for landing. Damn them!!

It was a fantastic finish as well, finishing the race alongside a parked Air Austral 777-200LR and trying NOT to get that distracted was tough, but a fantastic reward!! After the race I scrambled back to the hotel for a shower and breakfast and check out before heading back over to where I was, and then I could catch up with some fellow Avgeeks for a morning of being a local Avgeek. Fantastic morning and saw my first ever 747-8 takeoff (Cargolux 747-8F and i have a PERFECT) photo to!

After having to run off from Paine I hit the road, in hunt of my truck. I have to return the rental on Friday. Which means I need to get my butt in gear to get sorted. So I drove a lot today, back and forth between lots of different dealerships, even all the way to the middle of no where, thinking they would have lots of different new trucks but they were all used.

But now I have a very good idea on what I want, hell I may even have the truck picked out as well. Its been an eventful day. Totally beat and for the first time in 2.5 years i missed lunch, but only cause I was so busy!! Pretty sure the Teriyaki makes up for that loss though. More on Toshi’s maybe next time!

Lots more photos added:

Expat Life