Part 1 – Introduction
Part 2 – Seattle to Dayton
Part 3 – Dayton
Part 4 – National Museum of the United States Air Force
Part 5 – Dayton to Seattle
Part 6 – Conclusion

So rather than trying to cram everything into one post about my time in Dayton, I am going to split it into two parts. This one will cover the hotel, car, random bits and pieces and the other post will cover specifically just the USAF museum.

After grabbing my bag off the belt which was a whole wait on its own, I headed past the rental counter straight outside to the car park. I had rented my car with National who have a lovely program called Emerald Club where essentially you just walk up and pick any car you like from the Emerald aisle and you are on your way in moments. I had joined up via a promo link (pretty sure it’s meant to cost but if you look around there will be links to what I used to get it free) so only had access to the standard aisle. The more you rent the better the cars you have access to for the same price.

Being late by Dayton standards the car park was pretty empty. The emerald aisle was essentially a choice of a Chevy Traverse or a Chevy Traverse. But as I looked at each I was greeted by one of the staff offering to help. She apologized for the lack of cars in the Emerald Aisle then said something awesome. Your our last pick up this evening take whatever you want.

This made it so much more difficult. There was Lincolns, A couple of Ford Edges, a suburban, numerous other small SUVs but there was 2 cars that caught my eye instantly. A red Camaro and a White Camaro. I was intending on trying something new, but the allure of a hard top white Camaro with shiny mags just was to much. She did try to sway me from the choice telling me they have horrible blind spots (she wasn’t wrong) but I took it anyway and soon enough I was on my way to the hotel.

I had spent so much time picking the hotel cause I couldn’t make up my mind where to stay but in the end, chose the Residence Inn Dayton North. The Residence Inn brand are like extended stay hotels, mini suite or studio style rooms with plenty of space and a kitchenette. Free Wifi, parking and Breakfast round out the goodies.

This was a good location close to the airport and near heaps of restaurant choices (albeit mostly chains) but pretty good options. There was a super Walmart a few seconds away and Downtown was 10 minutes drive away. The museum (pretty much whole reason for being there was about 15 mins drive) but that was all interstate driving so quick as hell.

The hotel looked pumped with families and when I checked in it was a madhouse on the Saturday night as there was kids going everywhere. Turns out there was a youth Soccer tournament on in town, hence the families. I was checked in pretty quickly and went up to scout my room before getting some stuff from Walmart.

The room was much bigger than I expected and had a pretty decent set up. Nice big flat screen tv that could face either the mini living room or the bed and a big comfy bed that just screamed at me to get to sleep. Full size fridge in the kitchen along with the basics you could want (toaster, coffee machine, pots, pans etc). This was a good choice!

The only negative I had about the room was the lack of water pressure (it was just lower than I’m used to) and the basic toiletries offered (just shampoo, conditioner and a block of soap). Maybe I’m spoiled to much but I expected a little bit more.

I hit up Walmart for some dinner supplies and then ended up crashing out watching some college football.

Sunday 2nd September 2012

The next morning I ended up waking up pretty much as planned and thankfully the hotel has a small gym so rather than have to go for a run in an unfamiliar area, I used their gym for a bit. The gym was basic, two treadmills a stair master and an exercise bike. But it was half decent looking equipment (Precor) with built in TVs and a big flat screen on the wall. Nothing to complain about honestly.

After a workout and a quick shower, I grabbed my tablet and headed to breakfast before the crowds. Breakfast was free at the hotel (like most of the cheaper brands in the USA) and it was good to. Nothing over the top but their was, toarlst, cereal, muffins, bagels, fruit, yoghurt and some hot options (eggs, sausages, biscuits, gravy). Make your own waffles in the corner (popular with the kids) and plenty of juice options. But I was interested in one thing… Coffee. It was hot, there was plenty of it and I was set.

Unlike other hotels that offer free breakfast these guys had real plates and cutlery, that was a bonus of its own. Feels nicer eating off Crockery rather than paper. Some toast, coffee and some fruit later I had my day planned out and I was on my way to the museum.

I didn’t see all that much of Dayton outside of the museum as I just didn’t have the time. I did however visit Huffman Prarie which is where the Wright brother had their airfield so it holds the title of “Worlds First Airport”.  It was only a few miles from the museum but it’s a bit confusing getting there, at times I wasn’t sure if I was going the right way. But I found it and it wasn’t all that great.

The field is now part of a gun club skeet range and there is only one or two signs so unless you knew what it was, you would just see a field. What I didn’t know before however was there was a tram line that ran to the field in the Wright Brother’s day and the little platform still stands. I guess back then they still had public transport options to airports.

Before dinner on the Sunday night I took a cruise to downtown and after a lap around the empty city I headed for a parking is had seen that would give me good views to downtown hopefully. It turned out to be a kind of memorial peace garden thing and it was pretty tranquil, nothing over the top but a good place to sit on a fine day with a good sunset probably.

I rounded out my time in Dayton with a dinner at a bbq chain restaurant near the hotel with a half decent piece of steak, my book and a spot at the bar. The meal wasn’t great, but it wasn’t horrible so nothing really to say about it. Called it early that night as it would be a very very long day to come.