The next morning we woke up early - I didn't know if I was hungover or if I was just aching from skiing! Either way I shook it off as I had an early coffee meeting in Denver before my flight back to California.
Gorgeous Colorado morning.
Much better road conditions on the Johnson Tunnel side opposite the Eisenhower 3 days prior.
Denver in the distant where my daughter dropped me off for my meeting and we parted ways until our next visit.
After a successful meeting, I ordered an Uber comfort and headed out on our 25 minute drive to DIA for the journey home.
Officially its named "Mustang" - Locals know him as Blucifer. - A reference to the significant cost over runs of DIA and the fact he killed his maker, artist Luis Jimenez.
After my driver dropped me off on level 4, I headed up to the United GS/1K Premier Check-In to drop off my bag.
They tagged my bag but not before checking to see if the DEN-BFL direct was still on the ground. It was not.
Busy South security checkpoint.
However, Precheck and Clear were virtually empty.
After a few minutes I cleared security and headed to Concourse C to check out the new Centurion Lounge - which had only opened a few days earlier.
I arrived to a bustling Concourse C - which is the primary Denver home for Southwest Airlines.
and headed towards Gate C46 where the Centurion Lounge entry escalators are located.
PAX waiting to get into the Lounge. JK! But more on that later.
I was greeted by a wonderful lounge attendant who scanned my check-in QR code, boarding pass and finally my ID.
I was then handed off to Lori who took me on a guided tour of the lounge. Not that I had asked, but the lounge was so full she simply couldn't find a seat available until one was found in the far corner of the packed lounge.
Significant bar with top shelf offerings.
Cafeteria style - choice of premade foods and deserts - Chocolate, Peanut butter or Cranberry cookies.
Chicken and Potatoes or Quinoa Salad.
Fresh Fruit with house made whip cream.
Or if you want something else, they have you covered. Avocado Toast seemed to be popular while I was in.All items put on a tray and taken to your table.
Showers if needed.
As far as American Express Lounges go, DEN rates towards the top - based on, well its new - but also on their food and drink offerings, space, ambience, restrooms, showers and electrical outlets - they were EVERYWHERE! I am also taking into account additional seating space once AMEX can open all the seats post COVID. The Lounge is U shaped with windows both North and South for great plane spotting. If one is there in the afternoon I would suggest a north or center seat as the sun beats down on the Southside.
At T-35 I headed over to Concourse B - On an empty train!
And decided to stop into the West United Club to use the restroom.
After a quick scan of my BP
I was into a virtually empty club.
After a quick stop at the restroom I decided to check out the food offerings. UH where are they!?
Oh, here! Would you like a $.25 cup of Ramen noodles Mr. Glasman? I think not!
Unless things change quickly, other than the Credit Card members I cant see the premier traveler paying $550 a year for this.
I quickly existed the club and made my way down to Gate B29.
When I booked I knew that if my meeting went long I'd miss the direct DEN-BFL flight (and I did) so my options where DEN-SFO-BFL getting home at 8:00PM or I could take DEN-LAX and rent a one-way and be home at 6:00PM - depending on LA traffic. So LAX it is.
February 8, 2021
Gate B26 United 403, Boeing 737-800 Seat 5E
DEN - LAX
2:15PM - 3:45PM Skewed
2:11PM - 3:39PM Actual
Prior to boarding I saw this guy delaying it as he had an interesting box that that required special United handing.
So nosey me googled the company to see if they were COVID doses.
As it turned out, once we boarded I found the guy with the mystery box was my seatmate. Even with his stinky feet, we spoke about the box and him for the next 1.5hr. Come to learn he was hired by BioReference in October of 2020. Since then he has travel over 100K miles traveling 4 days a week between DEN, LAX, SFO and IAH - all on United, Poor Guy - delivering these boxes. The box is full of daily Covid tests from the professional teams in said markets. Had no idea they are being tested daily. He went on to tell me a story that Von Miller was late to a test, BioReference had already picked up the days tests and thus the Broncos fined him $50,000 and then the league fine him an additional $50,000. They are taking this serious!
While wiping down my seat ect, I noticed my tray hinges were shot. Our Purser Michael noticed right away and said that "he would write it up." OK?
The FA's had to remain seated for the first 30 minutes as we climbed out and over the bumpy Rockies. Once cleared Michael and his team started by taking our drink orders and then our snack options - which were the same as my last 13 flights.
A Tomato Basil & Mozzarella Focaccia Sandwich or the Economy Snack box. I order the Sandwich...For the Photo.
Wait, did United run out of Blue Labels? Is United messing with me? Does the Green Label mean no meat or environmentally PC?
The insides - Is that Sun Dried Tomato? Sorry!
Approaching the Grand Canyon
A smoggy Downtown LA from our flight path into LAX.
We arrived 10 minutes early and taxied over to Gate 73. I collected my goods and said good-bye to Mr. Stinky feet and headed up the jet bridge
into Terminal 7
then down to Baggage Claim.
Where I waited for my non "Priority" bag.
AH, here it comes!
After collecting my bag I then walked over to Terminal 6
to the RAC Island.
Where the Avis bus picked me up 5 minutes later for my private bus ride over to the Avis Rental Car Center.
Once there, I found my Soccer Mom car in Space A33. I kept refreshing my app, but no luck in a vehicle change. Actually I just wanted to get out of there so I adjusted my seat and mirrors and headed out to the I405.
I arrived to a fairly empty highway.
Well until Wilshire Blvd
2 hours later I started to descend from the Sierra Nevada's. A short time later I arrived at BFL, switched cars and headed home down the Central Valley Highway.
Thanks for taking the time to read my adventures to Colorado.
Come back later this month when I head to UAE to take in an UCI Professional Bike Race.