BASED ON POPULAR DEMAND, I'M GOING TO TRY TO COMBINE ALL OF THIS IN ONE TRIP FORUM!

A Dear Friend is Delayed!

After traveltoomuch (Kathy) met me at the gate we went to the Cheers pub for a Sams. We found out Tribe Flyer's Flight on SOuthwest is very delayed. So TraveltooMuch decides to drop me off at the Renaissance and we plan to go to Hyde Park for steak and hopefully Tribe Flyer showing up!

Another "They don't build hotels like this anymore" Hotel

The Renaissance Cleveland was built in the early part of the last century and was run by the Stoffers (of frozen food fame) for years. It's a class hotel with a grand staircase, marble and chancellers. Some of the most friendly staff, three people offered to take my bag. Fast check in and a nice king size bed on teh 10th floor with a view of the river.

WIth some time I wanted to go for a swim. Went with swimtrunks and my Shania Twain T-shirt on tot he fifth floor Health club. Noticed there was NO ONE in the pool (the pool is enclosed with a large atrium. Then I saw people setting up some private reception/DO. I asked if I could go for a dip in the pool and Mr. SNooty gave me this look. SO went to the nautic track, did about 1.5 miles and sauna and upstairs to change for dinner.

ANother Classic SteakHouse

TravelTooMuch told me there are several great Steakhouses in CLE (I've been to the Ruth's twice and it was very good.) But Hyde Park is in the range of a Sparks, NYC or a Bern's, Tampa or a Forge, Miami or a Harris', San Fran. Classic design, Excellent service and some of the best beef around.

We were joined by Lonnie, a very charming woman and a lurker on Flyertalk. We both told her to get on board -- there are friendly people here. A facinating woman and as friendly and fun as Tribe Flyer (who was STILL delayed!)

Lonnie has a very good salmon and TTM and I had great steaks. FOr a change of pace I had the steak in garlic sauce and musherooms. Very good but after seeing the original steaks I think I will go for the original the next time I come to Hyde Park.

Excellent creame boulet (SP?) It was after 9pm and I, being up since 12:10a was ready to crash. SO TTM and I said good night and Lonnie waited for Tribe Flyer (who finally arrived at 9:30pm.)

NEXT: Take me out the Jacobs Field!

Take me OUT to Jacobs Field!

SLept late and foudn the "secret" path to Jacobs field: the route from the Renaissance thru the Tower City SHopping Mall (just another mall except with a Great Train Store... if you LOVE trains like I do this is a fun place!) to the coordidore to the ballpark.

Before going, stopped at the A&W stand and had a fat hot dog, fries and a Coke (Root beer makes me nautious.) A&W used to have the roadside stands that JAWS took his dates to eons ago!!! The food was filling, nothing special.

After walking for like a mile found TravelTooMuch waiting at teh gate. Lonnie joined us with the tickets: Tribe Flyer was parking.

A Old Fashioned NEW Ballpark!

FYI: Game between Red Sox (Jon Toner's Team) and Indians (Tribe Flyer, TravelTooMuch and Lonnie's team... I have no comment on my preference!)

I really like these old Ballparks. They managed to make them open and welcoming and like the old styled Ebbets field (way before my time!

We went to our seats and WHAT GREAT SEATS! Right smack behind home plate, a perfect view of the whole field. Tribe Flyer got great seats when we went to Yankee Stadium last year and her magic worked again!

TribeFLyer joined us and between inning told us of her flight from heck!

TravelTooMuch showed me how to call for beer "HEY BEER GUY!" We had bud which is NO SAM ADAMS! Then later I got to try out my own scream! "HEY PEPSI GUY!" It really tastes great in Cleveland!

What I love about Jacobs field: THE OFFICIAL SOFT DRINK OF JACOBS IS PEPSI!!! WHEN I SAW THE BILLBOARD WITH THE BIG PEPSI LOGO I WENT "INSTANT FOUR PAWS UP!"

The game was very good, a close one. Red Sox went ahead and then Indians pulled ahead. the Sox challenged in the 8th but the Tribe held on for a 3 to 2 win! the crowd screamed!

(sorry Jon Toner but I sent the Cat Vibes for the Tribe!)

Off to the FLats!

TravelTooMuch drove me to the Rockbottom Brewery and we met up with TribeFlyer and Lonnie. a Big fun place part of this old warehouse district.

TTM told me there's two districts in the Flats: the brew pubs and finer restaurants and the twenty something section with the "adult clothless entertainment places" and I noticed the bar with the good chicken wings that begins with the letter "H."

I prefered the Rockbottom brewery. I can easily pass for 19 but I can drink those 20 something into snore land! (and some older dudes on this board too!

We were joined by another fine member of the Flyertalk community, Aubie (Justin) who moved to Cleveland last year. he, Lonnie and Tribe Flyer shared Ohio stories. TravelTooMuch had a drink with us and had to leave early.

Aubie told us of his traveling adventures (he's a Delta flyer) and meeting Rudi (Aubie says MIAU Rudi!) I talked on and off with this great guy for two years and it was great to FINALLY meet him!

We had a fun waiter (also named Justin) and I enjoyed this rye based ale which was very good, much like Cleveland's version of Sam Adams.

The food was also good for a brewpub. I had this Beer based sauced chicken with rice. For desert, Aubie brought these grew chocolate and walnet sticks from greece. and TribeFlyer, keeping with Flyertalk tradition, had a dozen of KRISPY KREAMS!!! The perfect ending desert wise for a purrfect day. (Sorry Newself but I ate your share!!!

We all decided to call it an early evening so after saying our goodbyes.

THANK YOU TRIBE FLYER, TRAVELTOOMUCH, LONNIE AND AUBIE FOR SHARING YOUR CITY WITH ME, THE FUN TIMES AND LET'S DO IT AGAIN... MAYBE BALTIMORE THE END OF JULY WHEN THE TRIBE COMES TO PLUCK THE ORIOLES!

The Upgrade Streak ENds at ONE

I stayed up writing and calling friends till 12:01 when I called CO's elite line to see if I could get upgraded on my CLE-EWR return that sunday.

here's the story: if I didn't get the upgrade, I was goign to try to get on an earlier flight. My catsitter, Agnes had to go see her sister so the cats would have to wait hours for din din. No upgarde, I would go standby for an earlier flight.

The first CO rep I get is Miss Anderson (whose voice sounds like Eartha Kitt.) I ask for my upgrade and she PURRS "Mr. Blanchard, I tried three times to get you upgraded but the whole first class on that flight is sold out. I could not even sell you a first class ticket if you wanted one."

So I ask if she could get me on an earlier flight, upgrade or not. She says I have to go to the airport and wait.

I called two other reps: A nice lady (who sounded twelve) and A Texan dude (who sounded like JAWS sounds "I'm so sorry buddy that I can't get you a first class seat! It's asham because you are an elite. There are several Platniums and paid on that flight."

So I said I can survive coach for one hour and went to sleep.

The Trip to Coach!

If you go to CLE and want to save a few $$ and are staying downtown, do try the Subway... It's quick and convenient and clean. I took it to Hopkins and after a short walk reached checkin.

Went on the elite line. This woman in front of me was wondering why the "regular people" were being called to the desk before us. She charged up and demaned to be taken next. I waited and Jennifer (who looked 12 but was a genius and friendly.) saw I was NOT upgraded on the 5:35p flight. She said "do you want to try for an earlier flight. I can't give you first but why wait at the airport for five hours."

She read my mind. I took her up on the offer. She said to go to the desk and wait for my name to be called. She said "as a CO silver elite your chances are excellent. You are even #1 on standby."

I guess CO being silver is not that bad.

SO after chicken wings and the biggest MUG of Sams I ever had at the CHEERS pub I felt good and ready to survive coach.

Went to the desk adn was told by this older agent I had to wait until 10 minutes before departure.

So I wait 25 minutes. Then I'm the first to be called, I grab the boarding pass... 25F (YUK! Window in the back of the plane) but feel better I'll be home early to hug the kitties!

Spare me the Air Sick stories from teh Peanut gallery

AMong the passengers were a tour group of Junior High School students and chapperones heading to Israel (they were mostly well behaved) and this father and mother with four kids (I called them the Peanut gallery) who kept telling about getting sick on the plane and how one kid could (word for getting sick) at the drop of the hat. I heard these kids and their father tell air sick stories and silly jokes for 20 minutes. I growled.

I was seated next to this old man who seemed annoyed he was separated from his wife and seated next to me. So he spread out his arms and I get his elbow in my side.

The head F-A joked during safety announcements "please put your air mask on before helping children and adults who act like kids." the peanut gallery howled and said "dad, you are a kid."

Well the kid who alwasy got sick did, twice and our whole section had to hear the story. Over and over. I luckily had ear plugs and put them in my ears.

The flight was quick. there was a drink service and I used one of the coupons Old Gold and Canadian Flyer gave me (thanks Brothers!) for a Sam Adams. The F-A (who had a funny button on with the word "Whining" in a circle with a slash thru it) apologized for it not being cold. I told her "it's Sams adams, I'll pretend it's cold." And I Motioned to the Peanut gallery.

It's not like I don't like children. Just these kids were a bit too description on teh jokes. (So spare me the attacks like the last time I talked about children!)

The flight got in about 15 minutes early. After a delay first for a late deparitng plane at our gate, then the Peanut gallery taking forever to get their stuff together, I headed home.

Mr Sour Driver behind the Wheel

Had the most sour taxi driver, who complained when I told him to take the Pulaski Skyway instead of the Turnpike. (He claimed the skyway was wall to wall traffic and we would sit there.) I told him if we took the turnpike we'll be on the other side of town and I didn't want to spend 30 more minutes driving around J-C.

We drove by the Skyway, he decides to take the 1&9 Truck route. There was ZERO Traffic. I sarcastically remarked "look at all that traffic on the skyway." He muttered something and with that lost what little tip I would give him.

He muttered the whole trip. He took local streets. I had to direct him to my home. I gave him no tip and he slammed the hood.

SOrry folks, but I think I know best the fastest way to get to my home.

SO overall: terrific service from CO, a purrfect weekend in Cleveland.. other than the air sick kids and the sour cabbie.

THE END! SO you boys can go back to sleep now!

Heck, Catman, I live in California & I know the "secret" path to the Jake.

Thanks, Catman, for the glowing description of my "summer home;" I take it you didn't try to visit the Rock Hall after all. It was great seeing you; come back again anytime!

Great report C-Man.

TribeFlyer, why fly Southwest when you could have earned double miles (for status!!!) on US???

Catman,
You couldn't even score Elite Seating on the return flight?

I've had the pleasure of riding with your flight crew several times. I think it is... BEVERLY? ... wearing the button. Jeez, I have such a terrible memory for names.

Flying hub-to-hub on a Sunday afternoon/evening can tough for CO upgrades as a Silver.

Too bad you didn't get to see Pedro pitch. Yesterday's silliness aside, the man is just astonishing to watch.


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"I will not be pushed, filed, stamped, indexed, briefed, debriefed or numbered. My life is my own."

Thanks for the report. Yes, Cleveland is a surprisingly nice city to visit given what they've done in the past 15-years to their downtown. (No more fires on the Cuyahoga River, as Martin Mull used to croon: wonder when he will be inducted into the R&R Hall of Fame?) Paid a short visit last fall, after the ball season (I'm told by my friend who is teaching at the Art College one can't buy a ticket for a single Indian's game, one has to know somebody who knows somebody who has season's tickets...).

As for upgrading on CO's CLE-EWR flights, I wonder if it ever happens, no matter what your elite status is. Those flights always seem to be filled up in front, as well as in the back, with rev customers. CO must keep capacity low to ensure near-100% loads. (They appear to have a lock on that route.) All the rest of my itinerary on that fall NW/CO trip was in F or BusinessFirst, except for the CLE-EWR portion which could never be confirmed in F.

geo--
I made the reservation long before the double miles offer, plus I wanted a direct flight that got me into town early ; I'm compensating by going back on US in two weeks (4 segments = 2000 mi + 2000 status bonus + 1000 elite bonus )!

JonToner--
I hope LL Opening Day ceremonies turned out well for you. Catman may have missed Pedro's pitching, but I didn't! I held tickets for yesterday's game too. Forgotten in the controversy was Nagy's perfect game into the fifth inning, and Jolbert Cabrera's defensive gems to keep the game close. A well-played series on all sides; now bring on the hated Yankees!

Jon: I'm not that disappointed about missing my upgrade, it's only a one hour flight. maybe next time.

Tribe FLyer: can we say Mets and Tribe in this October's World Series? What a matchup!

OMNI: When are going to induct Jimmy Buffett into the ROck Hall? I know he's a little bit of everything but he made his mark on music! We ParrotHeads anxiously await his induction!

I totally agree on a Mets-Indians world series (my two favorite teams)...

but Jimmy Buffet will get into the R&R Hall of fame right after the Bay City Rollers do...

(in other words, don't hold your breath).

Be careful what you wish for TribeFlyer, they're on their way? Oh, and when was the last time Jaret Wright got out of the third inning against the Bombers? I can't remember either ...

TribeFlyer:
Our Little League Opening Day went very well.

In December, a 30+ year volunteer passed away. Al had been President for 10 years. Two years after he retired, I took the office. Anyhow, he lived about a block from the Little League field, so he stopped by a lot and we talked a lot of baseball.

Our Little League field is across the street from a cemetary, behind the backstop. It turns out his family purchased a plot on the closest corner to the ballfield. For Opening Day, his children erected a white cross by the gravestone, and no matter where you stood on the field, you could see it clear as day. There were a lot of moist eyes at the moment of silence, mine included.

On a happier note, we had some terrific ballgames. Opening Day is generally notorious for lots of walks and errors. Instead, we had 4 (of 8) games decided by 1 run, with some scores LOWER than major league baseball (2-1, 2-1, 4-3).

Of course, what would an Opening Day without the first "unbelievable parent story" of the year?

A dad was sitting on the bleachers and wanted to smoke. Apparently he climbed down, walked half-way down the 3rd base foul line and lit up.

A mom (sitting on the bleachers) comes over and demands to know why we permit smoking at the fields?

"Is he on the bleachers?"

"No, he's over there". He was easy to spot, he was the only person within a 30 foot radius.

"Is the smoke bothering you?"

"No. But he shouldn't be smoking."

"I agree he SHOULDN'T be smoking, but he's outside and there is no one within 30 feet of him."

"That's not the point. He shouldn't be smoking near the kids!"

"But the kids at 50 feet away from him."

"That's not the point. They can SEE him."

Now I'm not a smoker, and frankly the smokers who light up in enclosed spaces are sometimes irritating, but when when they can't even smoke outdoors, you've crossed the line between public health issue and witch-hunt.

Following his smoke, dad returned to the bleachers, no further incidents.


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"I will not be pushed, filed, stamped, indexed, briefed, debriefed or numbered. My life is my own."

Just to make myself unpopular in this hoisery and Native American lovefest:
So far: Yankees 2, Indians 0

That's not unpopular in this neck of the woods, RichG