Glacier Trip - Part 2: Revenge of Delta

I wanted Nicole to come along as well -- 1) because she is nice to have around, 2) if she ends up liking it, I get to come more. We are to fly out of Cincinnati (cheaper oddly) on Friday night. Tim brings along his wife as well, with Nicole and Christie flying back prior to the guy trip.

Here are a couple of definitions:
Couple Trip -- short trip involving good food and lodging
Guy Trip -- smelly trips involving dehydrated food and tents

Friday, 4:00 -- We arrive in Cincinnati to have air blasted up our clothes to check for bomb air particles. We pass. The X-ray off my bags look interesting however as I have a row of empty canisters (Nalgene bottles) sitting next to some sort of fuel injected device (camping stove). After a very pleasant conversation, we move on.
Friday. 6:00 -- Ryan sees Tim & Christie and says "See you in a week". He is in.
Friday, 6:05 -- Ryan calls me. He is out. I make plans to sent the now unneeded tent back with Nicole.
Friday, 6:10 -- flight delayed to 6:45. No worries, we have a very long layover in Minneapolis.
Friday, 6:45 -- flight delayed to 7:30. Some nervousness, frustration setting in
Friday, 7:30 -- we get on the plane, but the air conditioner is out. They fix it in 30 minutes, but at this point the pilots have been on duty too long and can no longer fly. Since they didn't call anyone until it was too late, we lose another 1/2 hour for them to get another team here.
Friday, 9:25 -- We miss our connection in Minneapolis and Delta puts us up in a very nice Holiday Inn Select.

Meanwhile in Montana:
After paging Nicole in Minneapolis (apparently there was no concern for me -- after all, she is the cute one), Tim & Christie arrive in Kalispell and check their voicemail to find out what is going on since we were supposed to be on the same flight from Minnesota. I leave directions for the car rental and the reserved hotel.

Note to Kalispell vacationers... Here is some information that my AAA book left out (on accident, I am sure). The "Airport" Super 8 has a few nice features:
1) You don't have to worry about the noise of airplanes as it is nowhere near the airport.
2) If you need a drink, there is a conveniently located biker bar not 30 feet away from your first floor window
3) The rooms will make you appreciate every other place you will stay for the rest of the trip (including the tent in the rain).
4) You will be safe as the police protection seemed to rotate in and out throughout the night.
5) It is well ventilated as the smokers from the next door non-smoking room is easily blown over directly to your non-smoking room.

However, the attendant was very kind in not charging me for my room through the great negotiations of Tim.

I am just sorry that I missed it...