bigmacbear (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
bigmacbear) wrote2026-03-12 11:59 pm
bigmacbear) wrote2026-03-12 11:59 pm
Texas Bear Round-up 30, Day 1 of 4
THURSDAY
I got up at 3:30 AM; Gary had been puttering around a bit just before our alarms went off. While I showered and finished packing, Gary waited downstairs. We caught a Lyft to Lynnwood Station, and had a pleasant ride in a Tesla Y; the driver was friendly and took the express ramp to the station, so we arrived just in time to board the first train to the airport at 5 AM. The train trip was fairly uneventful.
When we arrived at the airport, we made the short walk to the terminal, used the newly remodeled bathroom outside checkpoint 6, and proceeded to the premium security queue there. There were several pauses in the flow of passengers through the checkpoint, but the line restarted soon enough. As I went through security, I had a rather intimate pat-down (and I had a good idea why, but didn't inquire further), and they ran my shoes through the X-ray machine on the opposite side from my bags which confused me for a moment. We proceeded to the gate, where I put my phone on the charger and purchased a light nosh of iced tea and trail mix with which to take my morning pills. After eating and medicating, I retrieved my phone. While we waited for boarding, we were greeted first by Nate and Chopper, then Alex and Kerry, and finally the other Alex, all of whom I know from South Seattle Bear Social and all headed for TBRU.
We boarded and left the gate on time for our 8:30 flight; although it seemed like an eternity taxiing to the runway for takeoff, it was actually about 20 minutes. We took off into the south, catching some impressive views of Puget Sound from the windows on the right of the aircraft before reaching the cloud layer over Tacoma. The cloud bank persisted until we'd passed through a bout of turbulence sufficient to make my cup of coffee splash over the sides. Shortly after, breakfast was served: fruit and cheese plate for Gary and a dish of hash browns topped with ham and a fried egg, plus a small cup of melon cubes for me, both served with yogurt and granola. Once the breakfast dishes were cleared, we both used the bathroom, then the captain announced we were passing Vail and Breckenridge and Gary got some pictures. As we approached Dallas-Fort Worth, I nodded off for maybe 15 minutes and then repacked my phone gear in my CPAP bag.
The train to the hotel went well. We checked in, got to our room, and unpacked, and I changed into a Cubcake tank and shorts. We went downstairs to the basement level, registered for the event and shopped at the vendor maul. Gary bought some beard oil from Garm and Malcolm from Webster, NY. Next we hit the hotel bar on the second floor for some Angry Orchards, and briefly schmoozed in the lobby with Eddie, Jimmy, Arc, and Honey Bucket before returning to the room to chill before the hockey game.
We caught the train to the area, changed trains at West End, and made a stop at the team store for pucks and a T-shirt. Our seats were tight, and the arena was chilly enough that I needed to put on my T-shirt and Gary bought a hoodie. We saw Tyler Booker from the Cowboys chug a beer live on the scoreboard. Lots of fights, but they only drew roughing penalties (including four double minors in the last 2 minutes and change). Two potential hat tricks (Jason Robertson and Sam Steel). Final score 7-2 Stars over Edmonton.
We returned to the hotel to change clothes and met David from Chicago in the lobby. Afterwards we hit the hospitality suite. Long lines for drinks. Met Happy from Houston, didn't recognize his hubby John until I asked where he was. Saw many of the Seattle contingent including Fernando and Paul, as well as Glenn who is a local friend of theirs. They all caught the run bus to the Eagle. I saw Felix in line for drinks. We stopped by the bake sale for cookies on the way out, returned to the room about midnight and prepared for bed. We got to sleep about quarter to one and set an alarm for seven.
I got up at 3:30 AM; Gary had been puttering around a bit just before our alarms went off. While I showered and finished packing, Gary waited downstairs. We caught a Lyft to Lynnwood Station, and had a pleasant ride in a Tesla Y; the driver was friendly and took the express ramp to the station, so we arrived just in time to board the first train to the airport at 5 AM. The train trip was fairly uneventful.
When we arrived at the airport, we made the short walk to the terminal, used the newly remodeled bathroom outside checkpoint 6, and proceeded to the premium security queue there. There were several pauses in the flow of passengers through the checkpoint, but the line restarted soon enough. As I went through security, I had a rather intimate pat-down (and I had a good idea why, but didn't inquire further), and they ran my shoes through the X-ray machine on the opposite side from my bags which confused me for a moment. We proceeded to the gate, where I put my phone on the charger and purchased a light nosh of iced tea and trail mix with which to take my morning pills. After eating and medicating, I retrieved my phone. While we waited for boarding, we were greeted first by Nate and Chopper, then Alex and Kerry, and finally the other Alex, all of whom I know from South Seattle Bear Social and all headed for TBRU.
We boarded and left the gate on time for our 8:30 flight; although it seemed like an eternity taxiing to the runway for takeoff, it was actually about 20 minutes. We took off into the south, catching some impressive views of Puget Sound from the windows on the right of the aircraft before reaching the cloud layer over Tacoma. The cloud bank persisted until we'd passed through a bout of turbulence sufficient to make my cup of coffee splash over the sides. Shortly after, breakfast was served: fruit and cheese plate for Gary and a dish of hash browns topped with ham and a fried egg, plus a small cup of melon cubes for me, both served with yogurt and granola. Once the breakfast dishes were cleared, we both used the bathroom, then the captain announced we were passing Vail and Breckenridge and Gary got some pictures. As we approached Dallas-Fort Worth, I nodded off for maybe 15 minutes and then repacked my phone gear in my CPAP bag.
The train to the hotel went well. We checked in, got to our room, and unpacked, and I changed into a Cubcake tank and shorts. We went downstairs to the basement level, registered for the event and shopped at the vendor maul. Gary bought some beard oil from Garm and Malcolm from Webster, NY. Next we hit the hotel bar on the second floor for some Angry Orchards, and briefly schmoozed in the lobby with Eddie, Jimmy, Arc, and Honey Bucket before returning to the room to chill before the hockey game.
We caught the train to the area, changed trains at West End, and made a stop at the team store for pucks and a T-shirt. Our seats were tight, and the arena was chilly enough that I needed to put on my T-shirt and Gary bought a hoodie. We saw Tyler Booker from the Cowboys chug a beer live on the scoreboard. Lots of fights, but they only drew roughing penalties (including four double minors in the last 2 minutes and change). Two potential hat tricks (Jason Robertson and Sam Steel). Final score 7-2 Stars over Edmonton.
We returned to the hotel to change clothes and met David from Chicago in the lobby. Afterwards we hit the hospitality suite. Long lines for drinks. Met Happy from Houston, didn't recognize his hubby John until I asked where he was. Saw many of the Seattle contingent including Fernando and Paul, as well as Glenn who is a local friend of theirs. They all caught the run bus to the Eagle. I saw Felix in line for drinks. We stopped by the bake sale for cookies on the way out, returned to the room about midnight and prepared for bed. We got to sleep about quarter to one and set an alarm for seven.