I wanted to give a follow-up to the Making Travel Plans in 2020 post I made in September. Specifically, our trip to Whitefish, Montana by Rail and give some more info while I’m at it.
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Adventure
Making Travel Plans in 2020
With the way 2020 has gone so far, making travel plans in 2020 seems like it may lead to more disappointment as many plans will likely fall through, however, I’m happy to be making new ones again. Yes, everything originally planned for in 2020 was either postponed or canceled, but perhaps these new plans will come through!
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Biking
To Reach the Beach [Canceled]
Update (8/31): Sad to say…but Reach the Beach has been canceled this year. Feel free to read-on though!
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Alaska
Alaska Postponed: Another Trip Bites The Dust
In light of the current situation going on, the trip I was planning for my mom has now been postponed for another day. This just after the trip to Italy was canceled/postponed a week ago (would have been there today if it hadn’t of been – thankfully we didn’t go!). My mom has some health complications that would be at risk with COVID-19 and it just isn’t worth taking the chance just to go on a vacation. Thankfully Alaska Airlines refunded the full fair which will be used another day.
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California
PDX-SFO Using Avios
This weekend’s trip to San Francisco was achieved for $11.20 thanks to using 15K Avios points on British Airways to book on Alaska Airlines.
Much better than the 25K it would have taken using Alaska Airline points. This works because BA handles their rewards by distance. Since SFO is less than a certain number of miles, the flight each way is 7.5K (this use to be 4.5K, but those rewards are no more).
So, if you have BA Avios points (not too hard to get with the right card) and you fly out of an Alaska hub, then look into booking with them first before using your valuable Alaska miles. Just remember that you’ll have to call to book this flight as they don’t show up on BA’s website. Check reward availability using another Alaska partner.
Because of nasty weather in Portland, my flight ended up being delayed, but still worth the price.
Here’s to a fun upcoming weekend visiting Paige in San Francisco.
-Jason
Adventure
Time For Festivals
Since my trip to Iceland, I haven’t done much international travel. In fact, I haven’t done much travel at all except for a trip to Georgia early in June. The last couple months, I’ve spent my time working my day job, spending time with family and friends, going through the pain of buying an airplane, biking all over the place during Pedalpalooza, and going to a number of festivals.
Since the end of May, I’ve attended SOAK, What The Festival?! and this last weekend was Oregon Country Fair. All three festivals are quite different, but are each quite amazing – and all located in Oregon! (more…)
Festivals
First Time At SXSW
This last week I went to Austin, Texas for work, seeing friends, and SXSW (South by South West). The trip didn’t last as long as I would have liked (like most), but in the time I was there, I had a blast. I’m actually quite exhausted from a week of getting up early to get work done, and stopping in the early afternoon to go out and enjoy what SXSW had to offer until late into the night.
I spent the majority of my time with my friends and hosts, Jake and Maria, whom I met in Puerto Rico last New Year (2014-15). Along with them, I made new friends along the way and caught up with old ones.
I’ll be back in Portland for this weekend before heading out again to San Ramon (3/21-25). You never know about San Ramon, but it should be a decent enough time.
If you want some more details about SXSW or my time in Austin, then keep on reading! (more…)
Festivals
Headed To Austin for SXSW
I’m sitting in the Seattle Alaska Airlines lounge complimentary of my Lounge Club card. I’m waiting here for my flight to Austin which I’ll be in for the next week to partake in SXSW. I’ve heard great things about the conference/festival/party and decided I finally needed to go check it out. I have been to Austin a number of times for work, and this one will be a lot like those, except in the evenings, I’ll be enjoying the life of SXSW. One of the biggest perks to Austin though is seeing and catching up with awesome friends I have in the area. Can’t wait to get back into Austin! (more…)
California
PDX->SNA (FTU)->SFO (Work)->PDX->SEA->LWS->Home
The title of this post is quite the cluster, but it is what my upcoming week is going to look like. Prior to yesterday, I was going to go to Newport Beach, CA to attend Frequent Travel University (FTU) and then come back to Portland, work here through Thursday, and then fly out to Lewiston, Idaho to visit my grandma. Well, a wrench was throne into the situation and now I’m also going to San Ramon for a four-day deep-dive for my work. Now, I’m hitting the following airports before finally getting back home next Sunday. (more…)
Locations
Jason [Does Not] Get Around
As much as I travel, I really don’t have too many problems usually, however, there are those days I just can’t control.
Finishing up a trip in Austin, Texas with a number of my coworkers from the Portland office, we ended up being stranded due to flash flooding from some terrible weather around the Austin airport.
I went to bed Thursday night enjoying some good weather in the later evening, but woke up to threats of flooding and tornadoes around the city. (more…)
Biking
Bridge Pedal 2015: 3rd Friendiversary
Last Sunday, I enjoyed my fourth time biking over all the bridges that cover the Willamette River in Portland in a bicycle ride called the Bridge Pedal. I love bringing new people on this ride and sharing it with old ones. Rubbo and myself met on this ride through our friend Paige in 2012 making this mine and Rubbo’s fourth ride together and our three year friendiversary!
Thanks to Chris, Devon, Michael, Teri, Ilona, and Corey for doing this ride with us! You are awesome. 36 miles, 11 bridges, and one sore ass later, we did it! (more…)
Hikes
Hiking Helens 2015
Last weekend I went hiking to the top of Mt. St. Helens for the 4th time! My friend Ryan and I have been hiking it together since 2013 and though it’s grueling, the view from the top and the glacade down makes it all worthwhile.
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