Boulder, Colorado and Denver International Airport
1996
Our trip visiting relatives and friends was over and time to return to Alaska. I was staying at Ginger’s in Boulder and Bernie with Lillian in Erie. We decided to take a shuttle bus to the new Denver International Airport built way out on the prairie east of Denver. It would save about 4 hours it takes for Ginger to drive across Boulder and Denver and then back home again. Bernie came into Boulder so when the shuttle came to Ginger’s, we were ready to climb on and be on our way home. The bus took us to a hotel where they loaded more passengers in the 98° heat with 99 per cent humidity. The bus was sweltering. The windows did not open no matter hard as we pushed and shoved. There also was a new driver and as he climbed on the bus, his first statement was “Hehehe” in a Aussie accent “anyone know where the airport is? And by the way, the air conditioning is capoot – so sorry!” He sat down and started the bus.
He maneuvered us at a snails pace through Boulder and onto a “cow-path of a road” through several towns, 35 to 40 miles an hour. Bernie was patient but noisy about how hot-hot it was and NO air conditioning. This old Alaskan gal was just plan hot! We arrived at the airport where they had built this huge beautiful place in the middle of a cow pasture. We could not get off that hot bus fast enough!
Stumbling into the airport to find some coolness, we checked in. We had over an hour to spare. So what else do you do with Bernie in an airport? You eat!! We ate something very nondescript and looked in all the shops on our way to the passenger boarding area. We sat and sat! We re-checked the arrival and departure board. More time to wait. We sat some more. Two hours passed. Finally, Bernie jumped up and said to me “ I am going to get a drink and go to the bathroom, you stay with our wheelie luggage and them you can go. “OK” I say, “but you hurry, they maybe boarding at any minute.” “OH POOH’ shouts Bernie to me. Off she went, looking in windows and finally disappeared into the bathroom just as the boarding lady picked up the microphone and announced we will boarding now. I waited for all the passengers to board and watched and watched for Bernie. No Bernie!! Just as the boarding lady asked me if I was getting on, Bernie comes sauntering out of the bathroom and without looking my way and my waving arms, saunters across the hall to a water fountain! I hollered “Bernie, Bernie, hurry they are boarding!” She did not hear me. I said to the boarding lady “should I go get her?” “NO“ she said, just get on the plane. I start waving to Bernie and she sees me and smiles and waves back. I shout “HURRY!”
Only then did Bernie figure out the plane was about to leave without us. We were the last ones on the plane. We sat down in our seats after getting our wheelie luggage stowed. The door of the plane slammed shut and starts backing up. Then the plane stops. We wait and wait. “It’s hot in here!” I say. “Whooiee I should say so!” says Bernie agreeing with me.
Just them the pilot announced that “Ladies and Gentlemen we will be sitting here for a few minute until the thunder, lightening and rain passes over. Please be patient.”
NOW Bernie in all her wisdom cannot understand, first, why I was in such a hurry for her to get on THIS plane that was NOT going anywhere!! After a few minutes, Bernie jumped up and shouted to the stewardess, “Can’t you just take this airplane back to the terminal and let us off, I was not through shopping yet!” And then as an after thought “At least you could serve us something to drink!” Some of the sweltering passengers agreed. So we, just Bernie and I, were served water, probably to shut up my noisy traveling companion. Then some of the passengers wanted water, so Bernie started running back and forth arranging peopled lives and getting them something to drink. I hid my face and tried to ignored her.
Finally after an hour, which Bernie thought was an hour too long, we backed up, taxied down the run way and flew off into the blue Colorado sky. We slumped back in our seats and slept.
But this is not the end of this story. You will have to wait until next week to learn about our arrival in Anchorage and our wheelie luggage catching on fire.
Thank you for all the compliments and ideas. You are the reason I keep writing.
The Grannie Annie series is written by a 47 year resident of Alaska, Ann Berg of Nikiski.Ann shares her collections of recipes from family and friends. She has gathered recipes for more that 50 years. Some are her own creation. Her love of recipes and food came from her Mother, a self taught wonderful cook. She hopes you enjoy the recipes and that the stories will bring a smile to your day.
Grannie Annie can be reached at anninalaska@gci. net
The “Grannie Annie” Cook Book Series includes: “Grannie Annie’s Cookin’ on the Woodstove”; “Grannie Annie’s Cookin’ at the Homestead”; “Grannie Annie’s Cookin’ Fish from Cold Alaskan Waters”; and “Grannie Annie’s Eat Dessert First.” They are available at M & M Market in Nikiski.
