Part 1 - Getting There

The path there!

Welcome to the Flagship!  Champagne?

We are setting out on a “mixed” trip—part work, part fun, part vacation (hopefully more fun than not).  Since Bill has the opportunity to “Work from Wherever” for a week (and Theresa works from wherever like 48 weeks), we decided to mash a work week into a vacation and hop around a little.  So, we began our fifteen leg, 13,600 mile journey.  Theresa does not like overnight flights, so given the chance, she will take a day flight to London.  And it’s just easier to get there the night before, rather than stressing trying to arrive in ample time for an 8:30AM international connection.  After work Tuesday, we flew to Chicago to overnight.

But first…the Flagship lounge!!  We had access to this premium lounge so helped ourselves to a couple of nice drinks and dinner (and also got embroiled in a little bit of work…).  But we headed off to our gate (in a different terminal), and had a decent flight.  Actually, a bit of a better flight.  See, we didn’t get our upgrade until the night before and then ended up with two window seats.  But the nice lady in the aisle swapped with Theresa so we could sit together!

So many Scotches to choose from...hmmmm...

Food options on the way to ORD were...adequate!  :-)

Arriving in ORD, we walked to the Hilton and checked in.  Once as a Diamond member, we got a free breakfast, but now in the US they give a flat amount.  In this case, it was $18 per person.  We weren’t going to be there for breakfast, and the snack store was open, so go find $36 worth of transportable food (and a hot sandwich).  Well, we tallied up as best we could, and added one more for just under $36.  Then I pull out my airline badge, and BOOM!  25% off!  So, we started adding things again!

After a good (but short) sleep, we were up at 5AM and heading into the airport, again, to hit the Flagship lounge in ORD.  It was breakfast time, so the Scotch seemed a bit much.  But we had a nice meal and headed for our gate.

Our "Invitation"

Our view!  (Not gonna lie...pretty awesome!)

Us!

On the jet bridge, I recognized some of the maintenance personnel from many trips in a previous role.  So, it was great to catch up and pretty exciting that they were happy to see me!  That got us off to a great start!  We watched a couple of movies, had a nice …brunch?  And before we knew it, we were on approach.  We got through Immigration so fast it surprised us!  Got bags, and off to the hotel.  Tired, notwithstanding a relatively short day!

Not a bad way to fly!  Cheers!

The 787 windows are tinted to shade.  Dark, medium, open.

I kind of like the half plane décor.

The "Executive King" is smaller than I think our last cruise stateroom.
But the map feature is cool.

Breakfast!  Some of the meat...wasn't.

Thursday, we worked from the hotel room.  (It is in fact a “working” vacation.)  Bill set up at the desk with a second (travel) monitor, and Theresa took the seat with a …table?  The frequent take offs of widebodies taking off was an enjoyable distraction!  We took a break for breakfast, and another for a snack in the afternoon.  And we wrapped up the night with dinner in the Exec Lounge.  (Well, with a little work overflow!)  Then we took a short walk outside and checked out the silly little garden they had set up, proudly declaring they used this food in the prep.  Ok, sure.  But there were like 30 corn stalks, so I doubt they are feeding many people that way.  But it was a nice end to a pretty good day!

Pleasantly distracting!!

Corn (because...why?)

T4 Hilton with plane (of course)