Trip Report: Februray 9 - 14, 2001
by Ted & Sylvia Blishak
A Cultural Tour of the Pacifc Northwest
Monday, February 12, 2001. Seattle.
I had booked a Ford Crown Victoria at the Budget Car Rental location next to the Westin. When I called to reconfirm this morning, I was advised that the Ford was not available, and would a Lincoln Town Car be acceptable at the same price? I accepted the Lincoln, and enjoyed two days of luxury and comfort in this brand, spanking new car with only 1400 miles on it.
Travel Tip: When arriving downtown by Amtrak, there are not as many choices of rental cars as compared to arriving by air. However, your travel agent is aware of the location which would be the most convenient for you. At the Westin, for example, there is a choice of Avis and Budget within a short walk of the hotel lobby. Although Amtrak has an arrangement with Hertz, there is not always a Hertz location downtown, and occasionally it is necessary to taxi to the airport to pick up your Hertz car arranged by Amtrak.
We drove to Everett this morning where we had reservations the 10 AM tour of the Boeing 747/767/777 production- line facility. It was a very interesting one hour tour which takes you to the very center of this ninety-acre building, the largest building in the world by volume, to a walkway high above the 747 assembly line, where seven 747s are lined up in various stages of assembly. Afterwards a bus takes you on a tour of the flight line to see all three models painted in the colors of various airlines around the world being readied for delivery. (For your information, Boeing does not really deliver, you have to pick up your completed aircraft here at Everett and fly it home.)
 |
 |
Ted with Air Force One
|
City of Auburn |
After a satisfactory seafood luncheon at Arnie's, overlooking the ferry terminal and the Burlington Northern line at Mulkiteo, we drove south to the Museum of Flight, were we spent a fascinating afternoon walking through the exhibits, which include the first jet-powered Air Force One, the 707 in which Lyndon Johnson was sworn in as president in Dallas in 1963. For fun, there was a flight simulator ride, and a hands-on hang glider simulation. We had to leave at 5 PM when the facility closed, although we would have been happy to keep flying that hang glider.
It had been an enjoyable day, but not over yet as a fine dinner at the Madison Renaissance Hotel rooftop restaurant was awaiting us.
Continue on next page
