Ride on, Highway Cat !!: Highwaycat on Westjet

Day 64.4, Marriotte Hotel - Vancouver Int. Airport, YVR
Sunday July 24, 2011
Despite consuming copious amounts of Ale with Highwaycat on the eve of my departure, I found myself up and about the next morning at a fine hour. I was worried that my panniers would have a rough ride with Westjet. Using the last few feet of "Gorilla Tape", I secured scraps of cardboard from my Molson Canadian box MOLSON to the back of each bag in order to cover the aluminum and steel mounting hardware. Initially, I was going to remove the hardware altogether. Unfortunately, I had packed my tools with my bike and had used up all the packing tape, so I couldn't open the box. AAAAARRRGGHHH !
This was a stressful morning. I paid for my stay and headed to my cab, I totally forgot about the $100.00 gift card that Kerry gave me back in May. The main reason for staying at this Hotel. In hindsight, I should have presented the card when I arrived. Too scatterbrained when checking out. Pissmeoff !
My taxi driver had a strong Newfy accent and was a treat to listen to. He cheered me up a bit. A road running race was gearing up up this morning. People scurrying about with race bibs studiously affixed to their T- shirts. I felt the energy. It's bin a while since I've done a running race. There's a strange feeling that I experience the moments leading up to a race. It's unexplainable, but is vivid and is always the same, weird. I don't have running shoes with me anyway.
After arriving at St. John's Int. Airport, I said goodbye to my driver and headed to the Dreaded Baggage/Check in line up. Westjet nailed me hard on the Bike. They allow you 2 free carry on bags and one checked bag under 50 lbs. The 2nd checked bag is $20.00, the 3rd extra is $ 50.00 (my bike) and another $ 50.00 because it's oversize. I was anticipating this, so, I didn't "Go Apeshit" and injure everyone in a 20 foot radious. Highwaycat, however was steaming, it wrecks her fur.
I had to bring my "oversize bike" to the oversize area for scanning. The girl working there told me that I might have to open the box. I think that she could feel the rise in temperature as the idea of opening this box created a potential anger management overload in my core. The girl and the X Ray guy just stood quiet and motionless as my brain did the "spinny wheel thingy" I put the box on the conveyor belt and was very relieved to see it fit through the scanner with 1 inch to spare.
The flight to Calgary is around 5:48. I managed OK, but my connecting flight left me little time for Dancing and "Tom Foolery" I was feeling a bit depressed as my trip was truly over and I was returning to a very plain uneventful life. Then I turned on my mini seat TV. The final day of the "Tour De France" was on !! Awesome ! Cadel Evans (the oldest rider) of Australia would win, leaving Andy and Frank Shleck from Luxemberg to take 2nd and 3 rd.
Vive Le Tour !