With apologies to my boss and my family, who may be among the last to know the details.

I tried to go to Grand Junction tonight, but I ended up going east instead of west. During the first half of my adventure I decided to keep a live log of this journey gone wrong.

All times today are Eastern.

2:30pm Catch ride to CMH for 4:30pm United flight.
2:50 Arrive CMH. Noticing long counter lines, I’m thankful I checked in online and turn luggage over to skycap.
4:00 PA System announces delay of inbound from Chicago-O’Hare due to weather.
6:19 After repeated updates, CMH-DEN flight is cancelled.
6:45 Tried twice to rebook over the phone; successful on second try. Rebook only takes me to Denver tonight but I connect through Washington-Dulles. Book night in Denver hotel.
7:20 While I’m still in line for paper ticket, new flight through Washington-Dulles boards. I head for that line, explain situation, get boarding passes with no guarantee that luggage will follow on flight.
7:35 On board, start taking notes on the Palm.
8:02 Push back from CMH gate.
9:02 Dulles gate. Turn on cell phone, which received a message that IAD-DEN 933 is cancelled due to late aircraft.
9:20 Verify cancellation, enter customer service line @ Dulles. On the phone with American Express Travel, which cancels Denver hotel with no penalty.
9:50 On phone with UA Customer Service while in line. Find I’ve already been rebooked for tomorrow morning to Denver, but GJT is full. Will have to get luggage in Denver and drive.
10:25 Reach front of line.
10:27 Clerk makes new ticket to Denver while I arrange for DC hotel and new Denver car reservation. Clerk thanks me for my cheerful demeanor.
10:45 Wrap up reservation changes with AMEX Travel on shuttle to ground transportation. I asked AMEX to get me a hotel room with an airport shuttle. Rooms in DC were full; agent got me closest room with a shuttle.
11:10 Verify that luggage did not make it to Dulles. Clerk says it didn’t leave Columbus. Find out that the Doubletree I am booked at has an airport shuttle, but to Reagon National.
11:15 Catch cab to hotel.
11:40 Arrive at hotel.
11:50 Check into hotel and arrive at room.
11:55 Eat dinner of free chocolate chip cookies and truffles provided to HHonors members in hotel room.
12:32am Publish and go to bed.

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