Dollar Rental Car (PDX)
Dollar Rent-A-Car
( Portland International Airport )
I’ve always been a BUDGET Rent-A-Car man, but this time I wandered outside of my usual to Carrentals.com and was lured over to Dollar for cost and a deal that had Budget quite beat. $67 Lock-n-Low special from Thursday late night through Sunday early evening. Since I’m not a credit card user, their web site said they only took a $250 hold on funds from your debit card vs. Budget’s $300 hold. I’m a budget traveller and that $50 difference is a world of difference for me. I completely disagree with the pirate-tactics of car rental agencies to lock your bank account funds in such a way when using debit cards instead of credit - but unfortunately the industry has us trapped. Dollar at least appears more sympathetic by having a lower hold fee. There was no line or wait at the Portland airport to pick up my car. The agent was very friendly (though tried to get me to add in extras) and hooked me up with a nice subaru (see above picture). The car was very new, clean, with heated seats, electric windows, sunroof, great sound system, and all the perks you’ve come to love in a vehicle. I loved my rental. The check-out process was streamlined. Oddly though when he checked me out, he stated you couldn’t leave the state of Oregon or Washington. It didn’t matter for this trip since I was just staying in Oregon - but in the future could see a problem with that. Unlimited Mileage and affordable prices. No problems with the car. It was a very nice ride. Check in was very efficient, streamlined, and got my receipt quickly. I had a very positive experience with Dollar. Thank you Dollar! Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5. Well counted my blessings too soon: They took the $250 debit card hold and charged it, the day AFTER I returned the vehicle. No charge for the $67 has appeared on my statement as of this writing (2/3/10) but they took my $250 and still have not returned it. After this experience, I’ve become wary of Dollar. Especially since after an hour of phone calls with them yesterday (2/2/10) ending in no resolution. They said it could take 2-5 days before refunding the money they were supposed to get a credit hold on and release the day the car was returned but instead cashed and are holding out on crediting back. As of this point, the company has made a 2 out of 5 rating as of this date (2/3/10). Rating: 2 stars out of 5 ~ Trust not what the representatives state and be very wary of their accounting techniques. In addition, for the Portland Office - they manage their own accounting. The Manager “Reza” was rude and not helpful, argued with me that he indeed submitted the payback, which according to my bank has not been submitted. With staff such as “Reza” - Dollar is bound to be heading downhill. Read the rest of this entry »
US Airways
US Airways
www.usairways.com * 1-800-428-4322 * Flying Denver to Phoenix to Portland
US Airways started as a mail carrier called “All American Airways” in 1939. US Airways is the fifth largest airline in the United States. As a premiere member of the Star Alliance, it has access to a fleet of 353 mainline jet aircrafts and 319 regional jets; serving over 200 destinations in North America, Central America, South America, the Caribbean, Hawaii, Europe and the Middle East. US Airways employs 33,765 people worldwide and operates 3,130 daily flights (2008 stats). In 2005 when US Airways and America West merged, the Airline majorly changed and formed the vast enterprise it is now. I’ve come to know this year of US Airways to be a friendly, fast, efficient, and affordable airlines that I seem to be using a lot towards the end of 2009 and beginning of 2010. One of their major hubs is the Phoenix International Airport. For the flight from Denver, it seems the last few times I’ve flown this airline, there is always a transfer from Colorado to the Phoenix Airport. (In December I flew from Denver to Phoenix to Orlando - This time from Denver to Phoenix to Portland). As I write this review, I’m aboard one of their planes from Phoenix to Denver, after hopping the initial flight from Portland to Phoenix. A week and a half ago I decided to attend the Faerieworlds Winter Celebration in Eugene, Oregon and cruised Kayak.com to find the most cost-effective flight available. The first page of displays were all “US Airways”. A flight leaving Thursday the 28th of January 2010 from Denver at 6 pm to Phoenix, with less than a hour layover, and onwards to Portland, Oregon. I was able to pay for the ticket online (routed to Cheaptickets from Kayak), get travel insurance for $15, pre-check in and print my tickets at home before heading to the airport. The only thing that bothered me from US Airways in the process was the fact they appeared to have raised their rates for checked luggage which I’m strongly opposed of any airline charging extra for checked luggage. This put a dampener on my trip as I couldn’t afford checked luggage and would have to pack on carryons. This meant I could not bring my bodypaints, my faerie wings, or my costumery. I’d have to pick up some paints once I got there and my unique costume would have to be sans wings. :: Sigh :: They allow one carryon and a personal item like a laptop bag or purse. (45 linear inches with max. weight of 40 lbs) I got to the Denver Airport in an hour and a half drive from Colorado Springs, went through security which seemed pretty packed, and on to the US Airways gate. I found a place to plug in my laptop with no issues, and was aboard the plane in no time. They got off on time and arrived in Phoenix a little early. The transfer to the Phoenix flight to Portland was on time and arrived in Portland early. Since I last minute booked the flight, I only had middle seats available to me, but that was ok as it wasn’t too tight a ride. The US Airways planes appear more spacious than the recent experiences/flights I had with United and Frontier. Of course very little food selections offered on the plane, not that I’d pay those outrageously high prices for chips or snacks. Free complimentary beverages as is the standard for US flights regardless of the airlines you go on. I’m not drinking sodas these days so I can’t state whether they give you the can or not (which when I was a soda drinker that was an important thing) - but the juices and water is poured in a cup, so I assume so. The stewardesses were friendly and hospitable. I quite enjoyed the flights. On the return trip during January 31st … much more comfortable and positive experience home - streamlined loading and unloading, no delays, early arrivals, and friendly / hospitable staff. This time I had window seats both flights home, with leg room to stretch since the middle seats were unoccupied. US Airways puts out a nice little magazine called the same as their name, with nice glossy color photo pages and good articles. They recently implemented a rule that you cannot store laptops in the seat-back pockets. I checked my bag in for the flight home, it cost me $20 online baggage checkin (I think $25 if I didn’t do it online). Baggage drop-off at the Portland airport was quick with no waiting, and streamlined. My travels this time around with US Airways has been a positive and enjoyable experience. Thank you US Airways! Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5. Flown 1/28/2010 & 1/31/2010.
Cheyenne Mountain State Park: Turkey Trot, Talon, Sundance Trails
Cheyenne Mountain State Park
Cheyenne Mountain State Park: Talon, Sundance Trail, Turkey Trot
* http://parks.state.co.us/Parks/CheyenneMountain/ * Highway 115 across from Fort Carson Gate 1 * Colorado Springs, Colorado *
One of the more popular trails at Colorado’s newest State Park, Cheyenne Mountain State Park, is a rugged foothills up through the alpine slopes trail starting the ascent of Cheyenne Mountain. These popular trails are known as “Talon” and “Sundance” which weave around each other as they climb upwards. You can take Talon from the parking lot by itself, or weave around a different loop journey with Sundance. Both of these trails have spectacular views of Colorado Springs and Cheyenne Mountain. Turkey Trot is a very easy 0.46 mile mostly flat trail that connects Sundance and Talon on the valley floor and is named as such because it’s so easy a turkey could do it. Talon is a 2.64 mile long moderate trail that increasingly gains elevation as it traverses the prairie and scrub oak and then climbs from the foothills and begins its ascent into the alpine slopes of Cheyenne Mountain. Sundance is a loop that weaves in and out of Talon, and is an easy 3.29 mile, mostly flat trail with minor elevation gain - beginning in the prairie dog colonies and prairies, scrub oak foothills, and variable terrain. Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5. Visited 1/8/2010; 1/10/2010; 1/18/2010.
Sundance
My Boyfriends Back (PG: 1993)
My Boyfriend’s Back
(PG: 1993)
Director: Bob Balaban. Starring: Andrew Lowery … Johnny; Traci Lind … Missy McCloud; Danny Zorn … Eddie; Edward Herrmann … Mr. Dingle; Mary Beth Hurt … Mrs. Dingle; Jay O. Sanders … Sheriff McCloud; and others.
With the same late 80’s/early 90’s comedy flair, “My Boyfriend’s Back” is a classic black comedy about a teen named Johnny Dingle who, in love with a girl named Missy McCloud, from childhood, dies before he can profess his love to her. His love is so strong he returns from the grave to take her to prom. But he has to figure out how to stop himself from decaying, or eating other students, before the prom happens. A classic necrophiliac love comedy. The film covers social mistrust and prejudice so acts as a political satire of the times. It is also of the teen satire in the classic aura of John Hughes. Lots of fun!
Rating: 4 stars out of 5.
Breakfast King (Denver, CO)
Breakfast King
* 1100 S. Santa Fe Dr./300 W. Mississippi Ave * Denver, Colorado 80223 * (303) 733-0795 * 24 Hours *
The Breakfast King looks like a typical old-fashioned chain diner, but its a unique infamous greasy spoon of Denver sub-culture. All American roadside diner, with classic 70’s style decor, bright orange booths, and a large menu of selections. The Westword calls it a “culinary time capsule” that still serves Coney Island hot dogs, chiliettes, and other classic foods. I second their observations. Located right next to I-25 its definitely a great stop off for weary travellers and a great place for breakfast after a night of clubbing. The service is fast, friendly, and the classical diner atmosphere you’d expect from the diner age. I had the Pancake sandwich with scrambled eggs inside … delicious. Visited 1/17/2010. Rating: 4 stars out of 5.
Black Swarm (R: 2007)
Black Swarm
(R: 2007)
Director: David Winning. Starring: Sebastien Roberts … Devin Hall / Dan Hall; Sarah Allen … Jane Kozik; Jayne Heitmeyer … Katherine Randell; Rebecca Windheim … Kelsey Kozik; Robert Englund … Eli Giles; Michel Perron … Mayor Blatz; and others.
The only thing this film has going for it is Robert Englund (Nightmare on Elm Street) who plays the mad scientist hired by the U.S. Government to create an insect swarm weapon of mass destruction. As the weaponizing wasps are unleashed upon a small town in New York, the mad scientist Eli is trying to figure out how to stop or control them. The single mom sheriff moves back in town with her daughter only to find the love of her life fixing to leave town and only lured to stay because of the wasp trouble given he’s the only exterminator in town. The wasps somehow take over the townspeople turning them into brainless zombies only to serve the hive. The sheriff’s daughter becomes the Queen. See where this is going? Batty … nutty … and a really stupid flick. Not worth its weight. Even if you’re a fan of nature against humans kind of films like me. Rating: 2 stars out of 5.
Trunk (R: 2009)
Trunk
(R: 2009)
Director: Straw Weisman. Starring: David Blanchard … George; Jennifer Day … Megan; and others.
A sex and murder craved lunatic kidnaps a woman from a parking garage shoving her into his trunk that is equipt with microphone and speakers so he can torment her during the drive to his ‘date’ spot where he plans to rape, murder, and torture her. But she quickly turns the tables on him as she finds a way to escape locking him into his own trunk to perish? or not … It was ok, but definitely not a favorite flick. Actually kind of boring. It would of been better as a play not a film since it took place in a solitary small location. Rating: 2 stars out of 5.
Severed: Forest of the Dead (R: 2005)
Severed: Forest of the Dead
(R: 2005)
Director: Carl Bessai. Starring: Paul Campbell … Tyler; Sarah Lind … Rita; Julian Christopher … Mac; JR Bourne … Carter; Michael Teigen … Luke; Leanne Adachi … Stacey; John Reardon … Greg; Patrick Gallagher … Anderson; Hrothgar Mathews … Eric; and others.
An interesting eco-zombie flick about a multi-national forestry company that is engaging in biological experiments with the trees in a very remote part of a Canadian forest in hopes of getting a better logging yield. Something bizarre goes wrong though, as the experimental biology takes hold in the loggers and a camp of environmental activists turning them into flesh-eating zombies. Its a fight for survival as several hole up in a fortress fighting off the zombies. Interesting plot and acting. I enjoyed it. Rating: 3 stars out of 5.
Ritz Bar and Grill (Colorado Springs, Colorado)
the Ritz Grill
* http://ritzgrill.com/ * 15 S Tejon St * Colorado Springs, CO 80903 * (719) 635-8484 *
The Ritz grill is a popular ‘older crowd’ bar and dance place in downtown Colorado Springs. Often frequented by 80’s cover bands and other live acts, the Ritz is a full scale restaurant and bar. They often throw themed parties like “Fat Tuesday”, “Halloween”, and “Xmas parties”. This visit on 11/15/2010 was a fundraiser for the Haiti Earthquake survivors. The food is very food. Though this visit I only came a drinkin’ vodka n’ club soda. Good service, friendly staff, fun times. Rating: 3.75 stars out of 5.
King Chef’s Diner (Colorado Springs, Colorado)
King Chef’s Diner
* 131 E. Bijou St., Colorado Springs, Colorado * 719.636.5010 * http://www.kingschefdiner.com/
My first experience at the King Chef’s was pretty good and tasty. While I only got the “enormous” pancake scramble sandwich, I found the place to be reasonably priced, with large portions, friendly staff, and good service. Its nice to have a diner right in the heart of Colorado Springs. I’m guessing its a new addition to the downtown scene, a bar/club stumble from the Springs’ main clubs, and having late night hours. They were brilliant in choosing this location. They are known for their green chili dishes. Apparently there is a smaller diner outlet (13 seat original purple castle) on Costilla in downtown that is also a popular place (but with little seating) that I’ve somehow missed over the last four years partying downtown. This larger Bijou Street location has plenty of seating any day of the week and are now open late on fridays and saturday nights. Apparently they are known for their burgers, burritos, melts, and chili dishes. Rating: 4 stars out of 5.