16. Saturday 23 July, 2011

We were up at 6:30, had a quick breakfast and were packed up and ready to go at 7:30am. We drove down the 41, through Oakhurst and straight on through Coarsefold and down to Fresno. It was just over an hour's drive from Fish camp. As we approached Fresno, Luz switched on the GPS and selected Airport Road which seemed like a good approach to the airport. It did get us to the airport, but it was the wrong one.

A quick argument with the GPS got it to recognise the airport we wanted, the main one (FAT) which was about 10 miles away. Luckily we had plenty of time and we finally got there and dropped off the car and returned the GPS at the Avis desk after a long wait in line. Then off to check in for our flight to San Francisco.

At the check-in desk we hit a problem over weight, the agent said to transfer some from Luz's case to mine and we could get away with $100 overweight charge plus $25 to check each of two cases. While we were re-packing, the agent left and was replaced by another. When we presented our bags again he said it would be a $250 charge. Then followed a heated argument which ended in calling the supervisor who agreed it was only $150: the agent, who was a trainee, had got it wrong. So after a forced apology from the trainee, we got the bags checked and were ready to fly.

The plane was a small propeller driven 30 seater, but despite the fears of Luz the flight turned out to be a very pleasant one, if a little expensive at $350 for a 40 minute flight (plus the overweight charges). We landed at San Francisco, coming in low over the bay, at about noon but had a half hour wait for the shuttle to the Embassy Suites at Burlingame, which we finally reached about 2:00pm.

At check-in we found we were too early, check-in was at 3:00pm. so we did a pre-check-in and stored the cases and went and enjoyed sitting in the atrium for an hour before claiming our room (415).

After settling in we went down to the atrium for the Manager's Reception at 5:30. This was busy, but much better (quieter) that the earlier Saturday night at Embassy Suites South San Francisco. We bought meals this time, to go with the free wine; nothing special. Back to room and late to bed.