The summer of 2021 has seen most of the states in our country relax their Covid-19 quarantine efforts enough to allow travel. However, airports and aircraft still require masks, and so our travel to Main would have us masked for the majority of the day.
The trip was split into two legs: Austin to Charlotte, NC, and from there to Portland, ME. A three hour layover and six in the air, combined with two hours in Austin Bergstrom in anticipation of long lines would see us in masks for half the day in total.
I'm not sure whether it was a bit of rust, or just wanting to be ready for anything on this trip, but I'd discover that I'd overpacked fairly badly, bringing several unnecessary things. Worse, I'd failed to consider that the weather in Maine could be quite wet (particularly since we'd be arriving on the tail of tropical storm Elsa). This would come back to bite me later!
I will say that the Ona messenger bag depicted above was the perfect carryon for flying. Roomy enough for a spare shirt, underthings, and other bits that are really good to have when one is invariably separated from one's luggage during a trip. Sturdy as heck, too.
At the airport (Austin Bergstrom). This would be the last time we'd be without masks on for quite awhile!
Lunch at Earl Campbell's before takeoff. Between Covid and the standard TSA security theatre, it's a good idea to get to the airport early. That can often mean planning meals with that in mind.
The Taproom in Charlotte, which featured one of the oddest wine glasses I've ever seen. Disposable plastic, but the bulb is square, making it super awkward to drink from.
Masks and glasses don't always work well together, especially after a few hours of coexistence.
The Charlotte Airport featured a long row of rocking chairs in its atrium. Apparently some time ago they had a temporary exhibit of them, and people were so upset when they were gone that the airport bought a number of them for permanent use. It was a really nice surprise, and relaxing (the original exhibit was about how rocking chairs make a space more friendly and comfortable). The chairs were manufactured locally, too.
This large mobile was also in the atrium. The aviation motif was surprisingly low key in the airport's aesthetic, all things considered.
My photography is sadly lacking for this day, and is not really adequate for many parts of this trip. This too I think is due to not traveling in quite some time, as well as quarantine protocols affecting our behavior in so many small ways.
We made it to Portland a bit later than scheduled, but the trip was uneventful. We were picked up by the hotel shuttle and drove in rain and darkness, but could still see some of the town and its lovely old buildings, brick sidewalks and streets.
