Last week I traveled to my hometown. Most trips to Port Townsend, I drive. The 800 mile round trip, though long, has much scenic variety, and I really enjoy the independence of having my own transportation. But last week, it being February, I traveled by plane (and light rail, and ferry, and car, and shuttle bus). The way over was a scramble of making connections, but on the return trip the shuttle that synced best with my 11 P flight from SeaTac to Walla Walla left me with six hours to fill at the airport. Within that potentially gloomy stretch of time I had the good luck to discover a getaway within my getaway.

 

What are you talking about?

 

9, remember the last time we were stuck at SeaTac for 6 hours and filled it by reading a whole bunch and drinking lots of coffee?

 

I’m a kid! Coffee will stunt my growth!

 

Dream on, 9, at our tallest we are five-feet-nine-inches. This trip, I realized I had options. Instead of parking myself on the C Concourse, the place where my flight would board, I realized I could easily explore three nearby concourses as well! After reading a lengthy and riveting piece about nuns visiting women on Death Row in a Texas prison in the current issue of The New Yorker, I trundled off to neighboring D Concourse.

 

Where you discovered subtle differences from C Concourse.

 

So true, Lily. Different airlines, a somewhat different mix and density of people coming from different places.

 

Certainly the restrooms are more modern.

 

Yes. Fresh finishes in grey instead of the ancient C Concourse beige; automatically flushing toilets; motion sensitive sink hardware. A Peet’s Coffee shop instead of the ubiquitous Starbucks, where I fueled up.

 

Twelve ounces? I’m shrinking!

 

The shot of oat milk probably offset that, 9. Not wanting to gorge on my getaway options all at once, I returned to C Concourse to finish my coffee and read some more New Yorker. Then, on to the wonders of B Concourse! The flooring came as quite a surprise:

 

 

Fish!

 

Yes! All the way from one end to the other. The restroom entrances had the same modern design as D Concourse, though I didn’t investigate the interiors. It was about 9 PM by that time, so I sallied forth to the remaining getaway, A Concourse.

 

Wow! What sights awaited me there! Taller, more dramatic windows, unique restaurants, and lots of sculptures:

 

 

Did you sit in the chair?

 

Oddly, no. I think I was overwhelmed by all the visual stimulation. Not to mention the “people mover” sidewalk that screamed of 1960s Space Age.

 

What about the restaurants?

 

Glad you asked, 9. This year in your life, when grandma and grandpa take you and Ann to Disneyland- –

 

I can hardly wait!

 

You’ll love it, for sure! Especially The Pirates of the Caribbean– –

 

I know! They keep showing it on Walt Disney’s Wonderful World of Color.

 

But pay attention to the Adventureland Jungle Cruise, too. Because 56 years later you’ll see something like it on A Concourse that takes you right back!

 

 

 

Talk about a getaway! Elephant head (hopefully fake) over the bar, zebra print upholstery, corrugated metal awning. Unfortunately, they were closed for the evening, but next time I have a 6-hour layover- -Or maybe I’ll go to SeaTac on a one day round trip and never leave the airport, just spend the whole day on A Concourse!

 

Has anyone told you lately that you’re deranged?

 

No, but someone probably will after they read this blog.

 

Or maybe we could just go to Disneyland again?

 

I won’t rule it out, 9. Let’s make an official Getaway List for future reference.

 

Because getaways don’t always happen by chance.