All cleared the security line, except for the FA, who’s getting a mindful look over including the inspection of his overnight bag. The gloved TSA is peering inside piece by piece. Our FA wears a suitably disgusted look on his face and at the end of the ordeal is muttering to us incredulously about ‘why do they always want to look in my bag — every time‘. He can’t understand it, and explains that he has tried re-arranging his stuff, leaving things behind, and so on. We nod and grunt listening sympathetically. Later on we arrive at our destination hub and enjoy a productivity break where we have the opportunity to snack or read a paper. I perk up to the sound of a juice blender (not something furnished in our minimalist facility). It’s our FA and evidently he’s been hauling this device contraption around in his bag! Feeling somewhat deceived (betrayed) I had to ask sarcastically ‘you wondered what it was that set off the security alarm?’ Duuuh! He offered me a conciliatory sample taste of his ( 40-30-30 Faust diet ) — pureed peaches, fructose substitute, power-bar powder, almond slivers and ice. No thankyou. Pass…

The Jumers aka Peoria Castle Lodge is a mighty unusual place… It is dark and haunting replete with flickering gas lamps and early Californian Spanish dark wood furnishings. The architecture theme is 1960’s medieval Bavarian. The carpets and wall coverings are deep reds and browns the windows have stained glass panes. The strangest feature, however, is an oil painting portrait of someone real or factious in every room. The eyes of the likeness gaze out into the room in a fixating stare. The guest must occasionally check to be sure that these eyes are not following you about the place. Creepy.