In Flight

Here I am folks, 35,000 feet in the air, in a steel tube (U.S. Airways jet plane) somewhere above the middle (I think) of the United States.  I look out my window by the right wing of this plane and I've seen nothing but snow below.

I have to tell you folks I'm typing this blog under somewhat (actually very) uncomfortable circumstances.  I'm fully clothed with my shirt, sweater and jacket in this tight, little cramped seat that I have fit my 6'3" body into.  I'm sitting directly across from the bathroom.  At first I thought "How convenient" but after the first hour of inhaling the "bathroom" smells (#1 and #2), I feel like I'm sitting next to an outhouse.  In the background a little girl is singing, which you know I just LOVE. Thank God there aren't any crying babies on this flight (yet).

So how was my ride to the airport and my checkin you ask? Not bad, not bad at all.

Monica, my co-worker and chauffeur to the airport, was right on time at 4:30 AM this morning.  I was up since 3:15 AM, having been rudely awakened by the insistent alarm on my clock radio.  A very rude alarm if I do say so,

I was all packed and ready to go.  Bill was already up, a rash on both of his lower extremities which I think was caused by the stress of me leaving him for this trip and him being without me for the next ten days (Bill does like me an awful lot).

The two hour drive to Philly airport was uneventful.  Traffic didn't start appearing until we neared the airport.  I'm glad I didn't decide to drive myself because it is confusing to get to the airport, with all those futuristic roads like spaghetti around the airport.  Bill is going to pick me up when I return home on the 17th.  It will be confusing for him but at least I don't have the deadline of making a flight.  We can take out time meandering home.

Monica dropped me off at the departure ramp.  I had already printed out my boarding pass at home.  That worked well.  Next up was to go through the TSA security check.  Hey, guess what?  All went smoothly.  I have to admit that TSA has the security thing down pat.  Even though the lines were long, they moved fast.  And I am so glad I decided to get a smaller suitcase that meets the requirements for the overhead luggage storage.  I didn't have to go through the aggravation of checking my bag nor the cost ($25 per bag). And I got an extra bonus, I didn't have to take off my shoes!  How about that? Most everyone else had to take off their shoes but I got a special sticker on my boarding pass that I could leave me shoes on.  Wonder why?  I have yet to take off my shoes for a flight since. 9/11.  Of course I've only been on two flights.  This one and the flight last August to Buffalo New York to meet Pat.

By the way, I'm only able to type this blog on the airplane because I bought an hour's worth of Internet access for $8.50.  Not bad but the access is slow and I mean SLOW.

Back to regular programming now.  I got through security and for the first time I didn't even set off any buzzers.  I always set off the metal detector, even and the Holocaust Museum a few years ago I set off the metal detector.  I didn't even have to go through the X-Ray body scan.  Ron, you're leading a charmed life,  Today anyway.

More good luck.  I'm sitting next to a very nice couple who I had to ask to get up three times so far.  Once when I got into my window seat.  Then twice to go to the bathroom.  I may have to ask them again because we're 2 1/2 hours into this five hour flight and my legs are starting to cramp up,  Plus I wan to take this coat off.  The captain reported temperatures of 80 degrees in LA.

This is going to be one of my few blog postings that don't have any photos.  I took some photos with my iPhone this morning but I don't think I can get them into my post.  Oh wait, I think I can!  I'll try now.  Tight squeeze here but I do have my USB connector.  I've give it a try now.

Hey folks,  I tried importing photos from my iPhone but some really funky stuff was happening. I can't figure it out so you'll just have to use your imagination on this post  Maybe when I get to the bed and breakfast where we're staying I can update you with my photos.

My purchased Internet time is about to run out now folks so I'm going to publish this blog.  See, I'm always thinking of my loyal blog followers by keeping you current on my adventures.  Don't I always?