Thursday, January 29, 2015

Starboard sunset

I've been flying all day. Somewhere over New Mexico, I shoved headphones knuckle-deep into my ears to drown out the drone of jet engines, and the chatter of people around me.

I found myself with my head against the tiny window watching the patchwork of middle-America gliding past me.

Ponds and lakes reflecting the mid-day sun, shined like hubcaps. And rivers reached off into the distance. I wondered what the first travelers crossing our country would have thought about the river view from this vantage point.

When we touched down in Atlanta, I headed for the men's room to freshen up. When I looked at my reflection in the mirror, there was a crease across my forehead that looked like a scar. Hours of leaning my head against the port window, left its mark.

The layover in Atlanta was two hours so I sat at the gate and read an ebook on my phone. The last leg of the flight was packed, but apparently everyone else wanted to get home as badly as I did, because the cabin loaded quickly.

The flight from Atlanta  to Birmingham is a short one. In fact, the taxi to the end of the massive airport is almost as long as the flight to Birmingham.

The skies over Atlanta were cloudy, but somewhere east of Birmingham, the clouds lifted and the starboard sunset was stunning.

Jilda had an incredible dinner for me when I arrived home. I'm not sure I've ever had a better meal.






14 comments:

  1. Love the pictures and the post. I nominated you for The Very Inspiring Blogger Award!

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  2. Anonymous10:47 PM

    I hope you two realize how lucky you are to have each other!!

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  3. That is a nice sunset.

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  4. The picture is breath-taking. Arriving home is always the best.

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  5. Always love a sunset, this color is great. Thanks for taking us on the flight.
    You are so pampered by Jilda. :) NICE!

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  6. The best part of travel is often just returning home, especially if someone there has prepared a wonderful meal for you.

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  7. Hate flying didn't used to, but the last flight I had to tuck my knees almost to my chin and do elbow battle with the large man next to me. I love landing in the destination I have been wanting to see. Your post made flying sound much better.

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  8. There si no place like home

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  9. I'm not a fan of flying but it's nice having a window seat to look out and get a bird'seye view of the ground below.

    The most amazing sight amongst others when I flew to Scotland was looking on one side of the plane to see jet black sky and on my side of the plane the sun over the horizon. It was pretty cool and the rugged country along coastline and mountains. It was absolutely awesome.

    Welcome home Rick. I'm sure Jilda will be as pleased to see you as you are to see her. I hope you had a productive meting.

    JB

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  10. Isn't it great to be home?

    Love,
    Janie

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  11. Thanks all for your kind words. I've been a slug today, but I'm back on the road to recovery.
    I'll be catching up with all of you over the weekend.
    R

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  12. Beautiful words, Rick. I was just in the ATL airport last month. I am glad you made it home for that meal, safe and sound :)

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  13. Sounds like a great homecoming!

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